Does NUNM Offer A Degree In Massage Therapy?

NUNM, unlike most natural medicine-focused schools, offers a degree in Massage Therapy. At NUNM, this degree is called a Bachelor of Science in Integrative Therapeutics – Massage Therapy. 

It’s a two-year, hands-on bachelor degree completion program that provides you with the education, training, and experience to forge a career that turns touch into healing. 

What makes NUNM’s Bachelor of Science in Integrative Therapeutics – Massage Therapy such a desirable program is our combination of massage techniques, science and supervised clinical training, and integrative curriculum that deliver a professional advantage among your peers. 

Students who prefer certification over a degree may complete a one-year Massage Therapy Certificate at our Portland, Oregon campus. Regardless of your choice, both options prepare graduates to sit for the national licensure exam.

NUNM’s Bachelor of Science in Integrative Therapeutics – Massage Therapy: Core Areas of Study 

Human Anatomy

The scientific study of the form and structure of the human body, which aids students in the correct identification and understanding of the body’s various muscle groups in order to apply appropriate treatment and avoid injury.

Human Physiology

The study of physiology trains students to better understand the human musculoskeletal system, the digestive system, and other body systems to provide more effective treatments for various chronic conditions.

Kinesiology 

The study of kinesiology is vital for Massage Therapists, because it educates students about how the body does and should move, helping them to identify anomalies and provide rehabilitation to the areas of the body where they are needed most. 

Swedish Massage

Swedish Massage is one of the most practiced forms of Massage Therapy, and is described as “the systematic application of manual pressure and the movement of soft tissue, with rhythmical pressure and stroking to obtain or maintain health.”

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep Tissue Massage is a more targeted form of Massage Therapy, and is commonly used to treat sports injuries, muscle strains, and musculoskeletal issues by focusing on the inner layers of muscles and connective tissue to reduce tension, break up scar tissue by increasing blood flow and reducing inflammation in the body. 

Trigger Point Massage

Trigger Point Massage, sometimes referred to as Trigger Point Therapy, is a form of massage that focuses on specific points in the body where muscle and fascia tissue have become rigid and painful when touched. 

Trigger Point Massage treats these areas to increase blood flow, promote flexibility, and improve circulation in the body.

Pathophysiology

Pathophysiology examines how the body responds to injury, illness, and chronic disease. This field of study gives Massage Therapists a deeper understanding of what physical changes can occur in the body when it is in an abnormal state, helping to identify the causes of injury or illness, so that appropriate treatment can be applied. 

Pain Science

Pain science is the study of the processes of how and why pain occurs in the body, how we perceive pain, and how to best manage pain through clinical massage techniques. 

Hydrotherapy and Movement Techniques

Sometimes called Water Therapy or Aquatic Therapy, Hydrotherapy is a therapeutic technique that uses the application of water to treat illness or injury in the body. 

The use of this therapeutic technique is vast, and includes stiffness, muscle pain, physical therapy, pregnancy complications, and even for the relief of symptoms associated with diseases like Parkinson’s, Neuropathy, and Multiple Sclerosis. 

Professional Ethics and Business Practices

These learning outcomes focus on effective communication, setting and maintaining appropriate boundaries with clientele and colleagues, establishing and maintaining trust, developing a clear sense of ethics as a massage therapist, and demonstrating professional conduct.

Clinical Practice 

Clinical Practice is one of the most important aspects of the program, where you’ll apply every aspect of your learning into a project that addresses a real-world issue in health and wellness as it relates to Massage Therapy. 

NUNM’s Bachelor of Science in Integrative Therapeutics – Massage Therapy Degree Prepares You for a Diverse Career 

This advanced Massage Therapy program gives you a variety of career options to choose from. 

Many graduates of the program go on to thrive in a career where they practice the skills they learned at NUNM in integrative medical and naturopathic clinics, spas, wellness centers, sports medicine, physical therapy, or rehabilitation facilities, chiropractic clinics, and even in their own private practices. 

Although Massage Therapy is a rewarding career in its own right, it’s also a foundational aspect of continued naturopathic studies and careers, including those in acupuncture, nutrition, or as an additional accreditation earned while studying to get your Doctor of Naturopathic or Chinese Medicine degrees. 

To learn more about NUNM’s Bachelor of Science in Integrative Therapeutics – Massage Therapy program, contact us today. 

You’ll learn about the program, its requirements, our campus culture, and how you can take the next step in earning your degree and advancing toward your career goals.