NEUROMUSCULAR
THERAPY
The
most effective type of massage therapy for lower back pain is neuromuscular
therapy. Neuromuscular
therapy is also called trigger point therapy or 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).
Neuromuscular
therapy consists of alternating levels of concentrated pressure on the
areas of muscle spasm. The massage therapy pressure is usually applied with the fingers,
knuckles, or elbow. Once applied
to a muscle spasm, the pressure should not vary for ten to thirty
seconds.
Muscles
that are in spasm will be painful to the touch.
The pain is caused by ischemic muscle tissue.
Ischemia means the muscle is lacking proper blood flow, usually
due to the muscle spasm. This in
turn creates the following undesirable process:
because
the muscle is not receiving enough blood, the muscle is also not
receiving enough oxygen
the
lack of oxygen causes the muscle to produce lactic acid
the
lactic acid makes the muscle feel sore following physical activity.
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.
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”.
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, activity level, and severity of back pain prior to beginning
massage therapy.
Cloud 9
Therapeutic Massage
Massage Establishment Lic. MM14487
Ambassador Plaza
6447 Miami Lakes Dr. Suite 210E,
Miami Lakes, Fl. 33014,
(305) 989-7369