Are you a massage therapist looking for NCBTMB approved CE classes? Join Cynthia Ribiero ONLINE on Tuesday, April 14 from 3pm-6pm Pacific Time for a webinar integrating Neuromuscular Therapy and Biopsychosocial Pain Management.

CE Class Description

Pain is often discussed through the biopsychosocial model, yet many practitioners feel less confident explaining the biological mechanisms that drive the pain experience. This engaging course focuses on the biological side of the pain equation, helping manual therapists better understand what is happening within the body when pain occurs and how their clinical decisions can support recovery.

Participants will explore the physiology of pain, tissue stress, and healing, including the roles of the nervous system, connective tissue, and inflammatory processes. Through practical discussion and clinically relevant examples, this course connects foundational science to the everyday work of neuromuscular and manual therapists. The goal is not only to deepen understanding, but also to strengthen communication with clients and other healthcare professionals.

Students Will Learn

• The biological foundations of pain
• How nociception, tissue stress, and the nervous system contribute to the pain experience
• The impact of peripheral and central sensitization on client symptoms and treatment response
• The difference between acute protective pain and persistent pain states
• The role of inflammation, tissue healing, and mechanotransduction in recover and rehabilitation
• How to discuss pain with other healthcare providers and interdisciplinary teams

Why it Matters

• Pain is one of the most common reasons clients seek care. Understanding its biological drivers helps therapists respond with greater precision and confidence.
• Better biological understanding leads to better clinical decisions.
• Clients trust therapists who can explain what’s happening in the body.
• Misunderstanding pain biology can lead to over-treatment or under-treatment.
• Pain is not always equal to tissue damage.
• Biological knowledge improves collaboration with healthcare providers.
• Modern pain science is reshaping rehabilitation and manual therapy.
• Understanding the biology of healing helps set realistic expectations.
• Educated clients experience less fear and greater engagement in recovery.

A strong foundation in pain biology elevates the professionalism of neuromuscular therapy. It positions therapists as knowledgeable contributors within the broader healthcare community.

Who Should Attend

This webinar is ideal for manual therapy professionals and movement specialists who want to elevate their clinical reasoning, assessment accuracy, and treatment results by integrating fascia science with trigger point therapy:

• Neuromuscular therapists and massage therapists who want a deeper understanding of the biological mechanisms behind pain and how they influence treatment outcomes.
• Spors and Orthopedic Massage Practitioners working with athletes or active clients experiencing acute or chronic musculoskeletal pain.
• Manual Therapy Practitioners seeking to strengthen their clinical reasoning and connect modern pain science with hands-on techniques
• Massage Therapy Students and Recent Graduates who want to build a stronger scientific foundation for understanding pain and tissue healing.
• Healthcare professionals collaborating with manual therapists including athletic trainers, movement specialists, and rehabilitation professionals interested in the biological side of pain.

This class is especially beneficial for those who want to move beyond technique alone and develop a clearer understanding of what is happening inside the body when clients experience pain.

WORKSHOP COST | $100

EARLY BIRD WORKSHOP COST | $60 if registered by April 7, 2026

CURRENT NHI STUDENTS & ALUMNI COST | Contact your local SLCC for an exclusive discount code!

This class is NCBTMB Approved for 4.0 hours of continuing education credit

Instructor Bio | Cynthia Ribeiro

Cynthia came to the United States from Brazil, where she had attained a degree in Physical Education and studied Surgical Nursing. In the U.S., she graduated from two massage schools, and now specializes in Neuromuscular Therapy and Orthopedic Massage.

A highly dynamic teacher, she has taught advanced anatomy and injury rehabilitation skills since 1988. Her in-person Advanced Neuromuscular Therapy workshops are in high demand throughout U.S. and Canada. Cynthia frequently presents at state and national massage therapy conventions and has had great success with both her in-person and online course offerings.

As founder and owner of Western Institute of Neuromuscular Massage Therapy (WIN) in Southern California, Cynthia developed highly effective therapeutic bodywork, and has brought that material to NHI for the 450 hour program in Advanced Neuromuscular Therapy.

In 2003, she was appointed Honorary Clinical Professor at the University California Irvine Medical School. In 2012 she became National President for the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). In 2017 she received the Jerome Perlinski, Teacher of the Year Award.

Cynthia has also served as a Board of Directors member of the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).

A continual inspiration to her students, she nevertheless says, “I am always a student myself, and I strongly believe in lifelong learning.”

Event Details