Massage Therapy Programs in New Jersey

Cortiva Institute:
Established in 1987 as the Cortiva Institute - Somerset School of Massage Therapy, Cortiva has always pursued the highest standards for massage therapy education. Cortiva Institute massage schools offer Professional Massage Therapy program that is a comprehensive massage course of instruction offering massage training that bridges intellectual discipline with technical expertise. As the first massage school in NJ approved by the New Jersey Department of Education, we were also the first massage school in the state accredited by COMTA.

Massage Therapy Programs and Workshops;

Massage Therapy Program:
Our Professional Massage Therapy Program is a comprehensive course of instruction that bridges intellectual discipline with technical expertise. Grounded in the value of client centered care, courses in massage theory and practice, communication and ethics in therapeutic relationships, as well as real life clinical experience, are supported and complemented by studies in structure, function and disease of the human body. Engaged and competent faculty, supported by relevant text books and classroom technology, blend scientific foundations and hands-on instruction to create an experiental learning environment that builds clinical reasoning skills. Added instruction in the elements that the graduating student will be a competent massage therapist, prepared to take the National Certification Exam and state licensing exams.

Our students learn top healing massage techniques, massage theory, benefits and practice, communication and ethics in therapeutic relationships, as well as real life clinical experience. Massage therapy training is one of the fastest-growing areas of health care – an industry itself expanding rapidly. In each massage school, our engaged and experienced faculty, supported by relevant text books and classroom technology, blend scientific foundations and hands-on instruction to create an experiential learning environment that builds clinical reasoning skills.

Massage and Cancer Treatment:
This course will begin with an overview of cancer and qualities of cancer cells in general. Subsequent topics will include 3 common types of medical cancer treatment. The primary focus of the course will be considerations and precautions regarding medical devices, positioning and pressure, as well as indications and contraindications for massage with respect to chemotherapy, radiation and surgery side effects on many levels. Case studies will be presented and discussed to facilitate appropriate interview questions and massage considerations for the most common types of cancers treated with chemotherapy.

Professional Ethics for Bodyworkers:
In the rapidly expanding field of massage therapy, concerns regarding ethical behavior and practice are also on the rise. Given the intimate setting of bodywork, it is crucial to establish a safe environment and a clear understanding between client and therapist as to what is expected. Therapists must also be able to effectively communicate within the parameters of each individual's unique personality, including their own.

The intent of this workshop is to define the broad scope of ethics, empower each therapist with their own personal Code of Ethics, and explore possible ethical situations which will challenge participants to make good decisions as to how they respond.

Body Mechanics:
Work-related injury is a major reason why massage therapists cease to practice. Knowing how to employ good body mechanics and self-care techniques helps emerging and established professionals work smarter, not harder, and helps them to avoid occupational injury, stress and burnout.

This workshop is designed to help participants enhance their own body awareness by improving body alignment through the assessment of their own postural patterns. Explore movement opportunities and options while doing massage and also during daily living activities. The participant will learn to improve performance as a massage therapist, to promote longevity of their practice, and to deliver the best care to their clients as they learn best practices for themselves.

Deep Tissue Refresher Program:
Focused on the skillful application of soft tissue techniques that allow deeper access to the fascia and muscular layers of the body. This approach creates a greater sense of relief from chronic muscular tension. Muscular tension patterns can reduce blood flow and restrict the removal of metabolic wastes, resulting in pain and loss of function. The typical superficial and passive massage techniques do not provide the desired relief; this often causes frustration and more reflexive muscular tension. The practitioner will learn treatment strategies designed to break these muscular holding patterns that are direct, purposeful, and easy to apply. The practicing therapist will learn how to use: cross-fiber friction, passive movement, neurological inhibition, breath and positioning to enhance the overall effectiveness of treatment.

The Basics of Pregnancy Massage:
Six million American women become pregnant each year, so it is likely that in the course of a massage therapist's career, he or she will have the opportunity and privilege to massage a pregnant woman... but, the massage therapist may not remember or may have never learned the client positions and massage therapy techniques that are safe in each trimester of pregnancy. Whether you want a thorough review of the basics or an introduction to the specialty of pregnancy massage, in The Basics of Pregnancy Massage, you will learn safe and effective pregnancy massage client positioning, draping and pregnancy massage techniques, as well as precautions and contraindications to support women through their healthy pregnancies, while visiting a spa.

Maternity and Infant Massage:
Our 200-hour Maternity & Infant Massage Program is the most extensive training in the growing specialties of pregnancy and postpartum massage therapy, professional labor support and infant massage instruction with specialized training that distinguishes those who complete the program as skilled Maternity and Infant Massage Specialists. The program prepares qualified professional massage therapists to further expand their career in the delivery of exceptional, compassionate, client-centered services for childbearing women, infants and families. The full program and massage specific modules are open to licensed massage therapists only, whereas modules 2 and 5 are open to the public.

Clinical Sports Massage:
This course focuses on specific injuries that can be incurred by everyone from the weekend warrior to the elite athlete. Each injury will be addressed in the following areas, through lecture, demonstration and practice: anatomy of the injury, what activities may cause the injury, signs and symptoms of the injury, assessments to determine whether or not the massage therapist can address the injury, techniques that can be used to facilitate the healing of the injury, and corrective measures the client may take to facilitate healing, such as stretching and strengthening activities. Techniques, as appropriate, may include myofascial release, trigger point therapy, soft tissue manipulation, lymphatic facilitation and muscle energy techniques.

Spa Massage:
Gain the unique knowledge and skills required to work as a successful spa employee or to integrate spa modalities into your private practice, clinic or day spa. Learn theoretical and practical techniques that will build your competency and confidence in providing basic spa treatments. Participants will learn spa history, terminology and concepts focusing on the theory behind Pelotherapy (Mud), Thalassotherapy (Seaweed) and full body exfoliation and dry room techniques. Upon completion, participants will have performed and received a spa treatment that includes a full body exfoliation and/or body wrap.

Personal Fitness Massage:
Our massage schools offer personal training program in conjunction with the prestigious National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).

Students will receive a textbook, study guide, set of four DVD's, and access to NASM online resources. Upon successful completion of the course, students will receive a certificate of completion and be eligible to take the NASM certified personal trainer national certification exam.

Program length is ten (10) weeks when attending Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday or twelve (12) weeks when attending Monday and Wednesday.