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Orthopedic Manual Therapy

A Benjamin Institute Certification Track

with Dr. Ben Benjamin

Orthopedic Manual Therapy: Soft Tissue assessment & Treatment

5 comprehensive training weeks 

WITH Dr. Ben Benjamin

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A Benjamin Institute Certification Track

How it Works

  • 5 Week-long trainings: 32 CEs each week, 160 CEs Total
  • Take one, two, or all of the trainings! You will get separate CE certificates for each week
  • If you take all 5 trainings, you receive an Orthopedic Manual Therapy Certificate

Course Overview

Immerse yourself in beautiful Costa Rica for a week-long comprehensive course on bodywork. Each week long course focuses on a different area of the body and will dive deep into the relevant anatomy, precise testing methods, and analytical skills necessary to assess and treat all of the common soft tissue pain and injury problems specific to each area of the body.

Join Dr. Ben Benjamin, a leading expert in therapeutic bodywork, for a week of accelerated learning that will enhance your ability to assess and treat injuries and give you a solid foundation in techniques that will revolutionize your practice.

Each Assessment and Treatment course is made up of six major components:
Anatomy: View and palpate the relevant musculoskeletal structures.
Assessment: Practice musculoskeletal assessment tests and palpation of injured structures.
Theory: Learn how to use the history, positive assessment test findings, and results of palpation to determine which structures are injured. We’ll discuss the possible causes of injury as well as effective treatments.
Integration: Integrate what you’ve learned about the theory and assessment procedures through hands-on learning games and supervised mock clinics.
Technique: Learn, practice, and review detailed treatment techniques to eliminate adhesive scar tissue.
Clinic: Practice your skills in two injury assessment clinics, free and open to the public, under Dr. Benjamin’s
supervision.

Certification in the United States

  • 32 Hours NCBTMB Approved Massage Therapy CEU
    • NCBTMB Approved Provider # 033029-00
      CE Broker Tracking # 50-3543
  • No Prerequisites - Open to Massage Therapy professionals and beyond
Overview
Instructor: Whitney Lowe
Dates: June 2023
Location: Playa Samara, Costa Rica
Cost : $1,120 - $1,320
Overview
Instructor: Dr. Ben Benjamin
Dates: June 28 - July 4, 2026
Location: Playa Samara, Costa Rica
Cost: Starting at $1,375
Overview
Instructor: Dr. Ben Benjamin
Dates: December 6 - December 12, 2026
Location: Playa Samara, Costa Rica
Cost: Starting at $1,375
Group 13

5 week-Long Courses

Take one, or take all 5!

Each week long course addresses a different area of the body. You can pick and choose which courses to take, or take all 5 to receive a Benjamin Institute Certification in Orhtopedic Manual Therapy.

  • June 28 - July 4, 2026
    • The Assessment & Treatment of the Low Back, Neck, and Thorax
  • December 6 - December 12, 2026
    • The Assessment & Treatment of the Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist, and Hand
  • Summer 2027
    • The Assessment & Treatment of the Knee, Hip, Thigh, Foot, Ankle and Low Leg
  • December 2027
    • Active Isolated Stretching: Upper and Lower Body
  • Summer2028
    • The Energetic Approach to the Assesssment & Treatment of Headaches and Navigating Challenging Conversations
ben benjamin advanced massage ceu costa rica

Ben Benjamin, PhD

Ben Benjamin holds a PhD in sports medicine and has been practicing massage since 1963. He has been nationally recognized for his contributions to massage therapy - receiving the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) President’s Award in 2000 and being inducted into the Massage Therapy Hall of Fame by the World Massage Festival in 2010.

He was the Founder and President of the Muscular Therapy Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which began in 1974. Dr. Benjamin enhanced his practice by studying under Dr. James Cyriax, widely known for his pioneering work in orthopedic medicine. He has also integrated Aaron Mattes’ Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) techniques into his therapy. 

With a passion for helping individuals cope with and overcome pain, Dr. Benjamin has lectured internationally for more than 50 years and written countless articles in publications such as Massage Therapy Journal and Massage and Bodywork magazine.

Dr. Benjamin is also the author of several works referenced by educators and students in the field, such as Listen to Your Pain, Are You Tense? and Exercise Without Injury, and co-author of The Ethics of Touch and Conversation Transformation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dates

PART 1: The Assessment & Treatment of the Low Back, Neck, and Thorax:

Arrival Day - June 28th, 2026

Class Days - June 29-30 and July 2-3, 2026

Departure Day - July 4th, 2026

*Wednesday July 1st is a free day*

PART 2: The Assessment & Treatment of the Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist, and Hand:

Arrival Day - December 6th, 2026

Class Days - December 7-8 and 10-11, 2026

Departure Day - December 12th, 2026

*Wednesday December 9th is a free day*

The CRSMT provided shuttle picks up at 2:00 PM on Arrival Day at LIR Airport in Liberia, Costa Rica. Shuttles will be scheduled on departure day to accommodate all departing flights.

Price

Tuition with on-campus housing:

Shared accommodations: $1,375 

Private Room in Shared House: $1,575

Off-Campus Tuition: $1,175

*student stays in accommodations off-campus - hotel, Airbnb, etc.

 

Sample Daily Schedule

Classes take place in the morning (8:00 -12) and late afternoon (3:00 to 7:00) so that you have time to enjoy your time in Costa Rica. Class schedule (part 1) is as follows:

  • Monday: Assessment and Treatment of the Lower Back Day One
  • Tuesday: Assessment and Treatment of the Lower Back, Day Two, including the Live Clinic
  • Wednesday: Break
  • Thursday: Assessment and Treatment of the Neck and Thorax, Day One
  • Friday: Assessment and Treatment of the Neck and Thorax, Day Two, including the Live Clinic
Accommodations

On-Campus Accommodations

Enjoy simple and comfortable accommodations in our Costa Rican style bungalows tucked away in the heart of Playa Samara just seconds from the beach. Each 2 or 3 bedroom bungalow is fully furnished with a fully equipped kitchen, bathroom, and living room. Single or double bedrooms are available as well as studio apartments. Enjoy the swimming pool, lush gardens, WiFi access, hot water showers, and fans. A/C is included for all on-campus housing options for this course.

What's Included?
  • Orhtpedic Manual Therapy Continuing Education Course
  • Each course is 32 hours NCBTMB approved Continuing Education credits
  • Airport Pickup and Dropoff
  • Each course in cludes 6 nights lodging in our Oasis Villas – fully appointed bungalows with complete kitchens in the heart of Playa Samara
  • Course Manual and use of all classroom facilities (tables, linens, lubricant etc.)
What's Not Included?
  • Airfare
  • Meals – all accommodations come with fully equipped kitchens, and there are several local grocers including an organic market all within 5 minutes
Bungalow porch
Bungalow bedroom
Bungalow sitting area
Bungalow kitchen
Bungalow pool

Request More Information

Map-location

PLAYA SÁMARA, COSTA RICA

Location

Playa Samara is a perfect paradise for continuing education in orthopedic massage in Costa Rica. The town is nestled in the beautiful green hills of the famous Nicoya Blue Zone on the Pacific Coast of the peaceful Central American nation.

Highlights

Enjoy strolling the streets of the small downtown area and visiting the many local and international restaurants, bars and discos, and cute gift shops. The beautiful and tranquil Samara Bay is surrounded by miles of palm tree lined white sand beaches and provides a perfect and safe location for kayaking, snorkeling, surfing, SUP, and swimming as well.

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