Introduction

Chronic pain is not only challenging for the person experiencing it, but for family members, physicians, and health care providers as well. A number of treatments and adjunct therapies are available that can help manage chronic pain conditions caused by traumatic injuries, illness, autoimmune conditions, as well as disease processes but for many, there is no cure. However, throughout this course, it is important for the massage or bodywork professional to understand that pain – especially chronic pain – has different implications for different people. You’ll find that signs, symptoms, pain severity, recovery times, etc. will vary due to a number of seemingly endless factors such as injury onset, age, re-injury, overall general health, initial and long-term care, emotional states…specific client issues can go on and on.

Throughout this course, you will not only learn about different types of pain, massage therapies and techniques to help relieve it, you will also learn how pain not only affects the body, but the psyche – the spirit and the soul of the person dealing with it. For many, chronic pain causes severe emotional and social issues.

The massage therapist is also cautioned against making assumptions about a person’s pain complaints. Pain is subjective. Pain sensations, severity, and perceptions of pain are unique to every individual. What triggers pain in your own body may not hurt someone else or vice versa. Pain cannot be measured, tested, photographed, or otherwise documented on film, x-ray, or the latest in digital technology.

For this reason, the massage professional must always listen carefully to the client when it comes to techniques utilized to help relieve pain, stiffness, and discomfort. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke has researched and tested patients dealing with chronic pain. They have discovered that those experiencing chronic pain may have decreased endorphin* levels in their spinal fluid. (Endorphins are chemicals produced by the body to relieve stress and pain)

Dealing with a client or patient experiencing chronic pain that can last months or a lifetime can be – and often is – intimidating for physicians, health care team providers, and massage therapists, regardless of training and experience. Chronic pain is serious, as seen by the number of professional associations that attempt to help those experiencing it. These include but are not limited to:

• The American Chronic Pain Association
• Arthritis Foundation
• Migraine Research Foundation
• American Headache Society
• National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Over 5,000 clinical trials are currently underway in the United States – and throughout the world, focusing on chronic pain.

If a massage therapist does not have the experience or training to treat injuries, the therapist can often make the situation worse. The information found in this course will assist you in making informed decisions regarding individual client care and approach when treating injuries.

Human Trafficking and Massage Therapy

What does human trafficking have to do with the massage student or professional? More than you might think. When it comes to the topic of human trafficking, many shy away from the topic, not wanting to talk about something so uncomfortable as forced labor or sexual exploitation. The reality is that it happens every minute around the globe. Most likely it is happening in your city, your town, or even in your own neighborhood.

The topic of human trafficking needs to be discussed as part of the training and ongoing education for professional massage therapists because, unfortunately, illicit massage businesses and victims of predators are common within the industry. It’s up to the professionals to help put a stop to it. That means educating ourselves regarding human trafficking or ‘modern slavery’ really is and where it’s found.

The Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) supports the mission of educating and arming our profession with knowledge and empathy for human trafficking victims. However, in order to do this, students and professionals alike need to know what human trafficking is, it’s prevalence around the globe and in the United States, how to recognize it in your own neighborhood, and how the professional massage industry as a whole can disrupt the practice of trafficking men, women, and children.

Challenges abound for the professional massage therapist in serving our clients, promoting health and wellness, and our reputation in light of many myths and misconceptions about the truth behind human trafficking.

At the end of this course, you will be better educated about the overall practice of human trafficking, how it impacts massage therapy practices in the United States, how to recognize the signs of human trafficking and how to go about reporting possible human trafficking situations.

HOW TO TAKE THE COURSE

• Below is a list of test questions that you will find at the end of the course.
• The answers are highlighted in RED throughout the course material.
• At the end of each lesson, you must click the MARK COMPLETE button to move ahead to the next section.
• Once you’ve completed each section, complete the COURSE EVALUATION to move ahead to the EXAM QUESTIONS.
• Once you’ve passed the exam with a 70%, you may print, download and/or save your certificate.
• Take the exam as many times as you like
• Once you’ve completed the course, return to MY ACCOUNT to take your next course.
• You must MARK COMPLETE at the bottom of this section to move ahead to LESSON ONE.

