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American Institute of Medical Massage

California School of Massage Therapy

Are you ready for a career in medical massage therapy?

Are you looking to achieve financial stability while helping others? A career in medical massage therapy makes it possible!

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Carly Staab
1 September 2026
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Amazing place for students and those getting massages, the students are so skilled!
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Rhys Mahoney
10 August 2026
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I came to AIMM’s medical massage program to go above and beyond Californias certification requirements so that I could have the hours and skills needed to work anywhere. At AIMM, I have been building real technical skills that go hand in hand with using intuitive touch to help relieve pain. The program steadily teaches you more than just spa routines, going into how to approach medical conditions with massage. It’s an invaluable skill that I am incredibly grateful to have now. Thank you Alla Mia!!
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Alla Mia B.
30 October 2025
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Best students in the student clinic open to the public. Great massages and great education! It shows in the students work.
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Nathan Fecteau
20 May 2025
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As a student and client of the school, I can say with my full chest that the care and education I have received here has been invaluable. Alla Mia sets you up with effective skills and teaches you to trust yourself and your abilities. Massage is an art and I am grateful to have picked up the brush here.
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Bardia's World
25 January 2023
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I have been working full time as a medical assistant for several years, and I was looking for a special skill that is linked to my career, to heal people who are in pain. I decided to become a medical massage therapist as I can manage my own hours and it will fit in with my current career. I started looking for an institute, but those that I found were not a good match to my night shifts as I’m working 8am to 5pm. Finally I had the good fortune to find the American Institute of Medical Massage in Capitola. The class hours were a perfect match to me, and I received a face to face appointment from the owner, the instructor named AllaMia, who has over 50 years of experience in this field. I enrolled myself from October 2022, and now I’m in the middle of my course, with one of the best medical massage instructors in the world, AllaMia. And I really feel safe and secure with her, with her strong personality and wonderful, knowledgeable staff, teachers and instructors. AllaMia is having me under her wings now and, in less than 3 months of starting my training, I feel confident and comfortable enough to work on my family and friends. No one believes that I just started my classes 3 months ago, they all think I have been training for much longer. They love my work and practice on their body. I highly recommend the American Institute of Medical Massage with AllaMia, as she is smart, organized, knowledgeable, detail- oriented, with attention to the best methods of instruction.
medical massage school aptos

Where Compassion Meets Clinical Excellence
And Your Future Begins

Imagine building a career where your hands bring lasting relief, your knowledge earns the trust of doctors, and your work changes lives — every single day.

At the American Institute of Medical Massage (AIMM), we don’t just train massage therapists — we shape Medical Massage Professionals ready to work confidently in medical offices, clinics, hospitals, and launch their own successful private practices. This is more than a spa massage. This is advanced, therapeutic, and deeply rewarding work that makes a real difference in people’s lives.

Our 960-Hour Medical Massage Therapist Program is the most comprehensive of its kind, created by a nationally respected therapist, educator, and former accreditation examiner. You’ll learn to assess the body’s soft tissues, identify dysfunction, and apply targeted techniques that relieve pain and promote true healing.

You’ll be trained in Swedish, Shiatsu, and Deep Tissue massage, along with advanced therapeutic strategies. Our program includes:

  • College-level education in anatomy and physiology
  • Real-world experience through our on-site student clinic
  • Business training that empowers you to succeed on your own terms


Whether you dream of opening your own practice, partnering with healthcare professionals, or being part of a clinical team — AIMM will give you the skills, confidence, and credibility to turn that dream into a reality.

✨ Are you ready to become a sought-after professional in a growing, respected field? Fill out the inquiry form below and we’ll send you our complete catalog so you can take the first powerful step toward your new career.

“I created AIMM to raise the standard of massage education in California — to empower passionate individuals like you with the knowledge and confidence to make a real difference. If you’re ready to begin a career that heals others and fulfills you, we’re here to support you every step of the way.”

Warmly,

alla mia basaldua signature transparent

Founder & President,
American Institute of Medical Massage, LLC

What Is Medical Massage?

Medical Massage is not about pampering
– it’s about pain relief.

At AIMM, we train students to become professionals who make a real impact — by relieving pain caused by a wide range of physical conditions. While we do not diagnose or treat medical conditions, our work is designed to diminish, and in many cases, eliminate the pain associated with them.

Graduates of our program are skilled in addressing pain patterns related to arthritis, chronic migraines, herniated discs, tendonitis, frozen shoulder, postural imbalances, and much more. They assess soft tissue, restore function, and work hand-in-hand with referring physicians, chiropractors, and other healthcare providers.

