Neuromuscular Therapy
Qualify to treat acute and chronic muscular pain. This is the only therapy course in Ireland accredited by the SMA at UK Level 5. This level is equivalent to between Levels 6 and 7 on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications.
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Quality Courses
Years in Education
Expert Tutors
Graduates
World class education and expertise in myofascial pain and injury
The course is fully accredited by the SMA, The Association for Soft Tissue Therapists, at UK Level 5 which maps to between Levels 6 and 7 on the Irish NFQ.
This course is also fully recognised by the CNHC (Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council), UK. CNHC were set up by the UK government to protect the public. They do this by providing an independent UK register of complementary healthcare practitioners. Protection of the public is their sole purpose.
They set the standards that practitioners need to meet to get onto and then stay on the register. All CNHC registrants have agreed to be bound by the highest standards of conduct and have registered voluntarily. All of them are professionally trained and fully insured to practise.
CNHC investigate complaints about alleged breaches of our Code of Conduct, Ethics and Performance. They impose disciplinary sanctions that mirror those of the statutory healthcare regulators.
They make the case to UK government and a wide range of organisations for the use of complementary healthcare to enhance health and wellbeing. They raise awareness of complementary healthcare and seek to influence policy wherever possible to increase access to the disciplines they register.
CNHC is also the holder of an Accredited Register by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care, an independent body, accountable to the UK Parliament.
Highly Respected
Graduates of the National Qualification in Neuromuscular Therapy programme are highly sought after experts in their field. This is recognised by major health insurers who offer cover for their customers.
- OVERVIEW
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NTC is the founder of Neuromuscular Therapy and has been providing NMT courses in Ireland and abroad since the 1990’s.
Successful completion of this course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to treat acute and chronic pain and injury so that you can offer safe, effective and appropriate treatment for soft tissue dysfunction and muscular pain.
Graduates may work on an individual basis within their own private practice or as part of a multi disciplinary team. Neuromuscular Therapists also work with teams to provide ongoing pre, inter and post event care.
Treatments offered by graduates who are based in the Republic of Ireland, and who are members of the Association of Neuromuscular and Massage Therapists (anmt.ie), for customers of Laya Healthcare are covered in line with the policies which they offer.
- CONTENT
- FEES
- eligibility
- syllabus
- support
NTC is the founder of Neuromuscular Therapy and has been providing NMT courses in Ireland and abroad since the 1990’s.
Successful completion of this course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to treat acute and chronic pain and injury so that you can offer safe, effective and appropriate treatment for soft tissue dysfunction and muscular pain.
Graduates may work on an individual basis within their own private practice or as part of a multi disciplinary team. Neuromuscular Therapists also work with teams to provide ongoing pre, inter and post event care.
Treatments offered by graduates who are based in the Republic of Ireland, and who are members of the Association of Neuromuscular and Massage Therapists (anmt.ie), for customers of Laya Healthcare are covered in line with the policies which they offer.
This unique educational programme provides certification in two separate but allied fields of bodywork therapy. Graduates will have multi-disciplinary skills for the treatment of pain and injury.
Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) is a comprehensive program of soft tissue manipulation that balances the body’s central nervous system with the musculoskeletal / myofascial system.
NMT is based on neurological laws that explain how the central nervous system initiates and maintains pain. The Neuromuscular Therapists’ goal is to relieve the pain and dysfunction by alleviating the underlying cause.
NMT emphasises the role of the brain, spine, nerves, trigger points and fascia in muscular pain. It uses advanced concepts to break the stress-tension-pain cycle. It aims to reduce muscle tonation and release compressed nerves so that circulation can increase and the body will return to normal neuromuscular integrity and balance.
The course is divided into two terms. The first term will introduce you to anatomy and physiology where you will begin your journey and explore the human body as an anatomical structure. You will be introduced to fascia and biotensegrity – what it is and what it does. Term one will also include the foundation practical hands on skills where you will learn massage and a range of sports massage techniques so that you develop your palpation skills throughout the course.
