ssisa

This course is ideal for coaches, athletes and health, and fitness professionals wanting to add an additional skill or service to their offering.

This is a comprehensive Sports Massage course providing the foundations of knowledge and skill required to perform your role as a sports massage therapist. The course follows a hybrid model of learning. This means that the theory (knowledge) component of the course is fully online and is self-paced study. The online platform is Moodle. All online chapters contain both text and video content and each chapter ends with a quiz that enables you to test your knowledge before moving on to the next chapter.

There is a compulsory practical component which is in-person practical training sessions conducted over a weekend on a specific date. The compulsory practical training takes place at the SSISA in Newlands, Cape Town and this session must be attended in order to qualify to attend the practical compulsory assessment. The compulsory practical summative assessment is also in-person at the SSISA in Newlands.

You will study the following:

Module 1: Introduction to Sports Massage

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Define sports massage and its scope, including differentiating between Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, neuromuscular massage, and sports massage.
• Describe the origins and evolution massage within sport and performance settings.
• Identify the benefits of massage across physical, psychological and performance domains.
  • Sports massage as a performance tool.
  • The three stages of Sports Massage Therapy.
  • Effects of Sports Massage Therapy.
• Contraindications and limitations of massage.

Module 2: Anatomy & Physiology for Massage

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Describe the structure and function of the muscular, skeletal, circulatory, lymphatic and nervous system.
  • The relationship between sports massage therapy and body systems.
• Identify major surface anatomy landmarks and common dysfunctions.
• Recognise basic postural dysfunctions.

Module 3: Massage Techniques & Therapist Self-Care

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate core techniques including effleurage, petrissage, friction, tapotement, vibration.
• Apply safe body mechanics and injury prevention strategies (e.g. avoiding wrist strain, repetitive strain injuries) and table setup procedures.
• Understand the importance of therapists physical conditioning.
• Select and use appropriate massage mediums.
• Apply universal precautions (e.g., using gloves when needed, hygiene with open wounds).
• Recognize that HIV is not transmitted through intact skin or casual contact — reducing therapist fear or bias.

Module 4: Client Assessment & Treatment Planning

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Conduct a comprehensive consultation, client history, and health screening.
• Identify red flags and determine when and how to refer.
• Plan and record treatments using SOAP notes.
• Adapt assessment based on client needs (e.g. athlete vs general population).

Module 5: Disabilities and Special Needs

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Recognize different categories of disability and their implications for massage practice.
• Apply trauma-informed, inclusive communication strategies tailored to each client.
• Adapt the environment (accessibility, bed height, safety) for clients with mobility or sensory challenges.
• Use descriptive communication for clients with visual impairments to enhance independence and comfort.
• Modify massage techniques, positioning, and draping to suit client needs.
• Identify barriers to participation in sport and recreation for people with disabilities, and understand the therapist’s role in addressing them.
• Explain the physiological, psychological, and social benefits of sports massage for individuals with disabilities.
• Demonstrate professionalism, dignity, and collaboration in practice.

Module 6: Massage Tools, Equipment & Environment

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Identify and correctly use massage tools and equipment (massage beds, towels, oils, massage guns and tools, etc.).
• Understand and apply principles of equipment hygiene and care.
• Compare the benefits and appropriate use of tools such as massage guns, foam rollers, and hot/cold therapy tools.
• Create a professional, accessible, and safe treatment environment for in practice, mobile, and event settings.

Module 7: Communication, Inclusive Practice & Etiquette

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate effective communication and bedside manner with diverse clients.
  • Understand trauma-informed communication for clients with a history of traumatic injury, abuse or those living with HIV/AIDS.
• Adapt treatments for clients with mobility challenges, skin conditions, or high BMI.
• Understand the rights of both the client and therapist.
• Professional behaviour in different settings (clinic vs home vs field vs event).

Module 8: Legal, Ethical & Professional Practice

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Understand the legal stranding of sports massage as a non-regulated profession in South Africa.
• Explain the role of HPCSA, AHPCSA, and when to refer clients to other practitioners.
• Understand POPIA.
  • Compliance in recordkeeping and communication.
  • Understand referral boundaries.
• Understand the legal and ethical obligations regarding client confidentiality and non-discrimination under South African health law (e.g., Employment Equity Act, National Health Act).

Module 9: Research, Evidence Based Practice and Critical Thinking

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Search and critique evidence-based resources related to sports massage.
  • Levels of evidence (RTCs, metanalyses vs anecdotal claims).
  • Basic research interpretation.
• Apply critical thinking to claims in the health and wellness field.

Module 10: Entrepreneurship

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Define entrepreneurship in the context of sports massage.
• Explain the characteristics of successful entrepreneurs.
• Develop a comprehensive business plan.
• Complete an executive summary.
• Compile the marketing strategy of the business plan.
• Develop an operational plan.
• Draw up time lines for the implementation of a business plan.
• Create a customer service strategy which includes costumer service policies and practices.
• Produce a financial statement.
• Identify human resources necessary to implement the plan.
• Explain and apply legal and ethical business practices.
• Identify factors that contribute to a successful business.
• Present and promote a business plan.

There will be a set of questions following each chapter in the 10 modules. There will be a theory summative online assessment on a specific date and time and a compulsory in-person practical summative assessment at the SSISA in Newlands, Cape Town.

You are required to pass each of the theory and practical summative assessments and complete the required 30 hours workplace experience to receive your certificate.

A compulsory requirement of the course is to complete and log 30 hours of workplace practice conducted at sporting events, a hosting physiotherapy practice, sports massage practice or on family and friends.

Entry requirements:
18 years of age. No previous experience or knowledge is required but a basic knowledge of anatomy will be beneficial.

Duration:
This is a 3 month course which includes time to accumulate workplace practice, theory online study and assessment and practical in-person training and assessment.

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