The rib cage does more than protect vital organs—it forms the foundation for upper body movement and plays a key role in the breathing process. In this advanced course, explore how to work with the fascia and muscles between and around the ribs to improve mobility and respiratory efficiency. Discover how these techniques can help relieve tension in the neck, shoulders, and back, while also supporting the parasympathetic nervous system to promote relaxation. With video demonstrations in both prone and supine positions, you’ll gain practical tools to apply to your massage therapy practice.
Disclaimers
- Draping disclaimer - Massage draping laws vary by state. Please refer to your local massage regulations or seek guidance from your regulatory board to ensure you understand the draping laws that apply to you.
- Full disclaimer - This is an advanced course for experienced Massage Therapists. An intake form should be completed and informed consent obtained prior to a session. When working in the ribcage area, the therapist should provide the client with a thorough description of the work to be done and the informed consent process. The therapist should encourage the client to speak up if at any time the work on the ribcage feels invasive or uncomfortable, and the therapist must respond accordingly. The therapist is not to do anything that makes the client feel exposed.
While AMTA makes every attempt to present information that is beneficial to you and your massage therapy practice, the programs provided by AMTA are for educational purposes only and are not intended to cover every situation that you may encounter. Information presented here does not replace your independent judgment and that of your company and/or employer. AMTA does not endorse or approve, and AMTA assumes no responsibility for the content, suitability, accuracy or completeness of the information presented. You are responsible for ensuring that any new modalities, techniques, or products you use comply with your state's defined scope of practice for massage therapy.
When you finish this course, you will be able to:
- Review or re-learn the bony landmarks of the rib cage and the relevant muscular attachments.
- Review or re-learn the function of the rib cage in the breathing process, both diaphragmatic and paradoxical breathing.
- Practice clear and effective draping to expose the rib cage while keeping breast tissue covered when the client is in supine.
- Practice clear communication with the client both before and during work on the rib cage.
- Practice techniques in both prone and supine to address external and internal intercoastal muscles, subclavius, the related layers of fascia, and the thoracic joints both anterior and posterior.
- Practice contacting this sensitive area with both confidence and ease, using an awareness of the client’s own body mechanics in order to work as light or as deep as the client needs, while still maintaining their own bodily integrity.
David M. Lobenstine, BA, LMT, BCTMB, has been a massage therapist, educator, and writer for over 15 years. In addition to maintaining a private practice in New York City, he develops and teaches continuing education workshops across the U.S. and online. David is the co-author of the third edition of Pre- and Perinatal Massage Therapy and a regular contributor to Massage & Bodywork magazine.
Course Expiration
Please note that you must complete each AMTA online learning course and pass the exam one year from the date of purchase. If you do not complete the course and pass the exam within one year, you will be required to re-purchase the course.
Online courses expire one year from the date of purchase. When a course expires, you will no longer have access to the course materials and will be required to re-purchase the course.
Course Approval Code(s)
LCEU0005082
Copyright
This course contains information that is proprietary. None of the material contained within this course may be used without the express written permission
of AMTA unless otherwise indicated in the course. As a reminder, before practicing any new modalities or techniques, check with your state’s massage therapy
regulatory authority to ensure they are within the state’s defined scope of practice for massage therapy.
Refunds
Online courses are non-refundable. AMTA will not cover fees incurred from duplicate payments, insufficient funds, stopped payments or credit/debit cards over
credit limits.