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NHI’s Advanced Neuromuscular Therapy (ANMT) Program is the nation’s only continuing education program for bodywork accredited by the Department of Education. The ANMT Program was recently updated to support Interactive Distance Learning (IDL) allowing it to be offered to more Massage Therapists and other Health Care Professionals than previously possible.

Cynthia Cheng, Gildardo Mota Stevens and Justin Samadani are three graduates of the ANMT Program from NHI San Jose. While fellow graduate, Alyssa Osborn, shared in a separate post how the ANMT Program changed her life, Cynthia, Gildardo and Justin join forces to provide valuable insight into the benefits of the Advanced Neuromuscular Therapy Program.

Learn more about our Neuromuscular Therapists and the ANMT Program below.

Cynthia Cheng

I have always been massaging my mom since she asked for one in 3rd grade. Growing up, I knew then that I’d be in the health field. After a couple of colleges and universities with an Associate’s degree in Sports Medicine and a Bachelor’s in Kinesiology, I finally found the place where I want to be, a Neuromuscular Therapist.

For some, including my parents, this was a step back as just a little more and I could’ve been a Physical Therapist. However, I’ve shadowed a PT and a Physical Therapist Assistant in both inpatient and outpatient settings, and found that I couldn’t see myself in that sort of job; but there was a Massage Therapist at an outpatient clinic, and I felt that I was paying more attention to the MT than I was the PT.

So I searched for a program that taught massage and found NHI. NHI made things so easy and accessible; I signed up right after a tour of the San Jose campus.

Gildardo Mota Stevens

I took the ANMT program and I was blown away by how it changed my career for the better and my view toward massage. The ANMT Program lectures are prepared by very well trained and knowledgeable professionals, instructors who have a passion for the massage industry.

You have to go and take this program like an empty cup and allow the instructors to guide you and mold you. Trust me, the ANMT Program Instructors know what they are doing.

After I graduated from the ANMT program my patients can feel the difference in my touch, I feel more knowledgeable, way more confident and it is worth every moment that I spent in the program.

Justin Samadani

Upon awakening one day, my neck hurt so bad I could barely move it. The pain from sleeping on it wrong prevented me from doing anything I normally could, and I took the plunge and went to see a massage therapist for the first time.

After that one session I felt so much better, it changed my life and perspective on massage and I was fascinated to see how another human could help us heal our own bodies without any fancy tools or medical equipment.

On our next session, I asked her where she learned such skills and she handed me a small yellow post it note that simply said “National Holistic Institute”. In a spur of the moment I reached out to the campus and was met with a nearly instant and immediate welcome.

Why did you choose to take the Advanced Neuromuscular Therapy Program?

Cynthia: I can only be honest now: I signed up for the ANMT program because it meant a longer time for me to say: “I have class at that time,” or “I’m a student.” But people in the Core and ANMT Programs taught me that just because one doesn’t wake up before an 8AM class or drives to campus for in-body session doesn’t mean one stopped being a student or that the education ends.

Gildardo: I asked a graduated student about the program and she told me that the ANMT Program was going to change my life for the better in many ways. Every student should take this program because now I work with massage therapists doing couples massage and they see what I do and they have a million questions about all the modalities and techniques to help patients heal and the feedback it is amazing.

Justin: I just felt like it, it wasn’t really what I was seeking but there were ties to psychosomatic approaches to healing that I had a lot of interest and investment in. Also, a bunch of the people I started the Core Program with were signing up after I had so I decided to stick with it mostly to keep spending time with the close friends I made.

How has the Advanced Neuromuscular Therapy Program been a benefit to your clients/career?

Cynthia: The ANMT program helped me better understand, “why?” It’s definitely taught me to look beyond spas and gyms and chiropractic offices.

Gildardo: I’ve gained tons of knowledge, techniques and tools that are so valuable.

Justin: Oh, I have no idea how to express this, honestly it changes everything. You get so much more knowledge that lets you tailor sessions based on even events that occurred far back in a client’s life. It’s above and beyond what I could have done as a regular therapist, which is not to discredit those who do not take this as the skills from the Core Program are a lot on their own.

What is the most important thing you learned from the Advanced Neuromuscular Therapy Program?

Cynthia: It may not be immediate, but if you put in the effort and time, you’ll get to your goal.

Gildardo: The quality of work healing patients.

Justin: Orthopedic tests and dealing with injuries better.

What advice would you give to someone interested in pursuing the Advanced Neuromuscular Therapy Program?

Cynthia: Don’t just think that it’s one straight path. It’s actually multiple roads that may intersect at some point.

Gildardo: Let NHI instructors guide you and mold you. Ask them questions, and ask for help if needed. They will help you.

Justin: I’d say go for it, especially if you want to stay a part of people’s lives and watch then grow.

Curious? Discover more about NHI’s Advanced Neuromuscular Therapy Program today. Complete this form to connect with an admissions representative.