Remedial Massage Courses

Why study remedial massage?

Massage therapy is a rewarding career option requiring specialised knowledge and a unique skill set. Remedial massage courses train therapists in multiple areas, such as physiology, anatomy and pathophysiology, to understand the way the human body works and connects. Remedial massage therapists also work in a range of areas, from allied health, palliative care, chronic or terminal illness, to sports and injury management. Their workplaces can vary from massage services and health and wellness clinics to medical settings and in private practice.

However, regardless of the setting, remedial therapists make a real difference in their clients’ lives by minimising discomfort, pain and mobility issues caused by muscle tension. For a client recovering from illness or injury, it can transform their quality of life by helping them to optimise their health goals.

According to the Australian Government’s Job Outlook service, there are over 19,000 massage therapists in Australia. That number is expected to grow by up to 15% in the next five years. Qualified remedial massage therapists can earn up to $1,038 per week, and earnings can increase with experience.

To become employed as a remedial therapist, you will need to complete a Diploma of Remedial Massage (details below).

What does a remedial massage therapist do?

Remedial massage therapists are professionals who are trained to identify physical and bio-mechanical issues within the body. By using their thumbs, knuckles, and elbows, remedial massage therapists apply differing amounts of pressure to muscles and other connective tissue, to realign, release, and relax the client’s body.

The day-to-day responsibilities of a remedial massage therapist typically include:

• Assessing a client’s case history and physical condition and advising on stretching exercises and relaxation techniques.
• Massaging the soft tissues of the body, such as tendons, muscles and ligaments to enhance wellbeing or rehabilitate, maintain or augment physical function.
• Using a range of massage techniques to prevent injury and enhance sports performance.
• Administering treatments to improve circulation, promote relaxation and relieve muscle tension.
• Assessing and treating specific soft tissue dysfunction.
• Providing clients with rehabilitation advice in terms of how to improve or manage soft tissue conditions.
• Employing other techniques complementary aids such as ice, wet compresses, infra-red lamps, essential oils and herbal and mineral therapies to assist recovery.
• Keeping confidential patient records
• Staying on top of professional development, to keep your skills current
• Managing a small business, including marketing your practice

Remedial massage courses and careers

Remedial massage therapist workplaces

Remedial massage therapists can work in a wide range of environments. Here are some of the most common:

Health and wellness clinics

As a flourishing industry, healthcare clinics typically hire all sorts of health and wellbeing practitioners to assist clients. They can specialise in providing only remedial massage or a range of massage techniques. Remedial massage therapists can also work alongside other medical professionals such as homeopaths, naturopaths, nutritionists, chiropractors, or osteopaths.

Medical settings

Remedial massage therapists can also work in medical or aged care settings, such as palliative care or helping those with a chronic or terminal illness. In these cases, they can help relieve stress, anxiety, depression, pain, fatigue, and nausea.

Private practice

Those trained in remedial massage can also run their own business, either alone, or with other therapists in their own private practice. You just need to register for an ABN, decide on a business name, set up your premises and then start marketing yourself! (You should also become a member of an association such as ANTA).

Remedial massage job prospects

Natural and healthy living is a growing industry, and according to the Australian Government’s Job Outlook service, there are over 19,000 massage therapists currently in Australia. They anticipate “very strong future growth” in the industry, with numbers increasing by up to 15% in the next five years, creating over 15,000 jobs.

Remedial massage therapists can work in virtually any location in Australia. Full-timers spend around 43 hours a week at work, and less than half of those in the industry work full-time (creating opportunities for a fantastic work/life balance!)

Massage courses

You must complete a Diploma of Remedial Massage. This qualification can only be provided by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), which is a government accredited training facility. These accredited qualifications will allow you to be eligible as a health fund provider.

Diploma of Remedial Massage (HLT52015)

This is nationally recognised, skill-enhancing training for massage therapists. A massage diploma will provide you with a deeper level of understanding of the art of massage and the human body, enabling you to treat more complex and specific conditions.

Course duration: 12-18 months
Study mode: on campus and online learning
Entry requirements: Year 12 or equivalent
Units of study: According to the Department of Education, Skills and Employment, Diploma of Remedial Massage courses are typically comprised of 21 units, which include16 core units and five elective units (one of which must be from the Business Management group). Up to four elective units can also be from an endorsed Training Package or accredited course and must be relevant to the work outcome. Electives must also contribute to a valid, industry-supported vocational outcome.

Core units

• Establish and manage client relationships
• Work with diverse people
• Manage legal and ethical compliance
• Reflect on and improve own professional practice
• Engage with health professionals and the health system
• Analyse and respond to client health information
• Provide first aid
• Manage the prevention and control of infection
• Develop massage practice
• Assess client massage needs
• Perform remedial massage musculoskeletal assessments
• Provide massage treatments
• Provide remedial massage treatments
• Adapt remedial massage practice to meet specific needs
• Monitor and evaluate remedial massage treatments
• Manage work health and safety

Elective units – Business Management

• Market the small business
• Undertake small business planning
• Monitor and manage small business operations
• Manage small business finances

Elective units – Other

• Facilitate the empowerment of older people
• Address the needs of people with chronic disease
• Visit client residence
• Facilitate the empowerment of people with disability
• Work with people with mental health issues
• Research and apply evidence to practice
• Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships
• Collaborate in professional practice
• Develop aromatherapy practice
• Source and prepare aromatherapy products
• Perform aromatherapy health assessments
• Provide therapeutic aromatherapy treatments
• Provide aromatherapy massage treatments
• Interpret and use information about nutrition and diet
• Adapt remedial massage practise for athletes
• Provide reflexology for relaxation
• Instruct exercise to young people aged 13 to 17 years
• Instruct exercise to older clients
• Implement injury prevention strategies
• Provide nutrition information to athletes
• Conduct advanced taping
• Instruct strength and conditioning techniques
• Develop strength and conditioning programs

References

• 2020, HLT52015 – Diploma of Remedial Massage, training.gov.au
• 2020, Massage Therapists, Job Outlook
• 2020, Massage Therapist, Seek
• 2017, The Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up a Massage Business at Home, Discover Massage Australia