A. Any practitioner who is evaluating patients who have chronic pain, even if that practitioner is not going to physically treat the patient, e.g. MD, DO, PT, OT, CNP, RN, and LMT. Certification from the CBMTPT will indicate that a practitioner has the ability to include myofascial pain due to trigger points in their differential diagnosis or evaluation. Once myofascial pain due to trigger points is identified, the practitioner may either treat or refer to a therapist who is certified to treat trigger points.

A. In bodywork therapy, there are many different techniques and approaches to treatment. Myofascial trigger point therapy, when applied as a system rather than a modality, is comprehensive in its approach and the depth of information that a practitioner should possess to adequately practice this approach is vast. This Board Certification, once attained, will indicate to the public and your peers that you have a competent knowledge base for entry into the specialized practice of treating myofascial pain due to trigger points.

A. Due to the ever growing popularity of Trigger Point Therapy as a recognized way of treating chronic pain without medication, it is in the interest of the public to know that their chosen practitioner has taken it upon themselves to certify, much in the same way that medical doctors attain a board certification for their respective specialties.

A. The exam is broken up into percentages as such:

I. Myofascial Anatomy and Physiology	25%
II. Myofascial Pathophysiology	12%
III. History and Evaluation	30%
IV. Techniques and Interventions	25%
V. Conduct	8%

 

A. Currently, certification from the CBMTPT is valid for five (5) years.

A. Yes. A minimum of 20 hours of continuing education is required per year; 100 hours is needed for recertification.

A. Currently any program or course of study (college credits included), where the course objective is to further the knowledge base of the practitioner, is acceptable.
This includes, but is not limited to:

• Patient evaluation
• Treatment of the body's soft tissues or joint structures
• Visceral manipulation
• Strengthening
• Anatomy and physiology

Any credits that are certified for continuing education by the respective association/certifying agency for a healthcare practitioner, e.g. APTA, AMTA, NCBTMB, NATA, AMA, and AOA.

A. No. The only requirement is that you meet one of the following criteria:

1. Have a state issued license that is active and that the license allows for the treatment of soft tissue.
2. If you are a massage therapist and practice in an unlicensed state, you may sit for this exam if you provide the CBMTPT proof of 500 hours of education from a state licensed educational institution.

Currently there are 10 programs that teach a minimum of 100 hours. These courses are:

SCHOOL	CODE NUMBER
Academy for Myotherapy and Physical Fitness, Lenox,MA........................................   [Only graduates prior to 1989]	11
Bonnie Prudden School , Lenox, MA.............................................................................   [Only graduates prior to 1984]	12
Shaw Myotherapy Institute, Springfield, VA.................................................................   [Only graduates prior to March, 2003]	13
Institute of Medical Careers, Pittsburgh, PA................................................................	15
Myo Seminars, Chicago, IL............................................................................................	16
360 Seminars, Needham, MA........................................................................................	17
Myopain Seminars, Bethesda, MD................................................................................	18
American Institute for Myofascial Studies (AIMS), Albuquerque, MN.......................	19
Therapy Works, WA......................................................................................................	20
Beyond Trigger Points, FL..............................................................................................	21

The CBMTPT provides information on these programs as a courtesy, and is not responsible for the outcome of participation or for a failing Board Certification exam. If you own or know of a program that teaches Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy that is 100 hours or more, please submit that program HERE.