The second term focuses on advanced anatomy and techniques with more emphasis on the myofascial kinetic chains and links whilst developing understanding of how everything in the body is connected. Clinical assessment, special orthopaedic and neurological testing, injury scenarios and differential diagnosis will also be further developed in the second term.
For more detailed content please see the ‘Syllabus‘ section.
The standard cost of this programme is €3,850.00. There are discounts of up to €350.00 when fees are fully paid before the course start date.
Fees can be paid by means of a deposit of €950.00 followed by ten monthly installments of €290.00. If the deposit is paid at least one calendar month prior to the course start date, the monthly installments are reduced to €275.00 per month, a discount of €150.00.
A discount of €350.00 is available to individuals paying fees of €3,500.00 in full (either by means of a deposit plus a balance or a single payment) up to the course start date.
The Neuromuscular Therapy course is open to applicants who have a keen interest in qualifying to treat soft tissue and muscular pain and injury.
You must have an interest in working with people as you will be required to participate in the practical aspects of the course such as giving and receiving massage, sports massage and Neuromuscular Therapy treatments.
NMT students are competent therapists by the end of their studies due to the unique syllabus and education they receive at NTC. Students are required to complete 100 recorded practise hours including 25 recorded case studies as part of their self directed learning. The case studies are based on 5 clients, with 5 treatments per client. This ensures that students experience real cases and real patients and is part of the rigorous accreditation requirements of the SMA.
As this is a primary programme of education the course is suitable for individuals with or without any prior qualification. The content is delivered to facilitate adult learners of mixed ability.
This Neuromuscular Therapy course includes three separate qualifications:
The National Qualification in Massage Therapy and Event Massage (after successful assessment at the end of the first term)
The National Qualification in Orthopaedic Sports Massage (after final assessment)
The National Qualification in Neuromuscular Therapy (after final assessment)
The National Qualification in Neuromuscular Therapy course covers all relevant areas including:
- Applied Anatomy, Physiology and Myology
- Biotensegrity-Anatomy for the 21st Century
- Nutritional influences on Trigger Point Formation
- Clinical practice and patient management
- Clinical Assessment skills
- Fascia – what is it and what it does.
- Laws of European Neuromuscular Therapy
- Orthopaedic Sports Massage Techniques
- Event massage
- Postural Assessment and Range of Motion testing
- Etiology, formation and treatment of Myofascial Trigger Points
- Injury Scenarios including differential diagnosis
- Establishing a clinic and self promotion
- Professional, ethical and legal requirements of operating a practice
- Full Body Kinetic Chain assessment and special tests
- Plan, apply and evaluate a sports massage treatment and soft tissue methods
- Plan, apply and evaluate a Neuromuscular Therapy treatment
Study is supported with a fully printed course manual and through an online Learning Portal with documents and dozens of demonstration videos, a sample of which you can see here.
Funding for Fitness Professionals
Schedules and Location
One evening per week or one weekend per month in Dublin and one weekend per month in Cork, Galway,Waterford and Monaghan.
What our graduates say
The reviews and testimonials shown here are unsolicited and from NTC graduates.
Thank you to John Sharkey and all the NTC tutors. The Advanced European Neuromuscular Therapy course has been an eye-opener for me because of my background in Personal Training and Sports Massage. I have learnt unique ways of treating pain and have been applying these techniques to my existing clients.
In particular, a long-term client of mine with knee chronic pain, after few hours of treatment her knee pain has reduced by 80 percent.
Once again thank you to all NTC tutors this would not have been possible without you. It is a shame the course has come to an end but I also can’t wait to treat people with chronic pain and do a diploma in Neuromuscular Therapy. I will definitely recommend this course to a friend or a family member.
Ismail Sina
Thanks once again for an inspiring and enlightening weekend (although my wife’s upper trapezius muscles may disagree!). Learnt loads and I am very excited about the future of my practice.
