Are you a massage therapist looking for NCBTMB approved CE classes? Join Cynthia Ribiero on April 23, 2025 from 6pm-9pm for an ONLINE CE class.

Description:

The psychological aspect of a Biopsychosocial pain management assessment is a crucial element in understanding and addressing a client’s pain experience. Pain is not solely a physiological process; it is influenced by emotional, cognitive, and behavioral factors that can either amplify or alleviate a client’s perception of discomfort.

A psychological assessment in this context evaluates a client’s emotional state, coping mechanisms, beliefs about pain, and past experiences that contribute to their overall pain response. This involves examining:

• Pain Catastrophizing  – Clients who exhibit excessive worry or believe their pain is overwhelming and uncontrollable may experience heightened pain perception and prolonged recovery times.
• Fear-Avoidance Behaviors – Individuals who associate movement with pain may develop avoidance patterns, leading to deconditioning, increased stiffness, and further pain perpetuation.
• Stress and Anxiety – Chronic stress activates the sympathetic nervous system, contributing to increased muscle tension, altered pain thresholds, and delayed healing.
• Depression and Emotional Distress – Psychological distress can exacerbate pain perception by altering neurotransmitter function and decreasing motivation for self-care and rehabilitation.
• Past Trauma and Pain Memory – Negative past experiences with pain or injury can create hypersensitivity to touch and movement, often leading to protective muscle guarding patterns.
• Cognitive Appraisal and Expectations – The way a client perceives their pain (e.g., as a temporary inconvenience versus a life-altering condition) influences their recovery potential and response to therapeutic interventions.

A neuromuscular massage therapist must assess and recognize psychological contributors to pain and integrate this awareness into treatment planning. While manual therapy can address physical dysfunctions, incorporating relaxation techniques, guided breathing, and education about the pain response can help reframe negative pain perceptions. Encouraging clients to adopt active coping strategies – such as movement-based therapies, mindfulness, and cognitive restructuring – supports a holistic approach to pain management within the biopsychosocial model.

By addressing the psychological dimension of pain, therapists can enhance therapeutic outcomes, foster client resilience, and prevent the cycle of chronic pain from taking hold.

WORKSHOP COST | $100

EARLY BIRD WORKSHOP COST | $60 if registered by April 16, 2025

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

This class is NCBTMB Approved for 3.0 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.”

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