• Give Them Hope: Intro to Working with People in Pain (6 CE hrs)  
• Sports Massage: Event Preparation (8 CE hrs)
• Sports Massage: Event Recovery (8 CE hrs) 
• Intro to Dermoneuromodulation (2-6 CE hrs)   
• Research: Correlation, Causation, and Common (Non)Sense (3-4 CE hrs)

• Give Them Hope: Working with People in Pain (12 CE hrs) 
• Dermoneuromodulation seminar (16.5 CE hrs) 
• Hot DNM: Pillossage and Pain Science (16-24 hrs)   
• Restoring Range of Motion (16-24 CE hrs)

Course Descriptions:

Partial Day / One Day Classes

Give Them Hope: Intro to Working with People in Pain (6 CE hrs)

This class introduces important concepts that help massage therapists understand the science of pain and how it applies in practice. This class provides a framework of understanding that may enhance all forms of massage and bodywork.

Participants learn to apply pain science and dermoneuromodulation (DNM) concepts to client education and hands-on work. These reflect an interactive approach that considers the nervous system of the patient from skin cell to sense of self.

Hands-on applications include gentle positioning of limbs and torso to affect deeper nerve trunks, and is combined with skin stretch to affect cutaneous fields of nerves that branch outward into skin. Included are simple ways of explaining the nervous system and pain mechanisms as part of treatment, plus some simple, effective ways to get clients in pain to start moving with greater ease and confidence.

Sports Massage Event Prep and Recovery Part 1: Event Preparation (8 CE hrs)

Sports Massage Event Prep and Recovery Part 2: Event Recovery (8 CE hrs)

Event preparation and recovery are critical for athletes due to both psychological and physiological stressors. Skillful sports massage informed by pain science and sports psychology can contribute to their (and your) success. All skills taught are immediately applicable in your regular massage practice so you can master them quickly. Beginning sports massage therapists learn to work safely with athletes and performers at all levels in the 48 hours immediately before and after a strenuous event. Participants also learn to adapt to constraints often found in sports massage environments.

Based on current research and years of helping athletes prepare for and recover from events, this class approaches the practice of sports massage from a perspective influenced by current pain science. Pain science and sports psychology inform the use of assessment, treatment, and communication skills as you work with athletes and performers. Experienced sports massage therapists enjoy these classes for a refreshing approach and new skills that enhance what they already know and do.

Intro to Dermoneuromodulation (2-6 CE hrs)   

This workshop introduces massage therapists to practical applications of modern pain science concepts based upon the Neuromatrix theory of pain and the biopsychosocial model of therapy. Dermoneuromodulation (DNM) provides an updated conceptual framework for massage therapists to better understand pain and how to alleviate it.

Hands-on techniques focus on gentle skin stretching to stimulate non-nociceptive sensory pathways and trigger a downregulation of pain and neural sensitization. Participants learn simple methods for addressing common problem areas around the neck, shoulders, back, hips, and extremities. All hands-on techniques can be adapted for use with any form of manual therapy.

Research: Correlation, Causation, and Common (Non)Sense (3-4 CE hrs)

This irreverent research class looks at real life examples of statistics and scientific research and how they have been (mis)used to make (in)credible connections and (non)sense of the world around us. Bring your sense of humor and critical thinking skills! We will look at research design, levels of evidence, the scientific method, basic statistics, charts and graphs, and how they can be (and often are) misrepresented or misinterpreted to mislead us. Group discussion and activities test your thinking skills and research literacy.

This course is intended to help participants enjoy recognizing the difference between correlation and causation, poor and good quality scientific sources, and to stimulate critical thinking to help inoculate participants against unsupported claims and misrepresentations of published science. The secondary intention is to help participants understand the practical uses of research literacy in massage therapy practices, professional discussions, and everyday life.

2-3 Day Classes

Give Them Hope: Working with People in Pain (12 CE hrs)

“Give Them Hope: Education, Massage, and Movement for People in Pain” introduces important concepts from pain science to help massage therapists understand the neurology of pain and how to use that knowledge in practice, starting with client education and continuing with massage and movement methods. This class includes discussion of the nervous system and how it interrelates with the rest of the body, providing a framework of understanding that may enhance all forms of massage and bodywork.

