To Register for Classes Please Call 703-888-9782.

Northern Virginia School of Therapeutic Massage provides an opportunity for massage therapists to continue their education in massage therapy. Northern Virginia School of Therapeutic Massage delivers advanced massage education so that our students increase their existing skill set and provide the highest quality massage treatments to their clients.

The educational objective of Northern Virginia School of Therapeutic Massage is to deliver advanced continuing education to Certified Massage Therapists. Northern Virginia School of Therapeutic Massage offers a variety of techniques to further their career in massage therapy, and the classes are held in a supportive environment where the student is top priority.

Participants can register up until the day before the workshop starts. If a participant is unable to pay in full, they can hold their spot with a non-refundable deposit. Registration can be made by phone, fax, email, or coming into the school.

To receive a full refund, participants must cancel 21 days prior to the first day of class. If participants cancel less than 21 days prior to the first day of class the deposit is non-refundable. If participants cancel after course has begun or is absent for class, no refunds will be given. If we cancel a workshop due to low enrollment, all tuition paid will be refunded in full.

The courses are held at the Northern Virginia School of Therapeutic Massage, located at 200 Little Falls Street Suite 303 Falls Church, VA. 22046.

Continuing Education Course Descriptions:

Addressing Neck Pain:
Course includes lecture on cervical deviations, client ergonomics and bodywork techniques to address all areas of the neck. Bodywork techniques include; myofascial deep release, METs, Swedish, trigger point, as well as deep tissue technique.

Addressing Hip & Lower Back Pain:
This CE workshop is designed to address all the muscles involved in movement of the hip as well as muscles of the lumbar region. The program will consist of 1 hour of lecture to address the anatomy of the hip and lumbar regions as well basic postural assessment. The 6 remaining hours will be a bodywork session to address all 4 quadrants of the thigh, Iliopsoas, Quadratus lumborum, multifidus as well as the gluteals, and the deep six lateral rotators.

The Art of Japanese Zen Facial Massage w/ Aromatherapy Oils:
This is a hands-on course where the student learns to incorporate theory with working with Qi using penetration techniques. Traditionally, through the use of Acupressure and special manipulative massage strokes, the treatment goes beyond Swedish massage and concentrates on opening up the acupuncture meridians that energize the face, head and shoulders to achieve a balancing and grounding effect. For more information about the class and instructor please visit wolfgangluckmann.com

Chinese Hand and Foot Vitaflex Reflexology with Aromatherapy Essential Oils and Medical Qi Gong Meditation:
The ancient art of VITAFLEX REFLEXOLOGY AND AROMATHERAPY is an offshoot of TIBETAN MEDICINE and uses essential oils to align the spine, align the energy frequencies of the body and promotes self-healing. All essential oils used are also anti-viral, anti-inflammatory , anti-spasmodic and help support muscle, bone and nerve function. VITAFLEX REFLEXOLOGY and AROMATHERAPY can be used in all chronic , difficult myofascial and viral conditions. Both the zones and acupressure points are manipulated with the oils.For more information about the class and instructor please visit wolfgangluckmann.com

Ergonomic Massage:
Ergonomic massage is to help the therapist become more aware with work related issues. Course Includes postural analysis, critical thinking and bodywork application techniques.

Essentials of Sports Massage Upper Body:
This class addresses upper extremity injury treatment and prevention of several conditions: Rotator cuff injuries (identifying and treating), Frozen Shoulder (working safely with condition to return to functional range of motion), Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (reducing pain and avoiding surgery), Rhomboid (mid and upper back pain-addressing pain patterns in swimmers, tennis and golfers), Tennis Elbow and Golfers Elbow (eliminating pain in medial and lateral Epicondylitis and improving swing), Working with Scar Tissue, Sciatica and SI Joint Dysfunction as well as recommended exercises, strengthening and flexibility specifically for the athletes involved in upper body sports such as tennis, swimming and golf. We recommend you wear loose comfortable clothing. Please bring sheets, and oil/cream. Lunch break is (1hr) on your own, or with classmates. Look forward to seeing you there!

