Study Guide for the National Board Certification Agency's Massage Therapy Certification Exam
This guide does not teach content and cannot be used as a tutorial. However, this guide will provide information and sample questions that will assist you in preparing for the NBCA Massage Therapy Certification Exam.

The Clinical Massage Therapy Sciences Diploma Program offers three levels of training including Entry Level (no prerequisite training) and the therapist that has graduated from a school providing a minimum of 500 hours of training. These programs combine studies in health sciences, lymphedema, medical massage, medical manual therapy, hygiene and cross infection control, hydrotherapy, therapeutic modalities and more. The Entry Level Clinical Massage Therapy Sciences program is 307 hours and the Level I and Level II training programs are 525 hours. All completed programs provide you with a certificate of completion in clinical massage therapy.

Entry Level: $1,195      Level I: $1,795      Level II: $1,795

Volume One, Theories, Concepts and Protocols, is an introduction to basic medical massage therapy techniques. This manual contains 22 photographs of the medical massage treatment protocol.

Volume One:  Introduction to Basic Medical Massage Therapy Techniques
This DVD covers the following information in the "Theories Concepts and Protocols" manual:

• The Statement of Professional Unity
• General information and history regarding the Medical Massage Therapy Protocols
• First and second layer massage
• Deep Pocket Acupressure with Postural Folding
• Periosteal Massage
• Bony Lever Technique
• Laminar Groove Technique
• Joint Physics - Traction and Shaking
• Joint physics - Torque
• Joint Physics - Ringing
• Joint Physics - Range of Motion with Joint Physics

Volume Two, General Rehabilitation Protocols, is a detailed review of medical manual therapy treatment techniques and patient case management programs that is organized joint by joint, body part by body part. This treatment review includes medical massage, manual therapy, acupuncture, therapeutic exercise, therapeutic modalities, clinical nutrition and herbal treatment protocols.

General Massage Protocol DVD
The General Massage Protocol DVD provides a visual demonstration with verbal explanation of a massage application sequence focused on affecting the entire body.  Instruction is provided on a comprehensive, full body massage routine that is perfect for those clients seeking a longer therapy appointment that is geared to affect the entire body; not just a specific area of chief concern.  The General Massage Protocol DVD is also a helpful marketing and practice building tool that therapists can demonstrate at various health expos, charitable race events and the like.

Volume Three, Therapeutic Modalities, reviews the use of therapeutic modalities such as heat, cold, soft tissue laser, electro therapies, and herbal medicine for the medical massage and manual therapist.

Volume Four, Lymphedema Program, presents the lymphedema treatment protocol of Dr. Lawton, which includes several new advances in manual and massage approaches to lymphedema technique and therapy.

Lymphedema DVD
Companion to the Lymphedema Manual (above), this DVD graphically demonstrates the central Lymphedema massage techniques taught at the Blue Heron Academy including repetitive movement technique, progressive capillary propulsion, muscular contraction and relaxation, and compressive stroking.  This DVD has been designed specifically for training purposes and easily allows the student to watch a technique being performed repetitively while practicing the technique at the same time.

Volume Five, The Joint Complex, presents a complete comprehensive joint evaluation program along with information regarding progressive degenerative joint disease.

Volume Six, Fundamentals, is the introductory text on medical massage and a companion manual to Volume One. Fundamentals covers medical massage therapy from philosophy to patient treatment and to practice management.

Articles, Studies, and Research, introduces and reviews the scientific studies and research of medical massage and manual therapy. This manual also contains a number of published articles that have introduced medical massage to the US massage community.

Medical Acupuncture
A rational and scientific approach to acupuncture.  This manual reviews how acupuncture works, and describes the techniques and protocols of practical acupuncture.

Navigating the Maze of Nutrition
This general nutrition manual covers the basics of diet and nutrition.  It covers nutritional components and how to eat a healthy and balanced diet.

Chinese Massage and Acupressure
This color photograph filled manual explains and demonstrates in pictures the techniques of Chinese massage therapy.

Acupressure Kata DVD
Companion DVD to the Chinese Massage and Acupressure Manual (above).  Chinese massage therapy is both an ancient and modern practice of manual therapy.  Most historians recognize that massage has been practiced among the peoples of the world for 11,000 years or longer.  In this DVD presentation, "Chinese Massage and Acupressure" you will be introduced to a basic Acupressure Kata.  The Acupressure Kata is a routine that is used to learn how to apply acupressure and massage techniques during a treatment session.  The techniques presented in the Kata include a full body acupressure treatment.  Learning an Acupressure Kata is a wonderful way to learn the acupuncture meridians and acupuncture point locations.  The Acupressure Kata that is presented during this DVD reflects the techniques that are presented in the accompanying training manual entitled "Chinese Massage and Acupressure, A Practical Approach."  This DVD has been designed specifically for training purposes and easily allows the student to watch a technique being performed repetitively while practicing the technique at the same time.

