The programme is open to candidates with a minimum of the Higher Diploma in Neuromuscular Therapy, (H.Dip.NMT), a lower second class honours degree in a related subject area, or equivalent professional qualifications. Consideration will also be given to applicants with relevant work experience, background knowledge and skills.

All applicants need to have a keen interest in working in a para-medical profession, and a firm commitment to upholding the professional standards and expectations of Neuromuscular Therapy. 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.

The programme is structured to run over two years, part-time. It involves weekend attendance and in the latter part of the programme the students will carry out a thesis.

Standard Option - 2 Years

Enrollment is available to persons with a professional undergraduate degree qualification or equivalent. Students are expected to integrate the skills and knowledge gained into their current professional practice

APEL Option - 2 Years

A 2-year APEL option for applicants who hold a professional qualification, and relevant professional experience in a related area will be considered. Although Leaving Certificate with a science subject is highly desirable, each application from qualifying professionals will be considered individually.

The University of Chester recognises prior experiential learning as a valid route into higher education, and each faculty of study has its own APL Assessor to facilitate this.

APEL applicants must attend an interview with the course leader of the Irish College of Neuromuscular Therapy to determine if their prior experiential learning is likely to meet entry requirements. Where it has been determined that an APEL applicant is likely to meet entry requirements the student will then need to follow the University of Chester’s APEL procedure for final acceptance on to the programme.

Applications are invited from professions such as:

• Nursing
• Medicine
• Dietetics
• Physiotherapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Food Industry
• Health Promotion
• Leisure Industry
• Teaching/Lecturing
• Emergency Services (police, fire, ambulance, military)
• Sport
• Coaching
• Physical Education
• Sports Science

The modules for this Masters Degree programme include:

Myofascial Trigger Points, Sensitisation and Neuromusculoskeletal Pain

This module will focus on myofascial trigger points: translating mechanisms, processes and biochemistry into Neuromuscular Therapy.

Critical evaluation of the scientific evidence.

Reliability of Myofascial Trigger Point Palpation.

Review of scientific evidence concerning low back pain and other common syndromes.

Management of the Myofascial Trigger Point.

Effectiveness of Treatments for Myofascial Trigger Point Pain.

Discussion concerning the costs to the HSE and the wider health insurance industry.

Additional hypothesis and future research.

Critical awareness and evaluative skills.

Clinical Applications of Neuromuscular Techniques

Focus will be on the causes and nature of Musculoskeletal pain.

Homeostasis: rest, physical activity and recovery. Integrative responses and control mechanisms. Transition from Acute to Chronic Pain considering peripheral / central mechanisms.

Neuromuscular Techniques and Clinical use including: Patient management and communication, Muscle Energy Techniques, Fascial Energy Techniques, Positional Release and Strain Counter-Strain and associated modalities. The need for formalisation of information and standardisation

Neuromuscular Techniques as Myofascial Trigger Point Therapeutic Interventions

Human and Fascial Anatomy

This module includes:

MyoTensegrity- the one muscle hypothesis

Gross applied anatomy through virtual (multi media) whole body dissection.

Review of literature related to the role of human fascia

Early Embryonic Development Human embryology Nervous System Brachial plexus

Fascial Anatomy - ubiquitous in nature and an emerging field of study for NMT

New Frontiers in Human and Fascial Anatomy Research.

The Science of Medical Exercise

Defining medical exercise within the NMT clinical environment.

Review the physiological peculiarities of trigger points and MPSs.

Identify appropriate time to implement medical exercise programme.

Implement knowledge of posture and stabilisation through an understanding of biomechanical principles.

Specific ailments that may be treated with medical exercise.

Learning the sub-disciplines of medical exercise: stretching, mobility, strength, movement patterns, etc.

Identify methods of increasing effectiveness of medical exercise commensurate to improvements in client skill level / abilities.

Explore theories of exercise modalities through knowledge of muscle movement patterns, Myofascial chains and muscle physiology.

Role of exercise forms and meditation movements as a means to controlling tension within the sympathetic nervous system.

Working with clients to profile and plan appropriate interventions.

