Discovering the Link Between Fascia and Trigger Points

CLASS DESCRIPTION:

Studying the relationship between fascia and trigger points is important in the assessment and interventions involved with musculoskeletal pain. Understanding this connection creates the opportunity to develop specific and targeted sessions to address tension and alleviate pain by working with tight or restricted fascia which can limit movement and contribute to muscular imbalances which will further exacerbate the deeper understanding of how forces are transmitted through the body which can impact muscle tension.

STUDENTS WILL LEARN:

• The characteristics of fascia
• How to describe fascial dysfunction and how it affects muscle actions and functions
• The definitions of Key Trigger Points, Satellite Trigger Points, Active Trigger Points, and Latent Trigger Points
• How to describe the fascial lines and how force is transmitted along the fascial lines
• The various methods to address fascial dysfunction

WHY IT MATTERS:

Learning about the link between fascia and trigger points transforms how neuromuscular therapists understand, assess, and treat myofascial pain. This knowledge is clinically significant because:

• It shifts the focus from "isolated muscle" to "integrated system"
• It explains referred pain and recurring dysfunction
• It integrates modern pain science
• It improves manual therapy outcomes
• It reflects the latest clinical research

Understanding the link between fascia and trigger points bridges the gap between classic trigger point therapy and modern myofascial science. It gives therapists a bigger map, more tools, and a better compass for navigating pain and restoring function.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

This webinar is ideal for manual therapy professionals and movement specialists who want to elevate their clinical reasoning, assessment accuracy, and treatment results by integrating fascia science with trigger point therapy:

• Neuromuscular massage therapists seeking deeper understanding of trigger point perpetuation and fascial force transmission
• Certified massage therapists (CMTs) ready to move beyond local release into regional fascial integration and modern pain science
• Athletic trainers (ATs) interested in how fascial chains and trigger points affect performance and recovery
• Physical Therapists and PTAs looking to blend manual therapy with neurofascial insights for long-term resolution of musculoskeletal pain
• Chiropractors wanting to apply fascial concepts to subluxation patterns, segmental dysfunction, or kinetic chain restrictions
• Movement professionals (e.g., Pilates instructors, corrective exercise specialists, strength coaches) who want to understand why pain doesn't always follow muscle lines and how fascial tension alters posture and performance

This class is especially beneficial for those who:

• Work with chronic pain clients or recurrent injury patterns
• Are curious about fascial densification, force transmission, and tensegrity
• Want to better understand referral pain not explained by dermatomes and nerve roots
• Are integrating manual therapy with movement retraining
• Want to ground their practice in evidence-informed fascial research

Cynthia Ribeiro

Cynthia came to the United States from Brazil, where she had attained a degree in Physical Education and studied Surgical Nursing. In the U.S., she graduated from two massage schools, and now specializes in Neuromuscular Therapy and Orthopedic Massage.

A highly dynamic teacher, she has taught advanced anatomy and injury rehabilitation skills since 1988. Her in-person Advanced Neuromuscular Therapy workshops are in high demand throughout U.S. and Canada. Cynthia frequently presents at state and national massage therapy conventions and has had great success with both her in-person and online course offerings.

As founder and owner of Western Institute of Neuromuscular Massage Therapy (WIN) in Southern California, Cynthia developed highly effective therapeutic bodywork, and has brought that material to NHI for the 450 hour program in Advanced Neuromuscular Therapy.

In 2003, she was appointed Honorary Clinical Professor at the University California Irvine Medical School.  In 2012 she became National President for the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). In 2017 she received the Jerome Perlinski, Teacher of the Year Award.

Cynthia has also served as a Board of Directors member of the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).

A continual inspiration to her students, she nevertheless says, “I am always a student myself, and I strongly believe in lifelong learning.”