Pathology classes can be custom-built for your group, or you can choose from any of the following pre-set classes.
Anxiety, Breath, and COVID: What is the Role for Massage Therapy?
1.5 CE credits live | 1.5 CE credits webinar
Anxiety causes shortness of breath. People
recovering from COVID-19 also have shortness of breath. Shortness of breath causes anxiety—which can exacerbate shortness of breath. All of this has a profound impact on quality of life and the ability to function. Into this maelstrom of fear, anxiety, and problems with breathing, touch may have a profoundly positive impact.
Join Ruth Werner, author of A Massage Therapist’s Guide to Pathology, for an exploration of what the research says about anxiety, breathing, and touch—and how we may be able to apply those concepts to bring our best to clients who are recovering from COVID-19, as well as those who live with any confluence of anxiety and breathing difficulties.
Participants will be able to…
- Identify links between COVID-19 symptoms, anxiety, breathing problems, and impact on quality of life for affected patients
- Describe the basic challenges of anxiety disorders and breathing problems with an emphasis on interoception
- List key facts about COVID-1 and how this infection impacts lung function
- Describe how massage therapy could be applied in the context of pulmonary rehabilitation
- Do appropriate screening and make appropriate accommodations and for clients who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 for safe and effective massage therapy
Massage Therapy and Pathology: Cardiovascular Conditions
4 CE credits live only
Almost 40% of all Americans die of some form of heart disease. Because massage influences fluid flow and fluid management capacity, it is important for massage therapists to understand the mechanisms of these diseases. This class covers the definition, demographics, etiology, signs and symptoms, treatment options, and role of massage for the following: hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart attack, heart failure, thrombophlebitis, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism.
Participants will be able to…
- Identify and describe the definition, demographics, etiology, signs and symptoms, and common treatment options for each of the conditions under discussion
- Discern the variables that inform clinical decision-making for massage therapy for each of the conditions under discussion
- Describe risks and benefits of massage therapy for each of the conditions under description
Chronic Pain and Massage Therapy
1 CE credit webinar only
Chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and others can be challenging to treat, and even more challenging to live with, especially when they involve central sensitization. Understanding the mechanisms behind the pain experience can help massage therapists find a way to improve the quality of life for clients who struggle with these challenging, and often invisible conditions.
Participants will be able to…
- Discuss the IASP definition of pain
- Compare pain to nociception
- Explain the biopsychosocial model of pain management for clients who live with chronic pain disorders like fibromyalgia and others
- Articulate special communication skills and strategies that are especially important for clients who live with chronic pain
- Discuss research about massage therapy in the context of chronic pain
Massage Therapy and Pathology: Fibromyalgia and the “Invisible Diseases”
3 or 4 CE credits live | 3 CE credits webinar
Fibromyalgia is the second most common diagnosis of musculoskeletal pain, but its etiology remains elusive. Further, it overlaps several other conditions, leading to confusing signs and contradictory treatment options. This class covers the definition, demographics, etiology, signs and symptoms, treatment options, and role of massage for the following: fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic pelvic pain syndrome, and others as time permits.
Participants will be able to…
- Identify and describe the definition, demographics, etiology, signs and symptoms and common treatment options for each of the conditions under discussion
- Discern the variables that inform clinical decision-making for massage therapy for each of the conditions under discussion
- Describe special communication skills that are especially important for clients who live with chronic pain disorders
- Describe risks and benefits of massage therapy for each of the conditions under description
Massage Therapy and Pathology: Common and Contagious Skin Disorders
3 or 4 CE credits live | 3 CE credits webinar
Massage therapists work so closely with the skin that it is vital to be well-informed about common and contagious skin problems. This class covers the definition, demographics, etiology, signs and symptoms, treatment options, and role of massage for the following: herpes simplex, fungal infections (ringworm), staph infections (including MRSA), psoriasis, dermatitis/eczema, and skin cancer.
Participants will be able to…
- Identify and describe the definition, demographics, etiology, signs and symptoms, and common treatment options for each of the conditions under discussion
- Discern the variables that inform clinical decision-making for massage therapy for each of the conditions under discussion
- Describe risks and benefits of massage therapy for each of the conditions under description
Herpes, Hep, and Flu – Oh My!: Public Health Issues for Massage Therapists
3 or 4 CE credits live | 3 CE credits webinar
Massage therapists are public health providers, and it is our responsibility to stay up to speed on information about these contagious diseases. This class covers a review of immune system function and the definition, demographics, etiology, signs and symptoms, treatment options, and role of massage for the following: HIV/AIDS, hepatitis A, B, and C, flu, methicillin-resistant staphylococcus Aureus, and others as time permits.
