Continuing Education

Our excellent classes are being taught via Live Zoom Broadcast

as well as in-person classes!

Visit our online education platform for a list of our NCBTMB Approved, Hands-On, Live Broadcast, and pre-recorded Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy home study courses.

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CONTINUING EDUCATION

To register for any of our courses, Click Here


Mary Biancalana and Muscle Health, LLC are NCBTMB approved providers of Continuing Education.

We have divided our Live-In person courses into the “Core Classes" and Additional Professional” courses.

Our courses can be taken in any order and all stand alone with excellent material and up-to-date research guided information on myofascial pain and manual therapy techniques. 

The Core classes are the 11 courses, that when all completed, will best assure the Massage Therapist a strong footing to become a fully Board Certified Myofascial Trigger Point Therapist.

 

The Additional Professional courses are also stand-alone topics , which are designed to bring the Massage Therapist and manual therapist, excellent information and skills to best serve a complex population. Some of these courses also focus on the ever-important subject of Massage Therapist Self care to prevent burn-out and to prevent pain.


Can I take these courses from my home? Yes, our NCBTMB approved Online Home-Study Courses are fun and interactive, multimedia courses that can be taken in the comfort of your own home. These courses offer a video and study-guide format, allow for stop and start at any time and on many devices.


Will I get NCBTMB approved CE's for these courses?  Yes, all of our courses are NCBTMB aproved for Continuing Education.


Do I have to start with a particular class? or can I start any time? These courses are designed to each stand-alone. You can jump into our class rotation at any time, and you are encouraged to take any courses that interest you.


Will I receive a certificate of completion for the courses I take? Yes you will get a certificate of completion emailed to you as a PDF.

CORE CLASSES DESCRIPTIONS

Click on each tab to see a detailed description of this amazing and highly effective treatment techniques.

All these courses are NCBTMB approved for Continuing Education for Massage Therapists.

To register for any of our courses, Click Here

  • Advanced Trigger Point Techniques for Thigh, Knee, Lower Leg and Foot 14 CE’s

    This class will help the treatment specialist understand the complex etiology of knee and thigh pain and will teach treatment techniques to eliminate trigger points and myofascial dysfunction in the muscles that can cause thigh, knee, lower leg and foot pain. This class is especially important to any practitioners who work with athletes of any kind.


    This class will also be particularly relevant for any practitioner who works with people who run, swim, bike, walk or jog. (pretty much all humans). We will discuss the important role the ankle plays in all ascending postural alignment as well as the fascial network at the command of nociceptor input from the foot/ankle complex.

  • Advanced Perpetuating Factors of Muscle Pain and Dysfunction 14 CE’s

    It is the job of the manual therapist and trigger point therapist to get to the reason why someone has pain or dysfunction. Many factors can perpetuate pain and dysfunction in muscles. This course will give you powerful tools to help you uncover and correct the key reasons why someone may have pain in the first place, and why it is not going away. You will learn to assess for; short leg, uneven pelvis, postural asymmetry, hyperpronation of the foot and many more factors. Other biochemical, ergonomic and postural factors can influence muscle pain, and we will learn how to assess for these characteristics.

  • Advanced Trigger Point Techniques for Shoulder, Chest and Upper Back 14 CE’s

    This class will provide the practitioner advanced concepts for understanding the dynamic function of the shoulder complex. Powerful techniques for releasing myofascial dysfunction in the many shoulder stabilizer muscles will be covered as well as ascending structural concepts affecting the function of the shoulder. It is critical to note that one of the primary sources for debilitating pain in the shoulder and upper back is a muscle that does not live in the back or shoulder. We will uncover this and other important concepts within our course.

  • Advanced Range of Motion Assessment Upper Body 7 CE’s

    Researchers have found that taut bands in muscle and accompanying trigger points can restrict full range of motion around joints. (and cause weakness, loss of endurance, pain and possibly numbness) In this dynamic and interactive course, you will leave with a commanding skill in objective, measurable range of motion testing for the lower body. This testing in turn, gives us a road map as to which key muscles need to be treated in order to fully rehabilitate tight muscles harboring trigger points.

    Mary Biancalana has developed a grid of all ROM tests and was one of the first manual practitioners to teach objective measurement in the field of trigger point therapy. Use of C.M. Shifflett posters and AAOS guidelines as well as digital video captured clinical examples from Mary’s own extensive practice.


    We are the only recognized Trigger Point Training Program to be using digital video for the support of in-class teaching concepts.

  • Advanced Trigger Point Techniques for Head, Neck and Jaw 14 CE’s

    Head and neck pain can stop us in our tracks. It can cause us to call in sick from work and miss out on our daily activities. This class will teach powerful techniques to eliminate head and neck pain as well as identify the key perpetuating factors that can contribute to the pain in the first place and that can keep the pain cycle going.

