Structural Massage Online Class
Structural massage is a systematic manual therapy approach that combines a full-body range of motion assessment with targeted techniques designed to restore joint motion and reduce pain. Rather than relying on forceful manipulation, this course teaches how to assess limitations and apply specific pressure and motion strategies to improve movement throughout the body. The course content is practical, clinically grounded, and structured so you can integrate structural massage directly into your professional practice.
Course Overview
This online class includes nearly five hours of video instruction, a downloadable 48-page manual, and testing sheets to track your clinical work. Structural massage begins with a simple but powerful full-body range of motion evaluation, then guides you through a progression of techniques that include static pressure, active and passive motion, strength testing, and retesting to confirm results. Lessons unfold region by region, demonstrating how to address restrictions from the wrists through the ankles, all within a functional clinical framework. This class also includes access to a 3D anatomy viewer that allows you to rotate and explore muscles and bones in detail.
What You Will Learn
- How to perform an efficient, full-body range of motion assessment to identify joint restrictions and functional limitations.
- Techniques for addressing common restrictions in the wrists, elbows, shoulders, neck, and thoracic spine using appropriate pressure and movement.
- How to evaluate and treat pelvic, hip, knee, and ankle dysfunction with a combination of pressure, active motion, and resistance testing.
- How to work with clients both on the table and in seated or standing positions to verify improvements that transfer into daily function.
- A clear protocol for sequencing assessment, technique application, and retesting to ensure measurable gains in motion and comfort.
Course Details & Learning Materials
- Format: On-demand online video lessons with 35 structured modules.
- Video Content: Nearly five hours of detailed instruction covering assessment and technique.
- Manual: 48-page downloadable PDF with testing sheets and session support tools.
- Skill Level: Designed for licensed massage therapists and bodywork professionals.
- Access: Unlimited lifetime access after purchase.
- Certificate: Downloadable certificate of completion provided.
Who This Course Is For
This course is ideal for massage therapists, bodyworkers, and manual practitioners who want a structured method for evaluating and correcting joint restrictions and movement dysfunction. Structural massage is especially valuable for clinicians who work with clients experiencing postural limitations, chronic tension, or functional loss and who want a systematic toolkit to assess and improve the tissues and joints effectively.
Meet your Instructor:
Sean Riehl is the founder of Real Bodywork and a leading expert in massage therapy and bodywork education. A pioneer in clinical instruction, Sean began teaching massage in 1991, and has authored numerous textbooks and produced over 30 instructional videos used by massage schools and practitioners worldwide.
Beyond his clinical and educational work, Sean has been a driving force in the wellness industry’s growth. In 2022, he was a founding member of iFlex Stretch Studios, a premier assisted stretching franchise. Following the acquisition of iFlex by the founders of StretchLab in late 2024, Sean served as the Vice President of Training through 2025. In this role, he worked closely with the executive team to elevate training standards and curriculum for hundreds of practitioners before retiring from the position at the end of the year to focus on his educational legacy.
Lessons
Welcome to Structural Massage
Welcome to our class. You can download the 48 page manual and testing sheets here. Also, a little bit about your instructor.
Introduction to Structural Massage
Free Preview
This lesson discusses the three ideas that structural massage is based on- rom evaluation, specific techniques, and working in a vertical position.
ROM Evaluation
This lesson shows how to perform a full body ROM evaluation that is simple, easy and quick. It includes a downloadable testing sheet that will guide your work and allows you to record your session.
Wrist1: Limited extension
This lesson shows how to work the muscles that limited extension, specifically the flexor carpi ulnaris, flexor carpi radialis and palmaris longus.
Wrist2: Limited flexion
Free Preview
This lesson shows how to work the muscles that limited wrist flexion, which includes the wrist extensor muscles.
Anatomy Quiz- Arm
Test your knowledge of the anterior and posterior arm muscles. This label matching quiz will help you to test your knowledge.
Wrist3: Limited supination
Shows how to increase supination by releasing the pronator teres muscle.
Wrist4: Limited pronation
Increase pronation by releasing the supinator muscle.
Wrist5: Thumb flexors
Release the thumb flexor muscles.
Elbow1: Introduction and testing
Discusses the muscles that control the elbow and shows the how to test for limitation.
Elbow2: Limited flexion
Release the muscles that cause limited elbow flexion- work on the triceps.
Elbow3: Limited extension
This lesson shows how to work the biceps in cases of limited elbow extension.
Shoulder1: Limited external rotation
Learn how to evaluate and treat a shoulder that has limited external rotation.
