FAQs : RSM International Academy
I studied Thai massage at a government-accredited school in Thailand, does the RSM massage course make sense for me?
The RSM course is very beneficial in understanding Thai massage from a functional anatomical perspective
Thai massage is a wonderful massage for relaxation, mixing stretching with treatment to the energy lines.
When performing Thai massage in your country, many therapists will encounter clients who are looking for back and shoulder pain relief or want to know the cause of their pain. You cannot be a trusted therapist if you cannot explain the meaning of the massage you have provided and its effects.
The massage taught at RSM is based on sports medicine and functional anatomy, and the knowledge and techniques can be applied to all types of massage (including Thai massage). For example, the energy lines of Thai massage, which are sometimes difficult to understand, can be more effective when understood from functional anatomy.
By developing palpation techniques in lessons, you will understand where pain occurs, and what movements cause pain, and provide myofascial release, trigger point therapy, deep tissue massage and stretching according to the client's muscle condition.
Training and acquiring palpation skills between inexperienced therapists lose enormous amounts of time. Also, experienced and competent therapists will not readily share their skills with you.
The palpation skills and functional anatomy are essential to your career as a massage therapist, and RSM trains all students in small classes so that they all acquire essential knowledge and massage skills.
Questions and further information can be found on the RSM website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
I have learned and practised relaxation oil massage - is the massage taught at RSM a useful technique for aromatic oil massage?
RSM courses train knowledge and massage techniques that can be applied to oil massage and other forms of massage.
Through case studies of 92 typical conditions such as back pain, shoulder pain and foot pain, students will acquire knowledge and massage techniques that can be used in practice.
Functional anatomy, which is important for all types of massage, is taught in a way that is easy for everyone to understand.
For example, let's say you have a client who has a soreness around the shoulder area and needs to have that area relieved. As a therapist, you have to understand from palpation whether the pain is caused by the upper trapezius fibres or the levator scapulae and decide which type of massage will be more effective.
Finding the cause of the pain based on the client's movements, palpation techniques and knowledge of functional anatomy, and then providing the appropriate massage for the muscle condition is the goal as a therapist taught by the RSM.
I have attended at least three Thai massage schools and have learnt various techniques, but I don't know which technique is good
Regardless of which massage school you go to, the techniques you learn are great techniques.
The important thing is to understand which muscles are being massaged and stretched for what purpose.
It is very important for beginners to carry out a massage with a defined format for the purpose of relaxation.
However, if you have a variety of techniques, understanding in which situations to use your massage technique is the next step.
In the future, knowledge of functional anatomy and palpation of pain-causing muscles is essential in order to be able to provide a massage tailored to the client's needs.
All RSM massage courses teach practical massage theory and technique through 96 case studies. The lessons are useful for anyone learning any type of massage.
If you have any questions or need advice, you can always contact me via WhatsApp or Line app.
I work as a massage therapist and would like to increase the variety of massage around the shoulder. Can I learn just that part?
Of course, it is possible.
RSM also offers lessons that focus on topics you want to learn about, such as how to improve shoulder range of motion or reduce pain.
Private lessons can provide you with knowledge of functional anatomy and a variety of massage techniques to further improve your knowledge and skills.
In some cases, group lessons have different levels of students, which means that experienced students cannot acquire sufficient knowledge and skills, while beginners are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information.
Private lessons are the most efficient and shortest way to fit your schedule and acquire the knowledge and skills you need for your massage.
In the past, acupuncturists who want to incorporate Thai massage stretches and massage therapists who want to become yoga teachers have come to RSM.
If you have special requirements, please consider taking private lessons at RSM. For more information or if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us via our WhatsApp or line app.
I'm a yoga teacher. Some of my students have a left-right difference in the range of motion of the hip.is RSM massage effective?
Restricted joint range of motion due to muscle tension and contractures can be quickly remedied with the massage and stretching taught at RSM.
Motion Analysis Clinical Massage and Sports Conditioning Massage taught at RSM are recommended. In the lessons, you will learn which muscles and fascia to focus on to improve joint range of motion and how to apply appropriate massage and stretching to them.
As you are a yoga teacher, you will have a basic knowledge of anatomy, so you will learn practical massage techniques more quickly.
Private lessons are also available to meet the special needs of yoga practitioners, dancers and others who require an extreme range of joint movement. You can learn more practical knowledge and skills in a shorter time at RSM.
