NZ Diploma in Wellness and Relaxation Massage

This  fantastic one year programme will provide the health and beauty sector, wellness and massage therapy industry with people who can provide wellness and relaxation massage therapy services including Swedish style relaxation massage, on site chair massage, pregnancy massage and pre & post event sports massage. 

Successful graduates will be capable of working independently here in NZ or overseas, on cruise ships, in International health resorts and other employment within the ever increasing wellness industry worldwide.

The programme topics will include:

• a) Knowledge of human functioning and apply knowledge to wellness and relaxation massage therapy practise in a theoretical context as well as a practical context during extensive consultation and evaluation with clients and correct application of the 5 main massage movements of effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, vibrations and frictions. 
• b) Anatomical aspects of human functioning including skin, musculoskeletal, nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, immunity, respiratory, metabolism, digestive, urinary, lymphatic and reproductive systems. Students will learn how to demonstrate safe and effective massage techniques to ensure human functions are not impeded nor damaged. 
• c) Neuromusculoskeletal anatomy and relevant surface anatomy to provide theoretical and practical foundation for wellness and relaxation, sports massage therapy practice ( pre / post and maintenance), pregnancy massage and on site  chair massage. 
• d) Evaluate the effectiveness of wellness and relaxation massage therapy  interventions for individual clients' needs through the use of thorough and extensive consultation technique and case studies, followed by evaluation and reflective practice. This consultation and case study aspect will include client history, interviewing, communication and listening skills, objective assessments, assessment of client needs, session planning, goal management, evidence base for choice of intervention, safety considerations, ethical and professional and cultural requirements. 

• e) Apply the knowledge and understanding of wellness and relaxation massage techniques; wellness techniques; muscle specific massage techniques; healthcare programming for stress and wellness interventions and client education. 
• f) Underpinning knowledge in a breadth of practice covering relaxation massage, on site chair massage, infant and child massage and sports massage, will include the history of massage; body mechanics and practitioner self care practices; principles of massage therapy; evidence based effects of massage therapy (including indications and contraindications); stress and wellness theory; stress management; scope of practice; boundaries; ethical considerations; professionalism; professionalization;  multicultural practice; te tiriti o waitangi;
• g) Workshops & guest speakers will cover aspects of (included but not limited  to) pregnancy massage, thai massage and a research project will cover additional interventions such as hot stones, reflexology, eastern therapies, thai massage; shiatsu; holistic pulsing; polarity; reflexology; movement integration; aromatherapy; positional release. 
• h) Nutrition for general health and wellness of themselves and the client?
• i) A range of professional, self management, communication and client service knowledge and skills to meet wellness and relaxation massage therapy, client and industry needs will form underpinning knowledge across the interventions as well as record keeping and clinic management; academic skills (self reflection; reading; writing; referencing); customer service; professional and ethical behaviour.