DAY OF THEORY

SOMI requires that all students begin the Certification Program with one day of lecture (8 hours) on the Medical Massage Concept; 20% of which includes hands on training on soft tissue evaluation.

This day of Medical Massage Theory is so vital to the entire Certification Program that we require all of our students to take it twice. The second time the student takes the course, can be at his or her convenience as they progress through the program.

EVALUATION

This full day of training only offered at SOMI, is a 4-hour intensive personal training course in patient’s evaluation. The goal of this training is to challenge therapists away from one technique or modality and instead towards gaining a sophisticated holistic understanding of somatic rehabilitation. The class is limited to up to four students for optimal training. It is advised to schedule this course after completing Theory, Techniques, and a few MM protocols.

The course has three segments:

1. Science of Visual Observation

With our students we share patients’ photographs, videos and clinical data illustrating various clinical cases that we have treated in our clinic and in SOMI-associated clinics. These cases demonstrate a variety of visual clues that the human body presents to therapists. We teach students how to read these clues correctly and make clinical decisions. Reference: https://www.scienceofmassage.com/2015/04/the-science-of-visual-evaluation/

2. Science of Clinical Interview 

Through interactive patient/therapist role-play and using carefully formulated and conducted clinical interviewing process, we teach our students to extract as much clinical information from the patient as possible composing the complete view of each clinical case. Reference: https://www.scienceofmassage.com/2012/01/science-of-clinical-interview/

3. Science of Soft Tissue Palpation

We review the general rules of palpation as well as its application for the palpatory analysis of each layer of soft tissues separately: skin, superficial fascia, superficial skeletal muscles, deep fascia, deep skeletal muscles and finally the periosteum. References:

https://www.scienceofmassage.com/2015/11/science-of-palpation-part-i/

https://www.scienceofmassage.com/2016/03/science-palpation-part-ii-skin-connective-tissue-zones/

https://www.scienceofmassage.com/2016/06/palpation-soft-tissue-middle-layers/

https://www.scienceofmassage.com/2016/09/science-palpation-part-iv-deep-palpation-soft-tissues/

MEDICAL MASSAGE TECHNIQUES

An important part of the initial training, the entire day consists of hands-on-training in Basic Medical Massage techniques arranged by clusters: Effleurage, Friction, Kneading, Stretching, Percussion, Compression, and Vibration. Sixty variations of these techniques are presented strictly from the clinical perspective. 

Students learn the clinical application of basic massage techniques along with special techniques such as Effleurage with Unequally Distributed Pressure, Aligned Friction, Scrolling Kneading, etc. It is advised to take this Course as soon as it is available in your area.

MEDICAL MASSAGE PROTOCOLS

Our Program requires students to take nine days of MM Protocols. Students may take any MM protocol in any order. For complex MM protocols, a full 8-hour day is dedicated to hands-on-training in evaluation and treatment. For simpler abnormalities, two 4-hour protocols can be presented in one day. 

Training in each MM protocol consists of: 

1. A short review of the area’s anatomy and the pathophysiology of abnormality
2. Hands on, step by step evaluation of possible initial triggers, as well as pattern of tension developed in the soft tissues on layer by layer basis. Real clinical cases of patients extensively used as illustrations. Students work on each other under the direct supervision of a SOMI’s instructor.
3. Hands on training in Medical Massage Protocol to treat the somatic abnormality and restore functions. Students work on each other under the direct supervision of a SOMI instructor.

The following is a list of MM protocols included in SOMI’s Medical Massage Certification Program:

• Chronic Headache
• Anterior Scalene Muscle Syndrome
• Rotator Cuff Syndrome
• Lower Back Pain due to tension in lumbar erectors, quadratus lumborum muscle, rotators, sacro-iliac joint dysfunction
• Piriformis Muscle Syndrome. Sciatic Nerve Neuralgia
• TMJ Dysfunction/Positioning Vertigo
• Middle Back Pain. Rhomboideus Muscles Syndrome. Intercostal Nerve Neuralgia
• Tensor Fascia Latae Muscle Syndrome. Iliotibial Band Tension
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome/Tennis and Golfer’s Elbow
• Soft Tissue Trauma/Leg Compartment Syndromes/Plantar Fasciitis
• Osteoarthritis

ASK & SHOW TRAINING

This 4-hour personal training is limited to no more than four students and is scheduled the day before students take their final MM Protocol training. The CMMP Certificate is usually awarded at the end of the last MM protocol training. 

During this training, students are expected to come prepared with questions for Dr. Ross Turchaninov in order to demonstrate their proficiency in patient’s evaluation and MM practice. 

We suggest students to use SOMI’s Clinical Interview Form (provided) to write down case history, what treatment was employed and what were the final results while they start to practice MM. 

We are interested in the cases where students have failed to achieve the desired results. It allows Dr. Ross Turchaninov and participating students to co-analyze and assess what was missing in treatment protocol or MM techniques application.

In this training, students are welcome to bring forth any personal difficulties they experience during the execution of MM techniques and modalities. Despite the 4-hour allotted time, Dr. Ross Turchaninov is committed to working with each student until all possible questions are answered.