This intensive course provides the skills to qualify as a sports massage therapist, allowing you to offer safe massage treatments that are both commercially acceptable and performed in accordance with legislation and establishment rules. It will provide you with the ability to practice sports massage techniques used to treat and care for clients who have a need to relieve pain and recover from sporting endeavours. Sports massage techniques allow clients to progress with their sporting and fitness goals and aim to reduce inflammation and discomfort, while minimising the long-term impact and the risk of future injuries.
Additionally, this has been designed to enable qualified massage therapists who hold a Level 3 Diploma in Massage (or equivalent) to enhance and develop their expertise by adding sports massage techniques to their skills portfolio.
Once you have successfully passed this course, you will be a fully qualified sports massage therapist who can gain insurance and set up your own business or gain employment within the industry. Should you wish, you will be able to continue your studies to the Level 4 and Level 5 Diploma in Sports Massage.
Dates and times
February 2025
The face-to-face component of the course will run over five sessions on Sundays from 9am-5pm:
- 16th February 2025
- 2nd March 2025
- 9th March 2025
- 16th March 2025
- 23rd March 2025.
This course is blended, with some online learning required outside of the classroom. We estimate a total time of around seven hours a week will be required to complete the course, including practice and revision.
The examination date will be an additional day, approximately six to eight weeks after the last day of the course. We will email you the date once it is agreed with the external provider.
Price
The full cost of the course is £760.
A 10% discount is available for St Mary’s students on physiotherapy, strength and conditioning or sport rehabilitation degrees and partner clinics.
To take advantage of this discount, you must book your place via the link below and ensure you select ‘pay deposit only’.
You must do this before the 24th January otherwise the discount will no longer be available.
When you have signed up, please email us from your St Mary’s email account so we can apply the £76 discount before you pay the balance.
Please note that places are limited, and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Location
This course will take place at our 60 Waldegrave Road campus.
Content
During the course you will learn classical massage techniques, including effleurage, petrissage, frictions, tapotement and vibrations.
You will learn specialised sports massage techniques, including manual lymphatic drainage, neuro-muscular technique (NMT), muscle energy technique (MET), soft tissue release (STR), connective tissue massage (CTM), and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF).
The course has the following learning outcomes:
- know the roles and function of the energy systems in relation to physical activity and exercise
- know the structure and function of the muscular system
- know the responses of the nervous system to sport and exercise
- know the anatomy and physiology of major joints of the body
- know the effects of anatomy, physiology and pathology on human function
- know the principles of injury prevention and management
- know the principles of training and components of fitness
- know the principles of soft tissue dysfunction
- be able to carry out assessment for sports massage
- be able to demonstrate professional practice in sports massage
- know the effects and benefits of sports massage
- be able to demonstrate sports massage techniques
- be able to carry out post massage treatment protocols.
Assessment
This course is assessed via a 50-question multiple choice paper, a practical exam and a portfolio of evidence containing 15 treatments, made up of five clients being treated three times.
Requirements
This course is offered to physiotherapists, osteopaths, chiropractors, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners, as well as St Mary’s students on physiotherapy, strength and conditioning or sport rehabilitation degrees, taking account of and complementing your existing knowledge and skill set.
Additionally, this is offered to students who hold a Level 3 Diploma in Massage qualification (or equivalent) and those who are experienced, practising therapists. We will ask you to provide a copy of your qualification when you apply.
Award
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be awarded an ITEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sports Massage. You will be a fully-qualified masseur who can gain insurance and set up your own business, or gain employment within the industry.
Book your place now
For more information about this course, please contact the Short Courses Team: