With 24 structured chapters, Massage Mastery provides a well-rounded foundation in massage therapy for programs of 625 - 1000 hours, covering the theory, techniques, and professional skills necessary for success. The content progresses in a way that supports active learning, critical thinking, and hands-on application.

The textbook includes detailed instruction in Swedish massage, deep tissue techniques, myofascial release, neuromuscular therapy, seated massage, hydrotherapy, reflexology, stone massage, and energetic approaches. Schools that introduce students to Eastern bodywork will appreciate chapters on shiatsu, tuina, Thai massage, and ayurvedic practices.

In addition to technical skills, the text emphasizes the importance of professional and interpersonal skills, with dedicated chapters on communication, ethics, therapeutic relationships, and career planning. Students learn not only how to perform massage but also how to interact with clients, maintain professional boundaries, and create a sustainable career.

To reinforce critical thinking and clinical decision-making, Massage Mastery includes two dedicated chapters on assessment, treatment planning, and documentation—one focused on wellness massage and the other on healthcare massage. This ensures students develop the skills necessary to work in both spa and clinical settings.

As a bonus, the textbook includes Preventing Disease Transmission in a Massage Practice at no additional cost, ensuring that students are fully informed on hygiene, sanitation, and professional safety protocols.

Engaging, Multi-Sensory Learning for Better Student Outcomes

Learning is most effective when students can engage with content in multiple ways, and Massage Mastery is designed to support all types of learners. The interactive digital platform enhances comprehension and retention, ensuring that students truly understand and apply what they learn.

The textbook includes video demonstrations of key techniques, allowing students to see proper body mechanics and application in real time. This is especially valuable for students who miss class or need additional practice outside of school. Full-text audio recordings provide another layer of engagement, allowing students to listen to content while commuting, exercising, or reviewing material hands-free.

To support English as a second language students , the platform offers instant text translation in over 110 languages, ensuring that no critical concepts are lost. The integrated interactive quizzes help reinforce key learning objectives and provide immediate feedback, so students can track their understanding and instructors can identify areas where additional support is needed.

The mobile-optimized platform allows students to access their textbook on any device, making it easier to fit learning into their schedules. Whether reviewing techniques before a client session, studying for an exam, or reinforcing concepts between classes, students have their entire textbook at their fingertips, anytime they need it.

A powerful search and navigation system makes it easy to find any topic instantly, ensuring students can quickly reference information when they need it most. Unlike static print books, Massage Mastery is continuously updated with the latest research and best practices, keeping students and educators at the forefront of the profession.

With these features, students don’t just pass exams—they develop the skills and confidence to succeed in their careers.

A Smarter, More Effective Approach to Massage Education

Massage schools need more than just a textbook—they need a reliable, flexible, and effective educational tool that supports instructors and helps students succeed. Massage Mastery provides a streamlined, instructor-friendly solution that enhances learning outcomes while simplifying course management.

Through the school dashboard, instructors can easily assign textbooks, track student progress, and monitor quiz scores, making it easy to see which students are on track and who may need additional support. The platform also includes a full set of instructional resources including lesson plans, PowerPoint slides, and study guides, allowing for seamless integration into existing curriculum.

Schools benefit from instant textbook access, eliminating shipping delays and ensuring students can start learning immediately. 

Because students can access their textbooks on multiple devices, they are far more likely to engage with the material outside of class, leading to higher retention, better comprehension, and stronger exam performance. By offering a modern, interactive learning experience, schools provide students with a higher-quality education that fully prepares them for the realities of professional massage therapy.

For schools looking to enhance their programs with cutting-edge instructional design, engaging content, and seamless digital integration, Massage Mastery is the ideal choice.

Textbook Introduction & Orientation

Chapter 1: Massage from Past to Present

• The History of Massage
• Overview of Techniques, Systems, and Approaches
• Contemporary American Massage

Chapter 2: Massage Equipment and Environmental Considerations

• Massage Equipment
• Lubricants
• Creating a Comfortable Massage Environment

Chapter 3: Sanitation, Hygiene, and Safety

• Disease
• Preventing Disease Transmission
• Standard Precautions
• The Safety Plan

Chapter 4: The Therapeutic Nature of Massage

• Evidence-Based Massage
• Massage Effects and Benefits
• Massage Indications
• Understanding Stress and Wellness

Chapter 5: Massage Cautions and Contraindications

• Areas of Caution
• Medications and Massage
• Massage Contraindications

Chapter 6: Ethics and the Law

• Ethics
• Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice
• Massage Law

Chapter 7: The Therapeutic Relationship

• The Power of Touch
• Psychological Factors in the Therapeutic Relationship
• Boundaries in the Therapeutic Relationship
• Bodymind Factors in the Therapeutic Relationship
• Managing Emotions in the Therapeutic Relationship

Chapter 8: Professional Communication

• Core Concepts in Communication
• Communication Blockers
• Active Communication
• Conflict Resolution

Chapter 9: Your Massage Career

• Your Career Plan
• Work as an Employee
• Starting a Private Practice

Chapter 10: Foundation Skills for Therapeutic Massage

• Overview of Wellness Massage Sessions
• Positioning
• Draping
• Opening and Closing the Massage

Chapter 11: Body Mechanics and Self-Care

• Prepare for the Demands of a Massage Career
• Good Body Mechanics
• Self-Care on the Job