Tai Chi DVD
This video is a demonstration of the old Yang family form of Yang Shao Hou. The video is shot outdoors and has a pleasant musical background. The form is done in full normal speed for this rare fast form of Tai Chi Chuan. The video makes a good reference for those studying the form and who would like a video presentation to refer to. It has been stated that Yang Shao Huo could complete his 108 sequence form in less than 3 minutes. For the purposes of demonstration the form is completed in 10 minutes.

Kenpo DVD
This dvd demonstrates the rigorous techniques and exercises utilized in Mixed Martial Art Group Freestyle Conditioning Programs.

Medical Massage Forms
This is a packet of office and patient forms for use in a professional clinical massage practice. The packet contains over twenty forms including patient registration, health history, health insurance, billing statement, and forms for patient education.

Medical Acupuncture Forms
This is a packet of office and patient forms for use in a professional acupuncture practice. The packet contains over twenty forms including patient registration, health history, health insurance, billing statement, and forms for patient education.

Personal Training Forms
This is a packet of office and patient forms for use by personal training or fitness consulting professionals. The packet contains over fifteen forms including patient registration, health history, medical release, informed consent, client reports, joint evaluation, fitness evaluation, vital signs, weight management chart, program survey, health attitude questionnaire, planning calendar, and percent body fat charts.

Degenerative Joint Disease Series, Clinical Review
Set of Four Booklets that cover the endocrinological issues that affect muscle and joint diseases. These four booklets comprise a series that outlines degenerative joint disease and how insulin resistance, dysglycemia, clinical obesity, thyroid conditions, adrenal dysfunction, and menopause are all related to musculoskeletal disorders.
          

Degenerative Joint Disease Series, Clinical Review
Set of Four Audio CDs that complement and accompany the Four Booklets (above) for the Degenerative Joint Disease Series, Clinical Review. Each audio CD provides a detailed lecture that further explains and expands upon the information provided in the booklets. This information is vital knowledge for medical massage therapists, manual therapists, and professionals involved in treating musculoskeletal disorders with manual medicine or therapeutic exercise.

           

Special Pricing - Degenerative Joint Disease Booklets and Audio CDs
Get both the set of four booklets and the four accompanying audio CD lectures on degenerative joint disease for the reduced price of $85 for members and $95 for non-members.
          

Outline of Medical Massage Therapy
A concise outline of the theories, protocols, and concepts of medical massage therapy.

An Introduction to Medical Massage Therapy
This Audio CD provides a basic introduction to the fundamentals and central concepts of medical massage therapy.

Toward an Understanding of Medical Massage Therapy
This Audio CD reviews the theoretical principles and methods of medical massage.

Building a Successful and Profitable Practice
This Audio CD discusses how to run and operate a successful medical massage practice.

Insurance Billing for the Medical Massage Therapist
This Audio CD offers information regarding general massage therapy insurance billing information and procedures, including understanding patient confidentiality, medical terminology, HIPPAA laws, and insurance codes and billing.

Hygiene, Cross Infection, and Infection Control
Cross infection in the professional arena and in the office is a serious matter that requires continual management. This Audio CD will outline how to keep you, your staff, and your patients healthy with safe and effective care.

Professional Ethics and Law for the Medical Massage Therapist
This Audio CD will impress upon you the importance of developing a clear understanding of the "ethics of caring." It will also stimulate and provoke thought and self-exploration regarding your professional and personal ethics.

Therapeutic Modalities for the Medical Massage Therapist
In this Audio CD you will learn to develop a clear understanding in the use of various kinds and types of therapeutic modalities including hot and cold, low level laser, percussion, and vibration devices.

Naturopathy and the Tradition of Clinical Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy has long been a vital tool used by the massage therapist for the treatment and care of patients with the use of water to prevent and treat disease and promote health. A description of Naturopathy and its principles are also included in this Audio CD.

Screening for Skin Cancer
This Audio CD explores why Americans suffer some of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. Each year Americans die from what is an almost totally preventable disease. Everyone can develop skin cancer; however, some people may be at higher risk than others, due to a range of factors.

The Skin, Wounds and Healing
In this Audio CD you will learn why the skin is the largest organ of the human body. It is soft, to allow movement, but still tough enough to resist breaking or tearing. It varies in texture and thickness from one part of the body to the next. For instance, the skin on the lips and eyelids are very thin and delicate. The skin on the soles of the feet is thicker and harder. The skin is a good indicator of general health.

