Easy anatomy online course
Vital information that every therapist should know! Learn the function and anatomy of each system, corresponding diseases and disorders, & examples of bodywork techniques that affect each system. Journey through the skeletal, circulatory, lymphatic, nervous and muscular systems. Hundreds of images and animations to make learning easy and fun! Easy Anatomy Online is a practical, foundational course designed to help massage therapists and bodywork professionals understand human anatomy in a clear, usable way.
Course Overview
This online class blends concise explanations, dynamic visuals, and simple, memorable frameworks to make anatomy accessible and relevant. The first part of the class focuses on each body system, and common pathologies related to that system. Then we cover some basic muscles in the face, shoulder, hip and back. The last section the instructor goes through each bone and muscle in detailed using our 3d model of the body, explaining and discussing various muscles and their function.
What You Will Learn
- Covers the following conditions: Fractures, Osteoporosis, Spondylosis, Shin splints, Postural deviations, Hypertension, Varicose veins, Diabetes mellitus, Heart attack, Hematoma, Swollen glands, Fever, Edema, Lymphangitis, Chronic fatigue, Hodgkin’s, AIDS, Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, Peripheral neuropathy, Encephalitis, Spinal cord injuries, Stroke, Headaches, Strain, Trigger points, Fibromyalgia, Muscle cramps, Frozen shoulder, Subacromial fibrositis, Adhesive capsulitis, Supraspinatus tendonitis.
- The location of over 30 bones, the name, action and location of over 50 muscles and defines over 20 specific body system structures. Foundational anatomy terminology and structural concepts
Course Details & Learning Materials
- Format: On-demand online video lessons with integrated visuals and demonstrations
- Instruction: Clear and concise teaching designed for application in bodywork practice
- Content: Functional anatomy of major skeletal and muscular systems
- Skill Level: Suitable for licensed massage therapists, bodywork professionals, and students
- Lessons: Sequential modules covering anatomy region by region
- Access: Unlimited lifetime access after enrollment
- Certificate: Downloadable certificate of completion provided
Supporting Learning Articles
These reference articles are specifically chosen to support and reinforce the concepts taught in the Easy Anatomy course. They offer clear, clinically useful explanations of key structures, movement patterns, and regional anatomy that will help you integrate the course material into your hands-on practice.
- Anatomy for Bodyworkers: A Practical Learning Hub — A central overview connecting all major anatomy topics from this reference library and explaining how they fit together.
- Anatomy Terms: A Practical Glossary for Massage Therapists — Clear, clinically oriented definitions of foundational anatomy and biomechanics terms used throughout the course and reference content.
- Skeletal System Overview: Functional Anatomy for Massage Therapists — A practical tour of major bones, regional skeletal groupings, and clinically useful bony landmarks.
- Joint Range of Motion: Functional Reference for Massage Therapists — A table of typical motion ranges for major joints with clinical interpretation and movement context.
- Upper Body Muscles — Reference overview of key muscles of the upper body relevant to movement and manual assessment.
- Lower Body Muscles — Companion reference to the upper body muscle article, covering major muscles of the lower extremities.
- Shoulder Girdle and Arm Functional Anatomy — A deeper look at how the shoulder complex actually works as a coordinated system of bones, joints, and muscles.
These articles are not required reading, but they provide valuable context and reinforcement for topics covered in the Easy Anatomy course. Many massage therapists find that reviewing them alongside the course helps deepen understanding and improve clinical application.
Who This Course Is For
This class is ideal for massage therapists, bodywork clinicians, and students who want a foundational yet practical understanding of anatomy that directly supports manual therapy work. It is especially useful for practitioners who find traditional anatomy intimidating or abstract and prefer an applied, movement-based approach that ties structural knowledge to real hands-on context. Therapists who want greater confidence in assessment, palpation, and technique selection will find this content immediately useful in clinical settings.
Meet your Instructor:
Sean Riehl is the founder of Real Bodywork and a leading expert in massage therapy and bodywork education. A pioneer in clinical instruction, Sean began teaching massage in 1991, and has authored numerous textbooks and produced over 30 instructional videos used by massage schools and practitioners worldwide.
Beyond his clinical and educational work, Sean has been a driving force in the wellness industry’s growth. In 2022, he was a founding member of iFlex Stretch Studios, a premier assisted stretching franchise. Following the acquisition of iFlex by the founders of StretchLab in late 2024, Sean served as the Vice President of Training through 2025. In this role, he worked closely with the executive team to elevate training standards and curriculum for hundreds of practitioners before retiring from the position at the end of the year to focus on his educational legacy.
Lessons
Skeletal system
This lesson covers the anatomy of the skeletal system, the names of the bones, the composition of bones and the various types of joints. The conditions covered include fractures, osteoporosis, spondylosis, shin splints and postural deviations.
Anatomy Quiz- Skeleton
Test your knowledge of the Skeleton with this interactive anatomy activity designed for massage therapists and bodyworkers. Identify key structures This activity helps build faster recognition and deeper understanding of Skeleton.
