Q: What is NMT?

A: NMT is a very specialized form of manual massage therapy. A Neuromuscular Therapist is well educated in the physiology of the nervous system and its effect on the muscular and skeletal systems. The therapist applies specific techniques to balance the systems and correct the postural distortions which cause pain. Using NMT, the therapist manipulates the soft tissues of the body (muscles, tendons, connective tissue) to achieve this balance and relieve the pain at its source.

Q: What techniques are used in NMT?

A: I use a variety of techniques during a session, including targeted static pressure (applying pressure to a specific problem area to help the muscle relax), gentle stretches, gliding strokes over broad areas, and decompression techniques for joints and muscles. Tools such as a Theragun, heat/ice, cupping, and kinesiology tape may be used as needed.

Q: Why NMT?

A: NMT is used to facilitate healing in a host of conditions, and is very versatile. Several major elements that cause pain are:

Ischemia – lack of blood supply to soft tissues (causes pain to the touch).

Trigger Points – Highly irritated points in muscles which refer pain to other parts of the body (these are the “knots” you feel primarily in your back and neck, though they can be felt in nearly any muscle in the body).

Nerve Compression or Entrapment – Pressure on a nerve by soft tissue, cartilage, or bone (examples of this include Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Thoracic Outlet Syndrome).

Postural Distortion – Imbalance of the muscular system resulting from movement of the body off the natural planes (straight up and down, straight across). If the posture is off of these planes, tilting forward, backward, or sideways, the muscles try to compensate by becoming tight in one area and stretched in another. If this distortion is not balanced, the condition only worsens. Not only does this affect muscles, but joints, bones, nerves and circulation as well.

Q: What conditions can NMT help?

A: NMT is great for:
-Joint pain
-Headaches
-Carpal Tunnel Pain
-Low back pain
-Neck/shoulder pain
-Joint/muscle stiffness
-Frozen shoulder
-Sciatica/pseudo sciatica
-TMJ dysfunction

-Poor posture

-and more!

Q: What are other benefits of NMT?

A: Other benefits include:

-Increased circulation
-Increased breathing capacity
-Greater flexibility/range of motion
-Faster, more efficient recovery from injury/trauma
-Reduced muscle pain and tension
-Inflammation reduction
-Improved posture
-Relief from nerve impingement pain
-Stress relief
-General health maintenance