Level 4 Soft Tissue Massage Therapy

More Information

At Level 4, a Soft Tissue Massage Therapist practitioners role includes planning, providing and evaluating massage therapy treatments to seek to correct common patterns of dysfunction, and/or pre-diagnosed injuries, using a range of basic and advanced assessment and massage and manual therapy techniques.

About The Course

This course enhances your ability to assess and address injuries, dysfunction, and pain more effectively through advanced assessment techniques and consultation skills, allowing you to create tailored treatment plans.

This recognised qualification enables you to obtain insurance as a sports massage therapist and apply for membership with professional bodies such as The Sports Therapy Association.

The Level 4 Diploma in Soft Tissue Massage Therapy is an interactive course that includes remote studying, case studies, and in-person attendance on specified dates for practical workshops and assessments. To gain practical experience, it is essential to practice alongside your studies with real clients, such as family members or friends.

The upcoming course runs from September 2024 to February 2025, with attendance to ten Wednesdays and six Fridays, excluding school holidays. Full attendance is mandatory to qualify for the final exams. If attendance falls below 100%, a transfer fee of £125 is required to move to the next course.

What Will You Learn

At Telford Soft Tissue Therapy School, we take a modern approach to soft tissue therapy. Thoughts about massage therapy have changed considerably over the years and it is now understood that the effects of massage is largely due to neurological responses via our contact with receptors in the skin rather than actually stretching and lengthening soft tissue.

You'll not only learn how to provide massage treatments during this course. You'll learn general clinical skills, critical thinking and invaluable communication skills to support clients wellbeing and participation in physical activity and sport.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must be at least 16 years old, be fit enough to perform massage, have a passion for helping people, good communication skills, IT skills, an interest in learning about the body and the motivation to learn and practice outside of course dates.

For those enrolling on this course who already have a current, recognised Level 3 Sports or Performance Massage qualification, you can apply for accredited prior learning (APL) where you may be able to receive exemption from completing certain assessments and dates on the course, and consequently receive a proportionate discount on the course fee.

Units, Topics & Assessments

Anatomy and Physiology for Soft Tissue Massage Therapy

Structural organisation of the human body

Structure and function of the skin, lymphatic system, urinary system, musculoskeletal system

Anatomy & physiology of the major joints of the body

Understand anatomical terminology

Classification, structure and function of bones and joints including bone growth and development

Classification, structure and function of the muscular system including types and properties of muscle tissue, characteristics of muscle fibre types and types and properties of muscular contraction

Classification, structure and function of the cardiovascular and respiratory system including mechanism and control of breathing

Classification, structure and function of the endocrine system including major glands and hormones

Classification, structure and function the digestive system and energy systems

The interrelationship between the anatomical and physiological systems including the body's movement systems, fuelling systems and response systems

Lifespan changes which affect the body system, health and wellbeing including young people (13-18), antenatal and postnatal period and older adults (50+)

ASSESSMENTS

Multiple Choice Exam

Presentation

Soft Tissue Therapy Professional Practice

Legislation required in massage including scope of practice, cautions, contraindications and professional standards

Standards relevant to the massage profession

Principles of professional practice in massage

Producing, maintaining and storing client records

ASSESSMENTS

Question and answer worksheet questions

Advanced Soft Tissue Techniques for the Treatment of Injuries, Dysfunction and Chronic Pain

Soft tissue injury and dysfunction including mechanism of injury, causes and signs and symptoms

Causes of soft tissue damage and dysfunction

How biomechanical dysfunction/ faulty movement patterns can result in injury

Types of soft tissue damage

Pain science focusing on the mechanisms of pain, types of pain, the biopsychosocial model and how therapists can incorporate pain science into practice

Soft tissue repair process

Soft tissue techniques to support soft tissue repair

Fundamentals of sports massage treatments including basic massage techniques

Further soft tissue techniques including soft tissue release, frictions, trigger points, and muscle energy techniques

Massage equipment, mediums and massage therapy contra-actions

Use of cryotherapy and heat treatments during soft tissue repair including physiological and neurological effects and contraindications

Treatment of oedema relating to injury

ASSESSMENTS

Client information resource task

Identification and treatment of injuries and dysfunctions written task

Role of a soft tissue therapist presentation

Advanced Client Assessment and Treatment Planning

Types of sports massage therapy treatments

Establishing treatment goals through subjective and objective assessment and communication including palpation, range of movement tests, posture analysis, functional tests and special tests

Conducting client assessments

Devising and agreeing sports massage treatment plans

ASSESSMENTS

Treatment observations

Treatment logs and evaluations

Conducting Client Treatments and Post-Treatment Care

Preparing and performing sports massage therapy treatment in a clinic, outside

Client and therapist positioning and comfort

Evaluating sports massage therapy treatments

Principles for any lifestyle advice given to support post-treatment care

Importance of healthy eating

Principles of post-treatment care and advice

Methods used in post-treatment care

ASSESSMENTS

Question and answer worksheet

Treatment observations

Treatment log and evaluations

Exercise Programme Design and Delivery for Soft Tissue Therapists

Effects of exercise on the body

Components of fitness and skill-related fitness (balance, agility, power, speed, reaction time and coordination)

F.I.T.T and principles of training including progression, overload, specificity and reversibility

Health benefits of physical activity

Contraindications for exercise and key safety guidelines for special populations

Methods of exercise progression and regression.

Barriers to exercise and SMART goal setting

Intro to behavioural change and motivational interviewing

Structure and design exercise sessions

Deliver and instruct exercise sessions

ASSESSMENTS

Multiple choice exam

Exercise session plan and delivery

Business and Marketing Skills for Soft Tissue Therapists

Developing a small business plan for a soft tissue therapy business

Create a marketing strategy for a soft tissue therapy business

ASSESSMENTS

Business and marketing plan

Course Price

Full course cost is £1478.

You can choose to pay a £125 deposit followed by 3, 6, 9 or 12 months payments.

Full payment must be made prior to certification.

2025 Course Dates

Wednesday's and Friday's

21st, 26th March,

4th, 9th April,

2nd, 7th, 16th May,

4th, 13th, 18th, 27th June,

16th July,

5th, 10th, 24th September

8th October

2nd, 7th, 16th, 21st May, 4th, 13th, 18th, 27th June, 2nd, 11th July, 5th, 10th, 24th September, 8th, 22nd October, 5th November

Already have a Level 3 qualification?

If you already have a recognised Level 3 massage therapy qualification, you may qualify for exemption from attending some of the Friday dates and some of the assessments. This decision is made on a case-by-case dependant on what qualification you have and how long ago you completed it. Any exemption will be eligible for a discount on the course price.

If you’d like more information about the course before applying, get in touch today.

Get in Touch

Course Location

Address

Telford Soft Tissue Therapy School

Randlay Community Centre

Randlay Avenue

Telford

Shropshire

TF3 2LH

Course Hours

Wed

Fri

9:30am - 2:30pm

9.30am - 12.30pm

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