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Qualification Overview

The Focus wards Level 4 Diploma in Sports Massage Therapy qualification provides learners with the knowledge and skills needed to be able to provide sports massage therapy to a range of clients who have dysfunctional tissue, without acute/post-acute injuries or underlying pathological conditions. This course is an excellent addition to already qualified personal trainers and Beauty/Massage therapists or for those looking for a career in sports massage therapy.

Details

  • Plymouth, Southend and Telford Centres
  • Accredited Qualification

 

 

Course Details

Fully Funded for ages 19 and over

Course Length: 2 days per week for 14 weeks, 09.30-16.30. Courses run in line with the school academic year and we therefore have breaks for half-terms, Easter, Christmas and the Summer holidays.

Type: Blended learning – classroom based and e-learning; 2 days a week and home study (recommended 10 hours a week)

Entry Requirements

Ages 19+

Applicants will also be required to complete a functional skills test upon enrolment.

Qualification Structure and Units

Anatomy and physiology for sports massage

Knowledge and an understanding of the human body and how it functions is the starting point of sports massage theory. The more we understand about how the body functions, what may interrupt this functioning (such as trauma and injury), and what influence increased activity has on the systems that combine to make it function, the more the sports massage practitioner can use their skills and knowledge to advise their clients.

 

Principles of health and fitness

Developing your knowledge and understanding of the principles of health and fitness is an important aspect of being a sports massage therapist. This includes the benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle, understanding the short and long-term effects of exercise on the body, knowing the components of fitness and principles of training. You will also learn the key fundamentals of healthy eating, hydration and professional boundaries when offering nutritional advice.

 

Understand the principles of soft tissue dysfunction

Here you will develop your knowledge and understanding of soft tissue injury and dysfunction. This will include teaching you to differentiate between injury and dysfunction, learning the different types of soft tissue injuries, common causes and signs and symptoms of each. You will also learn the process of soft tissue repair, the factors that may influence the repair process and the importance of the inflammatory process.

 

Professional practice in sports massage

In this unit you will develop the knowledge and understanding related to professional practice in sports massage. This includes current legislation, the use of chaperones, informed consent, scope of practice, contra-indications, referral and record keeping. You will also discuss expected standards of professionalism, the purpose of regulation, insurance requirements and the importance of continual professional development.

 

Sports massage treatments

You will learn the knowledge, understanding and skills required to prepare, apply and evaluate sports massage treatments. You will develop their knowledge of the history and development of sports massage and how this can be used to complement other therapies and treatment. You will also develop your understanding of the fundamental of sports massage and how different methods can be used for different purposes. You will develop the skills to prepare and apply sports massage, to reassess clients and provide appropriate aftercare advice. You will also develop the skills to evaluate treatments and reflect on their practice including the proper posture for both client and masseur.

 

Conducting subjective and objective assessment

Here you will develop your knowledge and understanding of the clinical procedures for client assessment and treatment planning and how to conduct objective physical assessments for clients.

 

Provide sports massage techniques to prevent and manage injury

In this unit you will develop the knowledge and understanding of neuromuscular and soft tissue mobilisation techniques used in sports massage and how to apply effective neuromuscular and soft tissue mobilisation techniques to support rehabilitation and injury prevention.

 

Treatment modalities to support soft tissue repair

You will learn the knowledge, understanding and skills required to prepare, apply and evaluate sports massage treatments and how to utilise soft tissue techniques appropriate to specific clients as well as treatment modalities to support soft tissue repair. 

 

Useful Information

Focus Awards is an awarding organisation recognised and regulated by Ofqual.

 

This qualification will prepare you for employment as a massage therapist. You will also be eligible to join a professional association and gain insurance as a massage therapist. Career opportunities as a massage therapist exist in a variety of contexts, including:

  • Working in a salon/gym as an in-house sports massage therapist
  • Self Employed sports massage therapist using a gym or salons facilities
  • Self Employed sports massage therapist with your own facilities
 

This qualification provides progression on to:

  • Routes into fitness instructing.
  • Routes onto Level 5 Sports Massage Therapy or Sports Therapy degree
 

Yes, all courses run in line with the school academic year and we therefore have breaks for half-terms, Easter, Christmas and the Summer holidays.