Shoulder2: Limited internal rotation
Shows to to release the muscles that restrict internal rotation.
Shoulder3: Abduction
This lesson shows how to test for shoulder abduction, and how to treat any disfunction in the muscles.
Shoulder4: Forward shoulder
This lesson shows to to evaluate and treat a forward shoulder that is either forward and high, or forward and low.
Shoulder: Strength testing
This lesson shows how to perform a strength test for shoulder abduction, internal and external rotation.
Anatomy Quiz- Shoulder
Test your knowledge of the posterior muscle images. This label matching quiz will help you to test your knowledge.
Anatomy- Shoulder Muscle Matching
Anatomy Shoulder Muscle Matching Drag the correct names to the matching images. One name is a decoy. Each wrong match loses 1 point. Points Remaining = 10
Neck1: Introduction and testing
Learn how to test for rotation and lateral flexion.
Neck2: Rotation
Shows how to use a variety of techniques into increase neck range of motion- specifically the rotation motion.
Neck3: Limited lateral flexion
Shows to to increase lateral flexion in the upper and lower neck.
Thoracic Spine
This lesson shows how to remove rotation dysfunction from the thoracic spine.
Back-Pelvis1: Testing
How to perform the squish test, straight leg raise, seated side bend, ilium upslip or downslip, and spring test for vertebral mobility.
Back-Pelvis2: Upslip and downslip treatment
This lesson shows how to address an upslip and downslip ilium.
Back-Pelvis3: Limited Internal or external hip rotation
This lesson shows how to evaluate for limited internal and external rotation and treat any dysfunction you find.
Anatomy Quiz- Posterior Hip
Test your knowledge of the posterior hip muscles with this interactive anatomy quiz focusing on the deep external rotators and gluteal region. This module helps reinforce accurate muscle identification for assessment and treatment planning. Ideal for massage therapists and bodyworkers refining their hip anatomy skills.
Anatomy Quiz- Anterior Hip
Test your knowledge of the anterior hip muscles with this interactive anatomy quiz designed for massage therapists and bodyworkers. Identify key structures including the iliopsoas, tensor fasciae latae, rectus femoris, and adductor group while reinforcing functional anatomy and palpation skills. This quiz helps build faster recognition and deeper understanding of anterior hip anatomy for clinical and therapeutic work.
Back-Pelvis4: Erector treatment
This lesson shows how to release the back erector muscles using gliding strokes and active motion.
Anatomy Quiz- Deep Back Muscles
Test your knowledge of the deep back muscles with this interactive anatomy activity designed for massage therapists and bodyworkers. Identify key structures including the erector spinae group, multifidus, longissimus, iliocostalis, and splenius muscles while reinforcing functional anatomy and palpation skills. This activity helps build faster recognition and deeper understanding of deep posterior spinal anatomy for clinical and therapeutic work.
Back-Pelvis5: Limited side bending
This lesson shows how to release the QL in side bending and sitting.
Back-Pelvis6: Hip flexors
This lesson shows how to release the psoas and iliacus muscles.
Knee1: Limited flexion
This lesson shows how to correct limited knee flexion by releasing the quadriceps muscles.
Knee2: Limited extension
This lesson shows how to test for knee extension, and how to release the hamstrings and gastrocnemius muscles to increase function.
Anatomy Quiz- Posterior Lower Body
Test your knowledge of the posterior lower body superficial muscles with this interactive anatomy activity designed for massage therapists and bodyworkers. Identify key structures of the gluteals, hamstrings, and calves while reinforcing functional anatomy and palpation skills. This activity helps build faster recognition and deeper understanding of posterior lower body superficial anatomy for clinical and therapeutic work.
Anatomy- Knee Muscle Names
Free PreviewAnatomy Knee Muscle Names Drag the correct names to the matching images. One name is a decoy. Each wrong match loses 1 point. Points Remaining = 10
Ankle1: Introduction and testing
This lesson shows how to test the ankle.
Ankle2: Limited plantar flexion
This lesson shows to to test for plantar flexion and release the tibialis anterior muscle.
Ankle3: Limited dorsi flexion
This lesson shows how to test and treat the gastrocnemius and soleus if involved in limiting dorsi flexion.
Ankle4: Limited supination
This lesson shows how to release the peroneus braves and longus if they are restricting supination.
Ankle5: Limited pronation
Shows how to address restricted pronation.
Ankle6: Ligaments
Shows how to address the calcaneo-fibular and talofibular ligaments using cross fiber friction massage.
Ankle7: Tendons
Shows how to apply cross fiber friction massage to the achilles tendon.