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What is Neuromuscular Therapy?
Neuromuscular therapy is a type of bodywork that reduces chronic pain
and normalizes body posture by selectively loosening tight muscles and
connective tissue. First, the therapist consults with the client to
get an understanding of their symptoms and concerns. Then the
client’s presenting posture is observed. It is understood that
muscles move bones, and that distortions in posture are a result of
muscle imbalance.
When
posture is distorted, joints deteriorate prematurely, nerves become
compressed, and circulation is impaired. Tissues are deprived of
vital nutrients. Chronic pain often results.
A
neuromuscular therapist develops an individualized strategy to restore
the client’s healthy posture and reduce pain. Overly tightened
tissues are relaxed through the use of specifically applied manual
therapy.
Neuromuscular therapy owes its success to the successful resolution of
compensating factors, often distant from the site of the client’s
presenting symptoms.
What symptoms
can Neuromuscular Therapy help?
Neuromuscular therapy is effective for many soft tissue pain problems
including back and neck pain, headaches including migraines, hip and
shoulder pain, numbness and tingling in the arms or legs, and the soft
tissue aspects of fibromyalgia syndrome.
It’s also
quite effective at improving dysfunctional posture patterns that, if
uncorrected, can cause eventual degeneration of the joints.
Neuromuscular therapy has also been clinically effective for a wide
range of other related conditions.
Isn't
Neuromuscular Therapy just for muscular pain?
No. While
neuromuscular therapy is helpful for muscular pain, it can also help
other pain and other conditions.
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Muscle
imbalance can cause nerve compressions commonly known as sciatica and
carpal tunnel syndrome, for example.
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Or nerve
compression (secondary to bulging inter-vertebral discs) that causes
numbness and tingling in the arms and legs.
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Or nerve
entrapments, such as entrapment of the greater occipital nerve that
leads to headaches.
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Neuromuscular
therapy can relieve trigger points, whose symptoms include referred
pain, tingling, burning, numbness, and hot and cold sensations to
various parts of the body.
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Muscle
imbalance can rotate vertebrae and reduce blood flow to and from your
head, creating headaches.
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Neuromuscular
therapy can help reduce the mechanical load on your joints so they
don't wear out so fast.
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It can reduce
muscular pull on your spinal column that distorts its shape, reducing
kyphosis, lordosis, scoliosis, and loss of normal curve.
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It can align
your jaw and reduce symptoms of tempormandibular joint syndrome.
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Neuromuscular
therapy has been clinically effective in reducing the exacerbation of
symptoms of multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease, though it does
not affect either disease process.
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It has been
clinically effective in reducing the effects of certain types of
spinal cord injuries (where the cord is not severed).
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And the list
goes on...
What are
the limitations of Neuromuscular Therapy?
Limitations of
neuromuscular therapy may include the inability to accurately detect
and/or resolve perpetuating factors outside the scope of the soft
tissue system. Perpetuating factors, while not the cause of a
particular condition, may prevent its resolution.
These factors may
involve:
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skeletal
asymmetries (such as differences in anatomical leg length, which we
do screen for but cannot confirm without consultation from a medical
doctor or chiropractor)
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ineffective mental
and emotional habits
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hormonal factors
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nutritional
factors
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unidentified
disease
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lifestyle issues
such as use of neural system stimulants (caffeine, tobacco) or
depressants (alcohol), including prescribed medications
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and ineffective
movement habits such as holding a telephone on one ear, slouching,
or repositioning the head to aid vision (for example when
wearing bifocals)
When it appears that
these factors are slowing down the therapeutic process, a
neuromuscular therapist may suggest consultation with a health
professional trained in the area involved.
How is Neuromuscular Therapy different from what I’ve already tried?
Neuromuscular therapy has a distinct therapeutic philosophy. Here’s
how it compares to certain other modalities:
Chiropractic
– Chiropractors do an excellent job of mobilizing
joints. The person feels better immediately because when pressure is
released from the joint, the muscles that insert over that joint also
loosen up. Neuromuscular therapists look at a number of factors that
a typical chiropractor doesn’t have time for. They look at the body
as a whole to see why the joint came under pressure in the first
place. Also, since muscles move bones, the neuromuscular approach can
address muscle tension that predisposes the joint mobilization
problem.
