Frequently Asked Questions

Are Open Pathways' classes approved by the National Certification Board in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork?

Yes, all of our online classes are approved by NCBTMB for CE hours. 

What Covid safety precautions will be taken at in-person classes?  

Washington state mandates that all health care providers, including massage therapists, are fully masked. 

Are online classes pre-recorded and self-paced or live and interactive?

Our online classes are taught live on Zoom, giving you the opportunity to interact with other students and ask questions of the instructor. 

What if I miss a class? How do I make it up?

All online classes are recorded. Once you are enrolled, you will have access to the recordings of the online classes to make up any missed course content for no additional charge.  

In-person classes in can be made-up during the next scheduled in-person offering of missed course content, for no additional charge. 

Are there payment plans available for classes and programs?

Yes, there is a payment plan option available for all online courses and programs that are offered by Open Pathways.

Is there a homework requirement for Open Pathways' classes?

There is a requirement that you practice the material presented in class for a minimum of 30 minutes per week. You will be asked to turn in a Practice Record Log at the end of each online course.

Do I have to be a certified or licensed massage therapist to enroll?

All of our classes include hands-on work. You must be licensed to touch people, or currently in school for licensing, in order to participate. This may be a license in massage therapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, or any other hands-on modality. 

What supplies do I need to participate in the program, Integrating Chinese Medicine into Massage Therapy?

You will need 5 booklets: Potent Points for Common Complaints, Intermediate & Advanced Acupressure, Meridian Acupressure, Five Elements Acupressure and Aroma Acutouch Sequences, and Balancing the Nervous System with Aroma Acutouch Sequences. You will also need a set of 26 essential oils. The oils can be purchased over time.  All of these supplies are available for purchase at this website's store.

For how long will I have access to the digital teaching materials, diagrams, handouts and videos used in the online program?

All of the online program's teaching materials are available on a digital teaching platform, www.OpenPathways.Teachable.  In Teachable, you will have unlimited access to lecture notes and handouts, acupressure point and sequence diagrams, video lessons, and class recordings, which you can listen to as many times as you want or need.  As long as Open Pathways Institute is operable, there is no time limit on your access to these materials, and most can be downloaded.

Can I enroll in 1 class at a time, rather than an entire program?

Our programs are carefully designed to give you a comprehensive understanding of the theory and practice of Chinese Medicine principles that can be utilized in massage therapy. Each course is like one piece of a "puzzle." When taken together, these classes create a comprehensive roadmap into integrative health care. While it is possible to enroll in class at a time, there is a significant financial savings when enrolling in a program. The price per class within the program is steeply discounted from the price of each stand-alone class.