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What is Neuromuscular Therapy?
Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) is a comprehensive system of soft-tissue manipulation techniques which assesses muscular imbalances and restores proper functional relationships to the neuromuscular system.
NMT enhances the function of soft tissue structures (muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, etc.) and the biomechanics of the body.
Through the application of NMT procedures, which include myofascial release, positional release and trigger point therapy, etc., homoeostasis is restored between the nervous and musculoskeletal systems.
NMT is based on neurological laws that explain how the central nervous system maintains homeostatic balance, and in many cases, eliminates the cause of a person’s acute to chronic myofascial pain and dysfunction.
To relieve pain, NMT directly addresses the following pain-causing elements:
Lumbar muscle spasms are involuntary contractions typically occurring as a result of a muscle strain. Strains in the lumbar region are commonly due to exercising excessively or performing a movement beyond a muscle’s range of motion. Sudden movements that claim a majority of lumbar strains, include:
The body’s response to a muscular strain is to protect the involved muscle from further injury. This protection is accomplished through contraction of its fatigued fibers to prevent any further stretching. Unfortunately, a chain of pain-causing events can follow a muscle strain:
1. The contraction of strained muscles typically restricts adequate blood flow to the area, causing ischemia and lactic acid accumulation. Lactic acid accumulation itself can initiate muscle spasms.
2. Depending upon the muscle’s location, its contraction can put pressure on a nearby nerve. Termed nerve entrapment or compression, muscles squeezing a nerve can illicit intense radiating pain.
3. A muscle strain can disrupt the body’s musculoskeletal balance. Postural distortion is the body’s mechanical method of protecting and compensating for an injury. Unfortunately, this distortion off the body’s midpoint sets the individual up for a perpetuation of muscle strains, contractions and even more pain.
4. When an injury continues to disrupt body function, the individual may adapt their movement patterns in an effort to minimize pain. This adaptation solidifies a musculoskeletal imbalance and can transform a simple strain into whole body pain and dysfunction.
Muscle spasms can also occur as a reflex phenomenon caused by injured ligaments, infections, tumors or chronic disc problems.
Many disc abnormalities are actually a result of the aging process. Although pain from a herniated disc may come on suddenly, its cause generally occurs gradually, sometimes taking years to develop. Starting in young adulthood, discs naturally begin to dry up. The most likely location for changes to begin is the lower lumbar region, at the disc between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae. Medical professionals speculate that this disc is most vulnerable due to the stress accentuated by the spine’s lumbar curve.
As a result of the degeneration associated with aging, the disc slowly loses its ability to bounce back. In the first stage of anatomic abnormality, the soft interior of the disc bulges outward. This bulging disc presses against the ligament holding it in place. The pressure on the involved ligaments can pull on and therefore strain nearby muscles, resulting in lumbar muscle spasms. Additional pain can ensue because the pressured ligament can impinge neighboring nerves. A worsening of this condition leads to disc herniation, where the inner core of the disc extrudes back into the spinal canal.
The most effective type of massage therapy for lower back pain is neuromuscular therapy. Neuromuscular therapy is also called trigger point myotherapy. The American Academy of Pain Management recognizes this form of massage therapy as an effective treatment for back pain caused by soft tissue injury (such as a muscle strain). Fortunately, massage therapists practicing NMT have the tools to break the chain of events that can follow a lumbar strain. NMT uses trigger points to identify and release pain referral patterns that are typical of lumbar strains in the following ways:
In our society, lumbar spasms are one of the most encountered conditions prompting healthcare visits. As endorsed by the American Academy of Pain Management, including NMT in a massage therapy session can save your clients from the intense and unremitting pain of lumbar muscle spasms.
Read more about Manual Physical Therapy for Pain Relief
Massage Therapy Can Reduce Muscle Pain
Muscles that are in spasm will be painful to the touch, and create the following undesirable process:
After the muscle is relaxed through massage therapy, the lactic acid will be released from the muscle, and the muscle should start receiving enough blood and oxygen.
Can Massage Help Your Back Problem?
Neuromuscular therapy will feel painful at first, but the pressure of the massage should alleviate the muscle spasm. At this point, it is extremely important to communicate with the massage therapist regarding the pressure - whether the pressure is too much, too little, getting better, getting worse. The therapist should listen and respond accordingly. The massage therapy pressure should never be overly painful. In fact, most people describe the pressure as “good pain”.
What to Expect After Massage Therapy
Following a neuromuscular therapy massage, any soreness that presents itself should fade after twenty-four to thirty-six hours. The muscles that were tight should remain noticeably more relaxed for four to fourteen days, depending on stress.
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Have you recently experienced persistent pain that won't go away?
If so, contact Nmovement Training today for a no-cost confidential discussion about your specific situation.
Robb Niles is a certified and licensed massage therapist and holds a CEP(Comprehensive Energy Psychology) certificate. Robb provides mobile massage services that benefit you through the healing power of touch and helping you escape reality one hour at a time. Robb can help ease pain, lessen stress / anxiety and assist your body on the healing path all through the palm of his hands!
Robb can be reached directly at 512-501-0003 or by email robbniles@gmail.com
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