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Learn about common types of headaches and neck pain and explore massage therapy approaches for working with clients experiencing these concerns. This 9-hour continuing education course introduces massage therapists to headache types, neck pain and dysfunction, common causes, assessment strategies, massage techniques, contraindications, and therapeutic massage approaches for the head and neck.
Whether you regularly work with clients experiencing headaches or neck discomfort or want to expand your knowledge of condition-specific massage, this course provides practical information for assessing client needs and developing appropriate massage strategies. The course also includes a guided routine and approximately 50 minutes of online video demonstrations of assessment and massage techniques.
In this course, you will learn:
Common types of headaches and their characteristics
Neck pain, dysfunction, and contributing factors
Common causes and factors associated with headaches and neck pain
Assessment strategies for clients experiencing headaches and neck pain
Pain assessment methods and information to gather during a client interview
Massage techniques and therapeutic approaches for the head and neck
Different massage modalities that may be incorporated into treatment
Benefits, contraindications, and safety considerations for head and neck massage
How to develop a guided massage routine for headaches and neck pain
Assessment and massage techniques demonstrated through approximately 50 minutes of online video
Why take this course?
Headaches and neck pain are common concerns that massage therapists may encounter in everyday practice. Understanding different types of headaches, potential contributing factors, assessment methods, and appropriate massage techniques can help therapists make more informed decisions when working with clients experiencing these concerns.
This 9-hour course combines condition-specific education with assessment strategies, massage techniques, safety considerations, and a guided routine. Approximately 50 minutes of online video demonstrations provide additional visual instruction, making this a useful option for massage therapists who want to strengthen their skills in working with headaches and neck pain.
Identify common types of headaches and describe their distinguishing characteristics.
Describe common causes, contributing factors, and characteristics of neck pain and dysfunction.
Explain assessment strategies for clients experiencing headaches and neck pain.
Describe pain assessment methods that may be used when gathering client information.
Identify appropriate massage therapy techniques and modalities for the head and neck.
Describe contraindications, precautions, and safety considerations related to head and neck massage.
Explain how assessment findings can be used to develop an appropriate massage approach.
Describe the components of a guided massage routine for clients experiencing headaches and neck pain.
Online textbook: A Massage Therapist's Guide to Treating Headaches and Neck Pain by Sandy Fritz and Leon Chaitow, 155 pages
Approximately 50 minutes of online assessment and massage technique demonstrations
Course instruction guide
69-question multiple-choice final exam
Course evaluation
Certificate of Achievement upon completion
Unlimited phone support for course-related questions
The Center for Massage Therapy Continuing Education, LLC is an Approved Provider through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB); Approved Provider number 409296-00.
Our online massage continuing education courses are also accepted by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP), and most state boards.
For more information on individual state requirements and approvals, please visit our Approvals page and click on your state.
Very challenging.....loved all the access to different methods, theories & applications. Learned a lot. Thank you! - Heather Johnson
This was perfect for my busy life. I was able to read and learn at my pace. I work with a lot of headache issues. - Shauna Hovey, LMT
Very thorough, valuable information. - M. Bevill, LMT
The examples and diagrams were very useful in the book. - L. Murray, LMT
I learned some new things about headaches, that I didn't know. I have had migraines since I was 16 years old, so I will be trying some of these new techniques. - Deanna Carter, LMT
I felt it was informational and easy to follow and understand. - Belinda Tidwell, LMBT
It was informational. Actually learned some interesting things. - Devra Reinshuttle, LMT
What is a secondary headache?
A. A category of headache which is not due to an underlying case
B. A category of headache which is caused by tension
C. A category of headache which is due to an underlying cause
D. A category of headache which has no structural etiology
All of the following are pain assessment scales EXCEPT:
A. Verbal rating scale
B. Actual rating scale
C. Numerical rating scale
D. Visual analog scale
What types of massage techniques are effective in manipulating connective tissue?
A. Slow, sustained pressure and agitation techniques
B. Kneading techniques
C. Skin rolling techniques
D. All of the above can be effective in treating connective tissue
Course Author
About the Instructor
Corrine Rubida, BS, LMT
Corrine completed her massage therapy training at Gateway College of Massage Therapy in 1997 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Healthcare Administration in 2012. She has been practicing and teaching massage therapy since 1997 and currently holds a massage therapy license in South Dakota. She is also a member of the ABMP. In 2002, Corrine founded the Center for Massage Therapy CE to make professional massage continuing education courses available both online and by mail. Since then, she has developed more than 100 home-study massage continuing education courses and has taught live courses for AMTA and the Gateway College of Massage Therapy.
