Agenda for Friday October 16th

8am – 12 noon 

Hands-on Treatment Techniques (Our group will be divided in 1/2 and will learn from each of our instructors in 2-hour segments. Instructors will repeat their session twice.)

Presenter #1  Richard Finn, LMT, CMTPT, MCSTT

    Lecture Title:  Trigger Point Therapy for Healthy Nerves and Muscles  (2 CE hours)

Description:    A relationship exists between our spinal nerves and muscles via shared pathways.  A dysfunctional nerve will impact the function of the muscles and visa versa.  Our nerve roots innervate muscle but can have broader problems.  Treating the skin, muscles as well as the spinal segments is important for fully eliminating myofascial dysfunction.  Techniques will be discussed, demonstrated and practiced in this class.

        Learning Objectives:  Participants will

1. Be able to explain a proposed mechanism by which nerve root dysfunction can create down-stream myofascial dysfunction.
2. Identify the nerve root segments to be treated via the dermatome map and affected muscles.
3. Locate spinal segments for treatment via testing.
4. Will treat the spinal level of a particular muscle.

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Presenters #2  Julie Zuleger, PhD, CSCS, CMTPT, LMT and Mary Biancalana, MA, CMTPT, LMT, ACE CPT

  Lecture Title:   Proprioceptive Techniques to Develop Spatial Awareness in Older Adults and in Persons with Hypermobility Disorder.     (2 CE hours)

Description:   A common characteristic found in persons with hypermobility disorder is a reduction in proprioception. Interestingly we also find a reduction in proprioception in the older adult population as well. These reductions in proprioception occur for different reasons, but they still impact the myofascial integrity of the muscular system. In this workshop, Julie Zuleger  and Mary Biancalana will outline important strategies and treatment adaptations to use during myofascial trigger point therapy or manual therapy sessions with older adults and persons with hypermobility disorder. 

Julie and Mary will utilize techniques like interoception, tapping, jostling, contract relax, targeted and focused Drishti or focal points when utilizing post-treatment balance or movement techniques.  Students will receive a take-home QR code sheet with links to at-home practice videos prepared by Mary and Julie.

Learning Objectives

• Participants will be able to implement proprioceptive techniques to improve body awareness and sensory feedback in older adults and those with hypermobility with application to movement control and postural stability.
• Participants will be able to cue and create progressive proprioceptive activities that enhance a person with HMS and / or older adult’s ability to recognize joint position, load, and movement during functional tasks.

12- 1pm  Hot lunch buffet, networking and meet with vendors

1-2:30pm David Lesondak, SI, LMT 

          Lecture Title:   The Fascia Connection: Discover the Key to Flexibility, Vitality, and Pain-Free Living   (1.5 CE hr)

            In today’s culture of information overload and influencer malarkey it’s never been easier to find incorrect information on the internet about fascia. Well, lucky for us we have an expert on fascia living right here in the Pittsburgh area! And an expert with two new books out in just the past two years!  In this lively, informative and fun-filled talk, you’ll be introduced to David Lesondak's new book on fascia for the lay person: The Fascia Connection: Discover the Key to Flexibility, Vitality, and Pain-Free Living   (available at a Target store near you!) and get some easy to understand  and up-to-date information on fascia and you will improve critical thinking skills and get the latest fascia research.   

Click here for information on David's new book at Amazon

2:45-4:15pm   Sue Dimbert, BA, LMT, MTPT

  Lecture Title: Manual Therapy for the Zebra - Insights and Helpful Tips For Working with EDS and Hypermobile Clients     (1.5 CE hr)  

Description: In this lecture, Sue Dimbert will highlight some of the key characteristics of hypermobility spectrum disorder and why this genetic disorder is often referred to as being a "Zebra".  We will also be taken on a personal journey as Sue describes her own journey with her Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. It is important for each of us to understand the family traits and signs that may indicate certain cardiac/vascular/circulatory disorders that can be found with some types of hypermobility. We will review best treatment tips and practices for handling the client's loose joints during treatment.

