VTCT Level 4 Certificate in Sports Massage Therapy

What is the course about?

This course is designed to follow on from the ITEC Level 3 Diploma in Sports Massage Therapy and aims to enable learners to gain the necessary practical and theoretical skills of advanced anatomy, common injuries and suggested treatment management, palpation skills and those needed to analyse posture and range of movement. It will also provide practitioners with a range of advanced skills and massage techniques to prevent and manage injury in sport and active leisure.
Practitioners will learn to critically evaluate massage strategies and methods to inform on future treatments.

Practical exam date: TBC

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- You should be aware that a minimum of 80% attendance is necessary to complete the course.
- You are also expected to participate to the best of your ability
- You are expected to adhere to the colleges Equal Opportunities Policy while undertaking the course.
- The policies of the college will be discussed during the first session.
- Students will be required to undertake 5 treatments
- Due to the nature of this course, you will not be entitled to transfer to a different course after the course has started.

What will we cover?

This course comprises of three units which build upon those covered in the Level 3 Diploma in Sports Massage Therapy:

iUSP 151: Conducting Subjective and Objective Assessment
This unit will give the leaner insight into identifying bony structures associated with major joints, identifying soft tissue structures located at the major joints, joint end feels, pre-dispositions to injury and dysfunctions, factors that influence recovery from injury, treatment planning, postural types and deviations, pathophysiology of common injuries, methods and purpose of a range of objective assessment techniques and carrying out Subjective and Objective Assessments

iUSP 193: Treatment Modalities to Support Soft Tissue Repair
This unit will look at aims of treatment and treatment options during acute, sub-acute and chronic stages of injury, treatment protocol, use of and adverse reactions to cryotherapy and thermotherapy.

iUSP157: Provide Sports Massage Treatments to Prevent and Manage Injury
This unit will cover a range of soft tissue techniques, protocols to follow for each technique, evaluating the effects of each technique, preparing clients, monitoring tissue response throughout treatments, adapting the techniques and treatment plan to meet the needs of each client, adapting own posture throughout the application to ensure safe and effective application and presenting aftercare advice to the client.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

Below are the intended learning outcomes for each unit:

iUSP151
- Understand the anatomy and physiology of the major joints of the body
- Understand the influences and effects of client information on treatment planning
- Understand the effects of anatomy, physiology and pathology on human function
- Understand the principles and practice of objective assessment techniques
- Be able to conduct subjective and objective assessment
- Be able to devise a sport massage treatment plan

iUSP157
- Understand the principles of soft tissue techniques used in sports massage
- Be able to apply soft tissue techniques in sports massage treatments

iUSP193
- Understand treatments to support soft tissue repair
- Understand the use of cryotherapy during soft tissue repair
- Understand the use of heat treatments during soft tissue repair.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

Level 4 Certificate

TO GAIN ENTRY TO THIS COURSE, YOU WILL NEED:
- To have successfully completed the ITEC Level 3 sports massage diploma
- You should have kept up to date on anatomy and physiology.

EQUIVALENT QUALIFICATIONS
For a qualification to be considered an equivalent, it must be a level 3 diploma in sports massage and be registered under: The Qualifications and Credit Framework: QCF.
If you do not have a QCF qualification, it is YOUR responsibility to have the qualification validated by the appropriate awarding body. There may be charges associated with this which are not included in the course fees.

If you have an international qualification, then you can use the NARIC validation service, www.naric.org.uk
There is a charge for this service and again, this is not included in the course fees.

CITY LIT DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY IF YOU FAIL TO VALIDATE YOUR QUALIFICATION AND ARE SUBSEQUENTLY UNABLE TO COMPLETE THE COURSE. IN ADDITION YOU WILL STILL BE LIABLE FOR PAYMENT OF THE COURSE FEES.

You will also need to have sufficient literacy, numeracy and ICT skills to complete assignments to the required standard. There is an expectation that you have at least GCSE/Level 2 English, or working towards. As you progress through the course you will be required to complete assignments which will require personal research. If you are unsure whether you meet the required standard, please contact the department on Health@citylit.ac.uk

You will be expected to engage with the online resources throughout this course on Google Classroom. Please ensure you have access to a computer and familiar with accessing Google.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

This course will use a variety of teaching methods to ensure your learning is interactive and effective. One method used is ‘flipped learning’, you will access the online content in preparation for each session. This approach will enable a deeper level of learning to take place in the classroom though a variety of activities including games, quizzes, small group activities and projects.
Along with in class materials, you will also keep a personal learning plan which will show your journey through your training.

A minimum of ten hours of home study per week is essential to successfully complete this course.

You will also need access to a massage couch, find clients to undertake case studies outside of the classroom time, and have access to a computer and the internet to research and write up your course projects.

You will sit an end of course theory and practical exams which is set by ITEC, you will also build your portfolio of evidence through completing set assignments, case studies and in class tests.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

You will need to purchase the following items to bring to class -

Practical sessions:
• Massage oil (preferably grapeseed)

Theory sessions:
• Course books
• Folders for handouts
• Pen and paper

You will also need access to a massage couch to undertake treatments outside of the classroom time.

The college will provide towels for practice and exams. You will need your own towels for performing treatments on clients outside of City Lit.

Uniform; The college will also provide each student with one Black Polo Shirt for the exams. Students will need to buy black trousers.and flat clossed toed shoes.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

Follow up with other professional practitioner courses such as Sports Massage Level 5
One of City Lit's many CPD courses
A natural progression includes undergraduate studies in Physiotherapy, Osteopathy or Chiropractic medicine.