American Institute of Allied Health
Anatomy & PhysiologyBusiness & EthicsChair MassageHuman Health & HygieneHydrotherapyInternship ProgramKinesiologyMassagePathologyReflexologyStone TherapyTrigger Point
About Us
Our school is more than just a Massage school. We believe that it is not just knowing massage technique that creates an effective and successful massage therapist, it is also about having a client-centered philosophy. To this end AIAH teaches you how to interview, assess and treat each client so that you can create a unique treatment experience for your clients every time. The massage therapy market is experiencing an explosive growth. The New England Journal of Medicine reports that Americans visit massage therapists 75 million times each year. That represents nearly one-fifth of the 425 million annual visits to alternative health care providers, and it's between two and four billion dollar of business. Massage is popular among consumers of all ages, with people ages 25 to 34 reporting the highest usage at 24% in the past 12 months. With more and more people turning to natural forms of health care and with aging of the “baby boomers,” the demand for licensed massage therapists continues to grow. Now is an exciting time to learn massage therapy and build your skills.
Information on Programs Offered:Anatomy is the study of the structure of the human body including the following areas: bones, joints, muscles, skin, blood, blood vessels, cells, tissues, membranes, heart, brain, spinal cord, nerves, glands, hormones, and the lymphatic, digestive, respiratory, urinary, and reproductive systems. Physiology is the study of the normal vital processes of the human body including the processes of cells, tissues, and organs including the contractibility of muscle tissue; coordination through the nervous system; digestion; circulatory; reproduction; and secretions.Beyond the basic business practices studied in Level I, students learn more in-depth information important to beginning and building their own practice such as research, business planning, and marketing strategies. The course also covers current massage employment trends and other topics helpful for job-seeking in today’s market. An additional 2 hours of ethics is included, as required for National Certification. This course prepares students for providing stress relief in a corporate or public setting. It is performed on a fully-clothed client seated in a specially-designed chair which allows the therapist access to the client's back, neck and shoulders. Areas covered in this course include: - Proper body mechanics
- Equipment
- Specialty marketing
The study of recognized methods of sanitation and cleanliness including prophylaxis or disease prevention as applied to massage therapy services and current knowledge of elements affecting a healthy life style. Theory and practical use of generally accepted methods of water applications for its mechanical, thermal and chemical effects include cleansing and vitalizing treatments such as: - Dry brushing
- Body scrubs
- Body wraps
- Hot and cold applications
- Paraffin
A program of study supervised by a Massage Therapy Instructor in which the student intern, functioning as a massage therapist, receives a minimum of forty (50) hours of “hands-on experience” providing massages to the general public. The course focuses on the study of body movement, including: - Related muscles
- Tendons
- Ligaments
- Nerves
- Joints
Kinesiology is an important means for therapists to understand the mechanics of how we move our bodies, and how to apply these principles in helping clients with muscular imbalance and impediments to proper and free movement. Massage Therapy forms the basis of the contemporary Western approach to massage. It includes techniques such as: - Effleurage (stroking)
- Petrissage (kneading)
- Tapotement (percussion)
- Compression
- Friction
- Vibration
- Nerve stroke
- Passive and active joint movements
- Nonspecific stretches for body massage
The study of disease. This course covers the scientific basis of the nature, causes, development and consequences of many diseases and conditions, both common and rare. Infectious agents and proper ways of dealing with them are studied in detail. Students will learn how to approach specific conditions which may be contraindicated for massage, as well as precautions to take for sanitizing before and after sessions with clients who may have contagious conditions. The study of reflex points of the feet, in particular, and how proper stimulation of these points can have a physiological effect on corresponding areas of the body. The course also includes: - Anatomy of the feet
- Benefits and contraindications
- Specific massage and spa treatments of the feet and lower legs
Students learn to combine the use of heated, oiled river stones with relaxation massage techniques. By incorporating the heated stones, therapists can better prepare clients for deeper work as the muscle tissue becomes more pliable in response to the heat. Proper equipment and supplies are essential, along with knowledge of areas such as: - Benefits
- Precautions and contraindications
- Specific temperature requirements
- Sanitation requirements
Trigger points are hypersensitive knots in muscle tissue that can restrict range of motion and cause excessive pain in reflex areas. Trigger points require specific pressure patterning to enable them to release, followed by proper stretching of the muscle tissue to reset the area. This class includes presentation and demonstration followed by hands-on practice.1 Campus Location
Lewisville, TX
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