Neuromuscular therapy is also called trigger point myotherapy and consists of alternating levels of concentrated pressure on the areas of the muscle spasm. Pressure is applied with fingers, knuckles, or elbow. During this session, therapeutic castor oil is applied to the trigger point area along with hot or cold packs. The American Academy of Pain Management recognizes this form of massage as an effective treatment for back pain that is caused by soft tissue injury such as a muscle strain.
Neuromuscular Massage Therapists identify the root of body pain from Ischemia, Trigger Points, Nerve Entrapment/ Compression, Postural Distortions, and Bio-mechanical Dysfunction:
Ischemia: the lack of blood flow to soft tissues that causes hypersensitivity to touch.
Trigger points: highly irritated points in muscles that refer pain to other parts of the body.
Nerve entrapment/compression: pressure on a nerve by soft tissue, cartilage or bone.
Postural distortions: imbalance of the muscular system resulting from the movement of the body off the longitudinal and horizontal planes. Longtime poor postural habits are the most common cause of pain from this element.
Biomechanical dysfunction: imbalance of the musculoskeletal system resulting in faulty movement patterns (i.e., poor lifting habits, computer keyboarding, bad mechanics in a golf swing or tennis stroke).
People who have intense pain typically can’t handle any deep pressure but with the Neuromuscular Technique Therapists are able to slowly get deeper and deeper into the muscle to fully release the pain. For those suffering with such intense pain it is a great modality to heal the body without torturing it.
Try out Neuromuscular Massage for yourself and feel the healing happen!