  • Business Concepts for Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy 7 CE’s

    In this fast-paced world of marketing on the internet, on social media and on paper, it is important to have a good understanding of best practices for a massage therapy business.


    We will help the massage therapist learn how to develop marketing materials, begin website development, highlight their skills, and create informational brochures, business cards and flyers that describe your Trigger Point therapy practice to the public and potential clients.

  • Advanced Range of Motion Assessment for Lower Body 7 CE’s

    Researchers have found that taut bands in muscle and accompanying trigger points can restrict full range of motion around joints. (and cause weakness, loss of endurance, pain and possibly numbness) In this dynamic and interactive course, you will leave with a commanding skill in objective, measurable range of motion testing for the lower body. This testing in turn, gives us a road map as to which key muscles need to be treated in order to fully rehabilitate tight muscles harboring trigger points.


    Mary Biancalana has developed a grid of all ROM tests and was one of the first manual practitioners to teach objective measurement in the field of trigger point therapy. Use of C.M. Shifflett posters and AAOS guidelines as well as digital video captured clinical examples from Mary’s own extensive practice.


    We are the only recognized Trigger Point Training Program to be using digital video for the support of in-class teaching concepts.

  • Advanced Trigger Point Techniques for the Arm, Elbow, Wrist and Hand 14 CE’s

    This class will uncover the many muscles that can refer pain to the elbow or hand. This type of pain can ruin even the most effective golf game, or stop short the career of an aspiring pitcher or volleyball player (or gardener or weekend warrior). Muscles in the neck can play a primary role in this type of pain, as well as contribute to changes in motor patterns and lead to guarding and substitution by other muscles in the shoulder/arm. Trigger Points are often overlooked as a key source reason for weakness in grip strength, loss of dexterity and loss of sensation in the hands.

  • Advanced Trigger Point Techniques for Sports Injuries Upper Body 7 CE’s

    This seminar will address acute or chronic onset muscle pain in the upper body associated with sports or exercise participation. Many practitioners use the term “injury” to describe an athlete who complains of muscle pain. Without the confirmation of x-ray, ultrasound or MRI, it is unnecessary to simply label anyone who has pain as having “an injury”. Often, just the presence of pain is not a reason to undergo expensive tests, and it may behoove the athlete to try the least invasive intervention of manual trigger point therapy techniques first before more invasive techniques are tried.


    This workshop is especially important for those who work with athletes from all levels including professionals from the NFL, NBA and PGA, as well as the weekend warriors and frequent exercisers. This workshop will show the athlete, exerciser and the professionals who work with them how to self-compress the muscles to alleviate myofascial trigger point dysfunction. Range of motion restriction will be assessed for overall dynamic integrated function. The Drs. Travell and Simons Trigger Point model will be used for identifying the most probable muscles causing the painful areas. This will allow the practitioner to most accurately assess and teach the client self-compression techniques to allow return to full strength, endurance and performance level.

  • Advanced Trigger Point Techniques for Buttocks and Hip 14 CE’s

    Buttocks, Hip and Low Back pain causes untold millions of dollars of lost productivity in the world each year. There are 12 muscles that can refer pain to the buttocks and hip, and half of them do not even live in the buttocks! So, when people have hip pain as their primary complaint, if millions of dollars are spent on costly medical interventions to the hip itself, these interventions will be useless 50% of the time! After taking this class, you will have the power and skills to be a first resort in eliminating buttocks and hip pain.


    Many athletes and exercisers are stopped in their tracks with persistent pain in the gluteals and hip, and pain in the hip can end a sports career. Trigger Points could be the root cause or reduction of speed, endurance and power.


    This class will help participants understand etiology of buttocks and hip pain from a trigger point perspective, as well as the differential conditions that can exist concurrently.

  • Advanced Trigger Point Techniques for Low Back, Mid Back and Abdominal 14 CE’s

    This class will help uncover the muscles that can contribute to myofasical dysfunction and pain in the low back, abdomen and mid-back. Low back pain causes millions of dollars of lost productivity in the United States each year. 14 muscles can refer pain into the regions covered in this class and knowing that most back pain is actually caused by muscles in the front of the abdomen is critical for the manual therapist and trainer. The abdominal muscles are critical to all core strength and stabilization, and if they harbor trigger points and taut bands, their function can be compromised. The pain referred by trigger points in key muscles can predominate as a worrisome concern for anyone.


    We will learn powerful hands-on techniques to deactivate trigger points in muscles causing pain and dysfunction in the low back, mid back and abdomen.

  • Advanced Trigger Point Techniques for Sports Injuries Lower Body 7 CE’s

    This seminar will address acute or chronic onset muscle pain in the lower body associated with sports or exercise participation. Many practitioners use the term “injury” to describe an athlete who complains of muscle pain. Without the confirmation of x-ray, ultrasound or MRI, it is incorrect to simply label a anyone who has pain as having “an injury”. Often, just the presence of pain is not a reason to undergo expensive tests, and it may behoove the athlete to try the least invasive intervention of manual trigger point therapy techniques first before more invasive techniques are tried.


    This workshop is especially important for those who work with athletes from all levels including professionals from the NFL, NBA and PGA, as well as the weekend warriors and frequent exercisers.. This workshop will show the athlete, exerciser and the professionals who work with them how to self compress the muscles to alleviate myofascial trigger point dysfunction. Range of motion restriction will be assessed for overall dynamic integrated function. The Dr’s. Travell and Simons Trigger Point model will be used for identifying the most probable muscles causing the painful areas. This will allow the practitioner to most accurately assess and teach the client self-compression techniques to allow return to full strength, endurance and performance level.

  • Foundations of Trigger Point Techniques 7 CE’s

    Understanding that Myofascial Trigger Point therapy as a full and complete protocol is critically important for ensuring that treatment provided eliminates the source of muscular pain. In this course we will learn about early pioneers to this field of study and to physical medicine and sports medicine as an integrated soft-tissue focus.

    We will also learn how to press, where to press and why we press on certain areas of the body (trigger points and taut bands of skeletal muscle).


    A fascinating journey into muscles for anyone interested in pathochemistry of muscle dysfunction and pain so as to provide clients, family, athletes, self, a pain-free and fully functioning musculoskeletal system.

ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

All these courses are NCBTMB approved for Continuing Education for Massage Therapists.

Contact Mary Biancalana if you would like any of these courses offered to your workplace. 773-628-7654  or send an email to TriggerPointSeminars@gmail.com

To register for any of our courses, Click Here

  • Ethical Considerations for the Massage Therapist and Bodywork Practitioners 3 CE’s

    This class fulfills the State License requirements for Massage therapists in the category of Ethics, CEs.


    In this multi-media class, we will learn important concepts on maintaining boundaries, transference and code of ethics for body workers. Actor portrayed scenarios via digital video make for an interesting and discussion stimulating way to learn.

  • Using Trigger Point Tools for Self-Care Upper Body 7 CE’s

    There is nothing worse than a Massage Therapist with pain. In this fun, hands-on class we will all learn how to work in massage and not have pain. Self-care is critical for Massage Therapists. You cannot afford to not take this class. we will learn: Myofascial release using: Various Tiger Tail tools, Fitball body therapy ball’s, Backnobber’s, Jacknobber’s, tennis balls, etc.

  • Using Trigger Point Tools for Self-Care Lower Body 7 CE’s

    There is nothing worse than a Massage Therapist or Athletic Trainer with muscle pain. In this fun, hands-on class we will learn how to work in a physically demanding field, and not have pain. Self-care is critical for Massage Therapists and all manual practitioners. You cannot afford to not take this class. we will learn: Myofascial release using: Various tools including; Tiger Tail tools, Fitball body therapy balls, Pressure Positive; Backnobbers, Jacknobbers, Index knobbers, Mother Earth Warm and cold packs, tennis balls, 16″ Clincher Softballs etc.

  • Dynamic movement for Self-Care for the Massage Therapist (4 CE)

    This course is especially designed to keep the Massage Therapists pain and injury free while maintaining a busy and thriving Massage Therapy practice. It is a sad statistic that up to 50% of massage therapists burn out in their first 5 years of practice. We will give you the tools to ensure that all areas of your physical and mental self are strong, resilient and prepared to work in the rewarding field of massage therapy for as many years as you choose to.


    Special focus is brought to balance, dynamic integrated movement patterns. Mary Biancalana is uniquely qualified to broach this subject as not only a Licensed Massage therapist certified Trigger Point Therapist , but also a Certified Personal Trainer and Licensed Teacher of Physical Education….she ties in all that is important about the way we use our muscles and how we can keep those muscles healthy, strong and pain free.


    After taking this course you will see your massage career in a whole different light. You will feel strong, grounded, empowered to live a pain free life while providing the highest quality massage therapy to your clients for a long, long, happy career.

  • Preventing Massage Therapist Injury with Self-Care (3 CE Per Section) (3 Sections)

    This course is especially designed to keep the Massage Therapist pain and injury-free while maintaining a busy and thriving Massage Therapy practice. It is a sad statistic that up to 50% of massage therapists burn out in their first 5 years of practice. There is now more research into why and how this may be happening and we will give you the tools to ensure that all areas of your physical and mental self are strong, resilient and prepared to work in the rewarding field of massage therapy for as many years as you choose to.


    Special focus is brought to trigger points in key muscles as well as how force direction, specific to the massage therapy profession, can cause overuse pain.


    After taking this course you will see your massage career in a whole different light. You will feel strong, grounded, empowered to live a pain-free life while providing the highest quality massage therapy to your clients for a long, long, happy career.

