Swedish & Sports Massage Therapist
Acquire a broad understanding of the body’s muscular interconnections and fundamental knowledge of the body as a whole Sign up hereBecome a Swedish & Sports Massage Therapist – a career focusing on the body as a whole
Since 1991, our Swedish massage therapist program has been one of the most sought-after in the therapist industry. At AM Academy, we pride ourselves on delivering highly professional masseurs who are ready to make a difference. Our education has been continuously optimized to keep up with developments in the industry, so you are always at the forefront of the latest methods and techniques.
We take a holistic approach to massage, considering the body as an integrated whole rather than isolated symptoms
In our program, you’ll learn the basics about the body. As an AM Academy Swedish & Sports Massage Therapist, you will be able to perform in-depth massage and treat the entire musculoskeletal system. You’ll gain a solid understanding of the body’s interconnectedness and learn how to customize your treatments to achieve the best possible results for your clients.
We train you to treat a wide range of injuries and issues, including:
- Sports injuries
- Work-related injuries
- Muscle tension and much more
Connective tissue, mind and posture
The training goes beyond the muscular. Among other things, you also learn to:
- Working with connective tissue, which plays an important role in overall body health.
- Understand the impact of the mind on the physical musculoskeletal system.
- Master correct posture as a practitioner so you can last a lifetime on the job.
Unique courses and extraordinary skills
Our 175-hour program gives you access to subject areas that are often not included in traditional massage therapy programs. Among other things, you will be taught in:
- Trigger points
- Motion analysis
- Pregnancy massage
- Basic Anatomy/Physiology
- Connective tissue massage and vein pump massage
These skills make you a complete massage therapist who can work both independently and as an employee in the industry.
After graduation, you have the opportunity to further your education with credit towards Musculupat©
We help you every step of the way
At AM Academy, we are committed to your success. That’s why we offer you free participation in our Business Builder program, where you get all the help you need to succeed with your own business.
- Help with starting your own business
- Brand strategy
- Help with marketing
- How to create an accounting – what about VAT.
Not sure if a massage therapy education is right for you? Start with our introductory course in Wellness Massage – read more HERE
Take the first step towards a career as a massage therapist and experience the joy of helping others while building a solid professionalism and a strong future.
Read a more detailed description of the individual courses/modules below:
Anatomy & Physiology
The foundation for targeted treatments
Dive into the fascinating machinery of the body and build a solid professional foundation that makes your massage treatments both safe and precise.
You will learn:
Basic body systems
Understand how the musculoskeletal, lymphatic, nervous and circulatory systems work together and why their interaction is crucial for healing and wellbeing.Muscle anatomy in practice
We review all major muscles by surface anatomy: name, origin, attachment and function – so you can find them quickly and treat them specifically.Theory that elevates your technique
When you know the biological background, you can customize pressure, grip and treatment plan precisely to the client’s needs.
We believe that effective massage is based on knowledge, which is why theory is important. In this program, you’ll gain the anatomical insights that turn good hands into exceptional hands.
Motion analysis
The key tool for precise treatment
Learn to “read” the body in motion so you can find the cause of pain and create a targeted treatment plan – every time.
You will learn:
Clinical observation of movement patterns
Get a keen eye for imbalances in posture, gait and dynamic movements to quickly spot problem areas.Muscle and joint assessment in practice
Analyze which muscles are compensating and how limited joint freedom affects the entire movement chain.Functional testing of the body’s major joints
Systematic tests of the shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, elbow and wrist give you concrete measurements for your journal and clear benchmarks for the treatment process.Targeted questioning
Learn to ask the right questions that uncover the client’s pain history and daily stresses – and make your assessment even more accurate.From analysis to action
Translate your findings into an effective treatment plan with the right grips, stretches and exercises so the client feels the difference from the first session.
With thorough movement analysis, you’ll be able to find the cause behind the symptom – and give your client lasting results.
Trigger points
The precision tool for pain relief
Understand the small muscle changes that can trigger major pain and learn how to neutralize them safely and effectively.
You will learn:
What is a trigger point?
