Massage Mastery
From Student to Professional, 2nd Edition, by Anne Williams
Massage Mastery: From Student to Professional is a comprehensive introductory massage text first published in print by Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins (LWW). We've organized the digital textbook to motivate students with progressive topics that build their confidence and sense of accomplishment. In addition, students gain a strong foundation in the underlying theory and practice of contemporary massage therapy.
Twenty-four clear, easy-to-follow chapters are broken into manageable reading assignments that explore all the critical areas addressed in most massage programs of 625 - 1000 hours. Chapters on communication skills and building healthy therapeutic relationships with clients establish the importance of soft skills and critical thinking for professionalism.
Massage Mastery addresses both relaxation and clinical massage and teaches a variety of forms like Swedish, seated, stone, myofascial release, deep approaches, and neuromuscular therapy. For schools that introduce students to Eastern bodywork, a chapter on Chinese medicine concepts that underlie Asian Bodywork Therapy and an introduction to techniques from tuina, shiatsu, Thai, and ayurvedic massage are helpful.
The text provides thorough discussions on assessment, session planning, and documentation, separating this learning into two in-depth chapters. One chapter addresses assessment and session planning for relaxation sessions, while the other focuses on health care massage in clinical settings and exceptional SOAP charting.
Professionals returning to massage therapy after a long break might find this textbook useful as a review of core subjects and topics. Similarly, professionals preparing to enter the classroom as teachers will find this text an invaluable resource for foundational education.
Williams, Anne. Massage Mastery: From Student to Professional, 2nd Edition. Sweet Orange Education LLC, 2019. ISBN 1-7923-7937-4
Early chapters focus on topics that form the framework of a professional massage practice emphasizing soft skills. We highlight effective communication, professionalism, critical thinking, maintaining a healthy therapeutic relationship with clients, and practicing ethical behavior.
Detailed chapters on massage effects and indications and massage cautions and contraindications help massage students understand the powerful reactions clients have to massage, ensuring they work safely from early in their studies.
Early practice-based chapters teach hands-on skills in a logical progression matching students’ developing abilities. Subjects like positioning clients, modest draping, opening and closing the massage, and proper body mechanics create a strong hands-on foundation.
Assessment, treatment planning, and documentation for wellness massage proceed detailed chapters on authentic Swedish massage techniques, seated massage, spa therapies, hydrotherapy, Eastern approaches, and energetic approaches.
A second, in-depth chapter on assessment, treatment planning, and documentation teaches these topics at an advanced level to prepare students for chapters on myofascial and deep work, proprioceptive and neuromuscular approaches, musculoskeletal injury and massage, massage for chronic pain conditions, selected pathologies, and massage for special populations with an appendix on health care terminology.
Video demonstrations of 38 techniques are useful for professionals who have taken a break from massage practice.
So long as you use Chrome as your browser, therapists with English as a second language can instantly translate the text into your native language, so you never miss a concept.
Concepts come alive with plenty of images of techniques, tables, diagrams, charts, and appealing graphic design.
Cleaver web navigation puts an entire textbook just two clicks away and provides an ongoing outline to help you mentally frame the content you are learning. Learners get a dose of satisfaction when they mark topics and lessons complete and see the progress bar advance.
You can access your textbook on a phone, laptop, desktop, or tablet, making it easy to reference in your session room.
Subscription Period: Ongoing Access
Access: After purchase, you’ll log into massagemastery.online with your email and password. The textbook will be waiting for you on your dashboard. Click the access button and follow the directions.
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