Chapter 12: Assessment, Treatment Planning, and Documentation for Wellness Massage

• Assessment for a Wellness Session
• Palpation
• Session Planning for Wellness Massage
• Introduction to Documentation

Chapter 13: Swedish Massage Techniques

• Effleurage
• Petrissage
• Friction
• Vibration
• Tapotement
• Joint Movements
• Putting it All Together

Chapter 14: Seated Massage

• Introduction to Seated Massage
• Seated Massage Techniques

Chapter 15: Spa Therapies and Other Approaches

• Spa Therapies
• Aromatherapy
• Reflexology
• Stone Massage

Chapter 16: Hydrotherapy

• Introduction to Hydrotherapy
• Hydrotherapy Benefits and Effects
• Hydrotherapy Applications

Chapter 17: Eastern Approaches

• Asian Bodywork Therapies
• Ayurvedic Bodywork

Chapter 18: Energetic Approaches

• Key Concepts in Energy Medicine
• Reiki
• Polarity Therapy
• Therapeutic Touch

Chapter 19: Assessment, Treatment Planning, and Documentation for Health Care Massage

• Healthcare Sessions and the Intake Process
• Pain Assessment
• Posture and Gait Assessment
• Range-of-Motion Assessment
• Treatment Planning for Health Care Sessions

Chapter 20: Myofascial and Deep Tissue Approaches

• Myofascia
• Myofascial Techniques
• Deep Tissue Approaches

Chapter 21: Proprioceptive and Neuromuscular Approaches

• Proprioceptive Techniques
• Neuromuscular Therapy

Chapter 22: Musculoskeletal Injury and Massage

• Factors in Musculoskeletal Injury
• The Inflammatory Response and Massage Treatment
• Understanding Common Musculoskeletal Injuries

Chapter 23: Massage for Chronic Pain Conditions and Selected Pathologies

• Understanding Pain
• Fibromyalgia
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Headaches
• Cancer
• HIV/AIDS

Chapter 24: Massage for Special Populations

• Massage for Athletes
• Massage for Mother and Infant
• Massage for Older Adults
• Massage for Obesity
• Massage for People with Disabilities
• Massage for End-of-Life Care

Appendix A: Health Care Terminology

Appendix B: References

Appendix C: Glossary

Anne is the Director of Education and co-founder of Massage Mastery Online, specializing in digital textbooks that make learning more efficient, effective, and enjoyable. Anne is a licensed massage therapist (27 years), an aromatherapist, a certified reflexologist, a spa consultant, an author, and an educator (formally an esthetician and registered counselor). She is the former Director of Education for Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP), where she pursued her passion for instructional design and developed support materials and resources for massage students, instructors, schools, and professional members from 2006 until 2019.

Before working with ABMP, Anne was a massage instructor for eight years, emphasizing curriculum development and program implementation for Ashmead College in Washington State, and in 2004 became their director of education at the Tacoma campus. She has offered several continuing education programs, including workshops on hot stone massage, aromatherapy, spa therapies, and reflexology.

Anne has served on the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) test writing committee and worked with the dynamic team at ABMP to develop ABMP's Student Life Program, ABMP Exam Coach, ABMP 5-Minute Muscles, and many other resources for schools and instructors. She also wrote the curriculum for the "Instructors on the Front Lines" massage teacher training program for ABMP from 2008 to 2019 and the content for the ABMP School Forum from 2007 to 2019. In addition, she is the author of Spa Bodywork: A Guide for Massage Therapists, 2nd Edition (2016), and Massage Mastery: From Student to Professional (2013), both previously published in print by Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.

Anne served as project leader for the Entry-Level Analysis Project (ELAP). This research project described what a person must know and be able to do to practice massage safely and competently at the entry level. The ELAP curriculum blueprint outlines the learning outcomes and objectives all schools should teach in foundational education and was published in 2013 by the Coalition of National Massage Therapy Organizations. In addition, Anne partnered with Eric Brown and the team at ABMP to produce the ABMP Business Summit, ABMP Back Pain Summit, Eric Dalton Online Workshop, and ABMP Head & Neck Summit, attracting more than 16,000 registrants and hosting more than 7,000 people online, live at one time.

Today, Anne lives in Louisville, Colorado, where she explores her passion for instructional design for adult learners, now in online formats, with her husband, Eric Brown, and a team of feline helpers (Indu, Minnie, Loki, and Delphi). When not writing, Anne loves rock climbing, ice climbing, hiking, biking, skiing, hanging out with friends, and anything that gets her out into Colorado's beautiful countryside. She is teaching Eric to enjoy camping.

Students can purchase the textbook from a variety of online sellers, but will always get the guaranteed lowest price by buying directly from this site. 

For bookstores and schools that work through textbook aggregators, our textbooks can be ordered through VitalSource or Redshelf. License keys (access codes) will be provided for students to access their textbooks. Textbooks purchased through these companies can be accessed either through their bookshelves or directly through this site. 

All other schools can buy textbooks directly from this site at significantly discounted prices and school administrators can assign students their textbooks through an easy-to-use interface. Request review copies to purchase wholesale.

Williams, Anne. Massage Mastery: From Student to Professional, 2^nd Edition. Sweet Orange Education LLC, 2019. ISBN 1-7923-7937-4