Neuromuscular Therapy

The Neuromuscular Therapy course of study includes courses focusing on physiological problems and western methods of treatment. This specialization will prepare massage therapists to practice in a clinical setting with techniques specific for treatment of sports injuries, chronic pain, postural dysfunction and other types of physical problems. The approach is most appropriate for working closely with the western medical model and will provide the therapist with a clear under- standing of medical terminology and the ability to interact with professionals in that environment. This path provides preparation for the therapist interested in techniques desired for working in the Chiropractic Office, Sports Clinic, Pain Management Clinic, Physical Therapy Office, Health Club or Spa environment.
This specialization certificate program further develops the applications of the basic neuromuscular concepts and techniques presented in the introductory class; specifically, the Trigger point theory and treatments of Janet Travell and the assessment and remediation of soft tissue lesions developed by James Cyriax.

Certificate Course Requirements
150 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: Students must meet all general admission requirements and any prerequisites for any course in this specialization. In addition, students are required to have successfully completed the Contemporary Methods (A & B) courses and Anatomy for the Body Therapist (including Applied Studies) or equivalent.

Required Courses		Course Title		Credit Units		Credit Hours
NMT301		Introduction to Neuromuscular Therapy		2.50		30
NMT322U		NMT- Upper Girdle		1.25		15
NMT322L		NMT- Lower Girdle		1.25		15
NMT322N		NMT- Neck & TMJ		1.25		15
NMT322A		Spine & Abdomen		1.25		15
RSS424		Research: Case Report		2.50		30
Guided Elective(s)		see choices below		2.50		30
		Total Units / Hours		12.50		150
Guided Electives Include:
PSI318		Principles of Structural Integration		2.50		30
EL304H		Passive Joint/Deep Tissue Blends		2.50		30
EL205H		Feldenkrais		1.25		15
EL205B		Neuromuscular Repatterning		1.25		15

Structural Organization & Integration

The Rolf method of Structural Integration combines touch, movement and awareness to optimally organize the Whole Being in the field of gravity. The human body is designed to relate to the space around it and the earth underneath in a highly dynamic way.  We expand: there is an inherent, spring-loaded, anti-gravity mechanism in the body, which expands us in all directions – down-up, side-to-side, and front-to-back. Structural Integration supports people to unfold this innate potential. When we find this natural state of Expansional Balance we can release pain from its roots.  We develop grace, ease and efficiency on all levels.

The IPSB Structural Integration Program is unique among Structural Integration trainings.  It emphasizes the somatic scope of the work while remaining firmly grounded in the body’s physical reality.   Contacting the fascial connective tissues that envelope muscles and bones, Structural Integration uses the tangible and impeccably honest reality of the body as a door way to unfold the full potential of the Whole Being; physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.  To that end the IPSB Structural Integration faculty has developed the awareness and movement aspects of the work.  Students new to the field will receive a complete and sophisticated understanding of the work as it was classically taught by Dr. Ida Rolf, the founder of Structural Integration.  Professional Structural Integrators working in the field will refine and expand their skills, developing practical means to efficiently and safely unfold new levels of integration in their clients, and themselves!  The IPSB Structural Integration Program keeps the size of its classes limited In order to support each student to develop their full capacities as a somatically sensitive Structural Integrator.

The IPSB Structural Integration Program offers two certifications.

Certificate in Structural Organization

Successful completion of the Principles of Structural Integration allows a student to continue their training in Structural Integration Phase A.  This course is designed to train students in remedial applications, giving them powerfully effective tools to provide clients relief from many myo-skeletal pains and challenges.  Students become acquainted with the full Structural Integration process.  They begin learning posture analysis, as well as a plethora of hands-on contacts. Each class session includes lecture, demonstration, hands-on individual supervision by the faculty, dialogue on related readings, and supporting movement explorations.  Students are supervised in practice on each other. At the end of Phase A the student is awarded a certificate in Structural Organization and is encouraged to practice for at least 6 months before returning to take Phase B.

Certificate in Structural Integration

The Structural Integration Phase B course is designed to train students in the full Structural Integration process.  Students assist clients to activate their internal “anti-gravity spring”, releasing pain from its roots and unfolding their full potential.   Students learn to integrate core structures, as well as how to teach clients more effective movement patterns.  Applying of the Four Parts of Expansional Balance and client movement training each student works in class taking three clients through the ten-session series as originally devised by Dr. Ida Rolf.  Each of the ten sessions is presented with lecture, demonstration, hands-on individual supervision by the faculty, dialogue on related readings, and supporting movement explorations.  Students are taught how to use the National Institute of Health (NIH) digital imaging system. This is a powerful tool for learning posture analysis.  Students view theirs client photos to reflect upon and dialoguing with clients about their progress.

After the successful completion of Phase B the student returns to the classroom for 30 hours as a Classroom Aide.  The student’s role as an Aide is to return to their “beginner’s mind” by working with less experienced students.  Classroom Aides deepen their understanding of the work through the process of communicating about Structural Integration to others.  The Structural Integration practitioner is ultimately a teacher of movement that uses a “hands on” approach.  The Classroom Aide role provides this “movement teaching’ experience while being supervised by seasoned instructors.  Upon completion of the above stated requirements the student is awarded a certificate in Structural Integration.

The IPSB Structural Integration Program is an approved Structural Integration Training Program by the International Association of Structural Integrators (IASI, www.theiasi.org).  After successfully attaining the Structural Organization and Structural Integration Certificates (300 hours), and with the necessary prerequisites (350 hours) listed below, a student is eligible to sit for the international certification test issued by IASI.  Upon passing the exam one is acknowledged by IASI as a Board Certified Structural Integrator.

