Course Descriptions

Manual Skills 1

Course Type: Clinical Science

This course is designed to introduce students to manual applications of massage therapy, the primary physiological effects, uses, and indications of various swedish massage techniques and contraindications to massage therapy.  Students will learn safe and appropriate biomechanical skills, hygiene standards, patient handling, table setup, and draping techniques as they develop their palpation and tactile skills.

Clinical Assessment

Course Type: Clinical Science

This course provides training in the performance of clinical soft-tissue diagnostic and assessment techniques, including history taking and physical exam.

Hydrotherapy

Course Type: Clinical Science

This course is designed to provide an understanding of the history, basic physiology, theory and applications of hydrotherapy, including both heat and cold. Students will experience a variety of hydrotherapy treatments, and learn to assess, determine appropriate hydrotherapy treatment, devise and implement a hydrotherapy treatment plan and achieve competence in performing hydrotherapy modalities.

Ethics and Professionalism

Course Type: Human Science

This course is designed to introduce students to the professional role and commitment of registered massage therapists as regulated healthcare professionals.  Specifically ethics and professionalism focuses on developing the student’s ability to understand the professional role and commitment and meet basic entry to practice standards in the area of ethics and professionalism (outlined in the Inter-Jurisdictional Competency Profile) as well as mastery level education in Ethics and Professionalism commensurate with advanced curriculum requirements in other regulated healthcare fields.

Professional Communication

Course Type: Human Science

This course is designed to introduce students to the fundamental communication and inter personal relationship skills which will be required of them as regulated healthcare professionals. It will focus on meeting basic entry to practice standards in the area of Professional Communication. Specifically it assist students in developing both oral and written communication skills including active listening and non verbal communication and  conflict resolution skills essential to professional communication.

Musculoskeletal System Anatomy and Kinesiology 2 – Lecture

Course Type: Health Science

This course provides a detailed study of the kinesiology of the back, upper extremity, lower extremity, head & neck including all of their joints and ligaments. There will be a detailed study of the articular surfaces forming the joints, the ROM of the joints and different groups of muscles acting on the joints. This course will also introduce students to muscle testing, posture and gait biomechanics.  The bones and muscle characteristics (origin, insertion, innervations and function) will be reviewed from MSAK 1.

Musculoskeletal System Anatomy and Kinesiology 2 – Lab

Course Type: Clinical Science

Musculoskeletal Anatomy and Kinesiology provides a detailed study of the musculoskeletal system including all of its components, attachments, innervations and vascular supply in all regions of the body. The goal of the course is for learners to attain a mastery level of palpatory and clinical skills.

Manual Skills 2

Course Type: Clinical Science

This course reinforces and builds on the principles and techniques introduced in Manual Skills 1. Specifically this course focuses on skills development, uses, indications, effects, precautions and contraindications to advanced swedish and myofascial techniques.  This course will also provide and introduction to the concept of fascial release as applied to all structures of the body that include connective tissue components.  Learners will expand critical thinking and interpersonal skills as they practice trigger point patterns, gain knowledge of attachment release techniques and gain training in the application of manual techniques to assist the athlete in optimal performance and recovery.

Neurology 1 PNS

Course Type: Health Science

In this course, students will utilize their understanding of previously introduced anatomy and physiology of the nervous tissue and further explore its peripheral division. Students will continue to increase their knowledge and build critical thinking and problem solving skills by bridging theoretical fundamentals for clinical applications.

Therapeutic Exercise

Course Type: Clinical Science

This course introduces students to the topic of therapeutic exercise.  Specifically this course will assist students in acquiring the fundamental knowledge and skills they will require as registered massage therapists.  It will accomplish this goal by ensuring that students are taught basic entry to practice competencies applicable to the subject area of Therapeutic Exercise covered under the heading Therapeutic Exercise in the Inter-Jurisdictional Competency document.  This includes the understanding of foundational concepts and the applied science of exercise and techniques as therapeutic interventions.

Clinic Internship 1

Course Type: Clinical Practice

This is where students will have the opportunity to utilize the knowledge and skills they are acquiring in the classroom and put these into practice. Clinical practicum provides students with the opportunity to treat a wide variety of people with many different soft tissue conditions.

