(NMT) Neuromuscular Therapy

Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) is a very specialised form of manual therapy. A therapist trained in NMT is educated in the physiology of the nervous system and its effect on the muscular and skeletal systems. The Neuromuscular Therapist is also educated in kinesiology and biomechanics and how to work in a clinical or medical environment.

By definition, Neuromuscular Therapy is the utilisation 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.

Neuromuscular Therapy will be used to address five elements that cause pain:
1.Ischemia: Lack of blood supply to soft tissues which causes hypersensitivity to touch
2.Trigger Points: Highly irritated points in muscles which refer pain to other parts of the body
3.Nerve Compression or Entrapment: Pressure on a nerve by soft tissue, cartilage or bone
4.Postural Distortion: Imbalance of the muscular system resulting from the movement of the body off the longitudinal and horizontal planes
5.Biomechanical Dysfunction: Imbalance of the musculoskeletal system resulting in faulty movement patterns (i.e., poor lifting habits, bad mechanics in a golf swing or tennis stroke or perhaps computer keyboarding) .

For a variety of reasons, when we strain muscles and fascia, either through impact or through a build up of chronic stress, the muscles go into spasm. This spasm can restrict blood flow and cause pain, as well as restricting mobility.
Sometimes muscles can be in tension for so long that they lack the energy to release, and form tight "knots" or "trigger points", a "contracture" or little hard bump in the muscle which can be responsible for debilitating back pain or neck & shoulder pain referring to other parts of the body. Fibromyalgia is a different condition, but it seems many patients with fibromyalgia have significant trigger point discomfort also.
Inflammation is a necessary part of the healing process, bringing nourishment into the area, and reducing flow away, which reduces the spread of infection. If allowed to continue and become chronic, however, it can lead to restrictive adhesions and thickening of connective tissue.
Neuromuscular Therapy involves releasing Trigger Points in muscles & fascia, and encouraging flexibility in muscle and connective tissue.
Pressure is applied to these Trigger Points, until the congestion diminishes. A release of tension relieves pain and increases mobility. Greater blood flow will allow the healing process to take over.
Stretching the muscle and fascia afterwards helps to consolidate the relaxation, and you will be shown some stretches to practice after the session.Your therapist should conduct a postural assessment to evaluate which areas to address.
Neuromuscular Therapy can be researched easily on the web, and it is gaining ground as a key modality for the repair of soft tissues.

Terry O'Brien