Although already incredibly busy I find treating people with pain much more interesting and fulfilling than a runner with a tweaked calf. The education you have given me is truly going to develop me as a practitioner in such a dramatic way.
Thanks, John. Sad the course is coming to an end but will thoroughly recommend to others and will look to do the Masters in the future.
Rob Date
Can I pass on my sincerest gratitude to all the staff at NTC ? Once again you all have delivered another professional and enjoyable course that ensures a qualification that is recognised and accepted with high regard within the industry.
Alan Devine
The good news is that I passed my Neuromuscular Therapy exams. I would like to pass on my sincere thanks to all the team in NTC for helping me in step one of a plan. You are a great team with wonderful tutors.
Liam Cotter
I have just sat my NMT exams and if it wasn’t for Larry, one of my tutors who helped me out, I would have let my nerves get the best of me. I also wish to thank the rest of the tutors and staff for all their help over the past 18 months.
Nicole Dunne
I have been in the Sports Massage and the treatment of occupational and sporting injuries profession for 26 years and have attended many courses to gain the necessary qualifications to give my very best to those in my care. I had read a book written by John Sharkey which was well written, extremely informative and an excellent reference source.
I subsequently had the pleasure of meeting John and went on to register for a Neuromuscular Therapy programme. It is an excellent course with lectures of the highest standard delivering essential information and first-rate techniques. Applying them in clinical practice I have seen very positive outcomes in patients of all ages. I highly recommend NTC for all therapists at any stage in their career. You will not be disappointed.
Steve Kirby
In April 2012 I completed the Certificate level Neuromuscular Therapy course. Since I completed the course I have had massive success and progression. I had several private clients that I attained from advertising in the gym that I was working in, and also worked on a referral basis with physiotherapist David Gardiner owner of Physiotherapyworks in Naas Co.Kildare.
In August 2012 I moved to Perth, Australia where I have enjoyed even more success. I spent 8 months working at Subiaco Sports Massage and while working in this clinic I had the privilege of treating several Olympic athletes including Sir Chris Hoy of the GB cycling team and also Western Force rugby team of the super 15s competition.
I really enjoyed my time at the NTC – we really had a great group and we all keep in touch.
Colin Cassidy
Our Neuromuscular Therapy team
FAQs
- Eligibility
No. The National Qualification in Neuromuscular Therapy course is open to all individuals.
- Therapies and Therapists
Physiotherapy is a broad based health care profession that has a special focus on acute musculoskeletal care of the physically active and also deals with a number of diverse medical fields, including oncology, obstetrics, gynaecology, paediatrics, rheumatology, respiratory and neurological illnesses and burn injury.
Neuromuscular Therapy offers a special focus on chronic pain and injury including musculoskeletal injuries related to physical activity but, unlike Physiotherapy, Neuromuscular Therapy has a focus on the pathophysiology, aetiology and treatment of Myofascial Trigger Points. Such specialisation allows students of Neuromuscular Therapy to examine these areas in much greater detail than a student of physiotherapy.
Practitioners of every stripe will have their own specific focus and a specific model for the treatment of pain and injuries, acute or chronic.
Osteopaths will have a focus on osteopathic principals and will offer, similar to a chiropractor, treatments such as high velocity thrusts.
The Neuromuscular Therapist will utilise a sound knowledge of human anatomy (our director of studies is himself a gross anatomist) as a solid foundation for understanding pain with a special focus on chronic long standing injuries.
No. You will be a fully qualified Neuromuscular Therapist and you will be free to offer physical therapy for the treatment of chronic and acute soft tissue and muscular pain injury and dysfunction.
The term Physical Therapist is a protected title by the Health Professions Council in the U.K. and CORU in Ireland and can only be used by qualified Physiotherapists.
