Neuromuscular Therapy
What is Neuromuscular Therapy?
Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) is a comprehensive program of soft tissue manipulation techniques that balance the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord and nerves) with the structure and form of the musculoskeletal system. Neuromuscular Therapy is a deep form of clinical massage therapy (or rehab massage) that treats the many causes of acute pain, postural disorders and soft tissue damage. This technique is based on neurological laws that explain how the central nervous system maintains homeostatic balance. These same laws dictate how the central nervous system initiates pain responses.
NMT considers five different reasons for soft tissue pain:
• Ischemia – lack of circulation (blood and oxygen) to a specific area of the body.
• Trigger Points- A localized area of increased nerve facilitation resulting in hypertonicity of a muscular bundle with referred pain patterns.
• Nerve Impingement- Pressure against a nerve by Skin, Fascia, Muscles, Ligaments or joints.
• Postural Distortion- The anatomical malalignment of the major structural muscles that support the body against gravity.
• Biomechanical Dysfunction- improper balancing of the body as it moves through various anatomical planes.
How are NMT and Sports Massage treatments different from a basic massage Treatment?
While each system uses a hands-on approach to soft tissue manipulation, Neuromuscular Therapy and Sports Massage are extremely specific. Like massage therapy, Neuromuscular Therapy and Sports Massage address the muscle bellies, but they also go to work with the entire length of the muscle from origin to insertion. Instead of a general approach, Neuromuscular Therapy and Sports Massage identify postural and biomechanical distortions that are involved with pain patterns. These systems also go on to strategically manipulate specific soft tissue components to facilitate structural change and balance. This approach is used most often in rehabilitation massage.