We at Pate School of Neuromuscular Therapy will provide our students with a comprehensive knowledge of the human body and the skills to apply the techniques learned in a professional manner. Through an in-depth focus on the belief and training in the art of neuromuscular therapy and the intricacy of our bodies, our students will learn to give our clients back their lives in a holistic manner.
The practice of neuromuscular therapy achieves balance between the nervous system and the musculo-skeleton system. This balance is essential for the body and the mind to function optimally. This type of therapy is also known as trigger point therapy. Trigger points are congested, tender spots, in muscle tissue that may radiate pain to other areas. Significant release results when the trigger points are treated.
We also understand the need to work and live while attending school. This is why we chose to offer a midway point that fulfills all the requirements of both the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and the Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Nursing, something no other area school does. At this midway point (approximately 7 to 8 months or 600 hours of coursework), you will receive a transcript and a basic competency diploma for massage therapy. With this diploma you will be eligible to take the national certification exam and become a certified massage therapist. All fees relating to the exam and certification have been included in your tuition. This means that you do not have to come up with the additional money to pay for your testing and certification! It also means that at a little more than halfway through the program, you will be allowed to perform massages and receive pay for it. You will also be entitled to any tips your clients may leave. As a student, you will always have a guaranteed place to work. As a certified massage therapist, students and alumni will have the right to perform massages for pay right in our student clinic.
President and Director: Dana Pate, CMT, has been practicing massage therapy in the Hampton Roads area since 1995. Ms. Pate received her basic training in massage therapy at the Fuller School of Massage Therapy. Through the Upledger Institute, an internationally recognized school, Ms. Pate completed her certification in neuromuscular therapy. She also has advanced training in sports massage, injury assessment and therapy, manual lymphatic massage, and soft tissue release. She developed a strong personal philosophy of tailoring therapy to meet the needs of the individual. Taking what she learned from teaching in area schools since 1998 and from her private practice, Dana found the need for a school focused on therapeutic massage. Therefore, she developed a school of massage therapy in conjunction with neuromuscular therapy. This is the fulfillment of that dream.
We create and maximize value for our students and employees by:
• Creating a learning institution whose service will be highly skilled, using effective neuromuscular therapy techniques, sound principles, and safe practices with client support
• Ensuring the highest possible quality of instruction for our students
• Improving the delivery of education services using up-to-date teaching techniques
• Promising that our facility will always be a safe, clean, warm, and friendly place
• Providing academic support and tutoring
• Attracting and retaining the best labor force by offering competitive salaries, comprehensive benefit programs, as well as annual bonuses
We provide two complete programs:
• Nationally Certificated Massage Therapy (NCMT). This 600 hour program includes all subject requirements to sit for the National Certification Exam. The objective of this program is to prepare students with the many competencies expected of a certified massage therapist. Students are taught to perform clinical and administrative functions of running a massage business. Students receive classroom and laboratory (client) instruction.
• Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT). This 400 hour program teaches the student the clinical skills and procedures of neuromuscular therapy (also known as trigger point therapy). It is centered on personal client massage. By carefully listening to the client’s description of his or her symptoms, the therapist may map the referral pattern of the client’s pain, thereby locating the source of the problem. Once the source is located, the therapist may offer relief from the pain through compression, myofacial release, stretching, and other forms of soft tissue maniputlation. The neuromuscular therapist treats the cause of the problem, not just the symptoms. This program also covers proper body mechanics and body work therapies, and continues with basic massage therapy.
