Diploma FAQ's

Q Is there a prerequisite for the diplomas?

A Yes. You need to have the following:
a diploma or qualification in anatomy and physiology (such as ITEC, MTI, VTCT or equivalent)
your basic massage diploma or qualification (ITEC, MTI, VTCT or equivalent)
OR
you already have a sports massage qualification - perhaps first time round you didn't learn some of the skills outlines on our syllabus?

If you don't have the prerequisites get in touch and we'll tell you how to go about getting what you need.

Q Who are the diplomas for?

A Our Sports Massage & Sports Injuries Intensive is for any one wishing to study sports injuries, how to assess and treat related patholgies and our Advanced & Deep Tissue Massage Diploma is for those who would like to gain the advanced, soft tissue techniques, bridging the the gap between holistic and sports massage.

Q Do I need to know my muscles really well before starting the diploma?

A At this level you will be expected to know your muscle origins, insertions and actions. The better you know your muscles, the better you'll do; Anatomy is key to effective treatment. If you think you are a bit rusty on your basic anatomy then it is adviseable to revise prior to the course.

Q What if my muscle knowledge is a bit rusty?

A We have just the day for you! Our Mad About Muscles workshop, Day in the Dissection Lab, or Palpation Skills workshop will help reinforce your knowledge or on-going learning.

Q Do I need to be involved in or interested in sports to take the Sports Massage & Sports Injuries Intensive?

A Not at all. The course content is relevant to everyone on the course even if your intension is not to treat sports injuries or sports people. Anyone can sprain an ankle or strain a calf muscle. Many of the clients we see clients suffer from low back pain or round shoulders, for example. Whilst some aspects of the course focus on treating people who are physically very active, the diploma covers advanced assessment and treatment techniques for a whole range of conditions that affect us all.

Q I want to work with athletes. Is this the Sports Massage & Sports Injuries Intensive a good course to do?

A This is a great course but does not focused specifically on working with 'athletes'. An 'athlete' is someone who earns 50% or more of their income from professional sport. Whilst a sports massage therapist can work with this group of sports people this is usually the domain of the physios. Perhaps it’s best to distinguish working with very sporty people and professional athletes. If you specifically want to work with this client group be in touch and we can chat about it.

Q I haven't studied for some time, will I be able to keep up with everyone else in the class?

A All our lessons utilise "accelerated learning" methods so you'll find yourself more than able to cope from day one! We can also advise you on many fun and effective ways to learn once you are enrolled. Most classes are limited to 14 people so there will be plenty of opportunity for one-to-one learning. If the number is higher, there will always be a second tutor.

Q How long are the diplomas?

A Our Sports Massage & Sports Injuries Intensive , London is taught over 16 days taken in three five-day blocks over three months with day 16 prior to your exams. You then have approx 1 month to consolidate your knowledge prior to your exams. You then have up to 6 months to complete your case studies and project. Your diploma is awarded only when you have passed your exam and handed in your case studies and project. Our Advanced & Deep Tissue Massage Diploma is 8-days running consecutively over two weeks with your exam approx 6 weeks later. There are no case studies or project to complete for this particular diploma.

Q Do I have to do any homework?

A Yes. Homework is a mandatory aspects of both courses and counts towards your final mark. It is an essential part of the learning. It consolidates topics that we cover in class, covers specific theory topics all helping you towards passing your final exams.

Q Once enrolled on a diploma, is there any work I need to do prior to the start of the course?

AYes. There is pre-course homework which will need to be done before the course commences. It focuses on anatomy as well as terminology which primes you for the being of your chosen course.

Q How much time will I need to spend on this course outside of class hours?

A For our Sports Massage & Sports Injuries Intensive we stipulate that 120 hours of homestudy must be completed - this includes the written homework mentioned above as well as your post exam case studies and project. Our Advanced & Deep Tissue Massage Diploma stipulates 16 hours. As you know, you get what you focus on: the more time you spend practising the practical aspects of the course and doing theoretical homework, the better your skills, the quicker you will learn and the faster you will consolidate your knowledge. Also, because this is a great course you will be excited to put into practice everything you are learning....so it won't seem like there is a lot of extra work at all!