Get the physiological explanation for hyperirritable nodes in muscle tissue and their role in myofascial pain.The history & evidence
From Travell & Simons’ groundbreaking research to the latest evidence, we put the method into a modern, scientific framework.Identification & palpation
Train your hands to accurately locate trigger points and distinguish them from regular tense muscle tone.Referred pain patterns
Learn how a trigger point can trigger pain elsewhere in the body and how to diagnose the patterns quickly.Integration in your sessions
Combine trigger point work with classic massage, movement analysis and home exercises for maximum, lasting effect.
After the course, you’ll be able to target your treatments where the pain starts – and give your clients faster, more lasting relief.
Working postures and ergonomics
Clinic guidance
Build confidence, trust… and repeat customers
Get equipped for the entire client journey – from the first greeting at reception to follow-up visits and ongoing record keeping.
You will learn:
Before and aftercare
How to welcome professionally, conduct a structured pre-consultation and give concrete home advice to increase the effect of your treatment.Re-booking with value
Learn natural, value-adding techniques to recommend the next visit so that the client understands the benefits and voluntarily books again.Journaling made easy
Handy forms and digital solutions that make your notes quick to write – and easy to use for planning and documentation.Basic Health Law & GDPR
Get to grips with all the legalities required for RAB approval and VAT exemption: consent, data security, storage and reporting.
Free Business Builder course– your shortcut to a successful clinic
As an AM student, you can sign up for our Business Builder at no extra cost. Here you get hands-on tools to:
Found and register your business
CVR, insurance, contracts and all the practicalities that might otherwise seem overwhelming.- Create a clear brand strategy
Define your unique message, visual expression and tone of voice so that clients remember you in the crowd. Market yourself in a targeted way
Social media, local collaborations, Google reviews – we show you what’s working for massage therapists right now.Get your finances under control
Reasons to choose accounting software, pricing strategies, VAT and tax so you stay on top from day one.
During the course, you will work on your own business idea and get feedback from both trainers and guest experts. The result? A clear plan that makes it easy to open the doors when you have your diploma in hand.
Combine strong professionalism with sharp business acumen – and build a clinic where both you and your clients thrive.
Customer internship
From training table to real clients
Now you translate theory and training into real treatments in the school’s open clinic.
It happens in the customer practice:
Live sessions with real clients
You treat people from the outside and experience how the techniques work on different body types and issues.Supervisor by your side
An experienced trainer is on hand, ready to answer questions and provide constructive feedback to help you develop safely.Joint evaluation
After each session, we review the process together – what worked, what can be refined – so the learning sticks.Ethics & professional behavior
We discuss confidentiality, boundaries and respectful communication so you feel safe from the first handshake.Customer reception and sales
Learn how to welcome the client, explain the treatment plan and present rebooking and add-ons in an honest, value-adding way.
The client internship is your safe stepping stone to the real world, where you gain confidence and routine before opening the door to your own clinic.
Sports injuries
Effective treatment before, during and after performance
In the world of sports, every second counts – and your grip can mean the difference between top play and a break on the bench.
You will learn:
Acute vs. overuse injuries
Understand the mechanisms behind fiber tears, sprains and inflammation as well as the classic overloads in shoulders, knees, legs and ankles.Targeted treatment techniques
Learn how to combine massage, stretching, cupping and mobilization to accelerate healing and restore mobility.Pre-event massage
Techniques to activate muscles, increase blood flow and optimize athlete focus – without draining energy from the body.Post-event massage
Methods to reduce soreness, remove waste products and accelerate recovery so the athlete is quickly ready for the next training session or match.
With a specialty in sports injuries, you’ll be the professional athletes call when their bodies call it quits – and the one they thank when they’re back on top.
Swedish massage
Targeted relief for musculoskeletal problems
You’ll learn to combine classic massage techniques with clinical thinking to treat muscles from head to toe – solving both acute and chronic musculoskeletal problems.
