Neuromuscular therapists are highly skilled in muscle anatomy, connective tissue work, trigger point therapy and manual therapy. The goal of neuromuscular therapy is to reduce pain, discomfort and stress in the body by using precise manual techniques that maintain relaxed and lengthened muscles.
Neuromuscular therapy first appeared in Europe in the mids. In the s it emerged in the U. Nimmo, DC, a chiropractor who conceptualized the trigger-point phenomenon in soft tissue manipulation. Travell theorized that the buildup of metabolic waste products in stressed muscle fibers stimulates nerve endings in muscles, which in turn sends impulses through nerve pathways that activate a pain response to a specific area of the body.
One of the factors that differs neuromuscular therapy from general deep tissue massage is most neuromuscular therapy sessions will focus treatment on the area of discomfort and may not include a full-body massage. Neuromuscular therapy can be integrated into a full-body massage; however, most neuromuscular therapists find that about half the time of the first session with a client is intake and assessment and the other half is manual treatment. Recipe-based massage that teaches a set routine for specific conditions like thoracic outlet syndrome, carpal tunnel or lower back pain is a thing of the past.
The specificity is what sets neuromuscular therapy work apart from general deep tissue massage. On the spectrum of massage therapy and bodywork, neuromuscular therapy falls on the medical side of massage, and neuromuscular therapists are expected to have an above-average knowledge base of human anatomy and physiology.
The neuromuscular therapy field has evolved in the eight decades of its existence and emphasis has moved to therapists using critical thinking to address muscular dysfunction. Doing so requires good knowledge of assessment techniques, functional anatomy and palpation skills, Nelson said. This technique requires extensive training and knowledge of the fascial connective tissue system; nervous, skeletal and other major systems; and how they interact with one another.
Although neuromuscular therapy therapists will vary in their approach to the technique, a neuromuscular therapy session will generally include the following components:. There are four elements associated with the hands-on aspect of neuromuscular therapy. Those include assessment, positional release, palpation skills and PNF stretching. They perform various muscle tests to identify the source of pain, which can be but are most likely not the muscles where the client feels pain.
Neuromuscular therapy takes a science-based approach to pain resolution by narrowing down the affected areas based on the results of the assessment. Some therapists will know right away what muscles to work based on their experience, but even experienced neuromuscular therapists may find themselves working several areas before finding the trigger point for the referred pain zone.
Positional release, also known as strain-counterstrain, is a passive technique that releases tight muscles and trigger points by putting the muscles in a position of ease and holding it for several seconds before releasing.
One of the distinguishable factors of neuromuscular therapists is their exceptional palpation skills. This skill takes time to develop and involves the accuracy of touch.
Therapists trained in this technique are able to palpate muscle fibers and move the hands through the many layers of tissue accurately and without injury to the client. We will look into this further in the next section. Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation PNF is a stretching technique that contracts and stretches the targeted muscle group at the same time.
It is widely used in rehabilitation and sports training to increase range of motion, flexibility and strength. Other types of assisted stretching are also used in neuromuscular therapy. Some states require additional licensing to practice assisted stretching, and in those states neuromuscular therapists can refer clients for further treatment to health care providers specializing in this modality.
Palpation skills are what sets neuromuscular therapy techniques apart from general massage. This means being precise down to a millimeter when working on a muscle, Nelson explained. In that same regard, it also means having an understanding of how muscles work together. All muscles work in groups. Effleurage is applied to warm up muscles before deeper work is performed, as are compression, cross fiber, thumb gliding, separating muscles, wringing and static pressure.
There are more specialized techniques that come from myofascial release therapy, which include myofascial spreading, mobilization and skin rolling. These techniques break up adhesions, restrictions and scar tissue in the connective tissue that can cause pain, reduce mobility and house trigger points. Neuromuscular therapy is very specific massage.
Therapists have a working knowledge of the direction of muscle fibers, the synergist muscle and antagonist muscle. They also understand the kinesiology of movement and how postural imbalances can trigger the stress-tension cycle.
