Introduction to Chair Massage

You have made it very easy and efficient to complete CEUs and I will definitely come back.

Ally Palmer, LMT

Thank you so much, it was an amazing exam which helped refresh my memory.

M. Shinouda, LMT

The book is very interesting and easy to read. It is educational even for an experienced LMT, with great tips for protecting my hands during chair massage! Thank you!

S. McDermott, LMT

The book "Therapeutic Chair Massage" by R. Stephens is one of the best massage books out there. I learned things that are important for table massage as well chair massage.

Julie Heinzman, LMT

Thank you so much, it was an amazing exam which helped refresh my memory

Manal Shinouda, LMT

An informative course.

Linda Parks-Gobets, CMT

I enjoyed this course. It was really very helpful since I do seated massage as often as possible. Thank you!

Debbie Lucero, LMT

The combination of having a book sent and allowing an online test and online certificate works very well. I will try your courses again next year.

Jeff Brooks, LMT

Good refresher for seated massage. Very helpful. Met my requirements with new material. Thank you for being there.

Karen Baker, LMT

The questions were only for the first 6 chapters of the book. There are 13 chapters. So that was strange. The book is very interesting and easy to read. It is educational even for an experienced LMT, with great tips for protecting my hands during chair massage! Thank you!

Sarah McDermott, LMT

This course gave me a good refreshers from what I learned from my initial schooling. It will greatly help me in giving a better massage to my clients.

Ruth Douglas, LMT

This course exceded my expectations. This class was more through then the other chair massage classes I have taken. The text book was phenomenal.

Marie Leal, LMT

This course was very easy to read and understand. The references and pictures provided valuable details to fully understand the content. I can use all the knowledge presented in this course in my massage practice.

Felicia Wilkes, LMT

Very easy to study. Gained knowledge reading the material provided.

Jessica Featherston, LMT

Although I no longer do chair massage, there was so much very informative, technical, and valuable information for anyone interested in doing chair massage. It has proven a valuable modality for marketing, promotion, benefit massage, specific special situations, quick fixes, and “thank you” massage. I recommend this for a complete massage package!

Kathryn Nuzum, BCTMB

The information presented in this course was very informative. I came away with a greater knowledge of chair massage and how to better serve my clients while minimizing the possibility of injury to myself.

Rhonda Heyns, LMT

Such a great course for those looking for information about starting a chair massage business. Definitely got me thinking about incorporating chair massage into my massage business.

Katrina Gorsuch, LMT, BCTMB

I have been wanting to learn Chair massage. In school I learned some basics and wanted to know more. The book is very informative and shows many photo illustrations to aid in proper body mechanics. The only thing I would say is missing is an actual DVD to match the course material. Good info and this is something I will be incorporating into my practice.

Monique Gray

The chair massage course had an excellent book. I will definitely use this in my practice.

Alexandra Eaks, LMT

It was very important to hear "take care of yourself so you can take care of others" It's easier said than done. I was also grateful for the information on personal wellness program and all the information on self care.

Brenda Rozar, LMBT

1. Define “seated massage” and identify its benefits compared with table massage.
2. Identify the essential elements recommended for choosing seated massage equipment.
3. List the essential elements for effective client intake and assessment in seated massage.
4. List the essential elements for effective treatment planning and documentation for seated massage.
5. Identify the recommended body mechanics for performing seated massage.
6. Recognize at least 4 ways to use posture, movement and breathing to prevent therapist injury.

"Massage and stretch the short, contracted muscles 2 to 4 times as much as the long ones. The long muscles need to be massaged and lightly stretched because they are ischemic and, due to the constant overload, often harbor trigger points. They are usually the muscles the client feels their pain in. Massage and stretch them to restore circulation and eliminate any trigger points. This brings the client relief and they have the sense you are attending to their complaint. However, in doing this, you are just addressing the symptoms, not the cause of their problem. To address the cause and bring them longer lasting relief, you should address the short, contracted muscles on the other side of the joint and work to relax and lengthen them. If you treat both sides of the joint equally, you will not change the relative position of the joint or the tone of the muscles. You will just relax both sides. Once the client stands up, they will be in their same posture as before you started and possibly, by relaxing the already long muscles, you will allow the short, tightened muscles to pull them farther into distortion. This is why it is recommended to treat the shortened muscles 2 to 4 times as much as the long muscles, significantly relaxing and lengthening the short muscles, allowing the client to stand up into a more correct posture." from Therapeutic Chair Massage (2006), by Ralph R. Stephens, p. 54

If your client has postural distortion, the general rule is to work the muscles on both sides of the involved joints, massaging 2 to 4 times longer on the

a. referred pain
b. trigger points
c. shortened side
d. lengthened side