AT A GLANCE
| Level | Movement Therapy Diploma (Level 4/5) |
| Total guided learning hours | 40 hours |
| Typical pacing | 8 weeks at ~5 hours per week (also runs as 12 weeks at ~3.5 hours per week (part-time)) |
| Delivery | Online Part A (recorded/live-stream) + face-to-face Part B practical day + self-directed assessment |
| Assessment | Practical IASTM assessment + theory worksheet + reflective log |
| Submission portal | MTE Thinkific Portal — Phase 3, Module 13 |
| Lecturer / contact | Mike Grice — mike.grice@MTE.Education |
| Pre-requisite | Enrolment on the Movement Therapy Diploma; Part A videos viewed before the face-to-face day |
About this module
Instrument-assisted soft tissue massage (IASTM) is a standard tool used to treat soft tissue with a hand-held instrument. Module 13 teaches safe, reasoned IASTM — its proposed mechanisms, where it fits, and how to select and justify it from the assessment.
Across 40 guided learning hours you will learn the mechanisms and evidence, practise application to camera, and integrate IASTM within a wider treatment and rehabilitation plan.
What you'll learn
Across the 40 guided learning hours this module covers:
- The proposed neurophysiological and mechanical mechanisms of IASTM, and the strength of the evidence
- Indications, contraindications, dosage and skin-safety considerations
- Instrument handling and application technique for common presentations
- Selecting and justifying IASTM from the assessment findings
- Integrating IASTM within a wider treatment and rehabilitation plan
- Harvard-style referencing of peer-reviewed sources
Aims & objectives
On successful completion of this module learners will be able to:
- Explain the proposed mechanisms and evidence base for IASTM.
- Identify indications, contraindications and safety considerations.
- Apply IASTM safely and effectively to camera.
- Justify IASTM selection from assessment findings.
- Integrate IASTM within a treatment and rehabilitation plan.
- Reference clinical and academic sources in Harvard style.
National Occupational Standards (NOS) coverage
This module is mapped to the UK National Occupational Standards and professional frameworks applicable to Level 4 and Level 5 Sports Therapy practice (Skills for Health CNH suite; CIMSPA Sports Therapist Professional Standard; Society of Sports Therapists framework; and, for exercise modules, the SkillsActive/CIMSPA SKAPC and SKAEG suites). The full mapping is published in the Assignment Remit.
Level 3 foundations
- A334.1 — Apply accepted standards of practice (consent, skin safety, scope)
Level 4 coverage
- CNH21 — Plan, apply and evaluate methods to prevent and manage injury
- CNH22 — Plan, apply and evaluate complex soft-tissue methods
Level 5 coverage
- CNH28 — Provide complex remedial techniques
- CIMSPA P3 — Treatment, manual therapy and therapeutic intervention
- SST-C — Therapeutic Modalities
Assessment
This module is assessed by a practical IASTM assessment and a theory worksheet, marked against University-style criteria on the MTE Thinkific Portal.
Practical IASTM Assessment
| Format | Video(s) uploaded to the MTE Thinkific Portal |
| What it covers | Safe, effective IASTM application to camera with reasoning |
| Length | Per component |
| Submission window | 6 weeks from the face-to-face day |
Theory Worksheet
| Format | Online worksheet on the MTE Thinkific Portal, Harvard-referenced |
| What it covers | Mechanisms, indications/contraindications and justification of IASTM use |
| Length | All sections answered thoroughly |
| Submission window | 6 weeks from the face-to-face day |
Grading
Assessed work is marked against University-style criteria — 1st-class, 2:1, 2:2 and 3rd (or, where noted, pass/fail against a published threshold). Markschemes set out exactly what each band looks like and are available on the MTE Thinkific Portal. Learners are expected to self-check their work against the descriptors before submission.
Plagiarism & late submission
All assessments must be the learner's own work and, where written, fully Harvard-referenced using Cite This For Me or equivalent. Failure to reference, or copying from another source, will result in a fail for that piece of work and the MTE plagiarism policy (see the course handbook) will apply. Late submissions are capped at a 3rd-class mark.
