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ITEC Level 5 Certificate in Sports Massage Overview

Study the Level 5 Sports Massage Course at Your Pace

Level 5 Sports Massage at Cotswold AcademyThe ITEC Level 5 sports massage course at the Cotswold Academy is structured in a modular format, allowing students the flexibility to join individual modules independently or on completion of all modules, can obtain the Level 5 qualification upon passing the final exams and assignments. Please note, the Neurological Testing module can only be booked by students progressing through all modules towards the Level 5 Sports Massage Certificate and cannot be certified independently.

Each module covers specific aspects of sports massage at an advanced level, building upon the foundational knowledge and skills acquired in previous levels. The modular format enables students to tailor their learning experience according to their interests, schedule, and professional development goals.

Upon completion of all 4 modules and passing the final exams, students attain the ITEC Level 5 qualification in sports massage, demonstrating comprehensive expertise in advanced techniques, injury assessment, rehabilitation strategies, and sports-specific massage applications.

There is no set order or time-frame that you must attend the modules, so you can pick and choose the dates that work for you on each module course page. When you're ready to begin your Level 5 Sports massage qualification, you can book the individual modules via the links below either one at a time, or add all to your basket to purchase the full package in one go.

View all modules and discover more below!

Injury Management and Rehabilitation - Upper Body

Injury Management Rehabilitation of the Upper Body - Level 5 Sports Massage

3 Days Classroom Attendance

Standalone certificate or as a module of the ITEC Level 5 Sports Massage Certificate

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Injury Management and Rehabilitation - Lower Body

Injury Management Rehabilitation of the Lower Body - Level 5 Sports Massage

3 Days Classroom Attendance

Standalone certificate or as a module of the ITEC Level 5 Sports Massage Certificate

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Understanding and Utilizing Gait Analysis

Gait Analysis - Level 5 Sports Massage

2 Days Classroom Attendance

Standalone certificate or as a module of the ITEC Level 5 Sports Massage Certificate

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Neurological Testing & Evidence Based Practice

3 Days Classroom Attendance

Only for students attending all modules towards the ITEC Level 5 Sports Massage Certificate

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Below is an overview of the full syllabus which you will cover through the 4 modules; 

 


Unit iUSP158 Conduct Complex Assessment for Sports Massage

Click here to view full ITEC syllabus

  • Understand Neurological Presentations including:

    • peripheral nerve pathways
    • characteristics and organisation of Dermatomes
    • characteristics of Myotomes
    • common causes of neurological damage
    • common peripheral neuropathy patterns
    • presentations that require neurological testing
    • pathophysiology of common neurological injuries/soft tissue dysfunction
    • the importance of referral for neurological testing
  • Understand sports specific posture and gait

    • gait cycle
    • methods used to analyse gait
    • effect of foot deformities on gait
    • gait abnormalities
    • effects of postural deformities on sporting performance
    • principles of sports specific posture analysis
  • Be able to undertake assessment of sports specific postures and gait

  • Understand the principles and practice of complex assessment methods for sports massage including:

    • Subjective
    • Range of movement (Active,Passive)
    • Resisted (Isometric)
    • Postural analysis
    • Special tests (Ligamentous, Neural)
  • Be able to conduct complex assessment methods for sports massage

    • range of complex assessment methods
    • potential impact of yellow flags on prognosis
    • red flags and the importance of urgent medical referral
    • process of clinical reasoning and stages of problem solving

Unit iUSP161 Provide Complex Massage Techniques for Sports Massage

Click here to view full ITEC syllabus

  • Use a range of complex techniques in Sports Massage, to include:

    • PNF (Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation)
    • Muscle energy technique (MET)
    • Myofascial release
    • Active isolated stretching
    • Post isometric relaxation; reciprocal inhibition; isokinetic contraction; Isolytic contraction
    • Positional release
    • Strain/counterstrain
    • Neuromuscular technique
    • Passive stretching
    • Mobilisations and articulations
    • Be able to devise sport massage treatment plans from information gathered
    • Aftercare 
    • Understanding evidence based practice 
    • Evaluation of research 

Assignment: Unit iUSP158 Conduct Complex Assessment for Sports Massage

Click here to view the assessment guidance form

Research and critically evaluate a variety of modalities to support soft tissue repair.

To include:

  • Neurological presentation
  • Sports specific posture and gait
  • The principles and practice of complex assessment methods for sports massage

Assignment: Unit iUSP161 Provide Complex Sports Massage Techniques for Sports Massage

Click here to read the assessment guidance form

Conduct a Review on Research Undertaken on Sports Massage/Soft Tissue Therapy

To include:

  • Critically appraise research undertaken on the use of Sports Massage
  • Draw conclusions on support for the use of Sports Massage

Level 4 Certificate in Sports Massage Required (or equivalent such as Physiotherapy, Osteopathy, Chiropracting)

If you do not already hold a Level 4 in Sports Massage (or osteopathy, physiotherapy or sports therapy qualification), you will need to complete this prior to joining. Find out more information about the ITEC Level 3 Diploma in Sports Massage here or ITEC Level 4 Certificate in Sports Massage here.

You will be required to complete a number of treatments/case studies at home after/during your modules and supply the evidences of these. You will then return to the Academy to sit your final exams usually 3-4 months after completion of all 4 modules.

We recommend around 5-10 hours of home study a week to complete your case studies, theory study and assignments.

Folder work/Evidences

  • 15 Case Studies (5 people x 3 times)
  • Plus 14 treatments logged in consultation forms
  • 2 x assignments (Unit iUSP158 & iUSP161) - 2500 word minimum essays 

Examinations:

  • "Mock" Practical Exam (2 weeks before the actual exam, for practice and tutor feedback)
  • Practical Exam, externally invigilated by ITEC