Additional Modules

Research Methods and Data Analysis

Research Project

The cost of the MSc Neuromuscular Therapy degree programme is €7,250.00

You can secure a place on the MSc Neuromuscular Therapy programme by paying a non-refundable deposit of €2,250.00. The balance of fees can be paid using a variety of options, some of which lead to discounts.

OPTION 1

A single payment of €4,640.00 two weeks prior to the start date for the programme. This leads to a discount of €360.00.

OPTION 2

12 monthly Direct Debit payments of €399.00. This leads to a discount of €212.00.

OPTION 3

24 monthly Direct Debit payments of €208.33.

Please note that enrollments for the APEL option must be approved by the University of Chester’s APL Assessor.The APEL option is available only to qualifying professionals.

Although the Leaving Certificate (or equivalent) with a science subject is highly desirable, each application from qualified professionals will be considered individually.

Students who have examined all aspects of the programme of education and who are sure that it meets their requirement, should pay the deposit as soon as they decide to enroll as places on this programme are limited.

Students who enroll on the APEL route following interview with the Principal, but prior to the conclusion of the University of Chester’s APL Assessment, will have any course fees paid, including deposits, refunded if the University does not approve their entry to the APEL option. Deposits are non- refundable in all other instances.

Collectively the educators at ICNMT have been teaching for many years at the highest level in addition to having a wealth of practical clinical experience. The educational team has taught in many countries including Ireland, U.K. Singapore, India, USA, and Poland.

Course Leader

John Sharkey, BSc, NMT, MSc, Director of the National Training Centre is a senior tutor with the University of Chester. He is an Anatomist, Exercise Physiologist, European Neuromuscular Therapist and a full member of the Medical and Science team of the Olympic Council of Ireland since 1999. John is also a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies (JBMT) and author of the ‘Concise Book of Neuromuscular Therapy’. a trigger point manual.

John has been involved in bodywork therapy since 1978 and has presented internationally on a range of specialist topics combining exercise science and bodywork therapy.

When establishing the Sports Massage Association (UK), the National Sports Medicine Institute approached John as a recognised expert and authority in the area of bodywork therapy, and following his vital input, the SMA is now the largest sports massage organisation in the UK and is recognised by the National Governing Bodies of sport.

John has been the main driving force in the development of this Masters Degree in Neuromuscular Therapy having commenced the process with Professor Kevin Sykes in 2006.

Jay P. Shah, M.D, Jay Shah, MD has been a physiatrist and clinical investigator in Bethesda, Maryland USA since 1993. He completed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at New York Medical College in Valhalla, N.Y. and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He trained in medical acupuncture at the UCLA School of Medicine and has been an instructor in medical acupuncture courses at Harvard Medical School and New York Medical College. He recently completed a two-year Bravewell Fellowship in Integrative Medicine at the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine. 

Jay's interests include the pathophysiology of myofascial pain and the application of physical medicine techniques in the management of neuro-musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. Jay lectures nationally and internationally on the mechanisms of chronic pain, myofascial pain, acupuncture techniques and other related topics. He and his co-investigators are utilizing novel microanalytical and ultrasound imaging techniques to study the unique biochemical milieu, viscoelastic properties and local vasculature of myofascial trigger points and surrounding soft tissue. 

Jay also teaches hands-on workshops for physicians, physiotherapists, and dentists among others. His workshops integrate emerging knowledge from the pain sciences into clinical practice.  Jay was selected by the American Academy of Pain Management as the 2010 recipient of the Janet Travell Clinical Pain Management Award.

Michelle O’Melia Dunne MSc

A qualified health fitness instructor, personal trainer and European Neuromuscular Therapist, Michelle graduated with a Masters Degree in Exercise and Nutrition Science from the University of Chester. Michele has a special interest in the role of nutrition as medicine.

Michael M. Gunther Ph. D.

Dr Michael Gunther is a Senior Lecturer of Anatomy & Physical Anthropology and the Deputy Director of the BSc (Hons.) in Anatomy and Human Biology at the Department of Musculoskeletal Biology, Institute of Aging and Chronic Disease at the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences of the University of Liverpool.