Lymphatic system
This lesson covers the anatomy of the lymph vessels, lymphatomes, drainage patterns, function and location of lymph nodes. Conditions covered are the common cold, lymphangitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, HIV. Some basic lymphatic drainage strokes are also demonstrated.
Circulatory system
This lesson covers the function of the heart, capillaries, arteries and veins. The conditions covered are varicose veins, diabetes mellitus, heart attack and hematoma.
Nervous system
This lesson covers the differences between the somatic and autonomic nervous system. Conditions covered are multiple sclerosis, parkinson’s, peripheral neuropathy and stroke. Also covered are basic massage techniques for the nervous system.
Muscular system
This 24 minute lesson covers the various types of muscles, how muscles interact with the nervous system (golgi tendon organs and spindle cells), and how to use these principles in a bodywork session. Also covered are the names of the main muscles along with the movements of each joint. Conditions covered are strain, sprain, trigger points, pain-spasm-pain cycle, fibromyalgia, cramps (and how to relieve them), plus some basic massage techniques.
Anatomy Quiz- Anterior Superficial Muscles
Test your knowledge of the anterior superficial muscles with this interactive anatomy activity for massage therapists and bodyworkers. Identify key structures of the front body while reinforcing functional anatomy. This activity builds faster recognition and clearer understanding of anterior superficial muscle anatomy for clinical work.
Spine muscles – brief
This short lesson covers the difference between the axial and appendicular skeletal system, and the muscles that control the spine.
Shoulder muscles – brief
This short lesson covers the muscles of the shoulder, including the scapula movers and the rotator cuff muscles.
Anatomy Quiz- Shoulder
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Test your knowledge of the posterior muscle images. This label matching quiz will help you to test your knowledge.
Hip muscles – brief
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This short lesson covers the anatomy of the hip, and the muscles that attach to it and move the femur.
Face muscles – brief
This lesson covers the muscles of the face and jaw.
Spinal muscles
This lesson cover in-depth the anatomy of the vertebrae, the movements of each segment, and the muscles that move the spine. This includes the quadratus lumborum, longissimus, iliocostalis, spinalis, interspinalis, intertransversarii, multifidus, rotators, psoas, iliacus, rectus abdominis, and many others.
Anatomy Quiz- Deep Back Muscles
Test your knowledge of the deep back muscles with this interactive anatomy activity designed for massage therapists and bodyworkers. Identify key structures including the erector spinae group, multifidus, longissimus, iliocostalis, and splenius muscles while reinforcing functional anatomy and palpation skills. This activity helps build faster recognition and deeper understanding of deep posterior spinal anatomy for clinical and therapeutic work.
Neck muscles
This lesson covers the muscles of the neck, and the anatomy and function of the cervical vertebrae. Some of the muscles included are the sternocleidomastoid, levator scapula, infra-hyoids, semispinalis captious, splinius capitis, splinius cervicis, scalenes and others.
Elbow muscles
This lesson covers the muscles that move the elbow joint. This includes the brachialis, biceps brachia, triceps, anconeus, brachioradialis, and others.
Hip muscles
This lesson covers the bones and muscles of the hip. Muscles covered include the psoas, iliacus, gluteus medium, minimus, gluteus maximus, piriformis, obturator externes and interns, gemellus superior and inferior, quadratus femoris, rectus femoris amongst others.
Anatomy Quiz- Posterior Hip
Test your knowledge of the posterior hip muscles with this interactive anatomy quiz focusing on the deep external rotators and gluteal region. This module helps reinforce accurate muscle identification for assessment and treatment planning. Ideal for massage therapists and bodyworkers refining their hip anatomy skills.
Anatomy Quiz- Anterior Hip
Test your knowledge of the anterior hip muscles with this interactive anatomy quiz designed for massage therapists and bodyworkers. Identify key structures including the iliopsoas, tensor fasciae latae, rectus femoris, and adductor group while reinforcing functional anatomy and palpation skills. This quiz helps build faster recognition and deeper understanding of anterior hip anatomy for clinical and therapeutic work.
Knee muscles
This lesson covers the function of the knee joint and the anatomy of the femur, tibia and fibula along with the various ligaments including the medial and lateral collateral ligaments, the posterior cruciate and the anterior cruciate ligaments. Muscles include the vastus medialis, lateralis and intermedius, along with the rectus femoris, semimembranosus, semitendonosus, biceps femoris, gastrocnemius and others.
Ankle muscles
This lesson covers the bones and function of the ankle joint. Muscles covered include the peroneus longus, peroneus brevis, tibialis anterior, tibialis posterior, extensor hallucis longus, gastrocnemius, soleus and others.
Anatomy Quiz- Posterior Lower Body
Test your knowledge of the posterior lower body superficial muscles with this interactive anatomy activity designed for massage therapists and bodyworkers. Identify key structures of the gluteals, hamstrings, and calves while reinforcing functional anatomy and palpation skills. This activity helps build faster recognition and deeper understanding of posterior lower body superficial anatomy for clinical and therapeutic work.