- After Graduation
On successful completion you will be able to offer treatment to relieve and eliminate chronic and acute pain, injury and dysfunction in muscle and soft tissue.
Typically Neuromuscular Therapists will treat the type of everyday pain and injury many people experience at some stage of their lives such as back ache, restricted range of movement, chronic pain and muscular discomfort.
Many graduates also work in a professional capacity with a variety of sporting teams.
The recommended fee for each treatment session is €60.00. The number of sessions you decide to complete each week will be determined by your own commitment and the results you achieve.
One of the best things about qualifying as a therapist is that you can decide how many hours a day you want to work and therefore regulate your own earning potential.
Qualified Neuromuscular Therapists often work within multi-disciplinary injury clinics where therapists such as chiropractors, osteopaths, physiotherapists, neuromuscular therapists etc. offer a variety of pain and injury solutions. This multi-disciplinary model normally consists of a great deal of cross referral whereby therapists refer patients to each other, depending on the therapists individual area of expertise, and, having determined which treatment model is likely to offer the best solution, decide collectively on the best approach.
Individual therapists can establish a G.P. referral scheme in conjunction with a local medical practitioner whereby the doctor may refer patients with appropriate symptoms to the therapist and using the contra-indication skills gained through the qualification process, the therapist can refer their patients to the doctor when Neuromuscular Therapy is not appropriate.
Graduates who hold an existing medical qualification, in nursing for example, may find that they can combine their new skills with their existing skill set within the hospital environment.
Neuromuscular Therapists generally operate in private practice either as sole traders, as part of a multi-disciplinary clinical team, or with a variety of sporting teams.
There are many opportunities for qualified therapists as individuals increasingly look outside of traditional medical disciplines for solutions to their health problems and, as Neuromuscular Therapy is a complementary discipline and 100% science based, its appeal is broad.
It should be noted that as with all professional qualifications at all levels, individual success will be result driven and will be in proportion to the time, effort and dedication you are prepared to offer the profession. Many National Training Centre graduates have started their careers on a part-time basis and have seen this aspect of their professional life overtake their full time career to become their primary or only occupation and source of income.
The National Training Centre’s code of ethics insists that all NTC graduates who are actively working with the public, hold a professional indemnity insurance policy which covers the therapist against legal action taken by a client as a result of an injury which was received when receiving treatment. Therapists who are working on private premises may also need to hold public liability insurance if such cover is not held by the owners of the premises.
The National Training Centre have a customised insurance scheme with discounted rates available exclusively to those who have qualified with NTC. The policy is one of the broadest available including many important features that other policies may not offer.
The policy has been arranged through Balens Ltd and the insurer for the scheme is the Zurich and DAS Legal Expenses.
Balens are a very well established, fourth generation family-run business dedicated to looking after health professionals. They are built on solid roots going back to 1950 and are pioneers in the development of top quality cover for all types of health professionals with special rates and industry leading cover that has been developing and improving over 22 years in this speciality.
The scheme will cover thousands of other therapies/activities you may require cover for and many at no extra premium subject to suitable qualification held.
Some of the features covered in the policy consist of Medical Malpractice, Professional Indemnity, Public Liability, Product Liability, Loss of Reputation, Breach of Intellectual Property, Client Confidentiality Protection, Loss of Documents cover, First Aid cover as well as Good Samaritan Acts.
The indemnity limit is €4,000,000 per claim for the Republic of Ireland.
Unlike some other policies on the market, an unlimited number of claims may be made for any year and unlimited legal defence costs are also included.
Also included, at no extra charge, is retroactive cover to pick up any previous insured work.
Temporary cover abroad (excluding USA/Canada which is available on request) is available with no time restrictions and at no additional premium as long as you are a UK/Ireland resident.
If you cease to practice Balens include unlimited run off cover which means the policy will always be in place if a claim was made after you stop the policy running and this is also free of charge.
