Anatomy and Physiology
The study of the structure and relationship between body parts.
Aromatherapy & Spa Life
The use of pure essential oils (from various plants) in a massage to enhance relaxation or attain other benefits such as skin quality improvement.
Acupressure
The application of light pressure with fingers on special points on the body to enhance health or lessen problem – these are the same points as used in acupuncture.
Business Finance
Understanding the general process of finances will support financial success as a private practitioner and/or as an employee. (goes into accessing financial needs, income and expenses, deductions, general bookkeeping and taxes).
Career Launch
We place a strong emphasis on learning business and professional skills to equip you with all the skills you need to work in the rapidly-growing industry of massage therapy.
Deep Tissue Massage
Massage that focuses on the deepest layer of muscle tissue, tendons and fascia (the protective layer surrounding muscles, bones and joints.
Energy Work
Techniques to balance the body’s energy, founded on scientific information about the body as an electro-magnetic field.
Ethics and Practitioner Issues
To enhance critical thinking and decision making skills with clients, colleagues, and employers with a deeper understanding of professionalism, ethics, and boundaries in the field of massage therapy.
Hand & Foot Reflexology
An applied pressure therapy that involves stimulating reflex points that are located on the hands and feet. Hand and foot reflex points correspond to specific areas of the body and when used singly or in combination, produce therapeutic benefit.
Hands-On Experience
We offer two invaluable opportunities for students to gain hands-on practical experience: the NHI Student Clinic and NHI’s Externship program.
Hot Stone Massage
A form of “thermotherapy” in which hot stones are positioned on specific areas of the client’s body and allow for greater deep tissue manipulation.
Kinesiology
Another name for anatomy, this is the study of the body’s movement and specific muscles in detail.
Lymphatic Massage
Deep massage work that flushes toxins out of the body.
Massage Theory and Practice
We teach you a wide range of massage techniques. We also teach you how to assess a client’s individual needs and how to develop a customized massage program to meet those needs.
Myofascial Therapies
Myo-fascial Therapies (myo means muscle, fascia is a “lining” between skin and muscle, and around muscle bundles) includes advanced techniques designed for solving problems in each major area of the body: neck, shoulders, back, etc.
Pathology
The study of illnesses or abnormal bodily conditions.
Prenatal Massage
Massage that takes into account the special needs, such as body positioning and cautions, of a pregnant woman.
Rocking & Shaking
Keeping the body in a continuous rocking motion to release tight muscles and loosen joints.
Shiatsu Massage
A style of work originating in Japan that uses finger pressure and stretches for body relaxation; done on a floor mat without the use of oil.
Sports Massage
Techniques particular to athletes and highly active people, used to assist them in enhanced performance and quicker recovery from injury.
Swedish Massage
A popular style of oil massage that uses moves, such as long gliding strokes, that are aimed at relaxation and increased physical well-being.
Thai Massage
The traditional massage of Thailand that focuses on yogic-type stretches.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
The ancient system that sees the body from an “energy” point of view and forms the basis for acupuncture; at NHI, TCM is the basis for our Shiatsu classes and acupressure classes.
