Massage Therapy for People Living with Neurological Challenges

Massage Therapy for People Living with Neurological Challenges

This three-day introductory course provides a foundation for massage therapists to serve clients with a variety of neurological conditions. 

Trainees will:
●    Acquire a working knowledge of neurological anatomy and physiology
●    Demonstrate the use of guidelines for appropriate communication with patients and their caregivers
●    Practice providing adjusted massage therapy for a neurologically challenged client

Course Overview:
This introductory course is foundational for massage therapists interested in specializing in massage for people living with neurological challenges. This course discusses brain and nervous system anatomy and physiology, disease process, and secondary conditions impacting activities of daily living. Massage therapy considerations and best practices for multiple neurological conditions are described and demonstrated.

Hands-on practice focus on traumatic brain injury (TBI) dementias, including Alzheimer's, spinal cord injury (SCI) and stroke. Learners participate in in-take strategy exercises and hands-on adjusted massage techniques during student trades and live clinic experiences with volunteer clients living with neurological conditions. Resources for building a practice that welcomes clients with neurological differences are shared.

To obtain a certificate in Massage Therapy for People Living with Neurological Challenges from the UCSF Stad Center, students are required to successfully pass a written exam and demonstrate a working knowledge of adjusted massage therapy for neurological challenges through direct clinical observation by the instructor or Teacher Assistant (TA).
This course meets the training requirements for 24 CEs for the National Certification Board in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).

Prerequisites:
●    Current California State, other US State, or NCBTMB certification 
●    Proof of liability insurance
●    Active massage therapy practice for a minimum of the past 12 months or the approval of the instructor
●    COVID-19 vaccination






 

Course Dates: Feb 9-11 2026