What is Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT)?

NMT, is an effective soft-tissue release sysyem for restoring health between the soft-tissue structures of the body (muscles, tendons, certain ligaments, fascia) and the nervous sysyem. This is accomplished by addressing the following six factors of physiology which can create or intensify pain in the body:

1. Ischemia- this is basically a lack of oxygen (hypoxia) that results from increased vascular constriciton in stressed/strained muscle tissue. Ischemia is a major reason for much of the aches & pains that people experience on a day to day basis.

2. Trigger Points- areas of hyperirritability (usually found in muscles and tendons) that when stimulated, refer various sensations to distant areas of the body. These referal sensations can include pain, burning, numbness, tingling and even itching. It is important to rule out more sinister causes of these symptoms since certain visceral problems will often masquerade as muscle or joint problems.

3. Nerve Compression/Entrapment/Tension -pressure on nerves by either soft tissues (muscle, tendon, ligaments, fascia, skin, etc…) or by osseous structures (bone).

4. Postural Distortion and Movement Imbalances- genetically acquired imbalances (i.e. short leg, hemi-pelvis) and/or poor postural/movement habits (sitting too long in a slumped posture, wearing high-heel shoes) can over time lead to dysfunctional compensations that lead to increased pain syndromes. Over time, chronically stressed/strained tissues can become tense, shortened, and fibrotic resulting in permanant changes in bony alingment of the body. In general though, poor posture is not to blame for people’s pain, it’s the movements and activities that led to the poor posture. Many posture problems are really “movement ” problems.

5. Nutritional Factors- deficiencies in essential nutrients (water, protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals) needed for optimum cellular metabolism or inclusion of substances that are toxic (excessive alcohol, smoking, pesticides, etc..) can increase inflammatory processes in the body leading to increased pain and general poor health.

6. Emotional/Psychological Wellbeing- this refers to how well people mange the stress in their lives. Excessive or poorly managed emotional stress can intensify pain in the body.

THE TRIAD OF HEALTH:

NMT is also based around the principle that almost any type of stressor we enounter in life falls into one of three basic categories:

1. Biomechanical: these are the phsyical forces and stresses that we are exposed to each and every day like gravity, occupational and recreational  activities, and any phsyical strain or trauma that we experience.

2. Biochemical: these are the chemical, nutritional, and hormonal changes and stresses that we are exposed to every day all day. Even things like hydration are crucially important for optimum cellular and biochemical function in the body.

3. Psychosocial: these apply to the emotional reactions to every day situations in our interaction with others including family members and other human beings in various work or social situations.