Neuromuscular Massage

Is a remedial massage therapy aimed at recovering the correct balance between the muscles, nervous system and the supporting skeletal system.

By definition, it is the utilization of static pressure on specific myofascial points to relieve pain. This therapy manipulates the soft tissue of the body, muscles, tendons and fascia (connective tissue) to regain balance with the central nervous system. Injury, trauma, postural distortion or stress can also effect the nervous system, making the body vulnerable to pain and dysfunction. It is therefore necessary to normalize soft tissue function to regain proper uninhibited neurological activity for overall health and wellbeing.

NMT is the combination of the following techniques to achieve the desired normalization of soft tissue.

•  Trigger Point Therapy, is a concentrated application of pressure on the trigger point, to break the cycle of pain and or spasm. They are small nodules of tight and contracted fibres in the muscle. It usually uncomfortable when first pressed but the sensation subsides with time, (Often know as the good pain), as the contraction is released and the muscle opens up.

•  Myofascial release gently stretches tight fascia, allowing fascia and muscle to relax, thereby improving stretch capability and range of motion. It aims at reducing pain and increasing muscle flexibility by realigning fascia and the muscle to which it is connected to a more normal condition.

•  Joint mobilization, a passive technique, primarily designed to restore normal range of motion in affected joints. By gently moving motion-restricted joints through a specific part of the range, joint receptors can be reeducated to allow a greater pain-free range of motion. By passively moving joints, the beneficial effects will also result in diminishing splinting by the client, and the pain-spasm cycle can be reduced, leading to restoration of the optimal length of muscles

•  Deep tissue massage, using slow strokes and deep hand pressure on areas of muscle tension, either following or against the direction of the muscles, tendons and fascia. It frees the muscles, facilitates the release of tension patterns and can restore suppleness, length and increased range of motion.