For more information or if you have any questions, feel free to contact us anytime via WhatsApp or LINE app.
I am a sports trainer teaching dynamic postural improvement. I am new to massage, can I study there?
As a sports trainer, you already have a high degree of expertise in anatomy and stretching.
I think that a person with basic knowledge and experience in anatomy and stretching can learn massage very quickly.
In addition to stretching, you can also learn various massage techniques such as trigger point therapy, deep tissue massage, myofascial release, etc. to acquire knowledge and skills to improve joint mobility and pain relief.
As you have a certain level of knowledge, I think you can learn massage more quickly and efficiently in private lessons without wasting time. We can also tailor the content and schedule of your lessons to your requirements.
What is the lesson schedule and what, if any, preparation is required?
You will learn functional anatomy and practical massage from 32 case studies through 16 hours over 4 days (4 hours of lessons per day). There are then a total of two hours for massage practice and review during the course.
The RSM lessons only take a 30-minute lunch break. This is because a one-hour break can make students sleepy. We aim for maximum effectiveness by concentrating massage training on key techniques. Therefore, please ensure you have breakfast before coming to the RSM.
The two-hour review and practice is held on your own schedule. You can practice and review for 30 minutes every day after the lesson, or you can practice and review for two hours on the last day of the lesson.
Please make sure you bring a notebook and writing utensils as a significant amount of information will be provided. There is a 7-Eleven nearby where you can purchase these items.
If you have an anatomy book or application, please bring it with you; if you have time before you come to RSM, it is sufficient to purchase Clinical Massage by James H.Clay and David M,Counds and just look at the pictures. The lessons explain in more detail and teach massage techniques.
As a rule, video-shooting of the lesson content is not permitted. After the lesson, please make sure to review the lesson in a café or at your accommodation.
Please bring shorts and tank tops with which you can practise your massage. Please wear clothes that you don't mind getting dirty, as oil may stick to them.
Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the lesson starts.
At the end of Case Study 1, you will be asked whether you wish to continue with the lesson or not. If you do not wish to continue, no course fee is required.
If you wish to continue, please pay the course fee during the lunch break.
Course fees can be paid in baht, Japanese yen, dollars or euros. Card payments are subject to a 3% surcharge.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us.
Please tell me how to get to RSM after arriving at Chiangmai Int’l airport. Are there any recommended hotels or GH?
After arriving at Chiang Mai International Airport and passing through immigration, there are 4-5 taxi booking companies that will take you to the city. All taxi companies charge the same price of around 200-250 baht to RSM or Chiang Mai Old City (your hotel or guesthouse). The journey takes around 15-20 minutes.
English address is 30/10-11 CHARUENSUK Rd, Chang-Puak, Muang Chiang Mai, Thailand 50300: Thai address is 30/10-11 ถนน ถนน เจริญสุข ตำบล ช้างเผือกก
Recommended guesthouses and hotels
Depending on price and budget, Habitat Hotel Chiang Mai is a 15-second walk to the RSM and is a beautiful hotel at around 700-800 baht per night. And there is a small café on the ground floor where you can review your studies.
Chiang Mai P Place is a 1-minute walk to the RSM and is recommended for a clean flat at around 500 baht per night. Very clean flats.
Baan Kong Lao Guesthouse is a 3-minute walk from the RSM and is a beautiful Thai-style guesthouse at around 800 baht per night. It has wooden furniture in the rooms and has many western travellers.
The area near the RSM has many local students, local food stalls, cafés, etc., and there are also long-term European and American residents in the area!
Payment of course fees
Payment in baht, euros and dollars is accepted, but only in cash. Payment by card is subject to a 3% service charge.
Do I need to buy a SIM card in Thailand?
You don't need to buy one unless you are staying for a long period of time, as you can walk 50 metres to a café where you can connect to WIFI. RSM also provides free WIFI.
I would like to take lessons at RSM, but I am worried about corona infection during my stay.
RSM's massage courses are held in facilities (Spa Mantra) that have been approved by the Amazing Thailand Health and Safety Standards (SHA) project, a strict hygiene standard and certification system.
High health and safety standards are ensured and lessons are held in locations where infection prevention systems are strengthened and public health is guaranteed.
In addition, all staff have completed a minimum of three vaccinations.