The Level 5 Certificate in Sports Massage Therapy (ITEC) course provides the highest level of training in sports massage.
It is designed for experienced practitioners including osteopaths, physiotherapists and sports massage therapists who have already achieved the Level 4 Diploma in Sports Massage qualification.
The course will build on existing knowledge and experience. It will also provide an in-depth understanding and learning of the complex skills and techniques required to work as an advanced sports massage practitioner.
Advanced sports massage practitioners will be equipped to work with clientele ranging from recreational athletes and fitness enthusiasts, to professional sports players, and elite athletes.
Dates and times
This is a part-time course will run from 9.30am-4.30pm with 10 sessions over a five month period.
Saturday course sessions will run from 1st March 2025 to 5th July 2025 and includes:
- Saturday 1st March 2025
- Saturday 15th March 2025
- Saturday 29th March 2025
- Saturday 5th April 2025
- Saturday 26th April 2025
- Saturday 3rd May 2025
- Saturday 17th May 2025
- Saturday 7th June 2025
- Saturday 21st June 2025
- Saturday 5th July 2025.
The examination date will be an additional day approximately two to three weeks after the last day of the course. Once agreed with the external provider you will be notified by email.
Location
This course will take place at our 60 Waldegrave Road campus.
Price
The full cost for the course is £1,250. The deposit is £50.
Content
Whilst enrolled upon the course you will study two units which include conducting complex assessments for sports massage and providing complex sports massage techniques for sports massage.
The unit components include:
- understanding neurological presentations
- understanding and assessing sport specific posture and gait
- principles and practice of complex assessment methods for sports massage
- conducting and applying complex assessment methods for sports massage
- devising treatment plans
- aftercare
- understanding evidence based practice
- evaluation of research.
Within these units you will learn a range of tools including:
- subjective
- range of movement (active, passive)
- resisted (isometric)
- postural analysis and special tests (ligamentous, neural).
The techniques you will learn include:
- positional release
- active isolated stretching
- proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF)
- muscle energy technique (MET)
- post isometric relaxation
- reciprocal inhibition
- isokinetic contraction
- isolytic contraction
- positional release
- strain/counterstrain
- myofascial release
- neuromuscular technique
- active isolated stretching
- passive stretching
- mobilisations and articulations.
Throughout the course you will both give and receive massages so please be prepared; this is a practical, hands-on course.
Assessment
The course will be assessed by the following methods:
- ongoing practical assessments and oral questioning
- a completed log book which details sports massage treatments on five clients with evidence of consultations and assessments
- a final practical exam with oral questioning
- two written assignments with the following titles: conduct a review on research undertaken on sports massage/soft tissue therapy and also research and critically evaluate complex assessment techniques.
You will also accumulate a portfolio of evidence of learning, a useful tool for later reference.
Requirements
You must hold a recognised Level 4 Certificate in Sports Massage qualification. We will ask you to provide a copy of your qualification when you apply.
Candidates must also have good health, since the course involves a practical component. A sporting background is advantageous as well.
Due to the amount of information covered in the course home studies of approximately five hours per week will be required.
Award
Upon successful completion of this module, you will be awarded an ITEC Level 5 Certificate in Sports Massage Therapy.
Book your place now
For more information about this course please contact the Short Courses team: