Neuromuscular Therapy

Neuromuscular Therapy is an advanced form of massage therapy that aims to solve the reason of the problem, rather than the problem. It is manipulation of the soft-tissues for balancing the body’s central nervous system with the musculoskeletal system. Neuromuscular therapy is based on the neurological laws that explain how the homeostatic balance is maintained by the central nervous system.

Neuromuscular therapy was developed by in England, in 1930’s by Dr. Stanley Leif and his cousin Dr. Boris Chaitow. Neuromuscular therapy is also known as trigger point therapy.  The main source of pain and dysfunction in the body is located in its soft-tissues. Neuromuscular therapy helps in enhancing the function of joints, muscles and biomechanics. NMT also helps in releasing body's own natural pain know as endorphins.

 

A therapist who practices neuromuscular therapy is able to locate, treat and normalize myofascial dysfunctions, fibro tic adhesions, and trigger points. Therapist applies special pressure which interrupts nerve impulses to the spinal cord thus reducing the intensity of the sympathetic nervous system and activated injury patterns. The therapist uses alternating levels of concentrated pressure on the areas of muscle spasm. This pressure is generally applied using fingers, knuckles or elbows and generally lasts for 20 to 30 seconds. All this relaxes the muscles, releases lactic acid and the muscles start receiving blood and oxygen. Neuromuscular therapy may be followed by soreness, it must get faded within 24 to 36 hours.
Initially Neuromuscular therapy may be painful; however the client must communicate with the therapist regarding the pressure.

 

Before starting the neuromuscular therapy, the therapist will prepare a treatment plan for the client. The treatment plan includes knowing the exact location of pain, performing systematic and comprehensive evaluation of client’s posture and joints for unrestricted movements. The therapist also examines client’s soft-tissues for restricted movements, contracted tissues, swelling etc.

 

Once the treatment plan is ready the therapist starts the therapy. The client lies comfortably on the padded massage table. The therapist lubricates the client’s body and performs some gliding strokes, occasionally the strokes may be replaced by kneading of trigger points. All this helps to alleviate the pain and tension in the client’s body. The six physiology factors that Neuromuscular Therapy addresses are Trigger points Nerve entrapment/compression, Postural distortions, Nutrition, Ischemia, Emotional well being 

Neuromuscular massage is effective for lower back pain, it increases circulation, energy and vitality and decreases toxicity from the body.