I’ve been a massage therapist for about two years. For the first year, I worked at a well-known spa company, where everything—from clients to credibility—was supported by the brand name. But when I decided to become independent, I quickly realized how much I had been relying on that brand’s reputation. Running my own small practice was far more difficult than I expected. Bookings were inconsistent, and I started questioning whether I had the technical depth and clinical precision to truly stand out in this competitive field. Marketing was part of the challenge, but deep down, I knew I needed to improve my professional skills and understanding of the human body.
One of my friends recommended RSM International Academy in Chiang Mai, Thailand, saying that the director, Mr. Hironori Ikeda, MSc in Sports Medicine, provided an entirely different level of education—something far beyond ordinary massage training. After reading many five-star reviews on Google Maps, I decided to join their Trigger Point Therapy for Pain Relief, Deep Tissue Massage for Postural Correction, and Orthopedic Massage for Spine Mobility & Breathing courses.
There were 10 students in my class, and what surprised me most was the diversity. One participant was a female medical doctor from Myanmar who flew all the way just to join this training. Talking with her during lunch breaks made me realize how valuable and global this program really was. Half of the class were professional therapists, while the rest were beginners, but we all learned from each other through Mr. Ikeda’s incredibly structured, hands-on teaching.
Every lesson included intensive palpation training, and Mr. Ikeda Myofascial release often came over to adjust our hand pressure, movement rhythm, and palpation accuracy in real time. His feedback was detailed and precise—something I had never experienced before. What impressed me most was the focus on clinical reasoning and functional anatomy. We learned how to evaluate plantar fasciitis, Achilles Deep Tissue Massage tendinosis, and other common runner-related conditions, not just through observation but through palpation-based assessment and myofascial distortion analysis. I learned how to identify subtle muscle tension patterns, detect Myofascial release nerve entrapment, and treat fascial restrictions systematically using Trigger Point Therapy and Myofascial Release techniques.
Mr. Ikeda’s approach was visual, methodical, and scientific. Each session came with more than 120 high-resolution photos and anatomical visuals, helping me truly understand the connections between muscles, fascia, and neural pathways. For the first time, I could clearly visualize how posture, pain, and movement were all interlinked.
By the end of the course, I felt like my professional world had opened up. I returned to my private practice with renewed confidence, stronger hands, and a deeper understanding of how to approach each client’s pain and movement pattern. My returning clients immediately noticed the difference.
To anyone considering serious professional development, I can honestly say: RSM International Academy under Mr. Hironori Ikeda is in a class of its own. It’s not just a massage school—it’s a true educational institute of sports medicine and clinical bodywork. I would recommend it to every therapist who wants to elevate from routine massage work to genuine therapeutic mastery.