Basic Information You Should Know On Neuromuscular Therapy

Neuromuscular therapy is a highly specialized form of massage which focuses on the nervous system in order to address pain or health problems of the skeletal and muscular systems.

In order to do this properly, the practitioner of neuromuscular therapy must study biomechanics and kinesiology.

Neuromuscular therapy is a widely-recognized form of therapy and treatment, and its healing effects have been verified by extensive clinical research.

It has been around since ancient oriental times, and you can still enjoy its benefits today.

The holistic approach of neuromuscular therapy is in line with the Oriental methods of addressing pain and illness, and intended to find the cause of pain instead of simply curing symptoms.

The unique technique involved in neuromuscular therapy manipulates the body’s muscles, tendons, and connective tissues to promote balance in the nervous system.

The therapist applies pressure on these areas for up to 30 seconds each with the aid of lubrication, using their elbows, knuckles, fingertips, and sometimes with the aid of a tool called the t-bar.

During the neuromuscular therapy session, the client will usually experience increased tissue warmth, decreased pain, relaxation within the body’s connective tissues, and increased mobility, among others.

Because the neuromuscular therapy was designed to bring about comfort caused by pain in deep muscles, there is usually some level of pain or discomfort felt especially after the first session which is absolutely normal.

The sessions following are usually less painful, and the number of sessions needed until complete healing depends on severity of the situation.

Imbalance or problems in the nervous system are usually caused by stress, trauma, and injury, which in effect will make the  body experience lack of equilibrium, and making it more vulnerable to pain and dysfunction.

Neuromuscular therapy is more intense than other forms of massage or touch therapy, as it is meant to treat more serious pain. It is helpful for those who are experiencing:

  • Severe headaches
  • Lower back pain
  • Stiff back and stiff neck
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Numbness and tingling felt in extremities
  • Athletic injuries and muscle trauma
  • Chronic pain resulting from automobile injuries

Neuromuscular therapy addresses five elements which are the root causes for extreme pain:

  1. Ischemia, or the lack of blood supply to soft tissue around the body, causing extreme sensitivity to touch;
  2. Trigger points are irritated points in muscles, which causes severe pain to other parts of the body;
  3. Postural distortion, which is an imbalance in the muscles due to the body’s  movement away from horizontal and longitudinal planes;
  4. Nerve compression  which results in pressure applied on a nerve by a soft tissue, bone, or cartilage; and
  5. Biomechanical dysfunction as a result of faulty movement in the muscoskeletal system.

The benefits of neuromuscular therapy also extend beyond just simple pain relief; it has also been noted that it brings about flexibility, better posture, decreased body toxicity, improved range of motion, added energy, and improved muscle tone.