You may download and print a copy of the test questions to be used as you read through the course material. Answer the questions as you move through the course.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING EXAM QUESTIONS

1. A person who falls prey to Human Trafficking is known as a ___________
2. The term “Trafficking” refers to the transportation of a ______________
3. There are nearly ________ illicit massage businesses nationwide
4. Involuntary domestic servitude is found primarily in ________
5. _____ million individuals have been reported to be victims of forced labor
6. As with victims of sex trafficking, victims of forced labor are also coerced in a variety of ways. These methods include:
7. Professional associations within the massage industry have banned together to fight human trafficking and it affects on the massage industry. These groups include:
8. In July 2019, Florida’s Board of Massage Therapy passed Human Trafficking Chapter 2019 – 152, Laws of Florida. This group of laws focuses on the establishment of new professional requirements, continuing education and additional training and resources for a number of professions including:
9. In order of highest to lowest percentages, sectors, where victims of forced labor exploitation are found in the ______________________ sector.
10. In many cases, illicit massage businesses are identified by several indicators, which include:
11. Indicators that a massage parlor offers potential human trafficking for sex or labor, as well as commercial sex, can include:
12. While incidents of human trafficking and illicit massage businesses can be found in every state throughout the U.S., a handful have proven to have the highest concentrations. These states include:
13. More than _______% of victims are recruited by friends and family. (Georgia Cares).
14. The negative effects that public perception has on the overall massage therapy industry, is often the result of misinterpreting the massage professional with those engaged in ___________________
15. Among the first steps to identify victims is to recognize the most common signs of human trafficking. Among them include:

The Professional Ethics in Massage course covers the following information which pertains to the massage industry.

• Standards and Principles
• AMTA and NCBTMB
• State Regulations and Certifications
• Putting Principles of Practice into Action
• Ethical Decision Making
• Accountability
• Unethical Behaviors
• Reporting Unethical Behaviors

Test Questions and Taking The Test

Practice Exam Questions can be downloaded/printed in Chapter 1.

1. How many primary rules exist for the AMTA?

2. In addition to the District of Columbia, how many states license or credential massage therapists?

3. Upon completing a massage therapy program, students are usually required to take a state/national exam known as the ?

4. Standards of practice can also be referred to as

5. What is “Scope of Practice”?

6. What does HIPAA stand for?

7. In order to avoid any sexual impropriety, it is import to –

8. When preparing to report unethical behavior, it is important to –

For the purpose of testing features.

Cultural Diversity and Professional Ethics

Your clients will likely include diverse cultures, races, and ethnicities and, at times, those who are mentally and/or physically handicapped. In order to promote your skills and knowledge as a massage therapist, cultural awareness is essential when working with a variety of people of different backgrounds and beliefs.

Understanding the ramifications of bias, discrimination, and stereotyping is important, not only on a professional ethical level, but a personal one as well.

Cultural awareness will help you improve the quality of your massage sessions while increasing your sensitivity and awareness in the workplace. This awareness will prove effective in helping to eliminate cultural barriers. If we all take responsibility in learning about and appreciating diversity in our society, it will increase our chances of successful encounters with others.

The course on “Professional Ethics, Roles and Boundaries” will explore the professional role of the massage therapist in the therapeutic relationship.

The field of psychology has always fascinated me – so much so that I have studied it extensively. I’ve found that it has helped me tremendously in my massage therapy practice, classroom and in everyday life / work situations.

Having the ability to “read” different situations and redirect energy is vital in today’s society and in our field.

