Understanding the human body in health and disease is invaluable in the application of therapeutic massage.

The General Anatomy and Physiology course teaches the student the physical structure of the human body and how the different cells, tissue, and major systems of the human body function and interrelate to one another.

A practical style of instruction teaches students the required Anatomy and Physiology and how to effectively apply this knowledge in their practice. Discussions of body systems and their common ailments and treatments are included. Students gain understanding of when to refer unusual, contraindicated or difficult cases to the appropriate healthcare providers.

The course emphasizes the study of:

• Individual muscles
• Identification of body landmarks
• Location and function of the body organs and its systems
• Concentrated study of muscular, skeletal, nervous, cutaneous and connective tissue systems

We use a combination of lecture, demonstration, discussion and lab work. Students will learn the Anatomy and Physiology of the main body systems.

Students will learn the main functions and organs of each body system and how these systems and organs work together to maintain homeostasis and sustain life and health. Effects and use of massage related to body systems is explored.

Students will learn detailed information about 140 major muscles, the 206 bones and the boney landmarks. Students will learn the major muscles of the body with emphasis placed on location, palpation, origin, insertion, and action of the muscles. Students will build the major muscles in clay on a sculpting skeleton model.