Physical Therapy
– Physical therapists generally work from a
philosophy of therapeutic exercise and symptomatic treatment. When
the problem is lack of strength, physical therapy is a great
resource. In cases of chronic pain, the tissue is often fatigued, not
weak. Neuromuscular therapists work with the body to take the strain
off fatigued tissue and place the structural load of the body back
over its skeletal system as it should be. This requires assessment of
the whole body rather than focusing exclusively on symptoms. Physical
therapy programs are often symptom-driven, with treatment to the
general region of complaint. Neuromuscular therapy is specific to the
involved tissue, within a whole-body context.
Massage Therapy
– Massage therapy is a wonderful way to relax
from physical stress. Nearly everyone can benefit from a well-timed
and well-executed massage. Nonetheless, Swedish massage and
neuromuscular therapy have several important differences for the pain
patient. Most significantly, general massage therapists may attempt
to address symptoms without considering them in context. Despite
their best intentions, this strategy may be ineffective in cases where
the person’s symptoms are created as compensation for problems
somewhere else in the body. The neuromuscular therapist places the
symptoms in context, and then works specifically to resolve the
underlying structural pattern. Neuromuscular therapists use massage
techniques, but they’re delivered in a different package than the
general therapists use.
Applied
energy therapies (Reiki, Healing Touch, Acupuncture, Hypnotherapy,
Cranio-Sacral Therapy) – Energy modalities, skillfully applied, offer an opportunity
to address underlying energy imbalances that may have contributed to
the presenting physical symptom. People who understand the
relationship between body energy and physical circumstances often
appreciate these therapies as part of their program. The main
difference between energy therapies and neuromuscular therapy is that
the energy modalities affect the person’s subtle energy systems and
neuromuscular therapy works directly with the physical substance of
the body.
Surgery
– In some cases, surgery is definitely the best answer. When
tissue has been ripped, torn, fractured, or the nucleus of a vertebra
herniated, your physician will generally recommend surgery. People
often consult their doctor about a degenerative condition when it
first becomes painful. The initial pain is a great signal from the
body that something’s wrong. But if the doctor says surgery isn’t
immediately necessary, a conservative approach like Neuromuscular
Therapy can often slow down the condition’s progress. Correcting
ineffective posture minimizes the structural load on vulnerable
joints. Loosening muscles that insert over a joint will result in
less joint pressure. These strategies can minimize the effects of a
degenerative process, delaying the need for surgery. When in doubt,
ask your doctor.
Will insurance cover
my sessions here?
The best way to answer this
question is to ask your insurance company. Most of our clients
are private-pay. However, there have been cases where insurance
has reimbursed the client for their sessions with us. This is
most likely when the person has been injured in an automobile
accident, and nearly always requires a physician referral. If
your employer offers a flexible-spending account for health care,
remember to ask there, too. We're happy to provide you a receipt
for your services with us at your request.
How much
does it cost?
Please click on
Bodywork Services for a service
and price list.
What forms of payment do
you accept?
We accept cash, checks, MasterCard,
and Visa.
Do I need a
physician referral to see you?
No**. This is one of the
benefits of a private-pay system! However if you wish to submit
your visits for insurance reimbursement, your insurance company will
probably require a physician referral.
**Exceptions:
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If your therapist suspects that
your condition is beyond the scope of our services, we will ask you
to consult with your doctor. We are not medical doctors and
are therefore not qualified to address medical concerns.
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If you have been in a recent
accident or have certain types of active medical conditions, we may
ask for a release from your doctor before working with you.
This is for your safety and ours.
How many sessions will it
take?
Each case
is individual, so the answer to this question varies considerably.
In some cases, two or three sessions are enough to resolve the
person’s problem to their satisfaction. Six to twelve sessions
would be more typical. Sometimes the process can take quite a bit
longer. Reasons for a lengthy treatment program might include:
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The problem is severe or
complicated.
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The problem has been present for
a long time.
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The source of
the problem is a longstanding pattern, even though the symptoms may
have only begun recently.
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The person is
continuing to exacerbate the problem outside the session through
repetition of old habits (physical, mental, or emotional) or
movement patterns. See
Healthy Client Success
Factors and/or consider
Wellness Coaching.
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Allowing too
much time to lapse between appointments in the early stages of
therapy.
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The
person's tissue is slower to respond due to age or condition.
