| Neuromuscular massage is applied to a specific point | | | | Biomechanical Dysfunction: the entire musculoskeletal |
| in the body. It is usually used in order to relieve | | | | system gets off balance due to improper use of the |
| tension and pain in the patient. Results are | | | | muscles. |
| accomplished by focusing on one muscle group, so | | | | Techniques used in neuromuscular massage: |
| that the massage therapist can find the tension point | | | | The therapist will give alternating levels of pressure |
| and relieve stress in your body. This in turn will | | | | on the area where the patient is experiencing muscle |
| reduce pain. | | | | spasm. The fingers, knuckles and elbow are usually |
| This type of therapy is applied to individual muscles, | | | | used. The pressure should only be done for ten to |
| and is a form of deep tissue massage. It is often | | | | thirty seconds. |
| used after trauma to muscles and soft tissue. It | | | | When muscle is in spasm, (tightened in a knot) it will |
| helps to release pressure on the nerves, which can | | | | be very painful to the touch. This is primarily caused |
| be caused by injury. This massage therapy will also | | | | by lack of blood flow. This sets off a chain of |
| increase the blood flow, which further reduces pain. | | | | events; due to lack of blood flow the muscles are |
| Neuromuscular massage works on intense knots of | | | | not receiving enough oxygen. Lactic acid is produced |
| tense muscle that are radiating pain to other parts of | | | | due to oxygen deficiency. The lactic acid will cause |
| the body. The massage releases these trigger points | | | | pain in the muscle after activity. |
| and eases the pain in various parts of the body. This | | | | When the muscle is relaxed by massage therapy, the |
| type of massage therapy is often very helpful for | | | | lactic acid will be released, and the blood and oxygen |
| lower back pain, especially when it is caused by | | | | start to flow to the muscle. This in turn will give relief |
| muscle strain. | | | | to the patient. At first, the pressure of the massage |
| There are 5 elements that cause pain. Neuromuscular | | | | will be a little painful, but as the treatment continues, |
| massage addresses the following: | | | | the symptoms will be relieved. It is important to drink |
| Ischemia: when blood is not flowing to soft tissues, | | | | adequate amounts of water to aid this process. |
| they become very sensitive to the touch | | | | After about 24-36 hours, the pain and soreness |
| Trigger Points: when muscles become irritated and | | | | should subside. The patient should experience relief |
| pain starts radiating out to other parts of the body. | | | | for at least 7-14 days, as the muscles should remain |
| Nerve Compression or Entrapment: There is pressure | | | | relaxed for that period. This is a very useful form of |
| on the nerve caused by soft tissue, bone or cartilage. | | | | massage therapy and can be used for athletes or |
| Postural Distortion: the muscles get imbalanced, and | | | | anyone suffering from the after affects of trauma |
| are not moving correctly | | | | or muscle strain. |