Q. Are there any books I need to buy for the course?

A Your course manual, which we provide, is your core learning material for both course. However, for your anatomy we do recommend you buy The Trail Guide To The Body, by Andrew Biel. It's the best anatomy book out there on the market and certainly gives you a feel for the anatomy you'll need to know for the courses.

Q Do I need a special massage couch to do this course?

A During your class room time you will be using the hydrolic plinths provided but at home a regular massage couch is fine and we recommend you buy one before the course commences if you don’t already own one or have access to one on a regular basis. You will need to be practising your practical skills from day one. We recommend a couch that it is adjustable in height and costs around the £100 mark. You will learn to treat clients on hydrolic plinths, seated, prone, supine and side-lying so that you can modify your techniques to suit your client and their environment.

Q Do I need to bring anything with me like a couch, couch covers, couch roll or oil?

A We ask that you bring your own towel or a sheet for draping and a couch cover but we provide everything else. However, if you’d prefer to use any other medium for massaging, ie. balms, creams or wax then by all means you can bring your own providing they do not contain aromatherapy oils.

Q. Is there a lot of theory I need to learn?

A The course is 80-90% practical in nature, with most theory lessons integrated into practice so you will be on your feet an actively involved for most of the course! However the mandatory pre and post-course homework will reinforce all the practical elements you'll learn as well as introduce you to the pathologies and other theory topics.

Q. What if I can't keep up?

A You'll be surprised at what you can learn but if you do have concerns during the course, then talk to us. We're nice people and 100% student focused, so we’ll be there to support you and make sure you’re ready for your exams.

Q Do I need to do any case studies for this course?

A For the Sports Massage & Sports Injuries Intensive you need to massage 6 people a minimum of three times each, to be submitted within 6 months of the exam date. We recommend however, that you immerse yourself in the learning process and massage as many clients as possible. We will cover all the details about case studies thoroughly with you during the course. There are no case studies to be completed for the Advanced & Deep Tissue Massage Diploma.

Q Do my case studies need to have injuries?

A You are not expected to treat acute injuries. However, you are required to "stretch" yourself more than in your initial massage course and should
therefore be treating clients who have one of the conditions on the syllabus. There are a great many conditions on the syllabus, covering all areas of the body.

Q. Do I need to find my own case studies?

A It is your responsibility to find case studies, however the clients that you will treat on your practise ‘clinic days’ can be approached as your casestudies and it’s up to you to ask them when you see them.

Q What if I miss a day of the course?

A 90% attendance is required for successful completion of the course. We are unable to facilitate catch-up sessions. We strongly recommend that you plan to attend all days of the course.

Q. Do I get to massage people with injuries?

A Whilst you are not required to treat acute injuries for the Sports Massage & Sports Injuries Intensive , you will take part in a practise clinic during which you will treat people unknown to you under the supervision of the tutor.

Q What's all this about a project on the Sports Injuries & Sports Massage Diploma?

A We feel it is important for you to do a project as part of this course as not only does it set The London Massage Company diploma apart from any others out there, it deepens your knowledge and understanding of sports massage and it's application in 'real life' situations. You have 6 months from the date of your exams to submit your project. We will dicuss and give you guidelines about the project and case studies during your course. We will also be able to show you previously-submitted projects.

Q Is the course examined?

A You sit a theory paper of 2.5 hours and a practical examination that is carried out on a one-to-one basis with an examiner. The practical examination lasts up to 45 minutes. Once qualified on the Sports Massage & Sports Injuries Intensive you will be able to use the title Sports Massage Practitioner, and one of the best in the UK. Once qualified on the Advanced & Deep Tissue Massage Diploma you will be able to use the title Advanced & Deep Tissue Massage Therapist.

Q What do I wear in class?

A Anything that is comfortable. There is no uniform. For your actual practical examination we recommend that you dress as a professional sports massage practitioner/advanced practitioner, but of course each of you has your own individual style. For most of the course we ask that you wear running shorts, the type with the splits up the sides,unless you are wearing appropriate underwear or swim wear that allows access to the very top of your thigh, i.e.. the Anterior Superior Iliac Spine (a bony landmark to find before you start!) All other types of shorts are unsuitable.