AIMM graduates are prepared for careers in:

  • Medical clinics and physical therapy offices
  • Chiropractic practices
  • Hospitals and integrative health centers
  • Private practices as self-employed medical massage therapists


Medical Massage is precise, therapeutic, and patient-focused. It’s a trusted modality that’s increasingly recognized by the medical community for its effectiveness in pain management and recovery support.

California Massage School

Positive Effects of Medical Massage

While every patient’s response is unique, the intention behind medical massage is consistent: to relieve pain and restore optimal function. Common benefits reported by patients include:

  • Reduced or eliminated pain
  • Easier, more effective chiropractic adjustments
  • Lower stress levels and emotional tension
  • Improved joint mobility and range of motion
  • Quicker recovery from injuries and surgery
  • Increased energy and improved athletic performance
  • Enhanced immune function
  • Lower blood pressure and nervous system balance

Conditions That May Cause Pain Addressed Through Medical Massage

Though we do not treat these conditions directly, our methods are often successful in relieving the pain caused by the following:
 
  • Migraines & common headaches
  • Whiplash
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Herniated discs & scoliosis
  • Arthritis, tendonitis, and bursitis
  • Frozen shoulder, trigger finger, muscular tension
  • Sciatica and postural misalignments
  • Sinusitis and respiratory tension
  • Stress-related disorders
  • Menstrual cramps, tinnitus
  • Digestive complaints like constipation or diarrhea
  • High blood pressure
  • Clubfoot (related tension)
  • Multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy (symptom-related pain)
 
Ongoing care is ideal — many find that receiving medical massage regularly while healthy helps prevent flare-ups and improves overall well-being.

Ready to get started? Apply now!
Still have questions? Request more information!

Our Medical Massage Program

Clinical Training for a Career with Purpose

California Massage School – Teaching Excellence

At AIMM, our 960-hour Medical Massage Therapist Program is designed for students who are called to make a real difference in the world of healthcare. This is not a spa-focused program — it’s a clinically-based education that prepares you to work with patients experiencing pain related to a wide range of physical conditions.

Upon completion, graduates will be recognized as Medical Massage Therapists — trained to administer full-body stress relief techniques, along with targeted therapeutic work using Swedish, Shiatsu, and Deep Tissue modalities. You’ll also develop the clinical reasoning and soft-tissue assessment skills essential for delivering meaningful, results-oriented care.

In addition to bodywork training, students receive instruction in business practices that prepare them for a successful career — whether as an employee, an independent contractor, or a self-employed practitioner.

Career Opportunities for AIMM Graduates

Our graduates are qualified to pursue work in a wide range of settings, including:

  • Medical Offices
  • Pain Clinics
  • Chiropractic Practices
  • Physical Therapy Clinics
  • Sports Medicine Clinics
  • Professional Sports Teams
  • Women’s Health Clinics
  • Massage Therapy Clinics
  • Hospitals and Nursing Homes
  • Resorts and Hotels
  • Cruise Lines
  • Spas and Beauty Salons
  • Gyms and Wellness Centers
  • Private Practice (open your own office)


Whether you’re looking to work with healthcare professionals or build your own client base, AIMM gives you the tools to thrive.

Lecture

Lectures provide the theoretical foundation for your practice. Instructors present key concepts, techniques, and pathologies in a supportive, discussion-rich environment. Students are encouraged to ask questions, take notes, and may use recording devices for review. Each lecture hour is 50 minutes, followed by a 10-minute break. Multiple lecture hours may occur in a single class session.

Practicum (Hands-On Training)

This is where you bring your learning to life. In our practicum sessions, students practice techniques under the direct supervision of experienced instructors. While some discussion may accompany instruction, the focus is on hands-on skill development. Lab hours are 50 minutes each, with a 10-minute break between sessions. Some classes, like Anatomy and Physiology, may include both lecture and practicum components weekly.

Internships

This is where the student can practice acquired skills in a real life setting. The student clinic at AIMM is open to the general public. The students when ready for their internship class, will coordinate their internship schedule with the clinic supervisor. In the advanced half of the program, the students are required to practice their advanced skills on the general public at the AIMM student clinic.

Registering for January Class
Have a career where you take pain away and make a difference in someone's life.

10% off tuition for January sign-ups only.

Get a deal on your next massage!

Student Clinic open Saturdays
For appointment, call 831.291.1019