Elective Course

Medical Massage & Research

Medical Massage & Research helps students build evidence-informed clinical reasoning, clearer documentation, and more confident condition-aware treatment planning. Students practice applying research literacy to real client scenarios while strengthening communication, goal setting, and professional judgment.

25 Total Hours 10 lecture hours and 15 lab hours
Prerequisite Acceptance into Program, High School Diploma or GED
Textbook No textbook required

What Students Build

Clinical Reasoning
Documentation Skills
Research Literacy
Professional Judgment

Overview

Course Description

A Clinical Skills elective designed to support evidence-informed, safe, client-centered practice.

What You Learn

Course Overview

Students build stronger clinical thinking and practical treatment planning through guided lecture and applied lab work. Emphasis is placed on research literacy, SOAP-style documentation, measurable goal setting, and adapting sessions for common medical conditions and medication considerations.

  • Outcome 1 Use research literacy to evaluate claims and choose appropriate approaches.
  • Outcome 2 Write clear SOAP-style notes and define measurable treatment goals.
  • Outcome 3 Adapt sessions for common medical conditions and medication considerations.
This elective supports evidence-informed care, clearer documentation, and stronger professional decision-making within massage therapy scope.

Learning Outcomes

Course Outcomes

Students build practical competency and professional judgment through focused elective training.

By the End of This Course

  • Use research literacy to evaluate claims and choose appropriate approaches.
  • Write clear SOAP-style notes and define measurable treatment goals.
  • Adapt sessions for common medical conditions and medication considerations.

Hours Overview

Lab training makes up the larger share of the course, with lecture supporting reasoning, documentation, and treatment planning.

Schedule

Course Structure and Resources

Course pacing combines lecture and lab practice to support both theory and applied clinical skill development.

Instructional Time

Total instructional time is 25 hours, including 10 lecture hours and 15 lab hours. This structure supports theory, documentation practice, assessment-informed planning, and guided clinical application.

Enrolled students typically receive a more detailed schedule with dates, activities, policies, and assignment expectations.

Evaluation

Grading Summary

Student progress is measured through coursework, labs, and final assessment activities.

Graded Items
Value
Homework / Reading
20%
Labs / Case Work
50%
Final
30%
Total
100%

Course Planning Note

Medical Massage & Research supports evidence-informed care, stronger communication, and more confident clinical decision-making within the AFSM elective curriculum.

Note: Prerequisites include Acceptance into Program and a high school diploma or GED.