Are you a massage therapist looking for NCBTMB approved CE classes? Join Cynthia Ribiero ONLINE on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 from 6pm to 10pm Pacific Time for a webinar that discusses the psychological influences on our perception of pain.

CE Class Description

The Psychology of Why it Hurts explores the powerful psychological influences that shape how pain is perceived, experienced, and managed. While neuromuscular therapists are highly skilled at identifying biomechanical and soft-tissue contributors to pain, a client’s thoughts, emotions, and beliefs can significantly amplify, or alleviate, the pain experience. This engaging webinar expands the clinical lens of manual therapists by examining the psychological dimension of the Biopsychosocial (BPS) model.

Participants will explore how factors such as pain catastrophizing, fear-avoidance behaviors, stress, anxiety, depression, and past trauma can influence neuromuscular tension, movement patterns, and recovery potential. This course also examines how a client’s expectations, coping strategies, and personal narratives about pain affect their response to treatment.

Through clinically relevant discussion and practical examples, therapists will learn how to recognize psychological contributors during intake and assessment, communicate more effectively with clients experiencing persistent pain, and incorporate supportive strategies such as pain education, breathing, relaxation, and movement confidence into treatment planning.

By understanding the psychological side of pain, neuromuscular therapists can deliver more compassionate, informed, and effective care. This course helps practitioners move beyond a purely structural model of pain and toward a more complete, client-centered approach that supports resilience, recovery, and long-term well-being.

Students Will Learn

• How psychological factors such as stress, anxiety, fear-avoidance, and catastrophizing influence pain perception and neuromuscular tension
• How to recognize behavioral and emotional indicators during intake and assessment that may be contributing to a client’s pain experience
• The relationship between pain beliefs, expectations, and movement avoidance in the development of chronic pain patterns
• Practical communication strategies that help reduce fear, build trust, and improve client engagement in the treatment process
• How to incorporate simple strategies, such as breathing, education, and movement reassurance, to help regulate the nervous system during treatment
• How psychological awareness strengthens neuromuscular therapy treatment planning within the biopsychosocial model of pain

Why It Matters

• Pain perception is strongly influence by psychological factors such as stress, fear, beliefs, and emotional state
• Fear-avoidance and catastrophizing behaviors can prolong pain and delay recovery
• Psychological stress can increase neuromuscular tension and alter pain thresholds
• Recognizing psychological contributors allows for more accurate assessment and individualized treatment planning
• Addressing both physical and psychological influences lead to more meaningful and lasting clinical outcomes

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 seeking to deepen their understanding of the biopsychosocial model of pain
• Clinical and Therapeutic Massage Therapists working with clients experiencing persistent or complex pain conditions
• Spors and Orthopedic Massage Practitioners supporting clients recovering from injury or managing performance-related pain
• Massage Therapists and Bodyworkers interested in integrating pain science and psychological awareness into their practice
• Movement and Rehabilitation Professionals who collaborate with manual therapists in pain management and recovery

This workshop is especially valuable for practitioners who want to move beyond a purely structural approach to pain and develop a more comprehensive, client-centered perspective on assessment and care.

WORKSHOP COST | $100

EARLY BIRD WORKSHOP COST | $60 if registered by May 12, 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.”

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