Students will have the opportunity to learn about and how to effectively handle the complex psychology situations that are relevant to the massage therapy field. Topics to be covered include:

• Power Differentials
• Personal Ethics vs. Professional Ethics
• Client / Therapist Relationships
• How to Establish and Maintain Professional Boundaries
• Various Boundaries; What They Are
• Communication; Verbal and Non-Verbal
• Trauma and Emotional First Aid in Session
• Sexual Boundaries, Sexual Abuse and Statics
• Prevention of Sexual Abuse in the Workplace
• Dual Relationships
• Dynamics of Relationships
• Transference / Counter-Transference
• Drama Triangle vs. Empowerment Triangle

I suggest printing the “practice exam” prior to reviewing the course information. This will allow you to make note of the important facts which will be covered on the actual exam. You will find that most of the important facts are highlighted in BOLD.

You can find a printable PDF of the “practice exam” in the next chapter.

“Florida Massage Therapy Laws and Rules” is a continuing education course designed for:

• Florida State Licensed Massage Therapists who are in need of obtaining massage licensing renewal information and those who are interested in obtaining their initial Florida massage license.

This course will focus on the laws and rules that govern and regulate the practice of massage therapy in the state of Florida. Information presented in this program includes Chapters 456 (Health Professions and Occupations – General Provisions) and 480 (Massage Therapy Practice Act) of the Florida Statutes and Chapter 64B7 (Massage Therapy Rules of the Florida Administrative Code) and the new law CS/HB 1065 (Criminal Background and Fingerprinting).

In its 1999 Publication – ‘To Err is Human: Building a Safer Health System’, The Institute of Medicine (IOM) states that even the healthcare industry is not exempt from committing errors. It elaborates on the mistakes made by medical personnel in the U.S. and gives suggestions on how to eliminate medical errors. The report points out that as many as 44,000 Americans died and 98,000 were left in critical condition due to medical errors at the time the report was published. A conservative estimate of the number of deaths due to medical negligence (44,000) surpass deaths due to road accidents at 43,458, breast cancer at 42,297 and AIDS at 16,516. It is a significant and frightening number.

In this course, you will learn how to prevent medical errors in the health-care field.

All courses are fully online with immediate grading and instant, printable certification.

Prior to reviewing the course materials, we suggest viewing or printing the “exam review questions”. As you review the course material, you will find that many of the “key points” to the exam are in BOLD.

Important: You must mark the MARK COMPLETE box at the end of each lesson to move ahead to the next lesson.

“Massage Techniques From Around The World” introduces the student to an overview and/or in-depth information on massage techniques used in various parts of the world.

Start with the “Practice Exam” to view the questions that you will find in the exam at the end of the course.

As you complete each section, you must MARK COMPLETE at the end of each section to move forward to the next section.

You may take the exam as many times as you would like.

Once you’ve reached 70% on the exam, you’ve passed the course and may print or download your certification. You may return at a later date to access your certification through MY ACCOUNT which is where you will find all of your courses and certifications.

Scroll down to start the course and click on the PRACTICE EXAM section to begin.

This course is an introduction to essential oils and the use of aromatherapy in a massage therapy setting. It offers the massage therapist guidelines on safe practice and protocols and is not intended to offer diagnostics, prescriptions or treatments.

In this course, you will learn:

• Aromatherapy Explained
• The History of Aromatherapy
• What are Essential Oils?
• Various Ways Aromatherapy Finds Ways Into The Body
• The Effects of Essential Oils on the Body, Mind and Spirit
• Safety Guidelines, Cautions, Contraindications, Indications and Benefits of Oils
• Purity and Storage
• Carrier Oils and Mixing Guidelines
• Extraction Methods
• Oils to Avoid
• Pregnancy Guidelines
• Eye Pillows, Cold / Hot Compress, Diffuser, Massage, Bath and Lotion Guidelines
• Therapeutic Properties and Benefits of Specific Oils
• Oils That Compliment and Blend Lovingly
• Harvest and Origin
• Botanical Description
• 30+ Popular Oils

Dozens of beautiful photographs and essential oil tips to enhance any massage therapy session.

All courses are fully online with immediate grading and instant, printable certification. You may take the exam as many times as you like.

