Medical Massage

MEDICAL MASSAGE

Qualification: Masseur
Code of the study program: 41722
Length of studies: 2 years, 120 ECTS
Level of Education: short cycle professional higher education
Studies take place: Jūrmala (Vidus prospekts 38, Bulduri), Rēzekne (N. Rancāna iela 23A, Rēzekne)
Mode of studies: full time studies in day and evening groups
Tuition fee: 1200.00 EUR/ per 1 study year
Previous education: secondary education
Head of study program: Mg.paed. Inguta Grinberga

Description of specialty

Masseur is a medical person, who works in treatment, prevention, rehabilitation, and using different massage movements, promotes the improvement of the patient's or client's health and functional condition, as well as the quality of life and well-being related to health.

The main professional tasks of a Masseur

  • Evaluates patient’s/client’s health condition and knows about contraindications, informs about the impact of massage on the body. In case of contraindications explains them to patient.
  • Analyzes doctor’s referral for procedure and patient’s/ client’s health condition, is able to use appropriate massage technique for the specific body part.
  • Performs massage procedure, using massage techniques in the correct direction , sequence and intensity.
  • Observes patient’ s wellbeing during the procedure, writes down necessary data about patient and massage impact results, educates about health condition maintenance after massage sessions.
  • Is able to work in a multidisciplinary team, while cooperating with other health specialists.
  • Educates patients/ clients and their relatives about possible massage techniques for prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.

Study program goal

To provide for preparation of 1st level professional higher education masseur, including acquisition of professional and theoretical knowledge and skills, at the same time creating a responsible and competitive specialist, that complies with the demands of European labour market.

Practical realization of study program

Practical realization of the study program is carried out with the help of different study forms and teaching methods, e.g. lectures, seminars, practical work individually and in groups, as well as analysis of practical problems and situations.

During learning practices, that are implemented at college in pre-clinical rooms, and in health care institutions, the lecturer works with groups of students (8-10 students).
The students acquire and strengthen knowledge in learning practice under the guidance of lecturer.

Study courses to be acquired

Study program offers to acquire general, branch and professional study courses.

General education courses:
General psychology and interaction, Research, Basics of Pedagogy, Basics of business, Introduction into speciality and professional basics of ethics, Record keeping and legal bases of professional activity, Project preparation, management and implementation, Information technology and processing of data statistics, Latin language terminology, Professional English, Hygiene, microbiology and environmental medicine.

Branch study courses:
Anatomy and biophysics, Physiology and general pathology, pathological physiology , Basics of pharmacology, Patient examination and assessment , Medical emergency, Internal medicine and neurology, Surgery, Traumatology and orthopaedics, Pediatry, Classical massage, Massage in case of different pathologies, Medical rehabilitation and basics of physiotherapy, Special massage technique – Manual lymphatic drainage, Physical medicine, Segmental massage, Sports massage and massage in aesthetic medicine, Reflexotherapy, optional study courses, e.g., Taping.

Clinical practise: 640 hours.

Cooperation and projects

There is a cooperation in the framework of the study program “Medical massage” with other educational institutions and social partners in Latvia and foreign countries:

  • Professional associations and unions
  • Trakia University (Bulgary)
  • Tartu Health Care College (Estonia)
  • Kauno University of Applied Sciences (Lithuania)
  • Rehabilitation College in Warshaw (Poland)
  • Medical University Plovdiv (Poland)

P. Stradins medical college of the University of Latvia has concluded cooperation agreements about practical training with Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital, Children’s Clinical University Hospital, Jūrmala hospital, NRC “Vaivari”, rehabilitation centre “Jaunķemeri”, regional medical institutions.

Possibilities in labor market

Graduates of “Medical massage” study program can work in health care institutions, rehabilitation and SPA centres as well as work as self-employed person, performing competence related work duties.

Medical massage