New Zealand Diploma in Remedial Massage (Level 6)
Allied Health
A course by
Ara Institute of Canterbury
This diploma prepares you to deliver remedial massage therapy targeting rehabilitation and pain relief in allied health, wellness, and medical settings. It focuses on advanced assessment, psychology of health, sport-specific injuries, and practical clinical experience.
In-person study
Face-to-face learning in a physical classroom setting
Ara Institute of Canterbury (main campus), Christchurch
It will take a total of 1 year
Core skills this course teaches
Assess clients using advanced methods
Graduates can undertake thorough client assessments using inquiry, observation and physical testing to inform treatment.
Interpret medical results and pathology
Ability to understand and interpret relevant pathological processes and medical diagnostic reports to tailor massage treatments appropriately.
Deliver specialised remedial massage interventions
Graduates will be able to apply advanced massage techniques for rehabilitation and pain relief for a range of injuries and chronic conditions.
What You're Signing Up For
Building on prior massage study, the programme prepares students to deliver specialised remedial massage therapy for rehabilitation and pain relief due to injury or chronic conditions. Students gain advanced skills in assessment, pathology, and sport-specific techniques, and complete extensive clinical practice supervised in real-world settings. There is a strong focus on understanding medical diagnostic results and the psychology of health. The diploma opens pathways for work in health and wellness centres, sports medicine clinics, and in self-employed practice.
Course Content
- Massage therapy assessment: inquiry, observation and physical testing
- Identification and interpretation of pathological processes and medical diagnostic results
- Psychology of health including client care approaches
- Sport-specific assessment techniques
- Sport-specific massage techniques for injuries
- Clinical Practice 1 (15 credits)
- Massage for Physical Performance (15 credits)
- Advanced Techniques 2 (15 credits)
- Research for Massage Practitioners (15 credits)
- Clinical Practice 2 (15 credits)
What you need to know first
New Zealand Diploma in Wellness and Relaxation Massage (Level 5) or equivalent
What sort of industry will this job lead to
Health
Allied Health
Massage Therapy
Future employment opportunities might be
Remedial massage therapist in health and wellness centres
Sports medicine clinic therapist
Self-employed therapist (home-based/mobile practice)