Essentials of Sports Massage Lower Body:
In this 14 CE Hour continuing education class we will cover Working with Scar Tissue, Sciatica and SI Joint Dysfunction as well as recommended exercises, strengthening and flexibility specifically for the athletes involved in lower body sports such as running, swimming and soccer. We recommend you wear loose comfortable clothing. Please bring sheets, and oil/cream. Lunch break is (1hr) on your own, or with classmates. Look forward to seeing you there!

Experiential Ethics: Boundaries, Communication and Self Care:
This course is designed to meet the NCBTMB's 6 hour ethics requirement, including the 2 hour requirement in Standard V--Roles and Boundaries.Through lectures reinforced with hands-on practicals, discussion/feedback sessions, and directed writing exercises, participants will gain insight to and first-hand knowledge of key concepts central to massage and bodywork ethics including types of boundaries, boundary setting, transference, counter-transference, professional relationships, dual relationships, professionalism, and styles of communication. Participants will further examine how these ethical issues manifest in their individual practices, thereby straining the therapeutic environment. Also, participants will consider and practice implementing strategies to resolve possible ethical quandaries as they may arise in the participant's practice.

Hot Stone Therapy:
Smooth basalt stones are placed on the body to warm and relax muscles. Students will learn the uses and benefits of hot stones in conjunction with therapeutic massage. Supplies, equipment, temperature range and cleaning of the stones will be thoroughly explained and demonstrated to perform a safe therapeutic treatment.

Indian Head Massage Workshop for the Massage Therapist and Esthetician and Cosmetologist:
Indian head massage goes beyond the purely aesthetic and superficial, it stimulates nerve function and emotional well being. This is mainly a hands-on course. We will practice the three principal strokes and techniques (Sattva, Raja, Tamas), which include a form of acupressure while applying oils to get a great revitalizing and relaxing treatment. For more information about the class and instructor please visit wolfgangluckmann.com

Lomi Lomi- Hawaiian Therapeutic Massage:
A Hawaiian therapeutic massage technique known as the "dance of massage" because of its long flowing style and continuous beat. The basis for Lomi Lomi is an integration of mind, body and soul in a ritual of transformation and inspiration. For more information about the class and instructor please visit wolfgangluckmann.com

Myofascial Release Massage Introduction:
A 1-hour talk about the three-part course. For more information about the three-part class and instructor please visit howardrontal.com

Myofascial Release Massage Upper Body Part I:
In this workshop you will learn to identify, manipulate, and release myofascial tissue that holds chronic, painful, and exhausting stress and tension. For more information about the three-part class and instructor please visit howardrontal.com

Myofascial Release Massage Lower Body Part II:
This workshop will build on and expand the knowledge you gained in the Myofascial Release Massage, Upper Body course. In this workshop you will learn to identify, manipulate, and release myofascial tissue that holds chronic, painful, and exhausting stress and tension in the lower body. For more information about the three-part class and instructor please visit howardrontal.com

Myofascial Release Massage Advanced Technique Part III:
This workshop will build on and expand the knowledge you gained in the Myofascial Release Massage, Upper Body & Lower Body course. This course includes basic strategies for evaluation and treatment, in other words going beyond recipe approaches to knowing how to translate what you see in the client's body and what they feel to an effective course of treatment. For more information about the three-part class and instructor please visit howardrontal.com

Ortho-Bionomy Essential Elements:
Learn about the science of proprioception, then experience it. Science comes alive as you explore the incredible effectiveness of working WITH the body’s self-correcting reflexes and WITH the client. This workshop trains students in the essential touch of deep self-correction, such as how much pressure to use, how to sense and engage the client's self-correction; how to elicit feedback from clients when needed (ie. clients with debilitating pain), and how to give feedback essential to hands-on training, to your work, to your body’s healing process and helpful to fellow learners. (Ortho-Bionomy Phase 4, 3 units, 4 units with Introduction. Recommended to be repeated for Practitioner Program.) For more information about the class and instructor please visit wholisticlifecenter.com

Ortho-Bionomy Essential Elements, Spine & Pelvis:
Students will come away from this workshop with: Four ways to release the psoas without causing pain, significant in low back pain and posture. Self-care for the psoas, essential for chronic tension and stress. Mobilization of each vertebra of the spine, including every vertebra in the neck, thoracic and lumbar spine, sacrum and coccyx. Balance the pelvis, including mobilization for each ilium, the sacrum and coccyx. Discuss how a balanced pelvis is important to the whole body, including the endocrine system and function. Techniques resolve the underlying cause of headaches, pain and discomfort in these areas so results are long-lasting. Pre-requisite: Essential Elements on Friday. For more information about the class and instructor please visit wholisticlifecenter.com

