Massage Mastery
From Student to Professional, 2nd Edition, by Anne Williams
If you're studying massage therapy, you deserve more than a book that just dumps information on you. Massage Mastery is built from the ground up to help you learn, retain, and use what you're studying. It’s designed to guide you step by step from the classroom to your first professional massage job, and beyond.
With interactive tools, video demonstrations, full audio, instant translations, and an easy-to-use digital platform, this isn’t just a textbook. It’s your personal learning companion, anytime, anywhere, on any device.
Learn Faster. Understand More. Succeed Sooner.
Massage Mastery doesn’t just tell you what to do: It shows you. You’ll watch technique videos, listen to engaging podcasts, or even complete audio recordings of every chapter, and you can test your knowledge with instant-feedback quizzes. Whether you’re a visual, auditory, or hands-on learner, the textbook adapts to your style.
You’ll build real confidence as you go. The content is structured to help you master each topic before moving to the next, so you’re never left guessing or overwhelmed. You’ll not only understand what you’re doing, you’ll know why you’re doing it.
Study Anytime, Anywhere
Because the textbook is 100% digital, you can take it with you everywhere. Study during a commute, on your lunch break, or in the quiet of your own space. Your textbook is always just a click away. You don’t have to carry a heavy book or worry about losing notes. Everything you need is at your fingertips.
Need to find something fast? Just type in a keyword. Looking for review materials? You’ll find interactive quizzes and summaries built into the platform. Struggling with English? The platform instantly translates text into over 110 languages.
Master Techniques with Step-by-Step Video
Let’s face it, some things are hard to learn just by reading. That’s why Massage Mastery includes real-time video demonstrations of the techniques you’ll practice in class. See correct body mechanics, follow proper draping techniques, and review moves as many times as you need. It’s like having a tutor on demand.
Missed a class? Want to preview a technique before practicing? The videos are right there for you, whenever you need them.
What You’ll Learn
Massage Mastery is designed to grow with you, from basic techniques to more advanced clinical work. You’ll start by learning the foundations of a professional practice, including basic Swedish massage, client positioning, draping, and body mechanics.
From there, you’ll move into more hands-on work: advanced Swedish massage, seated massage, stone massage, and spa therapies. You'll also explore Eastern bodywork, like shiatsu, tuina, Thai massage, and ayurvedic techniques, plus advanced clinical topics like:
- Myofascial release and deep tissue
- Proprioceptive and neuromuscular therapy
- Massage for chronic pain and special populations
- SOAP charting for wellness and healthcare settings
There are two paths in this textbook: One for wellness massage and one for clinical massage. So you’ll feel confident wherever your career takes you.
Plus, you'll develop essential professional skills like communication, ethics, career planning, and working with diverse clients. You’ll also learn how to assess your clients’ needs, plan treatments, and document your work—skills that employers are really looking for.
As a bonus, you’ll get the complete textbook “Preventing Disease Transmission in a Massage Practice” included at no extra cost, giving you the knowledge you need to keep yourself and your clients safe and healthy.
Built to Help You Succeed
Massage Mastery helps you:
- Feel confident with real-world massage techniques
- Learn faster with videos and full audio recordings
- Stay on track with interactive quizzes and study tools
- Prepare for exams with clear explanations and structured review
- Fit learning into your life with mobile access
- Stay current with continuous updates and new research
You’re not just learning to pass an exam; you’re developing a mindset, skill set, and confidence that will carry you through school and into your professional life.
Ready to Start?
Massage Mastery is the most effective, engaging, and convenient way to learn massage therapy. You can access the entire textbook today for the lowest price available right here on this site.
Why wait? If you’re serious about becoming a skilled, confident massage professional, this is where your journey begins.
Here’s everything you need to know before you buy, from how to access your textbook to what devices it works on, how long you’ll have it, and where to get the best price.
Format:
Massage Mastery is a fully digital textbook. You can access it through any web browser on your phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop. It’s optimized for mobile, so your textbook is always with you—whether you're in class, on the go, or reviewing in your session room. Please note: This is not a printed book, and hardcopy versions are not available.
Subscription Period:
One-time payment. Lifetime access. No recurring fees or subscriptions—ever.
Access:
After purchase, just head to massagemastery.online, and choose "Students". Log in with your email and password, and you’ll find your textbook waiting on your dashboard. You can change your email or password at any time by going to My Profile which you'll find in the navigation menu.
Accessibility:
We’re committed to making this resource usable for everyone. Through 2025, we’re actively working to meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA and Section 508 accessibility standards.
Pricing:
You’ll always get the lowest available price by purchasing directly from this site. Massage Mastery is also available through most campus bookstores and digital textbook retailers like VitalSource and RedShelf.
Citation:
Williams, Anne. Massage Mastery: From Student to Professional, 2nd Edition. Sweet Orange Education LLC, 2019. ISBN 1-7923-7937-4
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
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