Clinical Sports & Remedial Massage Course Level 5 (BTEC)

The School of Natural Therapies provides advanced sports and remedial massage training with our popular two-step programme, leading to a BTEC Level 5 Diploma in Clinical Sport and Remedial Massage.

The 2-step programme consists of practical and theoretical study, leading towards an ITEC Level 3 Certificate in Sports Massage Therapy, providing students with solid robust skills in Sports Massage Therapy.
The next step is a 6 month bridging programme, allowing students who have qualified either with the Level 3 programme above, or those who already hold an existing, recognised Level 3 or Level 4 Sports Massage qualification. This part of the programme requires students to attend one weekend per month.
The advantages of studying a 2-step programme such as this are:-

• It allows beginners, without previous massage experience, but seeking future employment within this area of healthcare, to join the programme and work towards a level 5 qualification.
• It allows qualifying students to build a successful sports massage practise earlier, or to seek employment, perhaps in the sport & leisure industry.
• Whilst actually working and building a client base, learners may continue to focus on the development of level 5 functional skills and upgrade their qualification to this standard, by continuing with their studies and undertaking our Level 5 Bridging Programme.
• Students may take a study break, or stop at level 3 if they desire and re-join the bridging programme at a later date, in order to achieve a level 5 qualification through BTEC.

About the Level 5 qualification.

This qualification benchmarks not only the highest quality standards, but also the highest qualification available for the Clinical Sports & Remedial Massage Industry in the UK today. The level 3 and level 5 programme takes place over 11 months and is externally validated by:

• Edexcel/BTEC (who are the national awarding body for vocational training) and
• ITEC (International Therapists Examination Council), who are an International Awarding Organisation in areas such as Complementary Therapy and Sports & Fitness.

Developing the skills necessary to become an accomplished and advanced practitioner takes time and practice to learn and assimilate. Remember that once qualified, you may well find yourself working alongside other healthcare professionals, such as Physiotherapists, Osteopaths and similar. Therefore, we do not advocate fast-track training when working to these standards.

The main objectives of our full program, is to provide successful candidates with the skills needed to:

• Assess  Musco-skeletal and soft tissue injuries and disorders
• Select the most appropriate remedial massage and sports massage methods in order to treat the injury or dysfunction
• Very importantly, to provide advice, guidance and rehabilitation procedures to assist with on-going healing and prevent injury in the future. Not just for sports men and women, but for the public at large.

After qualifying

On successful completion of the programme, the skills learned on the course will enable graduates to work not only within the sport and leisure industry, but also to work with other client bases unrelated to sports injuries; for example work and occupational musco-skeletal and soft tissue injuries. Therefore, it is worth noting that the skills gained on this programme can be applied to a variety of medical conditions as well.
It is also worth noting that we are validated as a school, by the Institute of Sport and Remedial Massage (ISRM) who have overseen this level of training for a number of years and have achieved much within the remedial massage industry, to establish what is now a recognised field in modern healthcare.

Level 3 & 5 Program Content

Initial Level 3 Syllabus (Level 3 Diploma in Sports Massage Therapy)
This course will be examined by a visiting ITEC examiner and succesful students will achieve a diploma at Level 3 initially (which is equivalent to NVQ 3, Advanced GNVQ, BTEC National and AS/A Level) and  some home study and case studies are required away from the classroom.

The course will take place over four months, spread over seven study weekends, which means that initial study will take place over approximately two weekends per month – see dates for this course above and on the right hand side of this page.

The Level 3 course consists of two units, which cover:-
Unit 416 – Functional Anatomy, Phyiology and Nutrition for Sports Therapies
Students will learn how to understand the structures and functions of -

• Human cells and tissues
• The skin and common pathologies and medical conditions
• Musco-skeletal systems and muscle physiology (skeletal and muscular) and how these systems work together
• Exercise Physiology
• Different types of posture and causes of postural dysfunction
• Nervous system
• Cardio-vascular system
• Lymphatic System
• Respiratory system
• Digestive System
• Urinary System
• Endocrine System
• Anatomical, Physiological and Performance Differences between Male/Female
• Postural Types, causes of postural problems and muscle imbalances
• Principles and Causes and Classification of Sports Related Injuries and their repair
• Principles of Nutrition in Relation to Sports Injuries
• Healthy-eating Guidelines

This unit will be assessed by an externally set multiple choice question paper (25 questions) on exam day.

Unit 417 – Applying Sports Massage Methods to Non-pathalogical Tissue.

Students will be able to understand, explain and apply the following –

• Accepted Standards of Practice, including Health, Safety and Hygiene and Professional Standards
• Preparation for Sports Massage Treatments and how to ensure correct equipment, work areas, procedures and client suitability for sports massage.
• Record Keeping, storage of records and legal requirements associated with the industry.
• Assess clients for sports massage, using appropriate methods, such as consultation forms and procedures, postural analysis, range of movement, palpation and recognition of areas such as muscle-tone, adhesions, etc.
• Physical examination, consultation recognised and established contra-indications to massage, within the boundaries of a level 3 sports massage therapist.
• Devise a sports massage strategy for individual clients, within scope of practice at level 3
• Apply and observe correct towel management, positioning and comfort of clients, prior to sports massage
• Apply sports massage techniques to meet clients needs, such as:

1. Effleurage,
2. Petrissage,
3. Friction,
4. Tapotement,
5. Vibration,
6. Neuro-Muscular Technique (NMT)
7. Pre/Post Event Massage
8. Other specific sports massage techniques.

