Sports Massage and Integrated Stretching Techniques

6 CEUs for Massage Therapists and Chiropractors*

Course Description:

Sports massage can help to increase flexibility, prevent injuries, and improve athletic performance and day to day movement activities.  Sport massage can also aid in recovery from an injury that may arise from sport training or other overuse behavior patterns.

The goal of this course is to teach students how to incorporate stretching techniques into their massage sessions.  Students will correct tightness and imbalances to assist in improving mobility, flexibility, and range of motion.

Theory and practice of sport massage and integrated stretching techniques will be used to release muscles, tendons connective tissue and ligaments, which in turn will aid joint function.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Identify conditions that can affect joint dysfunction by assessments (standing anteriorly, posteriorly, and laterally as well as lying prone and supine).
2. Describe and demonstrate elements of different integrated stretching techniques based on assessments.
3. Describe and demonstrate the elements of sports massage combined with integrated stretching.
4. Demonstrate proficiency in the following hands-on massage techniques:
   1. Effleurage
   2. Petrissage
   3. Friction
   4. Percussion/ Tapotement
   5. Muscle Energy Technique
   6. Trigger Points
   7. Soft Tissue Release
   8. Myofascial Release
5. Demonstrate proficiency in a variety of integrated stretching techniques.
6. Identify and provide treatment will help to avoid pain and dysfunction.
7. Demonstrate proper therapist body mechanics – upper and lower body.

About the Instructor: Toni LaSala, PhD, LMT, NSCA-CSCS, ACSM-EP-C, RYT, ACE -GEI, Integrated Stretch Coach (NASM), Health and Wellness Coach. A Licensed Massage Therapist, Toni has taught Exercise Physiology and related topics in academia as well as massage schools for over 30 years. She has also taught myofascial release, stretching, massage techniques, ethics and other continuing ed topics to licensed healthcare professionals for many years.  She has implemented and managed fitness and wellness programs in fitness centers, in Global Fortune 500 corporations, in hospitals and chiropractic centers, as well as for children with learning disabilities. Toni has been a researcher, student advisor, corporate consultant, scholarly presenter, and published author of peer-reviewed articles. She has 21 certifications in fitness and health coaching, most recently as a certified pickleball coach with PPR and a member of USA Pickleball.

*CONTINUING EDUCATION APPROVALS: This course is approved for NJ chiropractors through the NJ Board of Chiropractic Examiners. The Institute for Continuing Education is an Approved Provider/Sponsor with the NJBOCE through 8/31/27. The Institute is also recognized by the PACE Program of the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards. The course is approved  for Massage Therapists/Bodyworkers  through the NCBTMB for all states but NY, Approved Provider # 307800-00.