Founded by Mary-Jo Myers in 1982 as the Pennsylvania School of Muscle Therapy, Cortiva is accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA).

Mary-Jo envisioned a school that would educate both beginning and advanced students to earn a living through helping others. Committed to the power of healing and to high standards in education, Cortiva was created.

Determined to prepare excellent practitioners for successful careers, the school sought to exceed the exacting standards of respected professional organizations in the field, including the American Massage Therapy Association, the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation, the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, and the International Association of Pfrimmer Deep Muscle Therapists. In 1998, a student clinic was added to Cortiva affording students important experience in providing muscle therapy for the community. Continuing to grow, the school moved to its permanent home in Oaks, PA in 2001 where today it offers a massage therapy program and a range of continuing education for bodywork professionals and athletic trainers.

Cortiva Institute - Pennsylvania School of Muscle Therapy was acquired by Cortiva Institute (Pennsylvania), LLC and joined the Cortiva Institute family of schools in June 2005.