Course Descriptions

Orientation

Course Type: Health Science

This course introduces term 1 students to the College, outlines expectations, and reviews key polices and procedures.

Anatomy and Physiology 1

Course Type: Health Science

This course provides students with an introduction to the human body, with a brief overview of introductory chemistry, cellular biology, histology, and fundamental principles of systemic anatomy and physiology as they pertain to homeostasis.

Musculoskeletal System Anatomy and Kinesiology 1 – Lecture

Course Type: Health Science

This course will provide a detailed study of the musculoskeletal system including all of its components, muscles and their attachments, function and innervations in all regions of the body. The purpose of this course is to introduce the students to a detailed study of the back, upper extremity, lower extremity, head and neck including all of its bones, muscle attachments, muscle functions and muscle innervations. It also introduces the critical thinking of musculoskeletal system to students.

Musculoskeletal System Anatomy and Kinesiology 1 – 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 to introduce learners to basic palpation of specific structures of the human body.

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.

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.

Anatomy and Physiology 2

Course Type: Health Science

This course is designed for students to develop knowledge at the organ level of human body organization. Emphasis during this course is placed on the basics of the human body anatomy and physiology, including the cardiovascular system (heart, blood vessels and hemodynamics), the lymphatic system and the respiratory system. Students will develop their knowledge of medical terminology as well as their understanding of the human body. Creative thinking skills are developed in assimilating and building knowledge of structure, location, principal components, physical characteristics and functions. Students will prepare to implement a unified scientific and professional approach to treatment of patients.

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.

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.

General Pathology 1

Course Type: Health Science

This course provides a study of disease beginning with the general pathologies of infection, bacterial, viral and fungal diseases, disorders of growth and neoplasia, systematic pathology, disorders of the circulation, skin, nervous system, muscle, cardiovascular system, blood vessels, respiratory tract, alimentary tract, liver, biliary tract and pancreas, kidney and urinary tract.  Students will utilize their understanding of previously introduced pathologies and further explore diseases relating to the endocrine and reproductive system as well as the aging process.

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.

Anatomy and Physiology 3

Course Type: Health Science

This course is designed for students to develop knowledge at the organ level of human body organization.  Emphasis during this course is placed on the basics of the human body anatomy and physiology, including the digestive and urinary systems, metabolism, and fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base homeostasis.  Special attention will be dedicated to exercise physiology.  Students will develop their knowledge of medical terminology as well as their understanding of the human body.  Creative thinking skills are developed in assimilating and building of knowledge of structure, location, principal components, physical characteristics, and functions.  Students will prepare to implement a unified scientific and professional approach to treatment of patients.

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.

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.

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.

Anatomy and Physiology 4

Course Type: Health Science

Following Anatomy & Physiology I-III, students will continue to build on their knowledge at the organ level of human body organization. The focus of this course is on human anatomy and physiology as it applies to the endocrine system, male and female reproductive systems, pregnancy and development. Students will continue to develop their knowledge of medical terminology and how the anatomy and physiology of the systems and processes covered in this course integrate with the whole body and apply to massage therapy.

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.

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.

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.

General Pathology 2

Course Type: Health Science

This course provides a study of disease beginning with the general pathologies of infection, bacterial, viral and fungal diseases, disorders of growth and neoplasia, systematic pathology, disorders of the circulation, skin, nervous system, muscle, cardiovascular system, blood vessels, respiratory tract, alimentary tract, liver, biliary tract and pancreas, kidney and urinary tract.  Students will utilize their understanding of previously introduced pathologies and further explore diseases relating to the endocrine and reproductive system as well as the aging process.

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 and 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.

Pain and Stress

Course Type: Clinical Science

This course is designed to provide an understanding of sensory discriminative, motivational affective and cognitive evaluative dimensions of pain and pain measurement.  This course will also provide an exploration of alternative and adjunctive therapies, their indications and uses; and qualifications necessary to perform them.

Clinic Case Presentation

Course Type: Clinical Science

This course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to synthesize and integrate coursework in Clinical Science, Human Science, Research and Statistics.  This is achieved through the preparation, research, submission, and presentation of a clinical case study report.

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.

Mock Oral Practical

Course Type: Clinical Science

This course provides a forum for review, synthesis and integration of all assessment and treatment techniques and modalities taught and utilized throughout terms all of the terms.

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.

Consolidated Practice

Course Type: Clinical Science

This course is designed to provide a forum for review, synthesis and integration of all assessment, treatment techniques and homecare modalities taught and utilized throughout terms one to five of training in the massage therapy program.

Spinal Orthopedic Treatment

Course Type: Clinical Science

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

Consolidated Health Science

Course Type: Clinical Science

This course is designed to provide a forum for review and synthesis of core science material covered in anatomy and physiology and musculoskeletal anatomy and kinesiology throughout terms one to five of training in the massage therapy program.