The ISRM

Working to unite and promote professional Sport & Remedial massage therapy ...

Sport & Remedial Massage involves the use of massage, soft tissue manipulation and exercise advice to reduce physical aches and pains, whether they're caused by sport, injury, or simply the stresses of modern life. People all over the world are discovering its wide ranging benefits which can also help a variety of medical conditions.

The ISRM provides a national register of fully qualified Therapists so potential clients can be assured they are getting good quality treatment, by a therapist who has been professionally trained and receives ongoing support.

Training a new generation of Therapists

Training as a therapist has traditionally been a tricky area, with no governing body to point prospective students in the right direction. Working with a range of therapists over the years, we realised many of the training courses on offer simply were not providing a high enough level of remedial massage skill to meet the clinical needs of the client. This is why, in 1989, the first seeds of the ISRM were sown.

The ISRM has now established the UK's first and only network of schools teaching an externally validated qualification in Sport and Remedial Massage.

BTEC Professional Diploma in Sport & Remedial Massage

This qualification has become the benchmark for quality training in this sector of Complementary Healthcare. Training includes advanced remedial massage techniques and assessment skills which enable the therapist to work safely and effectively with people from all walks of life, in a wide range of situations.

The Qualification is externally validated by Edexcel/BTEC which is the national awarding body for vocational education and training (it is equivalent to NVQ Level 4).

Starting with the London School of Sports Massage in 1989, the ISRM has now developed a network of schools and training centres all over the country through which this qualification operates, enabling a hitherto fragmented profession to unite and grow under a single qualification.

Assuring high quality treatment

The ISRM represents the professional interests of Sport & Remedial Massage Therapists. It is on the General Council of Massage Therapy, which is working with the Prince's Foundation for Integrated Health to establish the new federal structure for the self regulation of complementary healthcare in the UK and across Europe.

The ISRM provides teams of therapists at major sporting events and we expect this to grow considerably in the build-up to the 2012 Olympics.

Therapists with the ISRM/BTEC qualification are entitled to become full members of the ISRM, with many benefits including:

Click here to apply to join the ISRM

Bridging Programme

Therapists who haven't trained with a validated school are not eligible for membership unless they are assessed and, if necessary, complete a bridging programme to bring their qualification up to the ISRM's stringent BTEC level. These bridging courses are offered by most of our Schools.

Validated Courses

These operate at independent schools which run the ISRM qualification under our BTEC validation process. Although individual programmes may differ slightly between schools, they all apply the same written assignments, assessments and exams and have to achieve the same high quality Learning Outcomes with qualified and experienced tutors. The institute works closely with all schools to ensure high standards are consistent and to share ideas so together we can further develop training standards.

Accredited Courses

These operate at schools which run their own qualification, with their own external validation, to an appropriate level, with a set of Learning Outcomes that include all those required by the ISRM.

Find a therapist

A register of ISRM members is available to the public on this site under the heading "Therapist Directory".

Job opportunities

ISRM offers free advertising to employers offering work opportunities to our members. Contact us at admin@theisrm.com

Insurance

Balens are the market leaders specialising in a range of policies and products for Complementary thrapists. ISRM has negotiated an exceptionally good Block policy for our members at an amazingly low rate. Full ISRM members pay a maximum of only £68 for £5m cover, and this includes working overseas for extended period (excluding USA & Canada) [visit Balens website]

ISRM is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Balens Limited, Nimrod House, Sandy's Road, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 1JJ who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

The ISRM is delighted to be involved with Seeing Hands Nepal, which is a charity training blind people in Nepal to give 'western' style massage to tourist/trekkers. Instead of living in extreme poverty, dependent on their family or forced to beg, the first few therapists are now earning money. (And giving a good massage service to tired trekkers too.)   ISRM is helping in the design and delivery of an effective training programme and training volunteer tutors. This really is a wonderful project and we hope you will take time to look on their website to find out more. [click here]