For further information or proposal form, please contact Balens directly on 00441684 580771 or e-mail- info@balens.co.uk
- General Course Questions
Yes. Neuromuscular Therapists are free to offer their services in many countries worldwide. If you have a specific country in mind you should ensure that you check with the relevant authority in that country before embarking an any programme of education.
In some US states therapists are required to sit and pass a state licencing examination before being allowed to practice.
The National Qualification in Neuromuscular Therapy course is available as either a weekend or evening study option. Due to holidays, bank holidays etc. the length of time between starting and finishing dates varies from course to course, however every weekend programme consists of fifteen tutorial weekends which include all examinations. Tutorial weekends take place once a month.
The Dublin evening course consists of forty-eight tutorial sessions, one evening each week and four examination sessions.
As the structuring of tutorial schedules contains differences between evening and weekend courses it is not possible to interchange.
It may be possible to change between venues, subject to availability.
Any requests for changes in venue or schedule must be made in writing to the Educational Committee of the National Training Centre (edcom@ntc.ie) and their decision is final.
There are many different massage therapy courses available in the Irish market, however many of these would relate to the relaxation element of massage as opposed to massage therapy.
For example the type of massage course which a beautician may take would generally relate to the relaxation experience of their clients and would not usually relate to therapeutic intervention in relation to pain, injury and disfunction.
Other people may take a massage course that does deal with injury somewhat.
It is therefore advisable that you ensure that any programme you enrol on will give you the desired results.
A good place to start is to ask the question of yourself “What do I want to do after I qualify ?”. Once you have answered this question you can ensure that any course you wish to consider will actually lead to your desired outcome.
Students of the National Qualification in Neuromuscular Therapy course are assessed through both written and practical examination at the end of each course.
A small amount of final examination marks are achieved through continual assessment throughout the course.
Students must also complete 100 hours of practical hands-on treatments, including 5 case studies, over the duration of the programme
80% – to 90% of students participating on the course will successfully complete all of their final examinations on the first attempt. Of the remainder most will need to repeat one exam with a small number having to repeat more than one exam.
Every individual’s ability to succeed will be in direct proportion to the number of tutorials attended and the commitment and time and effort they are prepared to commit to their studies.
Students will have to participate in self directed learning outside of class. This will involve study and practice. NTC recommend that students allocate approximately 6 hours per week for this. The course requires commitment, time and effort in order to be a successful, knowledgeable and competent Neuromuscular Therapist.
Students must also complete 100 hours of practical hands-on treatments, including 5 case studies, over the duration of the programme.
- About Fees
The standard cost of this programme is €3,850.00. There are discounts of up to €350.00 when places are fully paid before the course start date.
Fees can be paid by means of a deposit of €950.00 followed by ten monthly instalments of €290.00. If the deposit is paid at least one calendar month prior to the course start date, the monthly instalments are reduced to €275.00 per month, a discount of €150.00.
A discount of €350.00 is available to individuals paying fees of €3,500.00 in full (either by means of a deposit plus a balance or a single payment) up to the course start date.
Places are available on a first come first served basis. Examination and programme manual fees are included within the course fee.
Students of the National Training Centre regularly receive part funding through the Department of Social Protection’s Technical Employment Support Grant (TESG) scheme.
Individual students will need to contact their Local Employment Services (LES) facilitator to establish their eligibility.
For assistance please contact the NTC office of administration on 01 882 7777.
Additionally qualified fitness professionals can receive 25% funding from the Leisure Health Fitness Skillnet. For more information contact Leisure Health Fitness Skillnet.
Yes – students can opt to pay a deposit of €950.00 and ten installments of €290.00 if booking within one month of the course start date.
If booking more than one month before the course start date the installments reduce to €275.00 per month.
The facility to pay by installment is not a ‘Pay As You Go’ facility. The installment facility is intended to allow students to spread the payment of course fees over a specified time period. At the time of enrollment the student accepts that all of the course fees must be paid whether they complete the course or not.