In addition to obtaining clinical experience in the College’s professional intern clinic, WCCMT’s students also obtain valuable clinical experience through the College’s extensive community inreach and outreach programs. Presently our students participate inreach and outreach practicum’s with the following special-needs patients:

• Fibromyalgia
• Cerebral Palsy
• Burn and trauma survivors
• Multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson’s
• Patients with terminal illness
• Pre-and postnatal mothers
• Performance athletes
• Corporate employees

Community outreach practicum’s are provided in venues such as retirement and nursing homes, hospitals, long and short-term care facilities, performance athletic training centres and corporate settings.

Neurology 2 CNS

Course Type: Health Science

This course is designed to introduce students to structural design and function of the central nervous system through detailed study of the anatomy of the brain, spinal cord, and autonomic nervous system.  In addition, students will study the anatomical features and physiological mechanisms of the special senses; olfaction, gestation, vision, hearing, and equilibrium.  Brain functions such as memory, emotion and behavior are also studied.

Systemic Treatments 1

Course Type: Clinical Science

In this course, students will modify techniques in order to explore treatment methods appropriate to peripheral vascular conditions, headaches, digestive system pathologies and respiratory dysfunction.  Clinical reasoning skills are introduced and practiced.  Creative thinking and problem solving are emphasized in adapting and evaluating various treatment techniques and modalities for appropriateness and effectiveness.

General Orthopedic Treatments

Course Type: Clinical Science

The purpose of the course is to bring together all of the treatment and assessment techniques learned individually and to integrate them into principles of assessment and treatment of general orthopedic conditions.

Clinical Management

Course Type: Clinical Science

This course is designed to introduce students to the concepts and skills of clinical reasoning, effective clinical case management and outcome focused treatment planning.  They will implement these skills in their clinic internship and further demonstrate their knowledge of them in the research presentation course.

Orthopedic Pathology

Course Type: Health Science

This course focuses on structural and degenerative musculoskeletal pathologies of the spine, upper and lower extremities and the body’s response in terms of wound healing. Students will learn to recognize common symptoms and signs of illness and begin to understand the nature of musculoskeletal diseases. Students will develop the ability to correctly distinguish indications and contraindications.

Research / Academic Writing

Course Type: Health Science

This course will introduce students to the subject of research literacy.  More specifically it will assist students in acquiring basic research literacy skills in order to assist them in accessing and utilizing research to enhance patient care. This course will also provide students with mastery level knowledge by introducing them to basic statistical principles.

Clinic Internship 2

Course Type: Clinical Practice

This is where students will have the opportunity to utilize the knowledge and skills they are acquiring in the classroom and put these into practice. Clinical practicum provides students with the opportunity to treat a wide variety of people with many different soft tissue conditions.

In addition to obtaining clinical experience in the College’s professional intern clinic, WCCMT’s students also obtain valuable clinical experience through the College’s extensive community inreach and outreach programs. Presently our students participate inreach and outreach practicum’s with the following special-needs patients:

• Fibromyalgia
• Cerebral Palsy
• Burn and trauma survivors
• Multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson’s
• Patients with terminal illness
• Pre-and postnatal mothers
• Performance athletes
• Corporate employees

Community outreach practicum’s are provided in venues such as retirement and nursing homes, hospitals, long and short-term care facilities, performance athletic training centres and corporate settings.

Regional Orthopedic Treatments

Course Type: Clinical Science

This course introduces students to the topic of Regional and Spinal Orthopedics, specifically this course will assist students in acquiring knowledge and skills to assess and treat pathological conditions of the axial and peripheral joints.

Systemic treatments 2

Course Type: Clinical Science

In this course, students will modify techniques in order to explore treatment methods appropriate to cancer, dermatological, connective tissue, endocrine, cardiovascular, and female reproduction disorders as well as learning principles of pregnancy, labor and delivery, infant and breast massage.  Clinical reasoning skills continue to be practiced and built upon from Systemic Treatments I.

Joint mobilization

Course Type: Clinical Science

This course introduces students to the topic of joint mobilization.  Specifically this course will assist students in acquiring the fundamental knowledge and skills they will require as registered massage therapists.  It will accomplish this goal by ensuring that students are taught basic entry to practice competencies applicable to the subject area of Joint Mobilization.  This includes the understanding of arthrology and arthrokinematics of the peripheral skeleton and the application of safe and effective manipulation for rehabilitation

Clinic Internship 3

Course Type: Clinical Practice

This is where students will have the opportunity to utilize the knowledge and skills they are acquiring in the classroom and put these into practice. Clinical practicum provides students with the opportunity to treat a wide variety of people with many different soft tissue conditions.

