A. Anatomy B. Physiology C. Pathology

1. Integumentary (skin)

2. Skeletal

3. Muscular

4. Nervous

5. Endocrine

6. Cardiovascular

7. Lymphatic

8. Urinary

9. Respiratory

10. Gastrointestinal

11. Reproductive

12. Craniosacral

13. Energetic

14. Meridian

A. Anatomy

1. Anatomical position and terminology

(e.g. planes, directions)

2. Individual muscles/muscle groups

3. Muscle attachments

4. Muscle fiber direction

5. Tendons

6. Fascia

7. Joint structure

8. Ligaments

9. Bursae

10. Dermatomes

11. Primary and extraordinary meridians

12. Chakras

B. Physiology

1. Response of the body to stress

2. Basic nutrition principles

3. Meridians/channels (e.g. bladder, liver, spleen)

C. Kinesiology

1. Actions of individual muscles/muscle groups

2. Types of muscle contractions

(e.g. concentric, eccentric, isometric)

3. Joint movements (flexion, extension)

4. Movement patterns (e.g. lifting, walking)

5. Proprioception

A. Medical terminology

B. Etiology of disease

C. Modes of contagious disease transmission (e.g. blood, saliva)

D. Signs and symptoms of disease

E. Psychological and emotional states

(e.g. depression, anxiety, grief)

F. Effects of life stages (e.g. childhood, adolescence, geriatric)

G. Effects of physical and emotional abuse and trauma

H. Factors that aggravate or alleviate disease (e.g. biological,

psychological, environmental)

I. Psychological healing process

J. Indications and contraindications /cautions

K. Principles of acute versus chronic conditions

L. Stages/aspects of serious/terminal illness (e.g., cancer, AIDS)

1. Prescription medications

2. Recreational drugs (e.g. tobacco, alcohol)

3. Herbs

4. Natural supplements

N. Approaches used in Western medicine by other

O. Approaches used in Asian medicine by other

health professionals  Not really necessary for a successful practice.  

A. Assessment methods (visual, palpatory, auditory, olfactory,

energetic, intuitive)

B. Assessing range of motion

C. Assessment areas (soft tissues and bony landmarks,

endangerment sites, trigger points, adhesions, energy

blockages  Not really necessary for a successful practice.  , energy channel blockage (Asian), pulse rate Not really necessary for a successful practice.  ,

craniosacral pulses Not really necessary for a successful practice.  , lymphatic edema Not really necessary for a successful practice.  )

D. Somatic holding patterns (e.g., guarding, muscle/

fascial memory

E. Posture analysis

G. Ergonomic factors

H. Effects of gravity

I. Proprioception of position and movement

A. Theory

1. Effects/benefits of massage/bodywork (physiological,

emotional/ psychological, energetic)

B. Methods and Techniques

1. Client draping and positional support techniques

2. Hydrotherapy/ hydromassage application

3. Stress management and relaxation techniques

4. Self-care activities for the client to maintain health

(e.g., stretching, swimming

5. Principles of holistic practice/approach

6. Postural balancing

7. Use of massage and/or bodywork tools

8. Enhancing client’s kinesthetic awareness

9. Joint movement techniques

10. Asian energy bodywork   Not really necessary for a successful practice.  

11. Western energy bodywork  Not really necessary for a successful practice.  

12. Static touch/holding

13. Techniques/strokes (compression/palming, cupping,

flicking, friction, gliding, hair pulling, hand rolling,

jostling, kneading, percussion, pinching, rocking,

shaking, skin rollings, torquing, traction, vibration)

14. Stretching (e.g., active, passive, resisted, cross-directional,

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation [PNF], Muscle

Energy Technique [MET], reciprocal inhibition, Active

Isolated Stretching [AIS])

15. Aromatherapy

16. Topical analgesics

17. Gauging pressure as appropriate

18. Practitioner body mechanics

19. Standard Precautions

20. CPR/first aid

A. Maintaining professional boundaries while responding

B. Client interviewing techniques

C. Communication with other health professionals

D. When to refer clients to other health professionals

E. Verbal and nonverbal communication skills

F. NCBTMB Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice

G. Issues of confidentiality

H. Legal and ethical parameters of scope of practice

I. Basic psychological and physical dynamics of

practitioner/client relationship

J. Planning strategies for single and multiple sessions

K. Session record keeping practices

L. Basic business and accounting practices

M. Outsourcing business needs (e.g., insurance billing,

bookkeeping)

N. Regulations pertaining to income reporting

O. Need for liability insurance

P. State and local credentialing requirements

Q. Legal entities (e.g., independent contractor, employee)