You will learn:
Structured full-body protocol
Systematic sequence that ensures every muscle group – from the intrinsic muscles of the foot to the deep extensors of the neck – is worked effectively.Problem-focused treatment
Techniques for targeted relief of low back pain, tension headaches, rotator cuff dysfunction, tennis elbow, Achilles tendon problems and more.Variable pressure & pace
Adjust grip according to tissue response, client pain threshold and desired goal.Muscle-chain connectivity
Understand how dysfunction in one place can propagate throughout the movement chain – and address the cause rather than the symptom.Circulation & Tissue Healing
Stimulate blood and lymph flow, reduce edema and deliver energizing oxygen to muscles for faster recovery.Adapting to the client’s everyday life
Include ergonomics, stress levels and sleep habits to address both biomechanical and lifestyle factors behind the pain.
The result is a massage that not only feels comfortable, but also creates measurable improvement in mobility and pain relief – giving you a solid, independent craft for all types of clients.
Facial massage
Calm, balance and tension release
Pamper the fine muscles of the face and give the client deep relaxation from jaw to crown. With precise techniques, you’ll learn to release both superficial and deep-seated tension that can cause headaches, jaw pain and tired facial expressions.
You will learn:
Relaxing flow massage
Gliding strokes and light lymphatic drainage that relieves stress, calms the nervous system and provides instant peace.Release tension points
Locate and treat trigger and acupressure points in the jaw, temple, forehead, neck and skull to relieve headaches and bite problems.Jaw & Cranial Relaxation
Gentle grips that loosen the masseter, temporalis and suboccipital muscles – areas where many unconsciously store stress.Customize to client needs
Vary pressure, pace and grip for everything from deep therapeutic release to pure wellness treatment.
With facial massage to complement your body treatments, you can offer a holistic experience that both relieves pain and leaves the client with a visible sense of lightness and glow.
Connective tissue massage
Free the fascia, amplify the results
Elastic, well-functioning fascia is the key to free movement and long-term pain relief. This module gives you the specialized tools to target the connective tissue – both with your hands and with moving cupping (Silicone cups).
You will learn:
Fascia function & importance
Understand how connective tissue binds muscles, nerves and organs together – and why restrictions here can cause stiffness, reduced performance and pain.Manual connective tissue technique
Slow, deep strokes and stretches that break down adhesions, increase glide and restore elasticity.Moving cupping (Silicone cups)
Use vacuum cups dynamically over fascia lines to quickly increase blood flow, release trigger points and stimulate lymphatic drainage.Combination with classic massage
Learn to integrate connective tissue grips before or after physiurgical massage to enhance the effect and shorten recovery time.Indications & contraindications
When is connective tissue massage the best option – and when should you choose another method?Client communication
Explain the process and any temporary marks from the cups so the client feels comfortable and informed.
Releasing the fascia will increase mobility, reduce pain and make your other treatments even more effective – a must-have in every masseuse’s toolbox.
Vein pump massage
Slight pressure, make the liquid flow
Edema and heavy legs can drain the energy of your clients. With vein pumping massage, you’ll learn gentle yet highly effective techniques that activate the body’s natural venous and lymphatic circulation – reducing water retention quickly and safely.
You will learn:
Physiology of the venous pump
Understand how venous valves, muscle pumps and respiration work together to move blood and lymph back towards the heart.Basic grip & rhythm
Gentle, rhythmic compression and relaxation movements from periphery to center that help to remove fluid without irritating the tissue.Positioning & Gravity
Use elevation postures and the client’s own muscle activity to enhance the draining effect.Indications & contraindications
When is vein pump massage beneficial – and when should it be avoided?Simple home tips
Learn to guide the client in light exercises, breathing techniques and self-massage to maintain the effect between sessions.Integration in treatments
Combine vein pump massage with connective tissue grip or classic massage as a start or finish, so the client leaves the couch with light, energized legs.
With vein pumping massage, you add a gentle yet powerful tool to your repertoire – perfect for clients struggling with swelling, tired legs or long recovery time.
Stretching
Extend muscles, extend results
Add dynamic and static stretching to your treatments and give clients the tools to maintain the effect at home.
