What Is Neuromuscular Therapy?
Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) is a very specialized form of manual therapy. A
therapist trained in NMT has advanced knowledge of anatomy and all the origins
and insertions of the muscles in the body. They are trained to know the
skeletal, muscular and the nervous system and how each system corresponds to one
another. NMT is a whole mind-body approach to treatment.
By definition: Neuromuscular Therapy is the utilization of static pressure on
specific myofascial points to relieve pain. This technique manipulates the soft
tissue of the body (muscles, tendons and connective tissue) to balance the
central nervous system. In a healthy individual, nerves transmit impulses (which
are responsible for every movement, function and thought) to the body very
slowly. Injury, trauma, postural distortion or stress cause nerves to speed up
their transmission, inhibiting equilibrium and making the body vulnerable to
pain and dysfunction. It is therefore necessary to stabilize low levels of
neurological activity to maintain normal function and overall health.
Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) is a highly effective treatment for helping to rid
the body of pain. NMT is a whole-body approach to treatment, so most people find
that when they are treated for their back pain, their knee pain, headaches,
bladder dysfunction, and other problems they thought couldn't be helped or
"weren't a big deal" are also addressed. Some examples of conditions NMT is
successful with are:
Headaches, Migraines, Scoliosis, TMJ, Whiplash, Herniated
Disc Syndrome, Back Pain, Sciatica, Neck Pain, Shoulder Pain, Hip Pain, Knee
Pain, Foot Pain, Osteoarthritis, Plantar Faciitis, Torticollis, Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Shin Splints, Tendonitis, Muscle Spasms,
Cramps and Strains,
Fibromyalgia, Trigeminal Neuralgia, Post Polio Syndrome, and
the list goes on and on…
Does Neuromuscular Therapy Hurt?
Since NMT is a highly effective method of therapeutic massage, as opposed to
relaxation massage, the proper level of pressure does elicit a mild state of
discomfort. Occasionally there is some discomfort in deep muscle therapy,
sometimes experienced 24 hours after the first treatment. Mild pressure does not
elicit pain in normal healthy tissue, therefore the presence of pain during the
physical manipulation of tissue is a valuable guideline to the therapist. It
indicates those areas where adhesions, muscular spasms, nerve entrapment,
trigger points and cellular toxins are located. Continuous feedback from the
patient is encouraged to ensure that the therapy is conducted with the minimum
degree of pressure necessary to effectively treat the area.
What can I expect during a NMT session?
Your therapist will first gently evaluate the muscle tissues with stroking,
kneading and stretching while gradually moving deeper as the tissue warms and
allows. The appropriate pressure to be used during a treatment varies depending
upon age, fitness, nutritional health, postural pattern, and the extent of
trauma and toxicity level in the tissues; feedback from the client is essential
to tailor the appropriate amount of pressure. The therapist applies pressure for
8-12 seconds to each area being treated; prompting a therapeutic response in the
tissues. If pressure is too light, it does not produce the necessary stimulation
of nerve receptors to produce the desired therapeutic response. However,
pressing too hard or too long can cause the body to treat the pressure as an
intrusion, particularly if there is inflammation in the tissues. Optimal success
is achieved by applying pressure to trigger points or ischemic areas 3-4 times
for 8-12 seconds rather than a longer duration. This is because the therapist's
goal is to interrupt the physiopathological reflex circuits.
How many treatments will I need?
This question varies with each individual depending upon the severity of their
condition, nutritional health, age, fitness, emotional health, the skill of the
therapist, the patient's awareness of his role in maintaining his own health
through improved posture and work habits, etc. One person may need only one
session, while another may need 25 sessions. Generally after about 10 sessions,
about 1 to 2 weeks apart, you should feel a great improvement in your health.
When the problem is eliminated, you should have a treatment every few months to
maintain your health and help prevent future imbalances from occurring. A good
therapist believes the healing process should also be an educational process and
so they work to educate the patient about their health and how to improve and
maintain it on their own. A good therapist is not after "lifetime memberships".
My goal is to relieve your pain as efficiently and permanently as possible.