Guided learning hours (40 hours)
The 40 guided learning hours combine self-directed study, live or recorded teaching, assessed work and ongoing reflective practice. The recommended pace is 8 weeks at ~5 hours per week, with a longer 12 weeks at ~3.5 hours per week (part-time) pathway available.
| Activity category | Hours | What is included |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Part A reading & lessons | 8 | Recorded lessons, key readings and preparation on the MTE Thinkific Portal |
| Part A attendance | 4 | Live-stream / recorded Part A teaching with lecturer Q&A |
| Part B face-to-face practical day | 6 | Hands-on practical training with peers and tutors at Movement Therapy Ludlow |
| Assessment preparation & completion | 16 | Prepare, record and submit the assessed components on the MTE Thinkific Portal |
| Reflective practice & portfolio entry | 6 | Apply the module to a real-world case in the 200-hour reflective log |
| TOTAL | 40 |
A week-by-week study plan is available as a separate download in the Guided Learning Hours folder of the MTE Thinkific Portal.
Resources & support
- All module materials (handouts, PowerPoints, lecturer videos and worksheets) are hosted on the MTE Thinkific Portal under Phase 3, Module 13.
- Markschemes are published alongside each assessment in the portal.
- Lecturer contact is shown in the At-a-glance panel above; learners are encouraged to reach out with questions during the submission window.
- Reasonable adjustments for learners with disabilities or specific learning differences are available — please contact the lecturer or the course administrator before submission.
Next steps
Considering enrolling? Visit mte.academy or email mike.grice@MTE.Education to discuss the next intake, payment options and entry requirements.
Already enrolled? Log in to the MTE Thinkific Portal and open Phase 3, Module 13 to access the teaching materials, worksheets, markscheme and assessments. Your reflective clinical log should be updated at least weekly.
© Movement Therapy Education · Module 13 · Module Information Sheet · v2026
AT A GLANCE
| Level | Movement Therapy Diploma (Level 4/5) |
| Total guided learning hours | 40 hours |
| Typical pacing | 8 weeks at ~5 hours per week (also runs as 12 weeks at ~3.5 hours per week (part-time)) |
| Delivery | Online Part A (recorded/live-stream) + face-to-face Part B practical day + self-directed assessment |
| Assessment | Practical taping assessment + reasoning worksheet + reflective log |
| Submission portal | MTE Thinkific Portal — Phase 3, Module 12 |
| Lecturer / contact | Mike Grice — mike.grice@MTE.Education |
| Pre-requisite | Enrolment on the Movement Therapy Diploma; Part A videos viewed before the face-to-face day |
About this module
Taping is a standard tool of the trade — used well, it supports, offloads and gives feedback; used without reasoning, it is just decoration. Module 12 teaches sports and kinesiology taping as a reasoned intervention, chosen and justified from the assessment findings.
Across 40 guided learning hours you will learn the mechanisms, indications and contraindications of common taping approaches, practise application to camera, and justify technique selection for a given presentation and sport.
What you'll learn
Across the 40 guided learning hours this module covers:
- The proposed mechanisms of rigid sports taping and kinesiology taping, and what the evidence does and doesn't support
- Indications, contraindications and skin-safety considerations
- Application technique for common regions and presentations
- Choosing and justifying a taping approach from the assessment findings
- Integrating taping within a wider treatment and rehabilitation plan
- Harvard-style referencing of peer-reviewed sources
Aims & objectives
On successful completion of this module learners will be able to:
- Explain the proposed mechanisms and the evidence base for sports and kinesiology taping.
- Identify indications, contraindications and skin-safety considerations.
- Apply taping techniques safely and effectively to camera.
- Justify taping selection from assessment findings for a given presentation.
- Integrate taping appropriately within a treatment and rehabilitation plan.
- Reference clinical and academic sources in Harvard style.