In addition to obtaining clinical experience in the College’s professional intern clinic, WCCMT’s students also obtain valuable clinical experience through the College’s extensive community inreach and outreach programs. Presently our students participate inreach and outreach practicum’s with the following special-needs patients:

• Fibromyalgia
• Cerebral Palsy
• Burn and trauma survivors
• Multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson’s
• Patients with terminal illness
• Pre-and postnatal mothers
• Performance athletes
• Corporate employees

Community outreach practicum’s are provided in venues such as retirement and nursing homes, hospitals, long and short-term care facilities, performance athletic training centres and corporate settings.

Neurological Assessment and Treatment

Course Type: Clinical Science

Neurological Assessment and treatment-CNS and PNS provides training in the recognition of central nervous and peripheral system disorders and the assessment, treatment planning, treatment application, handling and rehabilitation of patients with these disorders.

Business Practice Management

Course Type: Human Science

This course introduces students to the topic of business and practice management. Specifically this course will assist students in acquiring the fundamental business knowledge and skills they will require as therapists to successfully operate a massage therapy practice. It will accomplish this goal by ensuring that students meet basic entry to practice competencies applicable to the subject area of business and practice management as outlined in the Inter-Jurisdictional Competency Profile document. This includes understanding the various health legislation related to appropriate business practice.  Secondly it will accomplish this goal by focusing on best practices for business and practice management for massage therapists.

Medications

Course Type: Health Science

This course introduces students to the topic of medications, commonly used drugs and side effects.  Specifically this course will assist students in exploring and examining symptoms of absolute and relative contraindications for massage relating to medications.

Surgery

Course Type: Health Science

This course is designed to introduce students to the purpose and description of common surgical procedures, short and long-term complications, post-surgical assessment and history taking and identification of post-surgical contraindications to massage treatment.

Nutrition

Course Type: Health Science

This course is designed to introduce students to nutrition as it relates to assessment and treatment in a health care setting.  This course will cover the basic biochemistry necessary to understand the science of nutrition, but will emphasize the practical application of nutrition in daily life and in therapy.  This course also has the intention of creating a valuable reference manual, such that, upon graduation the student will be well aware of the resources available to them and their patients in order to provide the client with the best care possible.

Health Regulations

Course Type: Human Science

This course will begin with a review of the professional role and commitment as regulated healthcare professionals and then introduce students to the federal, provincial and regulatory regulations that, as registered massage therapists, they will be accountable, responsible and liable for upholding. Specifically this course will focus on the Health Professions Act (HPA), Massage Therapy Regulation, CMTBC Bylaws (including Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics), and Advisory Statements.  This course will ensure that students have meet basic entry to practice standards in the area of health regulation (outlined in the Inter-Jurisdictional Competency Profile) as well as mastery level education in this subject area commensurate with advanced curriculum requirements in other regulated healthcare fields.

Clinic Internship 4

Course Type: Clinical Practice

This is where students will have the opportunity to utilize the knowledge and skills they are acquiring in the classroom and put these into practice. Clinical practicum provides students with the opportunity to treat a wide variety of people with many different soft tissue conditions.

In addition to obtaining clinical experience in the College’s professional intern clinic, WCCMT’s students also obtain valuable clinical experience through the College’s extensive community inreach and outreach programs. Presently our students participate inreach and outreach practicum’s with the following special-needs patients:

• Fibromyalgia
• Cerebral Palsy
• Burn and trauma survivors
• Multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson’s
• Patients with terminal illness
• Pre-and postnatal mothers
• Performance athletes
• Corporate employees

Community outreach practicum’s are provided in venues such as retirement and nursing homes, hospitals, long and short-term care facilities, performance athletic training centres and corporate settings.

Advanced MFR

Course Type: Clinical Science

This course integrates anatomical and physiological knowledge with practical skills to enhance flow along normal lymphatic pathways. Skills learned can be applied to help reduce swelling, alleviate pain and restore tissues to more normal physiological conditions.