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Spa Body Therapy Program

Spa Therapists provide clients with lifestyle improvement and health enhancement through professionally administered spa services. Skills obtained in this program will open career prospects within day spa, resort/hotel spa, destination spa, medical spa, club spa, mineral springs spa, cruise ship spa and others. Consumers are increasingly seeking the spa experience as an alternative or complement to other leisure activities. As the Spa industry field grows in North America, the need for workers in this health and wellness industry will also grow.

Along with an academic study of general anatomy, and physiology, students will be provided with a detailed hands-on study of human anatomy, general pathology, nutrition, therapeutic exercise and hygiene. The clinical portion of this diploma program will allow the student an opportunity to practice Swedish massage techniques as well as spa-hydrotherapy treatments. This academic study is necessary in mastering the theory and practice of professional body work. A detailed hands on study of bones, joints and muscles, Swedish massage techniques are also taught as these movements form the foundations of most massage styles. Instruction will be given in the theory and practice of various dry room spa treatments, commonly used in the spa industry. An understanding of the professional and ethical boundaries in the client-therapist interaction is also a part of this program. At the conclusion of the diploma program, students will have the ability to perform safe and competent full body massages and dry room treatments. This diploma program includes a practicum which will allow the student to practice their skills, and experience the Spa environment first hand.

Note: CPR, First Aid and basic WHMIS will be completed during the program.

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Entrance Requirements: Grade 12/GED or mature student status. Applicants must successfully complete the admissions interview and entrance assessments. Highly recommended that applicants take Biology and English 12 (equivalence) and obtain a satisfactory certificate of health from a physician.

Prerequisites: Applicants for this program must also possess strong communication skills (composition), sign a medical waiver, submit a criminal record search and submit evidence of clear TB testing prior to acceptance. All must be done no more than 3 months before the start date of the program. CPR, First Aid and basic WHMIS will be completed during the program.

Total Program Hours: 910 Hours
Full-time Program Length: 42 Weeks (9.8 Months).
Practicum Work Experience: 150 Total Hours (4 Weeks) – Work Placement Overview.
Students wishing to transition into the RMT program will need 100 extra hours in the student clinic.

Career Opportunities: Spa Masseur; Spa Technician; Spa Therapist; Spa Body Worker; Spa Practitioner

Program may not be available at all campuses. Program content is subject to change.

Courses

AD001 – 10 hours
Foundations of Technologies

  • Computer basics/file management
  • Internet/email/keyboarding

GE001 – 10 hours
Foundations for Success

  • Goal setting, note taking, problem solving, team work
  • Overview of policies & procedures

GE121 – 40 hours
Career Planning and Management

  • Interview techniques
  • Create an employment package

ST100 – 80 hours
General Anatomy and Physiology

  • Medical terminology
  • Introduction to all systems of the human body

ST110 – 60 hours
Skeletal Human Anatomy and Lab

  • Hands-on approach to bones and joints
  • Functions of the skeletal system

ST120 – 80 hours
General Manual Skills

  • History and present day practise of professional massage/body work
  • Swedish massage techniques
  • Case history and interview skills
  • Chair massage

ST121 – 20 hours
Introductory Pregnancy Massage

  • Massage routine for healthy pregnant women

 ST130 – 80 hours
Muscular Human Anatomy and Lab

  • Hands on approach to muscles
  • Functions of muscular system

ST140 – 60 hours
Professional Development (Ethics and Customer Service)

  • Professional and ethical boundaries
  • Communication strategies in the therapistclient encounter
  • Customer skills

ST160 – 20 hours
Nutrition

  • Basic nutrition
  • Diets and supplements
  • Calculating body mass index

ST170 – 20 hours
Therapeutic Stretching

  • Warm up exercises
  • Theories on stretching

ST200 – 100 hours
Spa Dry Room Techniques

  • Theory and use of water in its various forms
  • Applications of body wraps, packs and rubs
  • Heated stone treatment
  • Theory and application of aromatherapy
  • Reflexology

ST210 – 80 hours
General Pathology

  • Introduction and general understanding of the effects of diseases
  • How massage may or may not fit into the healing process

 ST220 – 20 hours
Medications & Body Work

  • Common uses and effects of drugs
  • Implication of how medications are administered
  • Safety guidelines

ST225 – 20 hours
Hygiene

  • Aspects of keeping therapists and clients healthy
  • Draping and assistance on and off the massage table

ST230 – 20 hours
Introductory Sports Massage

  • Application of the primary techniques used in sports massage
  • Four basic applications sessions
  • Recognize typical sports injuries
  • Perform a sports massage using the primary sports and adapted Swedish techniques

ST235 – 40 hours
Introductory Shiatsu

  • Bodywork therapy using direct pressure
  • Asian bodywork approaches
  • Shiatsu routine focusing on techniques

ST240 – 100 hours
Practicum

  • Gain first hand experience within the spa/clinic environment
  • 4-week experience

Practicum Training Information
Arrangements will be made with community based spas and/or other facilities where available. 4 week practicums of at least 100 hours combining Swedish massage techniques and spa dry room therapy applications will be arranged with community based Spas/Clinics. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from designated offsite training and practicum sites. Students may need to bring their own massage equipment (table) if required while on practicum.