Acting on the advice and recommendation of stakeholders in the fitness industry the FIA has designed the Diploma of Remedial Massage specifically for students who would like to expand their business offerings by providing the additional service of remedial massage and advanced sports massage to their clients.

The Diploma of Remedial Massage offers the trainer the knowledge and skills to apply remedial massage, sports massage and corrective exercise therapy in a fitness, sport, sports injury or clinical setting. The course will cover all the principles of Swedish massage techniques, remedial massage techniques, sports massage techniques, trigger point techniques, myo-fascial tension techniques, observation assessment as well as clinical practice, risk management and customer relation competencies.

HOW IS THE COURSE OFFERED?

The Diploma of Remedial Massage is delivered in the unique blended learning approach consisting of campus-based lectures, practical experience, online study and clinical experience. Students undertaking the Diploma of Remedial Massage will be required to attend the FIA campus for 4 x 10 week terms (various days). Additionally, Students will also be required to complete additional readings, weekly assessment tasks and Clinical Hours.


WHO SHOULD ENROL?

This course can be completed by anyone who wants to concurrently complete their Certificate III in Fitness and is looking to expand their knowledge and skills in the fitness industry. Students who have completed Certificate III in Fitness with other Registered Training Organizations (RTOs) can apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) by supplying all relevant details. All theory subjects’ can be completed in a Distance/Online learning format.

By offering an integrated curriculum format students who have completed the Diploma of Remedial Massage will be granted advanced standing for several subjects for their Diploma of Fitness.

WHAT WILL YOU RECEIVE?

You will receive all the materials required to complete this course. Textbooks and all assessment manuals are included, plus all campus based lectures and practical labs. You also have access to the student online tools for the duration of the course and assessment period.

At the completion of the course you will also receive a 12-month professional membership of FIA.

HOW AM I ASSESSED?

Students will complete a variety of flexible assessments both formal and informal.

For example:

> Tutorials online (a variety of tutorial assessments at student online)
> Formal (multiple choice) Exams completed at student online
> Senior First Aid Certificate
> Completion of a Professional Development Manual (in the workplace)
> Completion of a Skills Development Manual (in the workplace)
> Completion of Massage Therapies practical labs
> Completion of a Clinical Practice

WHAT ARE THE SUBJECTS IN THE DIPLOMA OF REMEDIAL MASSAGE?

Students will complete all the subject material for Certificate III in Fitness and the 4 core subjects in the Certificate IV in Fitness plus the following:

> Clinical Exercise Prescription

This subject will extend the student’s knowledge of exercise programming and prescription for clients with special needs. Specifically, it will focus on the knowledge required to design safe and effective exercise courses for clients within specific populations.

> Muscle Mechanics

This subject is designed to extend the knowledge of the student of the principles, concepts and applications of applied anatomy and muscle mechanics in relation to exercise prescription, the analysis of exercise activities and massage therapy.

> Physical Fitness Appraisal

This subject will give the student with the knowledge and understanding and a high level of skills for competent conduct of an extensive range of physiological assessment procedures for improved performance.

> Exercise Rehabilitation

This subject is designed to introduce the student to the diagnosis, treatment and management of exercise injuries. It focuses on the most common exercise injuries presented and the role of the fitness trainer/massage therapist in the rehabilitation process.

> Corrective Exercise Prescription

This subject is designed to introduce the student to assessing the client’s muscular strengths and weaknesses and prescribe strengthening and stretching exercises as well as massage therapies to alleviate any deviations under medical supervision.

> Advanced Exercise Physiology

This subject is designed to extend the knowledge of the fitness trainer to the acute and chronic physiological functions in the performance of work and exercise in different environments.

> Sports Trainer

This subject introduces the student to role of the sports trainer in a sporting environment. It focuses on the identification of specific injuries, implementing first aid on the field and preventing injuries through adequate preparation of warm up, cool down and taping techniques.

> Massage Therapies 1 & 2

This subject introduces the student to working within a massage framework using Swedish Massage techniques and introduces the student to Remedial Massage.

> Massage Therapies 3 & 4

This subject introduces the student to more advanced forms of Remedial Massage techniques and extends the massage knowledge of the student by introducing various forms of Sports Massage, trigger point techniques, myo-fascial tension techniques, observation/assessment.

> Clinical Practice 1, 2 & 3** 

This subject provides the opportunity for the student to apply their knowledge and skills in a workplace environment. It focuses on applying the competencies learnt to a standard of performance required for employment in the massage industry.

**FIA insures students for this component

Electives (optional):

>  Group Exercise course (Fitness)
> Group Exercise course (Aerobics)
> Aqua Fitness course
> Growth, Development and Ageing

Additional Qualifications that can be gained (when completing one or more of the electives above):

> Children’s Instructor*
> Older Adult Instructor*
> Group Exercise Instructor (Fitness or Aerobics)*
> Aqua Fitness Instructor*

*Registration categories with Fitness Australia

KEY Competencies in the Diploma of Remedial Massage (HLT50307)

Compulsory Units

Specialisation Units

Elective Units