When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
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Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate
There are 4 modules in this course
By the end of this course, you will (1) apply sports-specific soft tissue techniques to manage common athletic injuries and (2) integrate evidence-informed massage protocols into comprehensive rehabilitation and performance programs. Taught by renowned educator and therapist Robert “Bob” McAtee, this course blends theory with hands-on instruction to build practical, clinically relevant skills.
Through detailed video demonstrations and real-world guidance, you’ll learn how to identify soft-tissue dysfunction, improve mobility, reduce pain, and support performance for athletes and active clients. Bob’s expertise brings clarity to treatment planning, technique selection, and modifying interventions for different stages of injury, making this course a valuable resource for therapists seeking advanced training in sports massage.
Module 1 introduces you to the foundations of sports massage for soft-tissue injury care. You’ll learn the clinical reasoning process that guides effective treatment: understanding client history, identifying signs and symptoms, reviewing anatomy, performing orthopedic and special tests, palpation, and treatment planning.
This module focuses on lower-extremity conditions frequently seen in active individuals and athletes, such as Achilles tendinopathy, chronic ankle sprain, fibularis tendinopathy, hamstring strain, adductor strain, and patellar tendinopathy (jumper’s knee).You will observe real assessment sequences, including visual inspection, functional movement testing, and techniques such as deep transverse friction, longitudinal stripping, compressive effleurage, petrissage, and facilitated stretching. Bob McAtee demonstrates how to integrate manual therapy with client education, self-care suggestions, and exercise recommendations. The goal is not just symptom relief, but encouraging lasting functional improvement.
What's included
5 videos1 assignment
Show info about module content
5 videos•Total 63 minutes
Achilles Tendinopathy•22 minutes
Ankle Sprain•11 minutes
Peroneus Fibularis Muscle Strain•10 minutes
Patellar Tendinopathy•10 minutes
Adductors / Groin Strain•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
Module Reflection Quiz•15 minutes
Sports Massage Essentials: Upper Body
Module 3•1 hour to complete
Module details
This module focuses on soft-tissue injuries of the upper extremity and builds on the clinical framework introduced previously. Bob McAtee demonstrates observation, palpation, shoulder girdle assessment, active/passive ROM, resistive tests, and condition-specific orthopedic testing. You’ll learn to evaluate and treat common upper-body complaints such as rotator-cuff tendinopathy, impingement syndromes, supraspinatus injury, and dysfunction related to muscular imbalance and postural patterns. Treatment demonstrations include stripping, friction work, facilitated stretching, and contract-relax techniques, always applied within tissue tolerance and supported by clear client communication. Special attention is placed on identifying painful arcs of motion, differentiating contractile vs. non-contractile structures, and determining when pain/weakness indicates supraspinatus involvement. This module emphasizes that sports massage for injury care is not just technique — it is assessment-driven, outcome-focused clinical decision making.
What's included
4 videos1 assignment1 discussion prompt
Show info about module content
4 videos•Total 20 minutes
Introduction•0 minutes
Tennis Elbow - Practical Work•6 minutes
Tennis Elbow - Practical Work•6 minutes
Golfers Elbow - Practical Work•7 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
Untitled•15 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
Summary•10 minutes
Reflective Learning Exam
Module 4•1 hour to complete
Module details
This final exam is designed to assess your understanding of the key concepts presented throughout the course. Please review all video lessons and written materials before beginning. A passing score of 70% or higher is required to successfully complete the course and earn your CE certificate. You may reference your notes during the exam. Once you pass, your certificate will be available for immediate download.
What's included
1 assignment
Show info about module content
1 assignment•Total 60 minutes
Reflective Learning Exam•60 minutes
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.
Niel Asher Education is a world leader in evidence-based online education for massage therapists, manual therapists, and allied health professionals. Our mission is to empower practitioners worldwide with accessible, high-quality training that bridges traditional bodywork, modern rehabilitation, and integrative health science.
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.