Prior to reviewing the course materials, we suggest printing or viewing the “Exam Questions” which are found once you enter the course.

As you move through the course curriculum, you will see that all of the “exam answers” are highlighted throughout the course.

As a massage therapist, you will encounter clients diagnosed with various medical conditions. One of those medical conditions is diabetes mellitus. This course will allow you to gain the skills and knowledge in order to:

• Define the difference between Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes.
• Recognize the most common signs and symptoms of diabetes and common diabetic complications.
• Understand the varied benefits that massage offers to diabetic clients.
• Identify contraindications and cautions for diabetic massage.
• Explain a variety of complementary therapies that can be used in conjunction with massage to help your clients avoid diabetic complications.
• Understand how massage can help stabilize blood sugar through relaxation and stress relief.

As a massage therapist, it is your responsibility to share information with your clients on the precautions as well as the benefits of massage. The benefits and cautions of massage will largely depend on their current state of health. Your educational background should help you in identifying unmanaged diabetes or advanced diabetic conditions. This knowledge ranges from the importance of clients testing blood sugar levels prior to and following massage to both the therapist and the clients ability to recognizing symptoms of hypoglycemia, potential temporary disorientation, and other factors that have an effect on the overall health and wellness of your clients.

Diabetes currently affects over 14 million Americans today, the majority of which are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Understanding the processes that contribute to a diagnosis of diabetes, how certain body organs are affected by the disease, and how massage can help ensure that the massage therapist has the foundation to provide the most beneficial massage techniques available to their clients.

As a massage therapist, you may have clients who experience the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia, with or without an ‘official’ diagnosis. Understanding the difference between the two (as well as their similarities) will help you choose optimal techniques that provide relief of symptoms.

This course discusses chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, and is structured to provide you with the basic information you need in order to:

• Understand the similarities and differences between chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia
• Define potential causes of each
• Identify how fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome affect the body
• Differentiate between a tender point and a trigger point
• Determine which techniques may best suit your clients depending on scenario
• Explain to your clients the benefits of massage for chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia

As a massage therapist, your clients rely on you to provide them with information regarding benefits of specific techniques in treating the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia. Your knowledge of the physiological and psychological effects of these conditions and the benefits of massage in relieving symptoms will enhance massage sessions. Your knowledge and understanding also promotes your ability to provide not only relief of symptoms, but improve quality of life in two often misunderstood conditions experienced by nearly 10 million Americans today.

All courses are fully online with immediate grading and instant, printable certification.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION!

Prior to reviewing the course materials, we suggest printing or reading through the “exam review practice questions” which are found at the beginning of course.

While reading through the curriculum, you will find the “key points” of the exam highlighted throughout each lesson.

Record the answers on the “exam review practice question” sheet prior to taking the actual exam which is found at the end of the course.

Course Content Learning Objectives

This course on Communicable Diseases, HIV/AIDS is designed to provide you with basic knowledge and information that every massage therapist should know in order to:

• Understand the difference between HIV and AIDS
• Learn how HIV is transmitted
• Know how HIV is diagnosed
• Understand how the immune system works
• Increase understanding regarding therapeutic massage benefits for your HIV/AIDS patients
• Identify and practice industry guidelines and standards
• Enhance your knowledge regarding OSHA’s blood-borne pathogen standard
• Utilize proper sanitation techniques in the workplace
• Protect yourself and your clients from cross-contamination
• Provide physical, emotional, and psychological well-being to your HIV or AIDS clientele

As a massage therapist, you’re going to come into contact with clients who do have medical conditions, including HIV and AIDS. Educating yourself regarding the history, progression, and forms of transmission of HIV/AIDS disease processes will enhance your ability to provide professional, safe, and compassionate care to all your clients.

All courses are fully online with immediate grading and instant, printable/downloadable certification. A passing grade of 70% is needed and no points or grades appear on your certificate. You may take the exam as many times as needed to reach 70%.

