Neuromuscular Massage Therapy

So, you might be asking

What is Neuromuscular Therapy?

Neuromuscular therapy (NMT) is a precise, thorough examination and treatment of the body’s soft tissues using regionally oriented protocols that are taught in a step-by-step process. These time-tested, hands-on techniques are built upon a science-based foundation and guided by clinical evidence. NMT can integrate well into any practice setting and is frequently included in mainstream medicine, integrative medicine, chiropractic care, and multidisciplinary clinics worldwide. It is mainly used to fix trigger points, circulation, nerve compression, postural problems and repetitive movement injuries.

Neuromuscular Therapy will be used to address five elements that may be causing you pain:

• Ischemia: the muscle is lacking proper blood flow
• Trigger Points:  focus of hyperirritability in a tissue that, when compressed, is locally tender and, if sufficiently hypersensitive, gives rise to referred pain and tenderness. triggers pain in other areas of the body.
• Nerve Compression: a nerve is squeezed or compacted. Common symptoms include pain, numbness, and muscle weakness at the site of the nerve or Nerve Entrapment: involves compression of a nerve or nerve root, causing pain, numbness, tingling, sensitivity and/or weakness
• Postural Distortion: happens when we repeat an undesirable movement or static position again and again, that leads to muscle imbalances and postural stress.
• Biomechanical Dysfunction: an acquired change in musculoskeletal mechanics that result in faulty movement patterns.

Neuromuscular therapy consists of alternating levels of concentrated pressure on the areas of muscle spasm or pain. The massage therapist will apply pressure using either their fingers, knuckles, or elbow. Once applied to a muscle spasm, the pressure will not vary for ten to thirty seconds.

Some of the medical issues for which neuromuscular massage can be an appropriate treatment include:

• Low back pain
• Upper back pain
• Carpal tunnel-like symptoms
• Sciatica-like symptoms
• Calf cramps
• Plantar fasciitis
• Tendonitis
• Knee pain
• Jaw pain
• Tempomandibular joint pain (TMJ disorders)
• Hip pain
• Headaches
• Iliotibial band friction syndrome