Dr Basma Ellahi Ph. D.

Dr Basma Ellahi is Head of the Department of Clinical Sciences at the University of Chester and is primarily responsible for the day to day operations of the department and influencing the strategic direction of the Department.

Basma joined the University of Chester in 2003 to lead on developments in nutrition education and support the delivery of the Nutrition and Dietetics programmes leading to registration in Dietetics (commissioned by the NW Strategic Health Authority).

Basma has over ten years' academic experience having held teaching positions at the University of Teeside and the University of Central Lancashire before joining Chester. Basma is an external examiner for undergraduate programmes in food, nutrition and health at the University of Huddersfield and nutrition and dietetics at the London Metropolitan University and for the MSc Nutrition Obesity and Health (University of Leeds). She has held the position of elected Chair for the North of England Branch of the Institute of Food Science and Technology in the past, is elected Theme Leader for the Nutrition Society (Nutrition Epidemiology and Public Health), and is an active participant in the development of a defined profession in collaboration with the Nutrition Society UK.

Mike Morris, BSc, MSc, FHEA

Mike Morris has been a member of the Department of Clinical Sciences at the University of Chester since 2005 and is a programme leader and lecturer. Mike’s fields of teaching include Research Methods (Data Analysis & Statistics) and Exercise Physiology while his fields of research include Perception of Effort, Prediction of Maximal Oxygen Uptake and Performance Enhancement.

Mike's specialist areas are Exercise Physiology, Data Analysis and Statistics.

Stephen Fallows, BSc, PhD, FHEA

Stephen Fallows is the Research Coordinator for the Department of Clinical Sciences at the University of Chester and is sub-dean - Postgraduate Research Studies.

Stephen’s fields of teaching include nutrition and research methods while his fields of research cover nutrition and Higher Education Pedagogy.

Leon Chaitow ND DO

Leon Chaitow is a graduate of the British College of Osteopathic Medicine.

He is an Honorary Fellow, University of Westminster London, where he was senior lecturer and module leader between 1993 and 2005 and he is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of the peer-reviewed, MedLine indexed, Journal of Bodywork & Movement Therapies, published by Elsevier since 1996.

He is also author of numerous textbooks, including Clinical Applications of Neuromuscular Techniques, Volumes 1 and 2 (Upper Body  2nd edition 2008, and Lower Body, 2nd edition 2011)  - co-authored with Judith DeLany,Muscle Energy Techniques (3rd edition ChurchillLivingstone 2006) and Positional Release Techniques (3rd edition ChurchillLivingstone 2011).

In addition to being a member of both the Scientific and Planning committees for the International Fascia Research Congresses, as well as the Interdisciplinary Congresses on Low Back and Pelvic Pain, Leon is a Director of the Ida P Rolf Research Foundation, and teaches widely in Europe and the USA, as well as remaining clinically active in London.

MSc Neuromuscular Therapy

Induction - September 14th, 2013  - John Sharkey & Gareth Jones

Module XN7124 - Myofascial Trigger Points, Sensitisation and Neuromusculoskeletal Pain - September 20th, 21st, 22nd, 2013 - Dr. Jay Shah & John Sharkey

Module XN7125 - Human and Fascial Anatomy -  November 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 2013 - Dr. Michael Gunther & John Sharkey

Module XN7127 - Functional Nutritional Medicine - January 24th, 25th, 26th, 2014 - Michelle O' Melia

Module XN7128 - Research Methods & Data Analysis - March 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 2014 - Dr. Mike Morris & Dr. Steve Fallows

Module XN7123 - Clinical Applications of Neuromuscular Techniques - May 16th, 17th, 18th, 2014 - Leon Chaitow & John Sharkey

Assessment - Poster presentations & assessments for RM & DA module (XN7128) - June 14th & 15th, 2014 (TBC) - Dr. Steve Fallows & John Sharkey

Module XN7126 - The Science of Medical Exercise - August 29th, 30th, 31st, 2014 - William Elliott

Module XNM129 - Research Project - September 2014

Dates and tutors may be subject to change if necessary.