Friday will provide 7 NCBTMB Approved  CE hours for massage therapists

4:15-5:15pm  Town Hall Discussion  (Non-CE event) This one hour discussion session is open to all interested practitioners. We will have open ideas exchange for topics influencing our profession, the study of and understanding of myofascial pain and dysfunction as well as topics relating to our association.

5:15 - 6:15pm  Relax and get ready for a fun evening

6:15-7:30pm  Dinner for all registrants!  A hot and healthy buffet dinner will be provided to all conference registrants.

7:30-10pm  Social event; The amazing abdominals and QL!   A study in ZUMBA or / and traditional belly dancing and the integration of intrinsic abdominal muscles and lateral stabilizer muscles. Cash bar and dancing juice available for purchase. We will provide everyone with a belly dancing coin skirt. You are welcome to bring anything  else that is fun that you want to flip and twirl!!

10pm - ???  Informal socializing and treatment trade
 

Agenda for Sunday, October 18th

9am- 10:30am

Presenters: Bob Anderson, CMTPT, LMT and Mary Larson, CMTPT, LMT

Lecture Topic: Bonnie Pruden style movement exercises to keep your myofascial system healthy (1.5 CE hr) 

Description: In this active participation workshop, Mary Larson, founding member of the NAMTPT and Bob Anderson founding member of the NAMTPT, both graduates of the Bonnie Pruden School for Physical Fitness, will take us through a series of range of motion exercises designed to keep our myofascial trigger points at bay.

As you know Bonnie Prudden was a very famous television celebrity with her own show that  was focused on showing that women were strong and capable of performing exercises even in regular, everyday clothing they had at home. Bonnie pruden was also a pioneer in the application of trigger point pressure release  which she highlighted in her book Pain Erasure. Bonnie Pruden first went to Dr Janet Travell because Bonnie herself had lots of myofascial pain. Bonnie also learned a lot about treating myofascial pain from the pioneering sports medicine doctor, Dr Hans Kraus.

Participants should be dressed to move and get on the floor and exercise. Please wear gym shoes and workout clothes.

10:30 - 12 noon  Ron Leonardi, MS, CMTPT (1.5 CE hr) 

Lecture Title: Exercises and range of motion activities for the older adult

Description: In this active participation workshop, NAM TPT member Ron Leonardi, who considers himself a well-oiled 1950s Chevrolet Corvette, Will outline simple range of motion and exercise activities that can and should be practiced by the older adult. 

Scientific research tells us that participating in strengthening activities especially in the older years, can aid in longevity and in a more healthy life. As we age weakness and trigger points in muscles develop because people do not challenge their balance or musculoskeletal system.

        Sunday provides (3) NCBTMB Approved CE hours for massage therapists

12 noon End of our Event  Thank you for participating! 

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For registrants attending all educational programming, this conference will provide 19 NCBTMB Approved Continuing Education Hours for massage therapists. CE Certificates will be emailed as a PDF to the email provided by registrants within 2 weeks.

                Questions? Send an email to Mary Biancalana, Chairperson:                        NAMTPTConference@gmail.com

2026 NAMTPT Conference Speakers

Scroll down for our Speakers and click on each picture to learn a bit more.

This Conference and it's 4-days of content will provide  19 NCBTMB approved CE Hours

for massage therapists

                                            Hotel Information

Sheraton Pittsburgh Airport Hotel

1160 Thorn Run Road, Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, USA, 15108

Tel: +1 412-262-2400

• Free Shuttle from the Airport
• Free on-site parking

We have a block of rooms reserved and have procured a special hotel rate for our registrants.

If you are arriving before the start of our conference or staying after, those days are included in our group rate pricing.  You need to call the hotel directly to reserve your room for your extended stay.  Call: 412-375-5161  Sarah Danilovics, Sales Coordinator

Click here to Book your group rate for 2026 NAMTPT Annual Conference