Q Will I cover strapping and taping?

A Yes, you will be taught basic strapping and taping for sports injuries on the Sports Massage & Sports Injuries Intensive . All materials provided.

Q What if I'm not ready for the exams at the end of the course? And will I be able to re-take?

A You will be ready! Towards the end of your course you will enjoy practising mock theory examination questions and papers and you will be tested thorougly on your practical skills so you are VERY well prepared when it comes to your actual exams!

In the unlikely event that you don’t pass your exams we can arrange a resit for you but this will be at an additional cost to yourself - £40 for each exam plus additional costs for room hire and the examiners time. It can be an expensive business so we suggest that you are available to sit the exam date set. But as we say you will be ready!

Q I have some other things happening in my life whilst I'm on the course, will that be ok?

A Both courses are intensive requiring study at a high, intensive level. We strongly recommend that you focus on the course once enrolled and that you have no other major commitments that will take up your time or other courses that you need to study for.

Q What time are the lessons?

A Classes start on time at 9.30am and finishes at 4.30pm. There are two tea breaks and a lunch break.

Q Will I learn deep tissue techniques?

A Yes, lots, and on both diplomas. Amongst others you will learn stripping of muscles, frictioning and how to use elbows, forearms and fists, all of which you will be competent in by the end of the course. Have a look at the syllabus for details for either the Sports Massage & Sports Injuries Intensive or Advanced & Deep Tissue diploma.

Q May I speak to a student who has already done the course?

A Absolutely. Contact us and we'll put you in touch. You are also very welcome to drop in and see a class in action or come along and be a body either for the sports massage clinic day or on the exam day for the current group! Just ask for details.

Q Why should I train with you and not another school?

A It’s entirely up to you who you choose to train with and there a loads of great courses out there to suit the needs and learning styles of everyone. So all we add is that our courses are delivered to the highest standards. We take our and your profession seriously and pledge to invest 100% in everyone who trains with us. We want you to be out-standing in your field. Our courses are honest, enjoyable, informative and inspirational, and will exceed your expectations – as well as offering exceptional value for money.

Q Who are The London Massage Company and what are your credentials?

A Jane Johnson, Chartered Physiotherapist, MCSP, MSc, BSc, BA (Hons), author of

is renowned for her teaching, enthusiasm and dynamism, Jane’s track record in the complementary fields spans over 15 years working both as a practitioner/instructor and as course director of her own company and other successful London massage schools.

Her credentials are excellent, having originally trained as a fitness instructor (YMCA), Jane holds a Masters degree in Health and Exercise behaviour as well as a number of massage and business related qualifications.  Jane has worked in both in the NHS, in private clinics and in the corporate sector.
She is currently a member of the following associations: The Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (CSP), The Institute for Anatomical Sciences (IAS), Embody (formerly The Int. Guild of Professional Practitioners, IGPP), Chartered Physiotherapists Interested in Massage and Soft Tissue Therapies (CPMaSTT)

Over the past 15 years, Jane has also written numerous reference books including ‘Natural Healing’ and ‘101 Things to Do With Your Amazing Body’. She regularly writes for a number of massage trade magazines and websites and is an examiner for the APNT.

Zoë, APNT, iMFT sports massage practitioner with intergrated myofascial release, has been in private practice since 2003. Before embarking on her career as a massage therapist she was in Sales, Marketing and PR for 15 years. After graduating in Holistic Massage and A&P from the Oxford School of massage she set-up practice in Ghana, West Africa. In 2007 she gained her APNT Sports Injuries and Massage Diploma with distinction and was soon off to Casablanca, Morocco treating runners, teachers of physical education and and Marathon des Sable veterans. Events then brought her closer to Europe where she began treating triathletes at Les Stables - a triathlete training centre, as well as private clients in SW France. All this whilst continuing to work behind the scenes and run The London Massage Company, returning regularly to the UK to co-teach the Sports Massage & Sports Injuries Intensive and keep her CPD up to date. Never afraid of a challenge or adventure, a very recent move to Australia marks another chapter which brings with it exciting opportunities!