Thai Bodywork School of Thai Massage
News
Check out our new streaming video library! You can now stream our entire DVD Series 24/7 to your computer, tablet or phone. This resource will be constantly expanding with Clinical Thai Bodywork and Thai Massage techniques and training videos. Our goal is for this to be a comprehensive Thai massage training resource that you can use in between classes, before a session to brush up - so keep checking the site for new releases.
Thai Bodywork is an NCBTMB-approved provider of massage continuing education in Illinois. All of our courses are approved for massage CE - continue your education and learn an exciting new modality.
Join us for our first Community Sharing and Practice Day on July 10, 2014.
After keeping tuition the same for the last 13 years, we will be increasing class prices on August 1, 2014. We will honor existing pricing for classes in 2014 if you register for the class prior to August 1.
Study at Thai Bodywork
Thai Bodywork offers a range of Thai massage classes that may be taken as individual workshops approved by NCBTMB for continuing education in massage, or as part of our certification programs. No prior experience is required to attend. Our programs blend training in the traditional techniques with solid training in functional anatomy and trigger point therapy. Our students come from across North America to learn to treat specific conditions in the most therapeutically sophisticated Thai massage certification program available anywhere. We offer affordable lodging at the school for out of town students. View a schedule of upcoming classes.
Schedule a Session in the Clinic
We have a full-time Thai massage clinic at our school, staffed by our students and faculty. Sessions are available by appointment. Several levels of sessions are available, from $50/90 minute sessions with students in our TBP certification program (general sessions for stress relief, relaxation, health maintenance) to clinical apprentice and professional sessions with CTB students and faculty for specific issues of pain and dysfunction. Clinical Thai Bodywork employs trigger point therapy in conjunction with Thai techniques to treat pain conditions that have often failed other approaches.
Visit our Online Store
We offer a range of products in our online store, including Thai massage mats, a DVD series corresponding to our classses, Thai herbal compress supplies, pillows, Thai fisherman pants and other clothing, self-care tools, music, candles, books and more. We offer gift certificates that may be used for products, sessions or classes.
Workshops in Other Areas
Jennifer Wright will be teaching Functional Anatomy and Clinical Thai Bodywork Fundamentals July 17-20 at Jynba in Merrimack, New Hampshire.
Chuck Duff will be teaching a Level 1 Thai massage workshop in Grand Rapids, Michigan at Expressions of Grace Studio on July 18-20. $25 discount for enrollment before June 10.
Chuck will be teaching HandsFree Thai Massage Level 1 at Globe University in Moorhead, Minnesota October 5-7.
About the School
Clinical Focus
Most programs focus on techniques and sequences - there is a frustrating absence of insight as to why the techniques should be chosen or not, and what specific muscular issues they are useful for. This approach teaches the student to imitate rather than think.
Our mission is to teach Thai bodywork in a clinical context with a deep understanding of muscle function and myofascial trigger point therapy, so that the student understands the effects and purpose of each technique, and can reliably address pain and dysfunction. We offer the most in-depth clinical training in the field. Read the latest articles from our faculty, for example Sciatica, Tight IT Bands and Other Non-Diagnoses by Chuck Duff.
Our workshop-based program allows students to study at their own pace to suit individual schedules and financial needs. Courses can be taken individually and count toward certification if and when the student elects to pursue that path. We offer flexible payment arrangements, including payment as you go for individual workshops, time payment plans and work study.
No Prior Training Required
Our 20-hour Level 1: Fundamentals of Thai Massage training is taught monthly and has no prerequisites -- anybody can enter with no prior background. You will receive a Thai Bodywork certificate (and NCBTMB CEU Certificate of Achievement if desired) at each level, and the pace of your study can be adjusted to fit your needs. Potential students may arrange to observe a portion of a Level 1 training for free by visiting our contact page.
Levels 2 and 3 are taught 2-3 times per year. Clinical Thai Bodywork and other trainings are conducted every 1-2 months. Please see our schedule page for upcoming trainings.
Save Your Hands and Your Career
Thai massage is designed to be beneficial for both the giver and the receiver. As you learn, our program teaches you to work with the whole body, incorporating principles of martial arts, yoga and excellent body mechanics. In a recent ABMP survey, over 70% of massage therapist respondents reported significant work-related pain symptoms in the last 2 years. By employing core energy and body weight, studying Thai yoga therapy at TBW can save your hands and your career. Our HandsFree Thai course, unique to our school, is a powerful, therapeutic form of Thai bodywork that completely avoids stress on the therapist's upper body.