It is mainly used to fix trigger points, circulation, nerve compression, postural problems and repetitive movement injuries. The aim of a neuromuscular massage is to go straight to the source of your pain and alleviate it.
This form of massage therapy started in Europe during the s. Stanley Lief and Boris Chaitow developed it with an emphasis on palpation to gain access to sensitive soft tissues. Neuromuscular massage therapy was introduced to the United States between the s and s. Janet Travell worked her way up as the main neuromuscular therapist and became the first female personal physician to a president of the United States when President John F. Kennedy needed trigger point palpation to relieve stress and spinal cramps.
Since the s, neuromuscular massage therapy continues to change, as new manual techniques are discovered.
As a practicing neuromuscular massage therapist, it is your responsibility to know, understand, learn and master new movements that become available. The American Academy of Pain Management recognizes that this massage method is an effective treatment for soft tissue injuries, especially in the back.
With the advancement of technology, courses and people becoming massage therapists, these clinics are readily available in many areas.
Depending on your area, there typically tends to be a healthy number of practicing providers in most areas. Cary Orthopaedics Physical Therapy offers neuromuscular massage as a part of our comprehensive Spine Center. Many people confuse neuromuscular massage with deep tissue massage. They both dive deep into troubled spots and alleviate back pain.
However, neuromuscular massage focuses on hitting the nerve while deep tissue massage focuses on troubled areas and stiff muscles, tendons and tissues deep within your skin. Deep tissue massage can be an occasional therapy while providers administer neuromuscular therapy as medical treatment that needs to occur until the patient completely heals. Neuromuscular massage therapy also treats more ailments than deep tissue massage, as the main focus of a deep tissue massage is solely to relieve tension and alleviate back pain.
Another major difference is that neuromuscular massage therapists take years perfecting their technique compared to people who focus on deep tissue massages. Since neuromuscular therapy targets the main source of pain, therapists need to know where the muscles are, how the fibers flow, understand posture and stress, and how the muscles work together. The more experience a technician has, the better your experience and reduction of pain will be.
Therefore, always research your therapist before you visit them. Ask as many questions as you like. Talk to past clients and read past reviews. Always stay prepared. Neuromuscular massage therapy treats a wide range of problems. Most people recognize neuromuscular massage therapy for its ability to relieve back pain or any other muscle pain, but there are more disorders and symptoms it treats, including:.
Scientists, doctors and massage therapists continue to study and test neuromuscular massage therapy to determine if this massage therapy can treat other ailments and pain areas. Since neuromuscular therapy focuses on trigger points, it can also treat strained muscles and other tense areas.
Before settling on neuromuscular massage therapy, if you have any of the disorders or issues above, consult your doctor to make sure it is the right treatment for you. Luckily, there are many benefits that come with neuromuscular massage therapy.
The main one is that it reduces or alleviates muscle pain. Here are just a few benefits you can keep in mind:. Flexible scheduling.
One of the best things about pursuing a career in massage therapy is the opportunity to create your own schedule. You can have your own business, choose to work with someone else, or do a combination of both. Opportunity to travel. As a massage therapist, especially one certified in neuromuscular massage , you can work in a variety of different states and health settings.
Spas, resorts, cruise ships and other settings are just some of the exciting places a career in massage therapy can take you. Improved atmosphere. Working in a hospital or clinical setting with a traditional medical job is very different from working in a massage clinic setting.
You can be your own boss and not have to deal with as much bureaucracy. Additionally, working in a massage clinic is general more pleasant and less rigid than a traditional clinical setting.
Be your own boss. This point cannot be stressed enough — you have a world of opportunity as a massage therapist. You have the opportunity to start your own practice and choose your own path in this career. An expedited career path. Becoming a traditional medical doctor can take many years — four in medical school and then between three and seven years in residency.
Becoming a Massage Therapist takes just 12 months. The American Institute of Alternative Medicine AIAM has been offering training and holistic skills for 20 years — making the program one of the longest-running massage programs in the Midwest.
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