Sports Massage Courses In The Chicago Area

Zen Shiatsu Massage School In Chicago

Sports Massage Certification

sports massage, knee

Sports Massage Certification

5-Module Certification Course

Register online now, or read detailed course descriptions below.

Taught by Wayne Hussey, LMT

Each module is 8 hours long.  The five modules can be taken in any order.  Students who complete the full 40 hours will receive a Certification in Sports Massage indicating competency in injury assessment and treatment planning, and skills specific to common sports injuries.  All coursework is in-person and hands-on. 

Each course: 8 CEs, $200.  Full Certificate: 40 CEs, $1000

Basic Sports Massage Essentials 


Basic sports massage has been found to be a key successful component in competitive and noncompetitive athletic programming. The purpose of this course is to educate and increase the success potential for the massage therapist and/or bodyworker that works on both athletes in the competitive and noncompetitive settings. This course presents a general framework for basic sports massage protocols, injury assessment, neurological considerations, and special tests. The components include: 

Pre, Intra, Post event, and sport specific maintenance massage considerations, cramp relief protocols, injury assessment, and specific muscle testing. Additional considerations will also be discussed, including precautions, contraindications, intake documentation and hydro/cryo therapy integration. 

IT Band Syndrome 


This course is designed to focus on a common hip and knee disorder associated with athletic injuries called Iliotibial Band Syndrome. The focus will be on integrating appropriate soft tissue techniques that can dramatically reduce the severity of symptoms and the impact this condition can have on training, participation, athletic performance and or activities of daily living (ADLs). 

The therapist will learn basic orthopedic assessments that will help isolate and determine the dysfunctions associated with hip and knee issues. Posture assessments will be used to identify possible contributing factors from structural misalignment, trigger point activity and myofascial restrictions. Findings from these assessments will help the therapist select the best treatment techniques or protocols to reduce painful symptoms and return the individual to optimal function. The techniques in this course will include myofascial release, soft tissue manipulation, trigger point therapy, cross fiber friction and muscle energy techniques or proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques (PNF). 

Rotator Cuff Injuries


This course is designed to focus on the pathology, assessment, treatment, and self-care of the shoulder region with specific focus on the glenohumeral joint and rotator cuff musculature. Assessment and integration of various soft tissue treatments and or protocols may help reduce the severity of pain and limitation while minimizing the impact this condition may have upon athletic training, participation and or athletic performance thus increasing the range of motion of the glenohumeral joint. 

No one is immune to shoulder issues so this protocol and/or treatment may also help with Activities of Daily Living, (ADLs). 

The therapist will review basic anatomy and function of the glenohumeral joint and rotator cuff musculature. From this foundation, a better understanding of probable causes and contributing factors associated with rotator cuff/shoulder dysfunction. Contributing factors such as postural and or  structural malignment, musculature imbalance, trigger points and myofascial restrictions may help with assessment. Basic orthopedic assessments such as active, passive, resisted range of

motion (ROM) and palliative assessment will help isolate and determine the location and type of dysfunction. The techniques taught in this module will include myofascial release, trigger point release, cross fiber friction, and muscle energy techniques or proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques (PNF). 

Body mechanics for Massage Therapist or Bodyworker


“Biomechanics” is the study of how movement of human body is affected by both internal and external factors, including neurological input, musculotendinous interactions and physical strain on the body hence the term “Body Mechanics”. 

This course is designed to gain personal awareness of our body’s natural design and learn how to work with in our bodies with minimal effort and ease. Once we become familiar with the basic principles of body mechanics, we can feel the difference between relaxed effort and physical strain. A review of how to use our bodies more efficiently by incorporating the principles of leverage and efficient structural alignment to minimize fatigue and keep you from injuring yourself. longevity in your profession! 

As they say, “work smarter not harder”, longevity in your profession! 

Stretching and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Techniques (PNF)


This course serves to focus on the pathology, assessment, treatment and self-care of the body and all the major joints and muscles that attach to those joints. Integrating assessment and application of various soft tissue techniques to elongate the Musculo-skeletal junctions and proprioceptors within the muscles to prevent and/or repair injury or dysfunction of a particular joint.

We will focus on agonist as well as antagonistic muscles that create movement in the human body. Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques (PNF) or muscle energy techniques will also be reviewed to help facilitate change in the muscle or muscle group. Thus, returning the individual back to a normal pre or post injury state.

The five Sports Massage Certification modules may be taken in any order.  No prerequisites for any individual class.

Sports Massage Certification Training Modules:

How To Register:

  • Course registrations must be received by 5pm the day before the start of class.
  • If you are not ready to pay, you can still add your name to the interest list. Your space will not be permanently held until payment is made.
  • To pay by phone, call 847-864-1130
  • To pay online, check the box next to the associated start date below and  select the “NEXT STEPS ” button. By prepaying you agree to our registration policies.

Register For Sports Massage Courses: