Active IQ Level 3 Diploma Sports Massage Therapy

Ever dreamt of working in a sports and health environment. Getting hands on to help people in their daily lives and getting real job satisfaction?! Now’s your chance!

The Active IQ Level 3 Diploma in Sports Massage Therapy provides learners with a combination of knowledge and skills to be recognised as a qualified sports massage therapist.

The qualification is suitable for individuals who wish to pursue or further a career in sports massage, providing sports massage therapy to a wide range of clients, inclusive of sports performers, athletes and individuals suffering from day to day problems such as repetitive strain injury, sprains, tension and fatigue.

The qualification is recognised by the Complementary and Natural Care Council (CNHC) and the General Council for Massage Therapies (GCMT).

Who can do this qualification?

Learners must be 16+ years old. Whilst there are no other specific entry requirements an element of communication (discussing, presenting, reading and writing) is involved and learners should have basic skills in communication pitched at level 3. Performing sports massage is a physical activity and learners will need to be fit enough to carry this out.

The qualification has been designed for:

• Individuals who wish to work and/or seek employment as a sports massage therapist.

• Individuals considering a career in active leisure.

• Individuals already working in the active leisure sector wishing to enhance their career progression opportunities.

• Individuals wanting to progress on into the Equine Sports Massage career path.

What does the qualification cover?

During the qualification learners will cover the following:

• Anatomy and physiology required to be able to apply sports massage.

• How to carry out a range of assessments.

• How to collect information relating to the clients current condition and status (including the identification of conditions that would be inappropriate for treatment by someone at this level of qualification).

• How to distinguish between acute injury and soft tissue dysfunction.

• How to recognise when to defer treatment or when to refer to a more qualified massage or healthcare professional.

• How to select appropriate massage techniques for a range of clients.

• How to apply sports massage techniques safely and effectively, understanding the potential effects.

Qualification structure

To achieve the qualification learners must complete the five mandatory units. Anatomy and physiology for sports massage

1. Principles of health and fitness

2. Understand the principles of soft tissue dysfunction

3. Professional practice in sports massage

4. Sports massage treatments

What could this qualification lead to?

Successful achievement of this qualification will give individuals a licence to practice as a sports massage therapist and enables successful learners to access the massage register regulated by the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC). Learners who achieve this qualification will have confirmed their competence in this occupational role.

This accredited achievement is valued and recognised by employers and can assist learners to increase/enhance their career opportunities, progression and earning potential.

For those wishing to develop their skills to include Equine clients this course leads directly into ESMA accredited courses.

Who supports the qualification?

Support for the qualification has been provided by the following professional bodies:

• Complementary and Natural Care Council (CNHC)

• General Council for Massage Therapies (GCMT).

To read more about the CNHC please visit https://www.cnhc.org.uk. To read more about the GCMT please visit: http://www.gcmt.org.uk/

Course Structure

This intensive course is run over 12 weeks with face to face days every 4th weekend. The practical and theoretical study will ensure you will learn all the skills required to be a safe effective therapist.

At the end of the course there will be theoretical and practical exams to assess competence. Alongside a portfolio of evidence which will be completed throughout your time on the course.