• Evaluate and re-assess treatments in relation to original aims, objectives and massage strategies and treatment plans, using methods such as client feedback and physical re-assessment methods.

This unit will be assessed using the following methods on exam day:

• Multiple Choice Paper, consisting of 25 questions – taken alongside the multiple choice paper for unit 416 above.
• Evidence of 15 Case Study treatments
• Practical examination – 1 hour

Successful students may then continue their study program to Level 5 Clinical Sport & Remedial Massage, by undertaking the following bridging program:-

Level 5 Bridging Program (BTEC)

This comprises of a further six study weekends, one weekend per month (excluding December), culminating in an examination day consisting of –

• Theory paper – time allowed – 2 hours
• Practical exam, lasting approximately 1 hour and supported by two practical assessments taken during the course.

In order to satisfy BTEC requirements for the Level 5 program, learners will also need to undertake the following home study:

• 3 x written assignments for which you will be given approximately two months for each assignment, allowing you time to fit this in amongst your case studies and massage treatments.
• 50 x massage treatments, recorded in a log book, which the school provides – this will be checked and assessed throughout the program and equates to around 10 treatments per month away from the classroom.
• 2 x Case Studies.

Summary of Further Level 5 Study Weekends

1. Muscle Energy Techniques (MET) Weekend - During this weekend, you will learn the theory of and undertake practical training in METs, to include:-

• Post Isometric Relaxation (PIR) methods
• Reciprocal Inhibition (RI) methods
• Contra-indications

2. Soft Tissue Release (STR) Weekend – to include:-

• Correct usage of technique
• Active and Passive techniques
• Weight-bearing
• Clinical usage
• Contra-indications

3. Advanced Postural Assessment and Joint Assessment Weekend –

• Revisiting Postural Assessment
• Note-taking and case histories
• Remedial Exercise Advice
• Trunk Stability

4. Biomechanics Weekend

• Theory of Bio-mechanics
• Joint assessment Hip/Knee/Ankle/Foot
• Joint assessment Shoulder/Elbow
• Common Injuries
• Overuse Syndrome

5. Preparing to set up a successful clinical practice – to include the following sessions:-

• Business Practice
• Working outside and clothes on floor work

6. Consolidation and Clinical Practice Weekend – an opportunity to assimilate the whole bridging programme content, revisit all techniques and to prepare for the final Level 5 examination. The weekend includes a Clinic day, with real clients, with injuries, and muscular and soft tissue dysfunction. All clinical clients will be seeking sport & remedial massage intervention, help and remedial advice.
Great preparation for the forthcoming exam, which will take place a fortnight afterwards.

Course Entry Requirements for Beginners

• 5 GCSE passes at A-C or equivalent is preferred, however exemptions are made for adult learners with experience in the work place and/or who have good command of written and spoken English and are able to demonstrate literacy skills
• An active involvement in some sport, dance or exercise activity is preferable
• In order to undertake the level 5 program in full, learners must qualify at ITEC level 3 Sports Massage Therapy first – see information above.

Course Entry Requirements for existing practitioners
This course is also open to qualified or student practitioners of disciplines, such as –

• Students or Graduates of Physiotherapy
• Students or Graduates of Osteopathy
• Students or Graduates of Chiropractic
• Students or graduates of Sports Science
• Those with an existing Level 3 or 4 Sports Massage qualification may also join the bridging program
   

• Multiple Choice Paper, consisting of 25 questions – taken alongside the multiple choice paper for unit 416 above.
• Evidence of 15 Case Study treatments
• Practical examination – 1 hour

• Total £2,499.00 - Fees include BTEC registration, exams, certification and one-year's student membership of the ISRM.
• Deposit £299
• Balance £2,200 payable by first day (or by 10 monthly payments of £220, details available upon booking).
• For those who change their mind and only seek to take the Level 3 ITEC exam, a minimum payment of £1475.00 must have been paid, before a student will be entered for the exam.

On successful completion of the course, graduates can-

• Become full members of the ISRM which has an online register of therapists and a Continual Professional Development programme, plus the entire necessary professional support a therapists needs, such as insurance etc. (see www.theisrm.com)
• Graduates are eligible to join the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council CNHC incorporating the SRTC (The Sports & Remedial Therapy Council

CNHC is the UK regulator for complementary healthcare practitioners. Its key function is to enhance public protection by setting standards for registration with CNHC. The CNHC quality mark (above) is being recognised as the hallmark of quality for the sector. This means that the general public, and those who commission the services of complementary healthcare practitioners, will be able to choose with confidence by looking for the CNHC quality mark.
The Department of Health in November 2009 stated: "CNHC is the only voluntary regulatory body for complementary healthcare which has official government backing. No other organisation has the same exacting criteria or focus on safety and quality."

CNHC Registration
The ISRM has been approved by the CNHC to verify applications for registration and encourages its members to register in order to gain the quality mark. The ISRM/BTEC qualification exceeds the standards set by CNHC and graduates are eligible to register.

• To find out more about the CNHC go to: www.cnhc.org.uk
• To find out more about the SRTC go to www.thesrtc.org.uk
• To find out more about the ISRM go to: www.theisrm.com