Anatomy and Physiology is the cornerstone of a good massage therapy school and training. As a massage therapist, you will need to have a basic understanding of how the body works. Anatomy refers to the structure of the body and the relationship between the structures. Physiology refers to the study of the function of bod
y parts. Pathology is also closely related and is the structural and functional changes associated with diseases.
In massage school, you will be learning basic college level anatomy and physiology.
The body consists of several levels of structure. This list starts with the simplest forms and moves to the most complex forms and is the basis of learning anatomy and physiology.
Atoms – such as carbon, oxygen, hydrogen (to name a few) are the basic make up of chemicals.
Chemicals are things like the proteins, carbohydrates and other things that are essential for life support.
Cellular structure such as the muscle cell, nerve cells and blood cells make up Tissue.
Tissue is a group of cells that together with their intercellular material have a similar origin in the embryo and usually perform a specific function.
Organs are structures that are made up of two or more different tissues and have special functions and have a recognizable shape.
Systems are made up of organs that have a common function. Like the digestive system is made up of the mouth, salivary glands, throat, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, gall bladder and pancreas. There are 12 systems of the body: Integumentary (skin, hair, nails) Skeletal (bones), Muscles (skeletal, smooth and cardiac), cardiovascular (blood, heart and blood vessels) lymphatic (lymph nodes and vessels), nervous system (brain, spinal cord nerves), endocrine (glands, hormones) respiratory (lungs and airways) digestive, urinary (kidneys, bladder) reproductive, immune system.
The Organism is the combination of all 6 of these things that create a living person.
Chemistry
Cells
Tissues & Membranes
Endocrine
Cardiovascular
Lymphatic
Respiration
Digestive
Urinary
Reproductive Systems
Immune Systems
Metabolism
Nutrition
Cadaver Studies
Bones
Muscles - Types of Muscles, Naming Muscles, Master Muscle List, Anatomy of Muscles, Functions of Muscles, Muscle contraction, disorders of muscles,
Inflammation – Stages of Inflammation , Comparison Chart of the various stages of inflammation
Laws of Physiology: Law of Facilitation , Hiltons Law, Arndt-Schultz Law , Davis’ Law , Reciprocal Inhibition , All or none , Law of specificity of nervous energy , Weber’s law , Pfluegger’s Laws , Law of conservation of energy , Murphy’s law
Connective Tissue : Types of connective tissue, characteristics of connective tissue, fascia,
Tendons
Ligaments
Joints
Movements of Joints
Postural Assessment
Principles of Posture
Body Mechanics
Biomechanics
Motion