Prior to reviewing the course materials, we suggest printing the “exam review questions”. In order to do this, you will need to go to the end of each “lesson” and mark the “MARK COMPLETE” button. Once you have “MARKED COMPLETE” at the end of each lesson, you may view/print the “Practice Exam”.

The practice questions are in PDF and found at the very end of the course. As you review the course material, you will find that many of the “key points” to the exam are in BOLD.

Return to the lessons and review the course materials. Massage CE Learning Tree allows you to return to the course materials even after marking “Mark Complete” at the end of each section.

As a massage therapist, it’s important to know and understand the basics of the anatomy and physiology of the immune system. You may be asked to provide massage for clients diagnosed with autoimmune conditions that may affect your treatment or therapy approaches.

This course is designed to provide you with the information you need in order to:

• Learn how the immune system and its components function
• Understand the benefits of massage therapy for autoimmune disorders
• Identify common signs and symptoms of immune system dysfunction
• Differentiate between indications and contraindications of massage for specific conditions
• Identify the most common autoimmune system disorders
• Refresh your ability to define which technique is most beneficial for your client based on condition or need
• Understand the pros and cons to steam therapies and wraps for a client dealing with an immune system disorder

In your massage practice, you’ll often be relied on to make informed decisions regarding the safety and benefits of specific massage techniques for your clients that enhance immune system function, relieve pain, and provide physiological as well as psychological benefits. Your knowledge and understanding of massage techniques can enhance the quality of life for clients diagnosed with psoriasis, lupus, lymphedema, diabetes,  irritable bowel syndrome, and other autoimmune disorders or conditions.

Test Questions and Taking the Course

The exam questions are available for your review prior to taking the exam. The answers are highlighted throughout the course material. At the end of each lesson, you must click the MARK COMPLETE button to move ahead to the next section. Once you’ve completed each section, complete the COURSE EVALUATION to move ahead to the EXAM QUESTIONS. Once you’ve passed the exam with a 70%, you may print or download and save your certificate. Even though THERE ARE NO GRADES (this is a pass/fail course), you may take the exam as many times as you like (although it will not change your pass/fail achievement since there are no grades associated with the course). Once you’ve complete the course, return to MY ACCOUNT to take your next course. You must MARK COMPLETE at the bottom of each lesson to move ahead to the next lesson.

• These two tissues are responsible for homeostasis in the body:
  a. fat and enzymes
  b. blood and lymph
  c. antibodies and lymph nodes
  d. dermis and epidermis

• What is not a component of blood:
  a. thrombocytes
  b. ambiocytes
  c. leukocytes
  d. erythrocytes

• White blood cells are found in abundance in  ____________ fluid:
  a. Synovial
  b. Gastric
  c. Lymph
  d. Nasal

• The two main lymph ducts found in the body are:
  a. cervical and left lymphatic
  b. thoracic and right lymphatic
  c. right and left lymphatic
  d. right and left subclavian veins

• Identify the organ that does not belong to the lymphatic system:
  a. stomach
  b. Peyer’s patches
  c. appendix
  d. spleen

• The immune system:
  a. acts as an oxygen transport within cellular environments
  b. provides protection to the body against illness and disease through the immune response
  c. is responsible for the production of cellular synthesis
  d. functions only with the cardiovascular system

• Lymphedema is caused by:
  a. accumulation of blood in an extremity
  b. venous insufficiency
  c. build-up of interstitial fluids in soft tissues
  d. manual lymph drainage massage technique

• Lupus generally involves:
  a. muscular tissues
  b. the inner lining of the bowel
  c. connective tissues
  d. adipose tissue

• Lupus erythematosus is also defined as:
• a. systemic
• b. discoid
• c. bronchogenic
• d. spontaneous

•  Common signs or complaints of phlebitis include:
  a. reddened and often warm skin around or along a superficial vein
  b. throbbing or burning sensation
  c. tender skin over or around the area
  d. All the answers are true