To make an appointment, please call: (941) 957-0577
Sarasota School of Massage Therapy is pleased to offer student and professional clinic services to the public.
In the Swedish Massage Student Clinic, students in their second trimester, who have successfully completed the Swedish Massage course offer full body massage to the public for relaxation and wellness.
Once students enter their third and final trimester, they are available for sessions in the Advanced Student Clinic. Here they offer a series of treatments designed around a specific complaint and will set up a treatment plan focused on your needs. To give the students clinical experience following a client's progress, we ask clients to commit to a series of weekly sessions with the same student.
The fee for both Student Clinics is the same: $45 for a 50 minute session.
The school also operates a professional clinic, staffed by licensed graduates and faculty. We can also recommend licensed therapists in the community who offer a wide variety of therapies.
The purpose of the Student Clinic is ultimately to benefit the students. If your needs would be better served by an experienced professional, we recommend either utilizing our Professional Clinic or asking for a professional referral. Students cannot receive any form of compensation, but our LMT's in the Professional Massage Therapy Clinic can accept gratuities.
What to Expect
Before You Come
Most people can benefit from massage therapy, however certain medical conditions require special precautions or rule out massage altogether. When you contact the school to schedule your first appointment, you will be asked a few basic questions regarding your health status, medications etc. These questions help us decide whether massage therapy is appropriate for you. Depending on your health condition, we may ask for a release from a physician indicating that it is okay for you to receive massage therapy.
Your First Appointment
It is appropriate to shower before your massage; it is also best not to eat or drink a great deal before a massage. Arrive five or ten minutes early to complete some paperwork. The student who will work with you will spend a few minutes speaking with you. The student will then take you to a curtained clinic cubicle and leave you to disrobe and get on a table, under a sheet, while they wash their hands. Both Swedish massage and neuromuscular therapy are best performed if the client is completely disrobed, however you may choose to undress only to your level of comfort. You will remain covered by a sheet and only one body region at a time will be uncovered. After your session, the student will leave while you get dressed. You will be asked to fill out an evaluation form to provide constructive feedback to the student.
Swedish Massage Student Clinic
Once students have successfully completed the Swedish Massage course, they are available to work in the Swedish Massage Student Clinic. Here they offer a full-body relaxation massage.
The Swedish Massage Clinic is in high demand and often booked several weeks ahead. Our goal is primarily to give the students access to a variety of clients, and we also aim to allow a larger portion of the community to use the clinic. When the Swedish Massage Clinic is booked, sessions can be booked only one at a time. To book a series of appointments in succession, and would like work on a specific physical complaint rather than a full-body massage, please consider utilizing the Advanced Student Clinic or the Graduate/Faculty Clinic.
Advanced Student Clinic
Once students have entered their last trimester, they begin rounds in the Advanced Student Clinic. Here they offer a series of treatments designed around a specific complaint and will set up a treatment plan focused on your needs.
The students will utilize basic neuromuscular therapy and may incorporate hydrotherapy and additional techniques as they learn them. To give the students clinical experience following a client's progress, we ask clients to commit to a series of weekly sessions with the same student. If you would prefer not to commit to a series of sessions, or if you would prefer full-body massage rather than work on a specific physical complaint, please consider utilizing the Swedish Massage Clinic.
Professional Massage Therapy Clinic
SSMT also operates a professional massage therapy clinic, staffed by licensed graduates and faculty. If you are looking for a session on shorter notice, or want a licensed therapist, the professional clinic may be the right choice for you.
Graduates are available in the professional clinic for 60 minute sessions at $60. Other graduates and some SSMT instructors also rent the space and work independently; their fees vary. Some graduates and instructors are available at their own offices, or available for house calls, and we are glad to refer you to them.