The IPSB Structural Integration program is designed to accommodate the needs of both the local and commuting student. San Diego International Airport is within 12 miles of the campus. The Introductory course, Principles of Structural Integration, is offered four times a year meeting for two weekends in a row.  The Structural Organization and Integration specialization classes are offered every Spring and Fall semester.  Class meets on Wednesdays and Thursdays for ten weeks.  Students can easily commute to the IPSB San Diego campus, allowing them keep their practices and life going rather that having to take an extensive hiatus from other activities to do their training.

IASI Exam  Additional Prerequisites

Required Courses		Course Title		Credit Units		Credit Hours
EMB101		Essentials of Massage and Bodywork		10.00		120
COMM305-I		Communication I: Client Centered Techniques		1.50		15
ANT104		Anatomy		8.00		80
PHY203A		Physiology/Pathology A		3.00		30
PHY203B		Physiology/Pathology B		3.00		30
CPP208		Creating a Professional Practice		3.00		30
HS204		Hydrotherapy and Self-Care		1.25		15
CL206-30		Clinical Applications II		1.50		30
		Total Units / Hours		30.95		350

Structural Organization

Certificate Course Requirements
150 Clock Hours for each certificate

Prerequisite:		Students must meet all general admission requirements. In addition, students must have completed Essentials or equivalent. It is strongly recommended that students receive 10 private sessions of Structural Integration. Each Course taken will count toward only one specialization.
Required Courses		Course Title		Credit Units		Credit Hours
PSI318		Principles of Structural Integration		2.50		30
SP322HS		Structural Integration – Phase A		10.00		120
		Total Units / Hours		12.50		150

Structural Integration

Certificate Course Requirements
150 Clock Hours for each certificate

Prerequisite:		Structural Organization coursework.
Required Courses		Course Title		Credit Units		Credit Hours
SP322IS		Structural Integration – Phase B		10.00		120
PSI300A		Structural Integration Classroom Aide		1.00		30
		Total Units / Hours		11.00		150

Holistic Nutrition

The Holistic Nutrition course of study includes classes focusing on nutritional problems and Eastern and Western methods of treatment. This path will prepare holistic health practitioner to be able to make suggestions in a clinical setting with techniques specific for treatment of diet, chronic pain, indigestion, and other types of nutritional problems that might not be remedied by allopathic medicine.

Students will acquire a foundational knowledge of Western and Eastern nutrition and herbs and learn basic methods to support common ailments. These courses provide students with fundamental information required for understanding and evaluating foods, diet and herbs in both Eastern and Western methods of treatment. The Western scientific approach to the essential biochemistry of foods is examined using three established primary categories of foods. In addition, Asian approaches to food, diet and nutrition are introduced. This approach requires the student to have a firm understanding of the traditional Oriental Medical paradigm which clearly recognizes the role that food and nutrition play in the practice of Asian healing arts.

Major areas of consideration include: pre- and post-natal issues, childhood and adolescent needs, fasting and rejuvenation utilizing foods. Nutrition evaluation and how to work with the individuals to enhance understanding and client compliance will also be examined. The main categories of herbs will be taught and the primary herbs in each category will be studied. Students will learn how herbal preparations are made and which remedies are appropriate for some common human maladies.

Therapists will have an understanding of nutritional terminology that enhances their ability to interact with other professionals and discuss the contraindications of specific nutritional approaches and any legal issues surrounding this field of specialization. On satisfactory completion of this certificate training, practitioners will find their holistic health care skills enhanced for job opportunities in Nursing facilities, Medical offices, Holistic Health Centers, Health Clubs, or Acupuncturist Offices.

Certificate Course Requirements
150 Clock Hours

Prerequisite:		Students must meet all general admission requirements. Courses must be taken in the order indicated. Each course taken will count toward only one Specialization.
Required Courses		Course Title		Credit Units		Credit Hours
EL204G		Herbology – Western		1.25		15
EL204U		Herbal Applications – Eastern		1.25		15
LSN505		Nutrition – Western		2.50		30
LSN504		Nutrition – Eastern		2.50		30
LSN503		Nutrition – Integrated Diet & Herbs		2.50		30
LSN507		Nutritional Support for Common Ailments		2.50		30
		Total Units / Hours		12.50		150

Sports Massage

The Sports Massage course of study includes classes focusing on physiological problems and Western methods of treatment. This path will prepare massage therapists to practice in a clinical setting with techniques specific for treatment of sports injuries, chronic pain, postural dysfunction and other types of physical problems. The approach is appropriate for working closely with the Western medical model and will provide the therapist with a clear understanding of medical terminology and the ability to interact with professionals in that environment. This path provides preparation for the therapist interested in techniques desired for working with both mature and professional athletes, in Chiropractic Offices, Sports Clinics, Health Clubs or Spa environments.

This course will prepare you for working with athletes and common athletic injuries. You will learn principles integral to therapeutic massage: pre- and post-event treatment, stretching techniques, basic athletic training massage, rehabilitation techniques for the Athlete, recognition of postural distortions and their affect on performance, and the principles of athletic training.

Certificate Course Requirements
150 Clock Hours

Prerequisite:		Students must meet all general admission requirements. In addition students are required to have successfully completed the Essentials of Massage and Bodywork course. Each Course taken will count toward only one specialization.
Required Courses		Course Title		Credit Units		Credit Hours
NMT301		NMT Introduction		2.50		30
EL204C		Sports Massage Weekend Warrior		1.25		15
PSI318		Principles of Structural Integration		2.50		30
SP322KC		Injury and Rehabilitation Massage		2.50		30
SP322KPD		Common Postural Distortions for the Athlete		2.50		30
Guided Elective		Clinical Methods		1.25		15
		Total Units / Hours		12.50		150