  • Treatment for People with Hypermobility (6 CE)

    This course is intended to educate the experienced practitioner, athletic trainer and massage therapist in the ways that persons with hypermobility can challenge the way we look at soft tissue pain and muscle function.


    Hypermobility Syndrome (HMS) was first described by Kirk et al in 1967. Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and HMS are widely thought of as one in the same. (Tinkle, 2010, Grahame and Hakim 2008, Levy 2010) Previously, doctors and researchers felt this benign group of complaints and laxity in joints should be separated from the genetically more complicated disorders like EDS. They thought there were no other symptoms involved (no cardiac, no inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid or osteoarthritis). We now know that there are many full body-wide impacts of HMS from large muscle problems to the ligament system.


    This course serves an important purpose in educating the manual practitioner to the many signs and symptoms of HMS, and provides excellent in-practice applicable techniques to utilize when working with persons with HMS. Full multimedia program utilizing digital video of case examples (from instructors own clinical practice), provide an exceptional educational experience.

  • Techniques for people with Fibromyalgia (7 CE)

    It is extremely important to consider Myofascial trigger points and their referred pain patterns as a source of dysfunction, reduction of ROM and pain when working with people with Fibromyalgia. This course will provide the practitioner the tools and understanding to be able to work with this sometimes challenging population. Myofascial trigger points contribute to the pain cascade found in persons with fibromyalgia and it is critical to know how to treat these trigger points and to know how to adapt massage treatment to serve this population.

  • Frozen Shoulder Treatment Protocol (7 CE)

    The term “frozen Shoulder” is often a term used to identify a shoulder joint that has reduced range of motion, loss of strength and may or may not have pain associated with the movements. This condition is sorely overlooked and mis-treated due to the widespread lack of understanding of myofascial trigger points and the accompanying dysfunction they cause.


    In this course we will unravel the mystery, and learn that simple but extremely powerful trigger point elimination techniques, when applied to the correct muscles, can “magically” un-freeze a frozen shoulder and restore it to full function and strength.

    We will be using up to date new research on muscle dysfunction, techniques developed and digitally videotaped by Mary Biancalana, as well as information derived from the Travell and Simons books by author Clair Davies in his book “The Frozen Shoulder Workbook”


    (Participants will be expected to buy a copy of this book prior to class.)

  • Fascinating Fascia 6CE’s

    This comprehensive 6-hour course integrates the fascinating knowledge emerging from the study of fascia and soft tissue structures. We bring pain sciences to the practitioner in a clinically accessible way by exploring the dynamic and pivotal roles that myofascial trigger points (MTrPs), fascial restrictions, and objective physical findings play in the evaluation and management of chronic myofascial pain and dysfunction.


    Painful MTrPs are a very common source of persistent nociception and sensitization that often results in sensitized spinal segments, fascial dysfunction and chronic myofascial pain. Conversely, maladaptive changes in muscular and fascial structures caused by dysfunctional descending inhibition may create somatic tissue abnormalities (e.g., tissue texture changes, tenderness to touch or treatment, etc.) in addition to adversely impacting mood, affect and sleep. Either way, manually applied treatment techniques are critically important in re-shaping fascial restrictions, allowing deeper manual therapy techniques to be applied and leading the way for full tissue rehabilitation. . This non-drug approach including treatment techniques, demonstrates that a multi-mechanistic approach targeting both the peripheral and central mechanisms responsible for MPS and fascial dysfunction, deactivates persistent painful MTrPs, alleviates MPS and neuro-modulates pain signals, providing more permanent pain and symptom relief and restoration of muscle and fascial function.

  • The Feet Are Our Foundation; Evaluating and Correcting Hyperpronation 9 CE’s

    Hyperpronation, otherwise known as Morton’s foot structure, was first described by Dr. Dudley J Morton in 1935. His “Morton’s Foot” characteristics were noted by him as a longer second toe and medial rotation of the column of the foot. This structure can cause valgus knee and increase in anterior pelvic tilt. It has been clear to many researchers that non-neutral foot structure and the subsequent soft tissue (muscular and fascial) response to this structure has long-reaching implications.

    This class takes this work into the 21st century by highlighting the important bio mechanical factors that come into play when the foot is not in subtalar neutral due to a first metatarsal deficit. This bio mechanical stress can create both ascending as well as descending myofascial dysfunction. Knowing how to assess for and correct for this foot structure can mean getting your clients, patients, or athletes out of pain and performing better. Lead instructor Mary Biancalana is nationally recognized expert in assessing for Hyperpronation. She has presented all over the county on this topic at over nine national conferences. This class is co-sponsored by Trigger Point Sports Performance and is held at the Chicago Center for Myofasicial Pain Relief, owned by Mrs. Biancalana.

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