Webinars? Live Classes? Online Continuing Education? What Is the Best Way to Learn and Perfect Hands-On Medical and Sports Massage?

From the Author:

For a significant portion of my career as an educator, I focused solely on teaching live, in-person classes. These continuing education (CE) seminars typically begin with providing each participant with supportive materials, including a syllabus. The syllabus outlines the seminar objectives and includes a detailed schedule. Additional materials often include step-by-step technical protocols and relevant theoretical information on the topic.

I usually begin by presenting theoretical concepts, including the pathophysiology of the condition we’re focusing on, as well as other essential clinical details. After the lecture, I encourage participants to ask questions—because I strongly believe that understanding is the key to successful learning.

My goal for every seminar is this: By the end of the course, practitioners should feel confident and equipped to begin applying what they’ve learned the very next day in their clinical practice.

After the theoretical portion, I demonstrate the entire hands-on medical massage protocol, explaining each step in detail—what I’m doing and why. I welcome questions throughout and often repeat demonstrations as needed.

The remainder of the seminar is spent with participants practicing the protocol on each other under my close supervision and guidance. In fact, the majority of time during live seminars is devoted to hands-on training.

My Teaching Journey in the U.S.

When I arrived in the United States 33 years ago, I was hired as a staff trainer for a large physical therapy company in Southern California. This company employed over 120 physical therapists, 50 physical therapy assistants, and many speech therapists providing both inpatient and outpatient services to hospitals across the region.

From 6 PM to 9 PM every weekday, I offered voluntary training sessions. Attendance wasn’t mandatory, but many professionals chose to come and learn. Initially, only 15 out of 200 employees showed up to the weekend introductory class. However, interest quickly grew. Soon, the company began offering weekend seminars, held at Midway Hospital. These sessions became so popular that even the fire department had to intervene a few times due to overcrowding.

The owner of the company once joked, “Boris, you’re not only my staff trainer—you’re also my recruitment agent! Many therapists who attend your seminars later ask to join our team.”
It was an exciting time.

Eventually, the company suggested producing a VHS educational program based on my classes. At first, I was skeptical and said, “It won’t work—I need to be present to share my knowledge.” But the owner replied, “Boris, in a live class you share your knowledge for three, eight, maybe sixteen hours. But with a video, therapists can review your teachings—and your hands-on demonstrations—whenever they want or need.”

That changed my perspective.

We kept the format exactly like my live classes. I stood in front of the camera and taught as if I were teaching a room full of students. The response was overwhelmingly positive—practitioners loved the flexibility and clarity of the recorded lessons.

Over time, I continued teaching both live classes and online programs. I’ve come to understand that some practitioners learn better in person, while others prefer the flexibility of online education.

This brings me to the reason I’m writing this reflection: I was preparing promotional material for my upcoming webinar, and the question came to mind—what’s the difference between a webinar and an online program?

In truth, there’s not much difference. The main distinction is that during a webinar, participants can ask questions live. However, through my website or my Facebook group, anyone can post questions about my online courses, and I am always happy to respond—sometimes even with additional video demonstrations. Another benefit of the online format is that you can review the material as often as needed. And, of course, the cost of online programs is usually lower than live webinars.

Continuing education is designed for professionals. Much like elective courses in school, practitioners can choose what they want to learn based on their clinical interests. For example, if you're not planning to offer prenatal massage, you can select courses that focus on conditions you do treat—like medical massage for essential hypertension, or post-concussion rehabilitation. Prior to continue to read, please read the text below. Text that made me write entire presentation of today. By the way I have video lessons to treat long Covid. I am seeing a lot of long Covid patients, almost in hundred percent cases, succeeding.

You’re Invited to My Upcoming Webinar:

Masterclass Webinar with Boris Prilutsky
Topic: Medical Massage in Cases of Long COVID Recovery

According to various sources, more than 20 million Americans are suffering from 3–5 debilitating symptoms associated with long COVID.

From Boris:
Throughout my 50-year career—long before the COVID-19 pandemic—I successfully treated patients exhibiting symptoms identical to what we now recognize as long COVID. These symptoms could not be diagnosed through standard lab tests. Many patients were misdiagnosed with psychosomatic disorders and prescribed unnecessary medications.

Common symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Depression
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Brain fog
• Inability to concentrate
• Sleep disorders
• Muscular pain
• Shortness of breath

Interestingly, these symptoms also mirror those of post-concussion syndrome.

One area often overlooked in conventional medicine is the autonomic nervous system. To evaluate autonomic function, I use a simple method: the dermographism test, which involves scratching the skin and observing changes in color—an indicator of autonomic irregularities. These irregularities are often a sign of encephalopathy (brain dysfunction).

In this webinar, you will learn:

• How to perform and interpret the dermographism test
• What causes autonomic dysfunction
• Step-by-step hands-on massage protocols to:
• Relieve neck tension
• Reduce intracranial pressure
• Rebalance sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system functions

Please come prepared with a notebook and pen. You’ll want to take notes during the theoretical and hands-on demonstrations. You’ll also be able to ask questions throughout the session.

Bonus:
You’ll have two additional opportunities to review the entire program after the live webinar.
Upon completion, you will receive a 3-hour Continuing Education Certificate, approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).

I look forward to seeing you at the webinar!

Warm regards,
Boris Prilutsky

As I was writing the promotional webinar material, a thought crossed my mind: What’s the difference between learning through a webinar and learning online? In reality, there’s very little difference.

During a webinar, participants can ask me questions in real-time. However, anyone enrolled in my online programs can also post their questions on my website or in my Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/FreeInstructionalandSelfMassageLessons

and I’m always happy to respond, engage in discussion, and even demonstrate techniques if needed.

Another advantage of online programs is the ability to review the hands-on demonstrations as many times as you like, whenever you feel the need to refresh your memory. And, of course, online programs are generally more affordable than webinars.

Continuing education is designed for professionals. The CE courses I offer are similar to elective classes—you choose what you need to learn based on your area of interest or clinical focus. For example, if you don’t plan to practice pregnancy massage, you might choose topics like medical massage for essential hypertension or post-concussion rehabilitation instead.

I invite you to explore the full course menu.
To learn more, please click the links below:

Explore Online Learning Options:
Choose the programs that align with your goals and interests:

• Instructional Massage Programs
• CEU Volume-Based Programs
• Self-Treatment Programs

Please let me know your learning preferences—whether you prefer live classes, webinars, or online study—and let me know what topics you'd like me to cover in the future.

Thank you and best wishes,
Boris Prilutsky