Participants will be able to…
- Describe how the immune system is involved with contagious diseases
- Identify and describe the definition, demographics, etiology, signs and symptoms and common treatment options for each of the conditions under discussion
- Discern the variables that inform clinical decision-making for massage therapy for each of the conditions under discussion
- Describe risks and benefits of massage therapy for each of the conditions under description
Massage Therapy and Pathology: Long COVID
2 CE credits webinar only
Post-viral syndromes are not new, but the signs and symptoms of long COVID pose unprecedented challenges for the many people who are affected.This class will explore the current understanding of long COVID, with the caveat that this information changes quickly.
We will look at the signs and symptoms of this condition, conventional treatment options, and then put special focus on how to make safe, effective, and evidence-informed choices about massage therapy for clients who have long COVID.
Join Ruth Werner, author of A Massage Therapist’s Guide to Pathology, for this lively discussion of an important and rapidly evolving topic.
Participants will be able to…
- Describe the current status of COVID-19 as a public health issue
- Define the current definition and diagnostic criteria for long COVID
- Compare long COVID to similar chronic conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and others
- Anticipate some of the challenges in conventional health care for treating long COVID
- Plan massage sessions that are safe and effective for clients who have varieties of long COVID symptoms
A Massage Therapist’s Guide to COVID-19
2 CE live | 2 CE credits webinar
COVID-19 presents unprecedented challenges to the massage therapy profession, including how to make safe, effective, evidence-informed decisions about working with clients who have recovered from this infection.
This engaging webinar will focus on what we currently understand about COVID-19, including pathophysiology, communicability, and complications. We will also discuss risks and benefits related to massage, with some screening suggestions for safety.
Participants will be able to…
- Participants will be able to…Describe the pathophysiology of COVID-19 with emphasis on communicability and tissue damage
- List several complications of COVID-19 that must influence choices about massage therapy
- Discuss possible risks and benefits related to massage therapy for clients who have had COVID-19
- Refer to a list of screening questions to help establish the safety of massage therapy for clients who have had COVID-19
Massage Therapy and Pathology: Reproductive System Disorders
3 or 4 CE credits live only
Many massage therapists were short-changed in their education about the reproductive system and associated disorders, but these are common conditions that affect our clients’ quality of life. This class covers the definition, demographics, etiology, signs and symptoms, treatment options, and role of massage for the following: prostate enlargement, prostate cancer, testicular cancer, chronic pelvic pain syndrome, dysmenorrhea, endometriosis, perimenopause, and others as time permits.
Participants will be able to…
- Identify and describe the definition, demographics, etiology, signs and symptoms, and common treatment options for each of the conditions under discussion
- Discern the variables that inform clinical decision-making for massage therapy for each of the conditions under discussion
- Describe risks and benefits of massage therapy for each of the conditions under description
Touching the Mind: Mental and Mood Disorders for Massage Therapists
3 or 4 CE credits live | 3 CE credits webinar
This class addresses some of the most common mental health and mood disorders seen in our culture today.
In addition to reviewing some of the pathophysiology and contributing factors to mental health and mood-related conditions, we will discuss common conventional treatment options and what we know about how massage therapy can have the most positive impact for clients who live with these challenges.
In alignment with the newest edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), this class will examine various types of depression, bipolar disease, anxiety disorders, PTSD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, addiction, and others as time allows.
The research about the positive effects of massage for mood disorders is strong and consistent, and it is our responsibility to deliver the safest, and most compassionate, and most effective massage therapy our clients can ask for. Don’t miss this chance to learn more about the conditions that affect your clients’ lives: you’ll be a better therapist for it!
Participants will be able to…
- Identify and describe the definition, demographics, etiology, signs and symptoms, and common treatment options for each of the conditions under discussion
- Discern the variables that inform clinical decision-making for massage therapy for each of the conditions under discussion
- Describe special communication skills that are especially important for clients who live with mental and mood disorders
- Describe risks and benefits of massage therapy for each of the conditions under description
Stump the Pathology Teacher
3 or 4 CE credits live | 3 CE credits webinar
This is a participants’ choice class—your attendees can pick and choose from the available materials to customize a class just for them!
A free-form discussion of massage therapy in the context of pathologies will be led by the instructor, based on input from attendees. This is a rare opportunity to ask deep questions and to learn and share with colleagues.
Participants will be able to…
- Identify the definitions, pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, and conventional treatment options for the conditions under discussion
- Make appropriate accommodations in massage therapy for clients who live with the conditions under discussion