The Course

This course is for anybody who would like to become a qualified massage therapist. It offers an international professional qualification.

The demand for sports massage therapy has increased greatly in recent years because in most sports and fitness activities the quantity and intensity of training has increased significantly. To maximise the benefits of training it is essential that recovery strategies are an integral part of the overall training programme.

Sports massage has now become a vital part of most athletes' and players' recovery. Sports massage is used to reduce fatigue and tissue damage following intensive training. It also eases tension in overworked muscles which reduces the risk of overuse injuries.

Regular sports massage relieves the general accumulation of aches and pains that are associated with on-going training and competition. Too often sports people regard these as normal and ignore them unless they prevent them from training. Muscles that are free from tension and aches work more smoothly and contribute to better performance. This is what every sports person is searching for. This is the domain of sports massage therapy.

The Qualification

The Certificate in Sports Massage Therapy is an international qualification awarded by ITEC. It is designed to meet the demand for highly trained therapists with skills suitable for dealing with all aspects of sports massage. The ITEC qualifications have international recognition as well as being part of the National Qualification Framework in the UK.

The Syllabus

In this qualification learners will develop their knowledge and understanding of the theory underpinning the practice of Sports Massage Therapy, including functional anatomy and physiology, nutrition, classification of sports injuries and the stages of healing. It will also provide learners with the understanding, skills and techniques to plan, prepare for and apply a range of sports massage methods. Learners will also develop the skills to evaluate massage strategies and methods to inform on future treatments.

The course syllabus includes:

• Pre-event massage
• Post-event massage
• Preventative massage
• Corrective techniques
• Common Sports injuries
• Injury Prevention
• Client Care and Practice Management

TimeTable

The course is part-time and takes place on Wednesday nights for three hours from 7-10pm. The course starts in early October each year and ends the following May (7 months later).

The Venue

The course will take place in Palmerstown Sports Complex, Kennelsfort Road, Palmerstown, Dublin 20. This is a new state of the art complex just minutes from the Liffey Valley roundabout on the M50. It is a central venue within 30 minutes of most parts of Dublin. It has private parking on site.