Massage for Special Populations

Pregnancy, Cancer, & Elderly Clients

4, 6, or 12 hrs

As massage therapists, we serve a diverse clientele such as individuals who are pregnant, who have cancer, who are elderly, and in hospice care. Each population has their own unique set of treatment considerations. Susan Salvo will provide you with the latest information on how to provide health assessments, screen clients for complications, and how to modify massage for special populations. Special emphasis will be placed on formulating client-centered & condition-appropriate treatment plans.

Massage for the Medically Fragile

3, 4, or 6 hrs

Massage therapists serve a diverse clientele which includes individuals who are medically fragile from chronic illness, congenital disorders, advanced age, or those in hospice care. Susan will provide you with the most up-to-date information about the medically fragile including (1) how to conduct a proper intake, (2) special infection control measures, (3) medical devices and medication use, (4) effective communication with clients, treatment team members, and family members, and (5) how to modify massage to create client-centered & condition-appropriate treatment plans. Come learn this valuable information.

Body Mobilization Techniques

4, 6, or 12 hrs - Upper and/or Lower Body

BMT is a new look at neuromuscular techniques. It consists of passive body movements designed to interrupt your client’s dysfunctional neuromuscular patterns to reduce pain, decrease stress, and improve function. BMT is gentle enough for children and elderly, non-invasive enough for clients struggling with psychosocial issues such as anxiety and PTSD, and ideal for clients in rehabilitation. BMT is portable and practical, does not require special equipment, and clients remain clothed. This method can be combined with other techniques or used exclusively in a session. Based on principles of neuroscience and psychology, Susan will show you how to revolutionize your treatment protocols and improve therapeutic outcomes.

Pathology: Top 10 for Massage Therapists

4 or 6 hrs

Chronic diseases are the most predominant ailments that plague our clients. Pathology expert, Susan Salvo, will present the top ten pathologies such as diabetes, arthritis, cancer, and others. Risk factors will be included as well as disease complications such as neuropathy, amputations, and DVT. Because clients often use medications or undergo medical procedures such as shunts, radiation therapy, and joint replacement surgery, these are included in the presentation. Learn how to formulate client-centered and condition-appropriate treatment plans. This information-packed course will give you the tools you need to better serve your clients.

Massage Therapy & Pharmacology

3, 4, or 6 hrs

Many clients use medications, some of which have significant impact on the session. What is the most crucial side effect of hormone replacement therapy? Of statin drugs? Massage expert Susan Salvo will discuss drug administration and highlight commonly used meds such as those used for pain control, as antidepressants, and for management of cardiovascular and diabetic conditions. This workshop will give you confidence to make safe practice decisions.

Massage & Research: The New Frontier

3 or 4 hrs

Massage has moved into a new era with research taking a center stage. Research is changing our profession and shaping how we are viewed by para-professionals and clients. Much of what we knew about massage was based on tradition rather than science and we need to distinguish fact from fiction. The importance of research in our profession cannot be overstated. This course puts research into perspective and gives you the tools you need to incorporate research findings into your practice. As a bonus, Susan will share with you the most current massage therapy body of knowledge which includes research-based massage effects. This is a great class for all therapists from new graduates to massage scholars.

TMJ Massage

3 or 4 hrs

Do your clients have temporomandibular joint disorders? Chances are the answer is YES. TMJD affects 35 million people in the United States. Come learn a series of techniques to address pain and dysfunction. Susan will discuss the causes, signs, symptoms, and commonly used medical interventions to treat TMJD. She blends a variety of techniques such as traditional massage therapy, neuromuscular, craniosacral, trigger point therapy, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, and Trager techniques into a fantastic routine. This class does include intraoral massage— non-latex gloves will be provided.

Ethics & Massage

3, 4, or 6 hrs

Ethics is doing the right thing at the right time for the right reason. Massage expert Susan Salvo will help you navigate the world of ethics where your own prejudice or a client’s motivation can change how you approach situations. This class will expand your perceptions as Susan plays your personal devil’s advocate and shines a light into dark corners. Using informed consent as the discussion platform, this class will give you a deeper understanding of ethics and will likely be the most interesting ethics class you’ve ever taken. As a bonus, Susan will give you updated forms to use in your practice such as consent forms, treatment planning forms, and HIPAA-compliant client communication forms.

Massage & the Elderly

3, 4, 6, or 12 hrs

The elderly are the fastest growing population in the country. Working with the population requires an understanding about aging as well as lifestyle and emotional changes. Join trusted expert Susan Salvo as she guides you learn about diseases that affect the elderly, ways to adapt your session for clients with impairments and disabilities, and how to work with clients in skilled care facilities. Susan will share her knowledge and experience with you during this quality educational experience.

Massage Therapy & Cancer

3, 4, 6, or 12 hrs

 Everyone knows someone affected by cancer. Cancer brings a tremendous amount of fear, anxiety, and stress. Cancer treatments are taxing on the body and have many undesirable side effects. Join Susan as she gives you the tools you need to create better therapeutic outcomes. Come learn about cancer types, how it spreads, and treatments. This quality educational experience will prepare you to work with clients with cancer as well as clients in hospice care.

Self-Care for Massage Therapists

3 or 4 hrs

Massage can be physically and emotionally demanding. Massage therapists often have difficultly setting limits and may overextend themselves, which leads to burnout. Let Susan Salvo be your professional coach as she shares secrets of her long and successful massage career. During the class, we will review basic principles of health and body mechanics, participate in reflection activities, and design a personalized self-care plan that takes into account your needs and aspirations. Come get re-energized!

Business & Marketing: Gain the Edge

3, 4, or 6 hrs

Technology is changing the way we do business. To stay competitive, you must keep up with the most cutting edge methods of business and marketing while still retaining classic customer service skills that are all too often lost in the modern shuffle.With a host of business awards and Master’s in educational leadership and technology, Susan will deliver one of the best businesses class you have ever taken. She combines the basics of client satisfaction and personal service concepts with the modern conveniences of the information age – websites, search engines, social media, cell phone apps and more.

Infectious Diseases

2 or 3 hrs

Massage therapists seek to improve the health and well-being of their clients through massage therapy. Regardless of your work setting or methods you use, you will encounter clients who have diseases or medical conditions and who are under medical supervision. This course reexamines the “chain of infection” and looks closely at ways to reduce the risks of transmission. As a bonus, Susan will share with you the current guidelines regarding when to massage clients after surgery, injury, illness, cautionary sites, and as well as relevant pharmacological considerations.

Teacher In-Services

2, 3, or 4 hrs

Teacher in-service education is programs of planned activities designed to increase teacher competencies in the performance of their professional responsibilities. Examples of in-services topics are (1) Case Studies: Improve your Lessons with Cases; (2) Teaching Research Literacy; (3) Teaching Pathology; (4) Teaching Ethics; (5) Blended Learning; and (6) The 21st Century Classroom. Other in-service topics are available upon request. Susan has been involved with education for most of her massage career. Her love of massage education lead her to finish a Master’ Degree in Education and she is currently working on her Doctorate in Education.