Neuromuscular Therapy

Neuromuscular therapy (NMT) is a physical therapy specializing in the treatment of soft tissue injuries, chronic pain and injury. NMT is innovative in that it combines the best selection of soft tissue manipulation techniques developed by pioneers from a variety of professions such as osteopathy, chiropractic, naturopathy, trigger point therapy and more, it also has a focus on the pathophysiology (the functional changes associated with or resulting from disease or injury), aetiology (the cause or origin of the problem) and treatment of myofascial trigger points.

Neuromuscular Therapy incorporates such techniques as Muscle Energy Technique, Deep Tissue Massage, Positional Release and Soft Tissue Release to treat a range of injuries, conditions and chronic pain including; Trigger Points, Shoulder Pain, Back Pain, Knee Pain, Nerve Entrapment, Postural Imbalances, Sciatica, Headaches, Tennis Elbow, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and more.

 What a treatment entails

Each treatment begins with a detailed history of the client, this is followed by a kinetic chain assessment which is done to check movement or lack of movement of joints/muscles, muscle imbalances and postural imbalances. Then it is time for the hands on treatment which may consist of neuromuscular techniques, massage techniques and (optional) dry needling. The last part of the treatment will provide the client with a list of rehabilitation exercises, stretching and tips to help improve the clients health outside of treatments.

Neuromuscular Technique: Positional Release

BENEFITS AND THERAPEUTIC OUTCOMES OF POSITIONAL RELEASE:

• Reduced stiffness in joint/muscle
• Reduction of hypertonicity ( too much tension in muscles) in tissues
• Release of muscle spasm (whereby direct techniques are not tolerated)
• Reduction in muscle tone to enable a lengthening to follow
• The treatment of whiplash, or other acute muscle strain injuries and soft tissue insults
• Treatment of joints, where the hypertonic musculature is the primary restricting factor and manipulation is unwise, impractical or not available
• Effective treatment for inflamed tissues
• Deactivation of trigger points
• Treatment for special populations to include pre/post operative patients and frail, delicate, hyper-sensitive individuals
• Treatment options where manual methods may cause too much pain or discomfort

Neuromuscular Technique: Muscle Energy Technique (MET)

BENEFITS AND THERAPEUTIC OUTCOMES OF MET:

MET can be applied to a range of acute and chronic conditions which can result in the following therapeutic outcomes:

• Muscle inhibition
• Restores functional length and tone into a muscle
• Strengthening muscle tissue
• Re-training appropriate function within the muscle
• Deactivating of trigger points
• Preparing soft supporting structures prior to mobilisation of a joint
• Mobilises a restricted joint
• Enhances local circulation
• Rehabilitation after disuse or injury
• Rehabilitation and re-education of bad patterns of misuse, i.e. posture and breathing dysfunction

Neuromuscular Technique: Soft Tissue Release (STR)

BENEFITS AND THERAPEUTIC OUTCOMES OF STR:

• Can influence the level of pain within the tissues, sometimes rapidly, allowing adhered tissues to be mobilised
• Promotes optimal health and functioning of muscles by lengthening fibres longitudinally
• Fast and permanent reorganisation of scar tissue.
• Reduces tightness due to adhesions
• Improves circulation of blood to muscles, restoring supply of oxygen and other nutrients
• Increases venous return ( rate of blood flow back to the heart) and lymphatic drainage

Active Cold Therapy Stretching

THERAPEUTIC OUTCOMES INCLUDE:

• Increased Range of Motion
• Reduce stiffness in joint/muscles
• Reduced hypertonicity (muscles being in a state of high tension) and inflammation in muscles
• Deactivation of Trigger Points
• Useful in situations where manual manipulation cause too much pain / discomfort
• Nullifies the nocioceptors ( pain signal) responsible for the sensation of pain

Trigger Point Dry Needling

• Trigger Point Dry Needling is used in conjunction with other manual therapies to help eliminate trigger points.
• Trigger point dry needling is done using acupuncture needles.
• Trigger Points are hyperirritable localized spots in taut bands of muscle. Taut bands shorten the muscle inhibiting muscle function.
• Dry needling releases the taut bands and reduces the pain caused by Trigger Points.

How is it different from acupuncture? 

Dry Needling is used solely for the treatment of muscular pain and injury. Acupuncture is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for a whole range of health problems.

Electro-Dry Needling

Electro-Dry Needling is Dry Needling with the assistance of a TENS machine. The TENS machine is connected to the inserted needles and a low electric impulse is passed through the needles. This combination is excellent for breaking up scar tissue and promoting blood flow. It can be used to treat acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions including:

• Soft tissue: spasm, strains, trigger points.
• Joint pathologies: sprains, arthritis, joint stiffness, disc pathologies
• Nerve damage: neuropathy and radiculopathy

How is it different from acupuncture? 

Dry Needling is used solely for the treatment of muscular pain and injury. Acupuncture is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for a whole range of health problems.

Deep Tissue Massage

BENEFITS OF DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE:

• Deep tissue massage is used to target knots and release chronic muscle tension.
• Reduce inflammation and helps to eliminate scar tissue.
• The focus is on the deepest layers of muscle tissue, tendons, and fascia (the protective layer surrounding muscles, bones and joints)
• Improves mood, lowers anxiety, lowers blood pressure.

Lymphatic Drainage Massage

BENEFITS OF LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE MASSAGE:

• Improves the appearance and texture of scars
• Helps reduce the appearance of cellulite and lipoedema
• Reduce swelling