COMT Certification - Regional Approach (Level 1)

COMT Philosophy

Clinical Orthopedic Manual Therapy (COMT) is not a new technique that offers cookbook solutions. The goal of COMT Certification is to empower the therapist/trainer/instructor to think critically and then creatively apply their assessment and treatment techniques. Dr. Joe Muscolino does this by marrying together the fundamental techniques that underlie manual and movement therapies, with the known principles of kinesiology, in other words, neuro-myo-fascio-skeletal anatomy and physiology.

• Palpation and orthopedic assessment,
• body mechanics,
• soft tissue manipulation (massage),
• myofascial stretching (basic and advanced techniques),
• arthrofascial stretching (AFS: Grade IV joint mobilization for manual therapists),
• hydrotherapy,
• treatment strategy
…are all woven into each of the five hands-on workshops.

Completion of any and all of the five hands-on workshops as part of the full COMT Certification will refine how you apply your techniques in clinical orthopedic manual and movement rehabilitative care, thus distinguishing you in your practice!

Who is COMT for? COMT is designed for massage therapists and other manual therapists and movement professionals.

COMT Certification – Practical Regional Approach comprises five in-person workshops.*
* any one of the five in-person workshops can be taken as a home-study online course on LearnMuscles Continuing Education (LMCE)(free for LMCE subscribers).

COMT Certification – Practical Regional Approach and COMT Certification – Practical Skillset Approach cover the same in-person workshop content. The difference is the organization in which the content is delivered. COMT Certification – Practical Regional Approach addresses the content by region of the body. In each regional workshop, the various skillsets (orthopedic and palpation assessment, body mechanics, stretching, joint mobilization [arthrofascial stretching], and treatment strategy) are applied to the region of that workshop. Whereas COMT Certification – Practical Skillset Approach is organized by the skillset.

ONLINE home-study version of COMT Certification - Practical Regional Approach

This is a home-study version of the Level 1 COMT Certification – Practical Regional Approach.
All five 2-day COMT regional approach workshops can be taken/attended as home-study courses online at LearnMuscles Continuing Education (LMCE), free for LMCE subscribers.
View the workshop and pass the quiz to earn the Certificate of Achievement as proof of having completed the home-study online course (NCBTMB CE credit is also earned).

Become COMT Certified

Clinical Orthopedic Manual Therapy (COMT) Certification – Practical Regional Approach involves a series of five in-person workshops. These workshops address clinical orthopedic assessment and treatment techniques.

Becoming COMT certified means that you will learn how to remedy specific musculoskeletal complaints with which your client/patient presents. These workshops are all hands-on and always address each assessment and treatment technique from the point of view of critical thinking so you can creatively apply your techniques for maximal results!

Thank you again for sharing your gift with us! You are a great instructor and your passion really shines through. You inspire me to be the best therapist I can be. I truly look forward to future classes (ie. Cadaver Lab or repeats of COMT), any opportunity to glean as much from you as possible!!Amy H., Massage Therapist, VA

Content of COMT Workshops

These hands-on workshops will cover the following assessment and treatment protocols: (Note: These courses can be taken in any order.)

Efficient body mechanics for deep pressure massage – Learn how to work from your core so you work smarter instead of harder.
Orthopedic assessment testing – Determine which treatment techniques are safe and effective to use by having a clear assessment picture of your client’s/patient’s condition.
Stretching – Learn how to figure out how to most effectively stretch each muscle of the client instead of having to memorize stretching protocols.
Advanced stretching techniques – Learn how to use contract relax (CR), also known as post-isometric relaxation (PIR), also known as proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) technique; and also agonist contract (AC) technique (the basis for Aaron Mattes – Active Isolated Stretching [AIS] technique)
Arthrofascial Stretching (AFS): Soft Tissue Joint Mobilization for Manual Therapists – AFS is the most powerful technique available to most massage and manual therapists. It is the only method that can release individual hypomobile segments of the spine. Learn how to perform this technique safely and effectively.
The neck workshop also teaches how to treat the anterior neck safely and effectively.

Just wanted to thank you for an amazing weekend. After 22 years of successful practice (I’ve been seeing 20-30 clients a week all these years) it is exactly what I needed to sustain me for another 22 years. I’ve immediately incorporated the neck work which is a nice treat after a workshop. I’ve lowered my table and feel like a new MT again. I’m hoping to see you in May for the next session. Thank you and safe travels to the Southern Hemisphere.Jenn S. Licensed Massage Therapist

In-Person Workshops

Each in-person workshop offers a Certificate of Completion and continuing education (CE) hours through the National Certification Board for Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).

After completing all five in-person workshops, a Certificate of Completion is awarded that certifies you as a Clinical Orthopedic Manual Therapist (COMT), designating you as an advanced orthopedic therapist.

The In-Person Workshops are:

Click each link for more information on each individual COMT Regional Approach workshop:

COMT Techniques for the Neck (2 days – 16 CE hours)
COMT Techniques for the Thoracic Spine and Rib Cage (2 days – 16 CE hours)
COMT Techniques for the Low Back and Pelvis (2 days – 16 CE hours)
COMT Techniques for the Upper Extremity (2 days – 16 CE hours)
COMT Techniques for the Lower Extremity (2 days – 16 CE hours)

This was an amazing workshop. I will use all of these skills in my private practice! I have taken many continuing ed. workshops over the past 16 years, and feel this workshop was one of the best. Thank you!Andrea A., NCTMB Massage Therapist.

Book-Based Home-Study Online Courses

There are book-based home-study courses that can augment your COMT Practical Regional Approach Certification. The verbiage “+ Theory” will be added to your Certificate. The home-study courses are:

Kinesiology home-study course (all chapters/modules)
Muscular System Manual home-study course (all chapters/modules)
You may take the book-based home-study courses in any order that you like, but it is generally recommended to complete the Kinesiology Book first.
Note: Most of these book-based home-study courses earn NCBTMB CE hours credit.

The Home-Study Courses are exclusively available through our LearnMuscles Continuing Education (LMCE) subscription service at no additional cost beyond the subscription fee.

Schedule of Workshops

For more information regarding workshop content, contact Dr. Joe Muscolino at joseph.e.muscolino@gmail.com or call 203-788-7635.

Note: Cancellation Policy: All fees paid for workshops are non-refundable. You may find someone to take your place, but must notify us in advance of the person’s name and contact information.