Curriculum

Program Objectives
Prepare students to sit for the Florida State Board Exam for Massage Therapy.  Provide a curriculum to meet students interests in the field of massage therapy.  Educating students so that they will have the knowledge, proficiency, and competence in massage therapy techniques, theory and practices, anatomy and physiology, pathology, hydrotherapy, risk management, business practices, and assessment.  Provide a positive learning environment so that students are able to meet their goals.
 
Basic Massage Therapy Program (600 Clock Hours)
The Gioia Academy for Massage’s program consists of 600 classroom clock hours of instruction.  A classroom clock hour is not less than 50 minutes of any clock hour.  The program is outlined below.
 
BMT101  Massage Therapy; Theory and Practice (270 Clock Hours)
Topics will include history, benefits, indications/contraindications, and endangerment sites.  Students will learn the clinical techniques and practice of massage.  They will learn a specific full-body massage therapy routine including: scalp, face, neck, shoulders, upper chest, arms, abdomen, anterior and posterior legs, gluteals, and back. They will learn proper body mechanics, movement, client feed back techniques, and hygiene.  Each student is required to complete 100 practical massages as a condition of their graduation.  GAFMI will conduct student clinics throughout the program during regular classroom hours, on weekends, and community service events to help students meet this requirement.

BMT102 Anatomy and Physiology (190 Clock Hours)
This course will introduce the students to anatomical terms and structure and function of the human body. Special emphases will be placed on the Muscular System, Skeletal System, Nervous System, and Circulatory System. There will also be an overview of the Respiratory, Digestive, Endocrine, and Urinary Systems.

BMT103 Hydrotherapy (15 Clock Hours)
This course discusses the scientific application of water, in all three of its physical states (solid, liquid, vapor) for the purposes of therapy and rehabilitation. Students will learn and practice the correct uses of hot & cold temperatures, alternate applications, ice packs, and hot packs.

BMT104 Florida Massage Law & Professional Ethics (15 Clock Hours)
The history and requirements of the Florida Massage Practice Act, Chapter 480 of the Florida Statutes are presented to the student. The laws governing the practice of massage will be discussed. Students will be introduced to the standards and ethics of the massage therapy profession.

BMT105 HIV/AIDS Education (3 Clock Hours)
This class will discuss the current factual HIV/AIDS information. The class will discuss the epidemiology of HIV infection, how the immune system works and how it is affected by HIV. We will discuss the role of Massage Therapy and the benefits to those who are HIV positive.

BM106 Allied Modalities (107 Clock Hours)
Students who would like to be certified in other areas of massage practice after graduation have the opportunity to experience a variety of modalities through the GAFMI program. Students will be given an overview in the following modalities: Aromatherapy, Pregnancy, Medical Massage, Chair Massage, Reflexology, Acupressure and Thai Massage. Students will also have classes on Business Practices, Marketing, and Professionalism.