Ortho-Bionomy,Essential Elements and Extremities:
Students will come away from this workshop with: Releases to restore structural alignment of extremities: Shoulder and arm, including scapula, clavicle, elbow, (including tendonitis/osis, tennis elbow and golf elbow), wrist and entire hand (important to carpal tunnel), including carpals, metacarpals, and digits of each finger. Release the forearm muscles without causing pain (“aaahhh,” massage therapists). Learn about thoracic outlet. Lower body alignment for the femur, patella, filbula, knee and ankle. Foot releases important to a wide range of foot problems. Release tension in the the arches of the foot, and mobilize every bone in the foot. Notice how releases in the lower extremities affect the low back, pelvis and the whole body. Pre-requisite: Essential Elements on Friday.For more information about the class and instructor please visit wholisticlifecenter.com

Prenatal Massage:
This course is designed to teach participants how to deliver a safe and effective massage to healthy expectant mothers experiencing a low-risk pregnancy. Special positioning, bolstering, and draping techniques appropriate to pregnancy are covered, as well as clients' changing bodywork needs and contraindications throughout the trimesters.

Reiki I:
The Usui Method: Reiki is a hands on, energetic, healing modality. The word Reiki is defined as Universal Energy (Rei= Universal, Ki=Energy). Reiki utilizes an initiation or attunement process given to the student by a Reiki Master to align and open the chakras to Universal healing energy. Through the attunement process each of the seven chakras are "tuned up", charged and cleared. The beauty of Reiki is its simplicity. Massage Therapists will be able to utilize Reiki energy to enhance his/her practice immediately after Reiki I training. Individuals who are not bodyworkers are also invited to take Reiki in order to utilize this healing energy for themselves and others. Three levels of training are offered:Reiki I teaches the history and philosophy of Reiki as well as hand placements for healing oneself and others. Students will receive four attunements.

Reiki II:
This course is a continuation of Reiki I where attunements are provided to the student,and concentrates on long distance healing and the Reiki healing symbols which creates a link between the student and the Reiki source. Students will receive two attunements.

Reiki III:
This course is a continuation of Reiki II and is a teacher/master level. This courseprepares the student to teach Reiki. Students will receive one attunement.

Spa Day for Massage Therapists:
Looking for a fun and relaxing way to earn continuing education hours? Learn simple and cost-effective ways to transform any massage room into a spa capable of providing hot and cold towel treatments; clay body treatments; green tea and/or mango masks; salt glows; herbal wraps; and sports wraps. Not only will you finish the class refreshed, but we will also discuss how therapists can translate these techniques into at-home remedies for their own self care. Participants Should Bring: 1 set of table linens, 1 blanket and 2 bath towels. Please wear clothing which can be removed with ease.

My Thai Fusion- Bodywork Intensive:
A 2-Day Workshop of Thai-Style Stretching and Massage Fusion. Learning My Thai will give the LMT the opportunity to completely re-frame the usual massage session into a bodywork session that includes massage, and is enhanced by it. Rather than having the client nude and fully draped under a sheet, and using primarily swedish and deep tissue techniques, as is the norm for the majority of students graduating from massage schools across the country today, the My Thai LMT will be equipped to work with clients who are dressed in comfortable stretching clothes, and will be using stretching techniques that have little or no precedent in the traditional massage school 500-hour syllabus. The My Thai work will give the LMT a chance to loosen clients' chronic tension patterns by moving entire muscle groups, often several at a time, across the joints. the My Thai LMT will be able to work with clients with greater versatility in that clients can remain clothed and yet experience deep and transformative work as well as those who prefer the more traditional massage room setting and approach. For more information about the class and instructor please visit thebodypolitic.net

Tui Na- Chinese Medical Massage & Visceral Manipulation:
A variety of Chinese hand techniques are provided that are deep and vigorous in nature, however not painful to perform. Tui Na treats conditions that would require physical therapy, osteopathy, chiropractic or sports therapy. For more information about the class and instructor please visit wolfgangluckmann.com