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Lower-Body Sports Massage: Functional Treatment

via Coursera

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Details

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Provider

Coursera
Pricing

Paid Course
Languages

English
Certificate

Certificate Available
Effort

4 hours 15 minutes
Sessions

Self-Paced
Level

Intermediate
Subtitles

English

Found in

Biomechanics Courses

Part of

Sports Massage Therapist

Overview

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Hip, leg, ankle, and foot problems can limit performance, change movement patterns, and make running, jumping, training, or even walking uncomfortable. By the end of this course, learners will understand how lower-body dysfunctions often connect back to the hip and how sports massage techniques can be used to support better movement, recovery, and performance. Led by Stuart Hinds, a three-time appointed soft tissue therapist for the Australian Olympic medical team, this course brings elite sports therapy experience into a practical learning format. The course focuses on lower-limb assessment, treatment strategy, and clinical reasoning for common athletic and overuse conditions. Through detailed video demonstrations and real-world examples, learners explore advanced sports massage techniques for issues such as shin splints, Achilles tendon pain, plantar fasciitis, and hip-related biomechanical compensation. Massage, bodywork, fitness, and sports professionals will gain practical tools for treating lower-limb dysfunctions, while general learners will better understand how the hip, leg, and foot work together. This course offers a functional approach to supporting mobility, recovery, injury prevention, and athletic performance.

Syllabus

Lower-Limb Injuries: Shin Splints, Achilles Tendon Pain & Plantar Fasciitis

Module 1 provides a detailed, hands-on exploration of three common lower-limb conditions frequently seen in runners and active clients: medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints), Achilles tendon pain, and plantar fasciitis. The instructor explains how these conditions coexist, the underlying anatomy, and how altered load, footwear, training surfaces, and rapid changes in training volume contribute to their development. Using clear anatomical demonstrations, the module shows how deep-compartment muscles such as tibialis posterior, flexor digitorum, and flexor hallucis longus contribute to shin-splint symptoms, how Achilles tendinopathy progresses from reactive to degenerative states, and where plantar fascia pain typically localises. Learners are guided step by step through palpation, soft-tissue release, trigger-point work, assessment–treatment cycling, and real-time symptom modification. This module provides practical, clinically usable techniques for treating lower-leg pain and optimising load management.

Bonus Material: Assessment and Communication

This module demonstrates how effective client communication and targeted questioning enhance assessment outcomes and guide safe treatment decisions. Learners will observe how to gather relevant training and injury history, set expectations, identify red flags, and educate active clients on load management and self-care strategies that support recovery and performance.

Hip Restriction Procedure

Module 3 teaches the complete hip-restriction protocol, emphasising how hip mobility directly influences lower-limb loading and contributes to problems such as shin splints, Achilles pain, and plantar fascia irritation. The instructor demonstrates how to evaluate hip extension, identify restrictions in the iliopsoas, rectus femoris, thoracolumbar junction, and adductor group, and determine how these limitations inhibit gluteus medius function. Through precise palpation, trigger-point identification, and broad-contact release techniques, learners are shown how to treat anterior-hip tightness, thoracolumbar restrictions, and adductor magnus dominance. The module also breaks down passive release methods, length-tension strategies, and sequencing of treatment, explaining how each step improves pelvic control, running mechanics, and lower-limb stability. By the end, therapists will be able to implement the full hip-release protocol as the foundation for treating lower-extremity injuries.

Practice Assignments

This module provides an opportunity to consolidate and apply what you’ve learned throughout the course. You will review key concepts, reflect on clinical relevance, and complete a short practice assignment and/or course reflection quiz. The goal is to reinforce understanding and strengthen your ability to integrate these skills into real-world client care.

Course Exam

This final exam is designed to assess your understanding of the key concepts presented throughout the course. Please review all video lessons and written materials before beginning. A passing score of 70% or higher is required to successfully complete the course and earn your CE certificate. You may reference your notes during the exam. Once you pass, your certificate will be available for immediate download.