Tutorial Sessions generally run from 09:30 to 17:30 on each tutorial day.

Do I need to hold any other qualification in order to participate on this programme?

Yes. - Ideally you willhold an undergraduate degree in an allied field such as osteopathy, physiotherapy, chiropractic, etc. Students gaining entry to this programme need to demonstrate prior knowledge in principles of injury and pain management and demonstrate acceptable assessment skills (postural, mechanical etc). APL and APEL will be considered in accordance with University of Chester policy.

What will I be qualified to do when I complete this course successfully ?

On successful completion you will be a qualified Neuromuscular Therapist and as such will be professionally competent to offer professional services in Neuromuscular Therapy with a special focus on chronic and myofascial pain.

Will I be able to get a job in a pain/sports injury clinic or in a hospital?

Qualified Neuromuscular Therapists generally work within multi-disciplinary clinics where therapists such as chiropractors, physical therapists, 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 collectively which treatment model is likely to offer the best solution. Individual Neuromuscular Therapists can establish a G.P. referral scheme in conjunction with a local medical practitioner whereby the doctor will refer patients with appropriate symptoms to the Neuromuscular Therapist and using the skills gained through the qualification process, the Neuromuscular Therapist can refer their patients to the doctor when NMT may not be appropriate. Graduates who hold an existing allied qualification, in physiotherapy, for example, may find that they can combine their new skills with their existing skill set within the hospital environment.

Are there many jobs available for graduates at present?

Neuromuscular Therapists operate in a self employed capacity 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 science based complementary medical discipline its appeal is broad. It must be pointed out that as with all professional qualifications at all levels, graduate appeal to patients will be result driven and their success from a business viewpoint will be in proportion to the time, effort and dedication they are prepared to offer their profession.

On completion of this course can I practice as a Neuromuscular Therapist in Ireland?

Yes. Currently there is no restriction to practising as an NMT in Ireland, the United Kingdom and many European countries.

Is this qualification accepted internationally?

Depending on the country, usually yes, however their may be exceptions. More detailed information on regulation status in Europe and Internationally can be found on the website of the Department of Health and Children within the Report of the National Working Group on the regulation of Complementary Therapists at www.dohc.ie/publications

I am a qualified therapist in a different field can I practice my Neuromuscular Therapy skills on my patients whilst studying?

Yes. This should not be an issue, however we advise that you contact your current insurance company for professional advice.

How long does this course last?

The Masters of Science degree is available as a part-time weekend course. The duration of the programme is 2 years however students can take up to six years to complete the programme.

Where is this course available?

The MSc Neuromuscular Therapy degree is available at the National Training Centre in Dublin.

How will I be assessed?

Each taught module is assessed by a 4,000 word written assignment or its equivalent - e.g. poster presentation. There are no formal examinations.

Personal Research Project

Following the completion of six taught modules, MSc students are required to undertake a programme of personal research.

What age groups participate on this course?

Students of all ages are likely to participate. As eligibility is defined via prior experiential learning and / or life experience, the lower end of the age scale is likely to be from late twenties.

What is the success rate?

As this MSc Neuromuscular Therapy programme is the first of its kind in Ireland it is not possible to state a success rate, however 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.

How much of the course is practical and how much is theory?

This degree comprises approximately 60% theory and 40% hands-on practical tutorials. Most tutorial sessions will contain both theory and practical aspects.

Is this Masters Degree the first to formally recognise the role of Myofascial Trigger Points as primary pain generators?

Yes. This masters degree aims to qualify professionals capable of providing new research and findings into the topic of Myofascial Trigger Points as a primary source of chronic pain.

Can I study to gain a Post graduate Certificate or Diploma ?

Yes. You can also opt to participate in any of the course modules without taking the assessments which can be used to gain continuing professional development credits without qualification. Students gaining the Post graduate Certificate will receive an award in Neuromuscular Techniques whereas completing either the Post Graduate Diploma or Degree results in a Post graduate award as a Neuromuscular Therapist.