National Occupational Standards (NOS) coverage
This module is mapped to the UK National Occupational Standards and professional frameworks applicable to Level 4 and Level 5 Sports Therapy practice (Skills for Health CNH suite; CIMSPA Sports Therapist Professional Standard; Society of Sports Therapists framework; and, for exercise modules, the SkillsActive/CIMSPA SKAPC and SKAEG suites). The full mapping is published in the Assignment Remit.
Level 3 foundations
- A334.1 — Apply accepted standards of practice (consent, skin safety, scope)
Level 4 coverage
- CNH21 — Plan, apply and evaluate methods to prevent and manage injury
- CNH22 — Plan, apply and evaluate complex soft-tissue methods
Level 5 coverage
- CNH28 — Provide complex remedial techniques
- CIMSPA P3 — Treatment, manual therapy and therapeutic intervention
- SST-C — Therapeutic Modalities
Assessment
This module is assessed by a practical taping assessment and a reasoning worksheet, marked against University-style criteria on the MTE Thinkific Portal.
Practical Taping Assessment
| Format | Video(s) uploaded to the MTE Thinkific Portal |
| What it covers | Safe, effective application of chosen taping techniques to camera |
| Length | Per component |
| Submission window | 6 weeks from the face-to-face day |
Reasoning Worksheet
| Format | Online worksheet on the MTE Thinkific Portal, Harvard-referenced |
| What it covers | Mechanisms, indications/contraindications, and justification of taping selection for given presentations |
| Length | All sections answered thoroughly |
| Submission window | 6 weeks from the face-to-face day |
Grading
Assessed work is marked against University-style criteria — 1st-class, 2:1, 2:2 and 3rd (or, where noted, pass/fail against a published threshold). Markschemes set out exactly what each band looks like and are available on the MTE Thinkific Portal. Learners are expected to self-check their work against the descriptors before submission.
Plagiarism & late submission
All assessments must be the learner's own work and, where written, fully Harvard-referenced using Cite This For Me or equivalent. Failure to reference, or copying from another source, will result in a fail for that piece of work and the MTE plagiarism policy (see the course handbook) will apply. Late submissions are capped at a 3rd-class mark.
Guided learning hours (40 hours)
The 40 guided learning hours combine self-directed study, live or recorded teaching, assessed work and ongoing reflective practice. The recommended pace is 8 weeks at ~5 hours per week, with a longer 12 weeks at ~3.5 hours per week (part-time) pathway available.
| Activity category | Hours | What is included |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Part A reading & lessons | 8 | Recorded lessons, key readings and preparation on the MTE Thinkific Portal |
| Part A attendance | 4 | Live-stream / recorded Part A teaching with lecturer Q&A |
| Part B face-to-face practical day | 6 | Hands-on practical training with peers and tutors at Movement Therapy Ludlow |
| Assessment preparation & completion | 16 | Prepare, record and submit the assessed components on the MTE Thinkific Portal |
| Reflective practice & portfolio entry | 6 | Apply the module to a real-world case in the 200-hour reflective log |
| TOTAL | 40 |
A week-by-week study plan is available as a separate download in the Guided Learning Hours folder of the MTE Thinkific Portal.
Resources & support
- All module materials (handouts, PowerPoints, lecturer videos and worksheets) are hosted on the MTE Thinkific Portal under Phase 3, Module 12.
- Markschemes are published alongside each assessment in the portal.
- Lecturer contact is shown in the At-a-glance panel above; learners are encouraged to reach out with questions during the submission window.
- Reasonable adjustments for learners with disabilities or specific learning differences are available — please contact the lecturer or the course administrator before submission.
Next steps
Considering enrolling? Visit mte.academy or email mike.grice@MTE.Education to discuss the next intake, payment options and entry requirements.
Already enrolled? Log in to the MTE Thinkific Portal and open Phase 3, Module 12 to access the teaching materials, worksheets, markscheme and assessments. Your reflective clinical log should be updated at least weekly.
© Movement Therapy Education · Module 12 · Module Information Sheet · v2026
