Massage Therapy Curriculum for Michigan Licensure
Irene’s Myomassology Institute offers a comprehensive massage therapy curriculum designed to prepare you for Michigan licensure, professional massage practice, and meaningful work helping others. Our program combines therapeutic massage techniques, anatomy, physiology, pathology, kinesiology, professional ethics, business practices, hands-on education, and supervised clinical experience in Irene’s Student Clinic.
Where Massage Careers Begin and Lives Are Transformed
Irene’s curriculum blends career-focused massage therapy education with the heart, depth, and personal growth that have made our school unforgettable to generations of students. While you are introduced to valuable concepts from holistic health and wellness, the primary focus remains on therapeutic massage education, clinical application, professional technique, and preparation for real-world massage therapy practice.
Attending Irene’s is more than simply completing massage school. Students often describe their time here as unforgettable because they gain confidence, practical skills, personal growth, and a deeper understanding of the body and the therapeutic value of professional touch. Alumni testimonials, and even reflections from their families, often speak to the remarkable growth students experience during their education at Irene’s.
Irene’s Massage School Curriculum – 640 Hours
Core Massage Curriculum – 450 Hours
With three day or evening classes a week – hands-on, lecture and applied myomassology – you build a strong foundation for your massage career. You will learn a multitude of techniques, modalities, and information crucial for a massage therapist as reflected in the following categories:
- Deep Tissue Massage
- Cranial Massage
- Swedish Massage
- Reflexology
- Face Massage
- Lymphatic Massage
- Professional Development
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Pathology
- Client Evaluation
- Professional Ethics & Communications
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Muscle Mechanics
- Fascia Therapy
- Special Population Massage
Unmatched Hands-On Massage Skills
Many of the therapeutic massage techniques you learn at Irene’s are unique to our school. Drawing from decades of experience, formal education, careful observation, a deep understanding of client care, and a strong intuitive sense of how to support each person’s individual needs, Irene Gauthier developed a wide range of hands-on massage techniques designed to support comfort, mobility, relaxation, and overall well-being.
These techniques are included in the textbook Irene wrote for her Metro Detroit massage school and are taught through hands-on demonstration, guided practice, instructor feedback, and supervised skill development. Students gain practical experience learning how to apply professional massage techniques with confidence, care, and respect for each client’s individual needs.
Anatomy, Physiology, Kinesiology & Pathology
A strong understanding of the human body is essential for a successful massage therapist. At Irene’s, you will study anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and pathology to better understand muscles, bones, movement, body systems, and common conditions you may encounter in professional massage practice.
By the time you graduate, you will have a solid foundation in the structure and function of the body, including major muscles, organs, and body systems. This science-based knowledge supports safe, effective, client-centered massage therapy and helps you understand the research-based effects and benefits of therapeutic massage.
Professional Ethics, Communication & Business Practices
At Irene’s, you learn how to communicate ethically and professionally with clients, employers, coworkers, and other healthcare professionals. Professional ethics classes focus on maintaining ethical therapeutic relationships, respecting professional boundaries, practicing within the massage therapy scope of practice, obtaining informed consent, creating a client-centered environment, and understanding important principles of trauma-informed care.
In professional development classes, you learn how to seek employment, explore opportunities in massage therapy, develop your own massage practice, and use key marketing strategies to establish and retain a clientele.
Massage School Elective Classes – 112 Hours
In addition to all the techniques you learn in your core curriculum, Irene’s Massage School offers 30 different elective subjects to choose from. You pick from these classes based on your own interests. Similar to massage workshops, some of these are specialties and modalities used to enhance a therapeutic massage session. Others are of general interest designed to inspire personal growth and expand awareness.
With holistic health instructors from all around Greater Detroit, you can take classes in Sports Massage, Hot Rock Massage, Fascia Therapy, Reiki, Aromatherapy, Reflexology, Crystal Healing, Herbology, Prenatal, and even Canine Massage. With these fun classes, you will be able to tailor your education to your own interests.
Massage Therapy Clinical Experience – 78 Hours
In addition to your classes, you get plenty of practical experience working in Irene’s Student Clinic. By practicing in a professionally run student clinic, you will gain first-hand experience working on the public under the supervision of faculty members. This massage clinic provides affordable massage for the public with senior and military discounts.
Additionally, you will participate in community outreach by attending school-sponsored events in which you are given the opportunity to perform massage throughout Metro Detroit at health fairs and charity functions. This allows you to test your new skills in the real world and prepare yourself to work professionally as soon as you graduate.
Guide to Begin Your Massage Therapy Career
When you are selecting a massage school, there are several important factors to consider. Our page on choosing a school explains those things in detail.
It is crucial to select a school that will prepare you for a successful career as a massage therapist with education to obtain a State Massage License.
Online Application
Why wait? Get started now! You can conveniently submit your school application online. Feel free to call us with any questions at 248-350-1400.
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Money-Back Guarantee
With a money-back guarantee, what have you got to lose? At Irene's, we are so certain we provide the best education in massage therapy that we are willing to refund your money for up to four weeks after the beginning of school! That's four whole weeks to test-drive our massage school to make sure it's the right place for you. During your first four weeks of school, you can withdraw from the program with a full tuition refund, less only the $50 registration fee.