You will learn:
Assisted stretches on the couch
PNF and MET (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and muscle-energy) techniques for hips, thighs, lower back, shoulders and neck to safely and effectively lengthen muscles.Active mobility stretches
Use the client’s own muscle power during stretching to achieve greater ROM (range of motion) and better neural control.Contraindications & safety
Spot the situations where stretching should be avoided (acute injuries, hypermobility, inflammation) and adjust grip and angle accordingly.Home exercises
Give the client tips for stretching at home so they can continue stretching between treatments.Progression strategy
Guide the client on when and how to increase intensity or duration to achieve lasting results without overload.
With assisted stretching as part of your session, you provide instant freedom of movement – and with home training, you ensure the benefits last long after the client has left the couch.
Cupping & Gua Sha
Powerful tools for fast recovery
Two of the most powerful techniques from Eastern medicine that give your clients a more effective path to pain relief and healing.
You will learn:
Physiology & Power
Understand how vacuum and scraping affect blood flow, lymphatic drainage and connective tissue – and why it shortens recovery time.Hygiene
Maintain your tools correctly and create a safe environment for the client.Indications & contraindications
Learn when cupping or gua sha is ideal – and when you should choose another treatment option.Various techniques
Static and dynamic cupping, as well as precise gua sha strokes for both muscles and fascia.Combination with massage
Integrate cups or scraping tools before, during or after physiurgical massage to increase the effect and prolong the result.Client communication
Explain the process, possible brands and expected results so the client feels informed and comfortable.
With cupping and gua sha in your toolbox, you can release deep tension, increase mobility and help your clients return to pain-free movement faster.
Admission requirements
The Swedish Massage & Sports Therapist program is a user-paid practical program with no entry requirements.
We offer day or evening classes – Next class start:
Day Class
FYS0326D: START 10. march 2026 with classes every Tuesday 9.00-14.00 + 3 Saturdays – END October 2026
Classes are held 1 day a week and 3 Saturdays and the training takes approximately 7 months.
The training is a credit towards our Musculupat training.
Evening Class
FYS0825A: Start 27. August 2025 with classes every Wednesday 17.00 – 22.00 + 3 Saturdays – END March 2026.
Classes are held 1 day a week and 3 Saturdays and the training takes approximately 7 months.
The training is a credit towards our Musculupat training.
Are you looking for an Danish program? Click here for danish start dates and more information →
Payment options
AM Academy offers high flexibility. Therefore, choose one of the following three payment options in the registration form. Choose the scheme that suits you best, and we will customize the invoicing according to your wishes.
Full payment
Dkr. 15.995,-
Requires registration at least 1 month before startup
When signing up, you pay Dkr. 15.995,-
SAVE 2,000 kr.
Installments
Dkr. 17.995,-
Payment at registration Dkr. 2.995,-
+ 6 installments of Dkr. 2.500,- Payable every 1st day for 6 months starting the first month after start.
Practical training
Dkr. 11.995,-
+ 14 days internship
Payment at registration Dkr. 2.995,-
+ 6 installments of Dkr. 1.500,- payable every 1st day for 6 months starting the first month after start.
In addition, you start an internship in the school’s clinic approximately 3 months after starting. The internship consists of massaging customers, which also provides good training and learning in your education.
The 14 days of 6-hour internships are planned individually with each student.
Scholarships
It is possible to apply for grants and funds for continuing education. You can explore your options further with the help of Fundraising.how, a website that helps students.
Get your massage therapy education paid for – fully or partially
Did you know that many of our students have their training fully or partially funded by their employer?
If your workplace doesn’t offer direct support, there is still an attractive option for you: gross pay.
With a gross salary scheme, your employer can pay for the training while the amount is deducted from your salary before tax. This means that you are effectively paying for it yourself – but with your gross salary, which typically equates to a saving of up to 50%.
✅ Your employer has no extra cost
✅ You get a significant financial benefit
✅ A smart way to invest in your future
Contact us if you need help presenting the scheme to your employer – we’re happy to help you get started.
info@am-academy.dk