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The person is
resisting the healing process. This is usually unconscious.
See Word Cures: How to Keep Stupid Excuses
from Sabotaging Your Health.
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Some people
feel so great with our work, they simply enjoy coming back!
For an
average person from the local area, our experience has been that one
session per week is generally the best frequency to start with. As
the person begins to feel better, treatment frequency decreases until
the desired maintenance level is reached. We recommend that you
monitor your body for the treatment frequency that allows you to feel
your best.
Persons
from out of town can often receive substantial benefit from an
intensive program over a period of several consecutive days.
How
can I support my treatment and get faster results?
This is something to discuss with
your therapists as your program proceeds. The best time for
these conversations is during your session.
Suggestions include:
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Watch your nutrition.
Consult with a nutritionist if you need guidance. Eating
more foods that are minimally-processed and plant-based and
less
foods that are highly-processed or fried and animal-based is
generally considered helpful.
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Minimize nervous system
stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine and nervous system
depressants like alcohol.
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Incorporate quality movement
and stretching exercises at an appropriate level. Yoga
classes or tapes are a great resource here. We
do not generally recommend adding strength-training exercises to
your daily routine until your pain problem is under control.
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Get enough rest. Healing
occurs when you rest.
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Get a handle on stress and
stress reactions. Check out our free health guide
Transform Stress Into Power
and our
Ultimate Stress-Buster Kit.
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Mobilize your body’s innate
healing energy. In many people with chronic pain or illness, the
body’s healing energies are unavailable to be utilized due to
being preoccupied with other concerns. This misdirection of
life-force energy is one of the major causes of ill health in the
first place. Consider combining your manual therapy program
with Wellness
Coaching to address this.
How will
I be clothed?
For neuromuscular therapy, we
provide shorts (men and women) and tops (women). Our work is most
effective when we can manually and visually access the body, while
retaining your modesty and comfort. You will always change clothing
in private. If you get cool, we can offer a blanket.
For therapeutic massage, you will
be draped with a sheet. You may wear underclothing or shorts for
comfort. Again, you change clothing in private.
For all other sessions and classes,
you wear street clothing. Please dress in comfortable, loose
clothing layers and, for art projects, something that you don't mind
getting soiled.
If I phone and get your voice mail, does it mean you’re not there?
NO! True, we may have stepped
out. However it's normal for our voice mail to answer when we are in
session or on the phone. (You'll appreciate this policy when it's
your turn!) Please leave a detailed message, including your
name and phone number, so that we can call you back.
What are your business hours?
We schedule by advance
appointment Monday through Friday. We're generally not available for
client appointments on the weekend. Please phone for details.
What is your cancellation
policy?
If you cannot keep a scheduled
appointment, please let us know as soon as possible. The sooner you
let us know, the more likely it is that we will be able to accommodate
someone else in that time. You would appreciate this yourself if you
felt unwell and were trying to arrange an appointment. You will be
charged the full amount for any appointment that you fail to cancel 24
hours prior to the scheduled time.
What
should I bring with me to my first appointment?
When you come for your first
appointment, please bring:
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Easily accessible medical
information or evaluations related to your condition. The more
information we have about your condition, the better we can help you.
If you have questions about the necessity for tracking down certain
films or evaluations, please ask.
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Your appointment book or
schedule.
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Whatever payment method you
prefer (we accept cash, checks, master card, and visa).
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A parent or guardian must
accompany minors (under age 18).
We recommend that you plan to
arrive a few minutes early and allow extra time in your schedule after
your appointment to allow for fluctuations in treatment length and
traffic conditions.
Can
you recommend any additional information resources?
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Here's a great book on postural
pain relief: Pain Relief for Life. It's written for a general audience. In
addition to explaining the relationship between posture and pain,
there are LOTS of self-help suggestions (like specific stretches) to
support your manual therapy program. Very clear illustrations mean you
can't help but get the picture! Al Skrobisch, the author, is an
innovative neuromuscular therapist and teacher. |
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Do you offer any
other related services?
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Absolutely! Muscular tension
often results from the stresses of daily life. Our aim is to make
you a better stress manager. Visit our partner website
www.WordCures.com for information.
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Click on
Spirit and Structure Press
for books and articles.
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Be sure to
subscribe to our free e-newsletter
to stay current on our new programs.
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