Participants will learn to apply the concept of dermoneuromodulation (DNM) to hands-on massage methods. These applications reflect a structured, interactive approach to manual therapy that considers the nervous system of the patient from skin cell to sense of self.  Techniques are slow, light, kind, intelligent, responsive and effective. Positioning of limbs and trunk affects deeper nerve trunks, and is combined with skin stretch to affect cutaneous fields of nerves that branch outward into skin.

Manual handling is only a part of developing a complete therapeutic context for change - also empowering clients to help themselves is optimal. Included are simple ways of explaining the nervous system and pain mechanisms to patients prior to treatment, plus some simple, effective ways to get clients in pain to start moving with greater ease and confidence.

Dermoneuromodulation (DNM) seminar (16.5 CE hrs)

When people hurt, their pain affects everything. It impacts daily activities, quality of life, and their social and professional relationships. Massage therapists are uniquely positioned to help people understand, manage, and perhaps overcome their pain. Understanding current pain science and how to use that knowledge in practice can enhance the effectiveness of massage therapy sessions and facilitate interprofessional communications with medical professionals.

This seminar introduces important concepts from pain science to help massage therapists understand the neurology of pain and how to use that knowledge in practice. This class includes discussion of the nervous system and how it interrelates with the rest of the body, providing a framework of understanding that may enhance all forms of massage and bodywork.

Participants learn to apply concepts from pain science in client education and hands-on work, with emphasis on dermoneuromodulation (DNM). These applications reflect a structured, interactive approach to manual therapy that considers the nervous system of the patient from skin cell to sense of self.  The goal is pain reduction. Hands-on applications include positioning of limbs and torso to affect deeper nerve trunks, and is combined with skin stretch/movement to affect cutaneous fields of nerves that branch outward into skin. Included are simple ways of explaining the nervous system and pain mechanisms to patients prior to treatment, plus some simple, effective ways to get clients in pain to start moving with greater ease and confidence. Client and therapist self-care are also discussed.

Hot DNM Pillossage (16-42 CE hrs)

Pillossage™ & Thermal Massage is a groundbreaking modality that combines hands-on techniques with specifically designed thermal flax pillows. This modality is ideal for therapists who are looking for techniques to provide skillful therapy that can stand alone or be integrated with other modalities to offer to clients who live with conditions that include chronic pain, high levels of stress or who are in need of rehabilitation.
 
You will learn to teach your clients novel Self-Care techniques so therapy can be continued by the client after the session. The benefits and results last far beyond the massage session. You will learn methods to help clients decrease chronic pain and improve quality of life. As you learn the 'dance of Pillossage™', you will find easier ways to offer deep therapy without strain.

The foundations of this work are informed by pain science and dermoneuromodulation (DNM) concepts. These enable practitioners to work more effectively and customize sessions appropriately for each client, especially when working with chronic pain clients and complex health conditions.

Restoring Range of Motion (16-24 CE hrs)

Altered (increased or decreased) range of motion at any joint may impact tissues both immediately adjacent and distant from the joint. Physical and physiological functions adapt, leading to compensations that may have positive or negative consequences for quality of life. Informed by important concepts from pain science, restoration of optimal range of motion considers the neurology of pain and psychosocial factors related to the client’s perceptions and lived experiences. Biological factors involving age, tissue injury, pathology, morphology, etc. are also considered and assessed.

Participants will learn a pragmatic approach to assessment that considers the biopsychosocial nature of pain and how altered ROM impacts both biomechanical functions and quality of life. Clinical reasoning first considers whether restoration of ROM is possible or even desirable, and treatment may include both manual and movement methods. Both hypo- and hypermobility will be discussed, along with appropriate cautions regarding assessments and interventions.

Manual and movement methods are presented in a concept-oriented, principle-based manner that can be immediately applied in practice without rote memorization of techniques and protocols. Participants will learn to consider the safe applications of post-isometric relaxation, reciprocal inhibition, dermoneuromodulation, mobilizations, novel movement, strengthening, and other concepts …and may practice them in techniques from Orthopedic Massage, Strain Counterstrain, Myofascial Release, Active Isolated Stretching, PNF stretching, Muscle Energy Technique, CRAC stretching, static stretching, dynamic stretching, Circular Strength Training, corrective exercise, yoga, tai chi, etc. Participants see how diverse approaches can be complementary and may be integrated into a session.