National Qualification in Neuromuscular and Physical Therapy

Incorporating the National Qualification in Orthopaedic Sports Massage

Entry Requirements

A keen interest in the treatment of soft tissue and muscular pain and injury.

What can I do with this qualification?

Graduates of the National Qualification in Neuromuscular and Physical Therapy can establish private practice to offer treatments to the public to relieve or eliminate soft tissue and muscular pain and injury.

Graduates also work with sporting teams and entertainment troupes.

Successful completion allows graduates to obtain professional indemnity insurance cover to facilitate the treatment of members of the public.

Programme Overview

This qualification, is delivered by Ireland's College of Complementary Medical Education - CCME, and the National School of Sports Massage - NSSM - with professional accreditation in place ensuring recognition, not only in Ireland, but also throughout the UK and acceptance in most countries worldwide.

Applications are sought from any individual with a committed desire to learn the techniques required to effectively treat pain and injury including professionally qualified persons with knowledge in the areas of basic anatomy and physiology and individuals without a professional qualification as primary anatomy and physiology will be covered on this programme. Ideal applicants include Nurses, Exercise Teachers, Chiropractors, Osteopaths, Physiotherapists, P. E. Teachers, Massage Therapists.

Excellent employment opportunities exist for Neuromuscular and Physical Therapists at home and abroad as the use of these therapies in health care is increasing rapidly. Treatments offered by graduates to qualifying individuals are now covered by Quinn Healthcare (formerly BUPA Ireland) and VIVAS Health. CCME Course Director and tutor, John Sharkey, has been appointed three times as Sports Massage and Neuromuscular Therapist to the Medical Support Team of the Olympic Council of Ireland.

Qualified therapists offer professional services in a variety of locations including Private Practice, Injury Clinics, Sports Complexes, Sporting Teams etc.

This advanced Complementary Medical Educational course is delivered by some of the industry's most respected professionals. The course content is unique as the syllabus includes multi media based Cadaver studies to advance your knowledge of anatomy and enhance your ability to heal.

Entry Requirements

Applicants need to have a keen interest in the treatment of pain, injury and soft tissue dysfunction. They need to be able to offer commitment to participation on this programme which has been designed to fit in with the busy schedules of working individuals.

There are no formal education requirements for participation on this programme. Individuals with a prior qualification are free to enrol any any of the programmes.

Synoptic Syllabus

This CCME course is an advanced Complementary Medical Educational (CME) programme involving Sports Massage and Soft Tissue Manipulation techniques including:

# Primary and Advanced Anatomy & Physiology
# Exercise Physiology
# Neuro Physiology
# Cadaver Studies
# Myology
# Soft Tissue Release
# Muscle Energy Techniques
# Trigger Point Techniques
# Neuromuscular Techniques
# Positional and Myofascial Release

Tutors

All College of Complementary Medical Education tutors are practicing Neuromuscular and Physical Therapists and they all hold a tutoring qualification which gives them the skills required to deliver the National Qualification in Neuromuscular and Physical Therapy programme to adults of mixed ability.

Other tutors include John Sharkey, Sports Massage and Neuromuscular Therapist for the Olympic Council of Ireland, Leon Chaitow, internationally renowned bodywork lecturer and author and Judith DeLany, author, lecturer and director of the NMT Center in Florida. Leon and Judith both teach on the Higher Diploma in Neuromuscular Therapy programme.

CPD

In addition to following a strict code of ethics, all licensed Neuromuscular and Physical Therapists must be a member of a recognised professional body such as the Association of Neuromuscular Therapists. Membership of this Association allows a therapists patients to benefit from health insurance payments.

The combination of continuing education and professional status will offer the reassurance which the public demand before a course of treatment commences. Patients will be able to verify the professional status of therapists using an on-line licensing register.