Myotherapy is a ‘trigger point’ therapy. It involves pressing on small, constricted, sore points that trigger pain in areas away from the points. For example, a tense, painful know of muscles in the neck might cause pain in the head. In this case, myotherapy would involve pressing on the knotted neck muscles to decrease pain in the head.
Myotherapy was developed by prominent physical therapist Bonnie Prudden in 1976. It is very similar to acupressure. The main difference between acupressure and myotherapy is that myotherapy is based upon manipulation of muscle and acupressure is based upon nerves and energy meridians.
To defuse “trigger points,” pressure is applied to the muscle for several seconds by means of fingers, knuckles and elbows. The success of this method depends on the use of specific corrective exercise for the freed muscles.
It is belived that Trigger Points are created by injuries, muscle strain and emotional stress. Sometimes trigger points can lie dormant and don’t cause pain until they are activated by physical or emotional stress.
Through many sessions of myotherapy, trigger points can be eliminated. It is important to take preventative measures like muscle stretching and decreasing stress to keep trigger points from returning
Common conditions that Myotherapists can treat are
Sporting & occupational injuries
Stiffness & pain associated with poor posture
Associated joint & vertebral dysfunction & pain
Acute & chronic conditions affecting function & mobility
Scoliosis / Kyphosis
Headaches / migraines
Acute and chronic stiff and painful neck
Chronic overuse syndromes - tendonitis, RSI, tennis/golfer’s elbow, carpal tunnel
Acute & chronic back pain / ’sciatica’
Shoulder pain, impingement syndrome, frozen shoulder
Hand & finger numbness / tingling – thoracic outlet syndrome
Knee, leg & foot pain – shin splints, patella tracking dysfunction, runners knee, ankle sprains
Arthritis / Multiple Sclerosis
Pregnancy – pre/post natal complaints
Chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia
Rehabilitative stage of an injury or illness
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