Massage Therapy CEs | Pathology

Pathology - Deep Vein Thrombosis

The Importance of Understanding Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) for Massage Therapists

As a massage therapist, your clients trust you to provide safe, effective care. But what happens when a seemingly minor issue—like swelling or calf pain—could indicate a life-threatening condition? Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a serious vascular disorder that every massage therapist must be able to recognize and respond to appropriately.

This essential continuing education (CEU) course is designed to equip massage therapists with the knowledge and confidence to identify the warning signs of DVT, understand why massage is strictly contraindicated, and ensure their clients receive proper medical attention. You'll also gain insight into current medical treatments for DVT, including anticoagulant therapy, compression techniques, and surgical interventions.

By completing this course, you’ll enhance your professional expertise, reinforce your commitment to client safety, and fulfill your CEU requirements with valuable, practical knowledge that could save a life.

What You'll Learn:

What is Deep Vein Thrombosis? Understanding how blood clots form and why they are dangerous.
Warning Signs & Risk Factors – How to recognize potential DVT in clients.
Massage & DVT: Absolute Contraindications – Why massage can be life-threatening in DVT cases.
Medical Treatments & Management – Current approaches to DVT treatment, including medications and surgical options.
Professional Best Practices – How to handle suspected DVT cases ethically and responsibly.

This course is designed to help you feel more confident, informed, and prepared to protect your clients' health while staying within your professional scope of practice.

Earn valuable CEUs while deepening your expertise in client safety. Enroll today!

Course Details

Tuition: $22 USD

Massage Therapy Continuing education CEs available: 2

Course classification: Cognitive (course materials consist of concepts related to massage therapy but do not teach a specific hands-on modality).

Approved by: Institute of Somatic Therapy (Judith Koch) is approved by the NCBTMB (Provider #280672-00) as a continuing education Approved Provider. Institute of Somatic Therapy is approved by Florida (#MCE-326), and New York (#0019). Our courses are also valid for AMTA, ABMP, and most individual states. Some states limit how many hours can be done online or by home study. Please refer to our State Guidelines section for specific information about your state. Laws can and do change, and your state will hold you responsible for knowing the laws that apply to you.

Attention Florida Massage Therapists: This course is approved by Florida as an approved distance learning course for required hours of "relevant to massage therapy" category hours through 8/31/2025. You are still allowed to complete the 12 required "relevant to massage therapy" hours via approved online courses through at least 2025. The approval number for this course is 20-796646.

CE Broker Reporting: Institute of Somatic Therapy will automatically report your hours to CE Broker in applicable states ONLY IF you have provided your license number in your online account with us. You can verify your license information by logging on to our website, and reviewing your account information. If your license is not shown there, please select “edit” to include it. We generally report to CE Broker 1-2 times per week. Once the course shows in your online account with them, you will have an opportunity to rate it. If you were happy with the course, would you be so kind as to take a few minutes to share that with others? Thank you. If you were not happy, it is even more important for you to share that with us so that we can try to improve.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Do you report our course completions to the NCBTMB, ABMP, AMTA, or any other agencies? None of these agencies have a method for us to report to them on your behalf. They prefer that you provide the evidence of CEs that their renewal process details.

Why is it important for massage therapists to learn about Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)?
DVT is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that can be mistaken for muscle pain or swelling—common complaints in massage clients. Knowing the warning signs and understanding why massage is strictly contraindicated for DVT ensures that therapists can protect their clients and refer them for urgent medical care when necessary.

Can massage therapy help prevent or treat DVT? No. While movement and circulation are important for vascular health, massage should never be performed on a client with suspected or diagnosed DVT due to the risk of dislodging a blood clot. This course covers safe and appropriate responses for massage therapists when working with clients who may be at risk.

Does this course count toward my CEU requirements? Yes! This course is designed to provide 2 continuing education credits (CEUs) for licensed massage therapists. Be sure to check with your state licensing board or professional organization to confirm acceptance.

Will I learn how to diagnose DVT in this course?
No. Massage therapists do not diagnose medical conditions—that is the role of a healthcare provider. However, this course will teach you how to recognize red flags and respond appropriately by referring your client for medical evaluation.

Is this course suitable for new massage therapists or students? Absolutely! Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your career, this course provides essential safety knowledge that every massage therapist should have. Understanding DVT is critical for working safely and ethically in any massage setting.

Ready to enhance your knowledge and protect your clients? Enroll today!

To contact the Institute of Somatic Therapy about this or any other massage therapy CEU course, please go to the "contact" link above. Thank you.