Understanding Acupuncture Today
This Audio CD discusses the idea that acupuncture like many traditional health care professions, such as herbal medicine and massage therapy, is a very ancient practice. The earliest references to mankind's health care practices have been dated back eleven thousand years. Over the centuries ancient practices and beliefs have evolved as our scientific knowledge and our ability to investigate the "mysteries" of human physiology and pathology have increased.

Medical Acupuncture - An Evidence Based Approach
This Audio CD presentation on the subject of medical acupuncture has been prepared for inquisitive students and practitioners who will study this marvelous healing art and science carrying acupuncture forward into the future. The material and information provided within this Audio CD presents the new American medical acupuncture.

The Practice of Medical Acupuncture - Clinical Needling Procedures and Clean Needle Technique
As a follow up to Understanding Acupuncture Today and Medical Acupuncture - An evidence Based Approach, this Audio CD discusses clinical needling procedures and clean needle technique using a variety of anatomical and physiological point locations on the body. The medical acupuncturist will direct therapeutic attention to the area of the patient's chief complaint without being limited to the traditional acupuncture points.

Understanding Issues in Body Image
This Audio CD discusses body image related to the size and shape of a person's physique only constitutes a part of the overall concerns that a person may have regarding physical appearance. Men and women have many issues related to body image; concerns about weight, either being too fat or too thin, are commonplace. People invest a lot of time, effort and money in altering their physical appearance whether through weight loss or gain, exercise, cosmetics or surgery.

Diet and Weight Management: Facts About Eating Disorders and the Search for Solutions
This Audio CD program investigates the central issues and problems associated with eating disorders. Eating disorders are rampant in our society, yet few states in the nation have adequate programs or services to combat anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Only a small number of schools, colleges and communities have programs to educate our youth about the dangers of eating disorders.

Diet and Weight Management: Looking at Obesity
This Audio CD program reviews and presents information related to obesity. An estimated 97 million adults in the United States are overweight or obese, a condition that substantially raises their risk of morbidity from hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea and respiratory problems, and endometrial, breast, prostate, and colon cancers. Higher body weights are also associated with increases in causes of death. Obese individuals may also suffer from social stigmatization and discrimination. As the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States today, overweight and obesity pose a major public health challenge.

Personal Training Series One - General Exercise, The Many Benefits of Physical Exercise
This personal training Audio CD series is a review of the central concepts related to corrective and restorative therapeutic exercise.  This is series one.  Covered in this series are the concepts of exercise as they pertain to strength training, cardio vascular conditioning, joint health and special needs populations.

Personal Training Series Two - Growing Stronger, Strength Training for Older Adults
This personal training Audio CD series is a review of the central concepts related to corrective and restorative therapeutic exercise.  This is series two.  Covered in this series are the concepts of exercise as they pertain to strength training, cardio vascular conditioning, joint health and special needs populations.

Personal Training Series Three - Personal Training, Obesity and Weight Management
This personal training Audio CD series is a review of the central concepts related to corrective and restorative therapeutic exercise.  This is series three.  Covered in this series are the concepts of exercise as they pertain to strength training, cardio vascular conditioning, joint health and special needs populations.

Personal Training Series Four - Personal Training and Corrective and Restorative Therapeutic Exercises for Chronic Degenerative Joint Disease
This personal training Audio CD series is a review of the central concepts related to corrective and restorative therapeutic exercise. This is series four. Covered in this series are the concepts of exercise as they pertain to strength training, cardio vascular conditioning, joint health and special needs populations.

Personal Training Series Five - Personal Training, Series 5 - Successful Marketing in the Fitness Business
This personal training Audio CD series is a review of the central concepts related to corrective and restorative therapeutic exercise. This is series five. Covered in this series are the concepts of exercise as they pertain to strength training, cardio vascular conditioning, joint health and special needs populations.

The Serenity Zone Three Step Relaxation Program
The Serenity Zone relaxation experience is a three step progressive relaxation program.  The first two steps of the Serenity Zone relaxation CD progressively lead you through a full body relaxation sequence.  The CD concludes with a creative visualization exercise that is designed to help you achieve ultimate relaxation and personal awareness.

Serenity Streams
Serenity Streams allows the listener to enjoy the gentle ambience of a winding stream as it flows through a busy woodland area. Birds and soft chimes accent the whispers of the water's assuring presence.  Approximately 60 min.

Serenity Shores
Serenity Shores leads the listener along a vast shoreline where the soft rains and lapping waters guide the senses to a peaceful yet enlightened state of being.  Approximately 60min.

The Soft Tissue Mobilization Video is an introductory companion piece to the Theories, Concepts, and Protocols manual. The first part of this video tape is a television interview of Dr. Gregory T. Lawton, and the second part is a demonstration of the basic beginning techniques and treatment protocol of medical massage therapy.