Myo-therapy

Myo-therapy, or myofascial release techniques, are procedures that help to restore normal motion back to muscles and joints. The effects of abnormal movement of the muscles and joints can have consequences. These anomalies can lead to pain, loss of function and chronic long term problems for the individual. The body has an inherent stabilization system built into it. The body attempts to make corrections and changes when challenges are presented to it. For instance, if you have ever had a whiplash injury (most everyone has at some point in their life), then your body will most likely have suffered injury to the ligament and tendon attachments of the neck. This will lead to a loosening of these ligaments over time and the body will make changes to the muscle system to compensate for these changes. The body will tighten up certain muscles, especially in the neck and upper back. Due to the stabilization of the body being off, the muscles may develop trigger points, or areas of hyper stimulation of neuro attachments of the muscles which lead to pain.

By incorporating myo-therapy into the course of treatment, the stabilization of the body can be restored, and the person’s pain can be reduced.

The neck is not the only area that can be adversely affected. The low back is a common area of injury, as are the shoulders and knees. Fibromyalgia is a condition that is characterized by widespread pain and multiple areas of tenderness of the muscles. Part of the treatment of Fibromyalgia involves correction of the these stabilization areas to help restore normal movement and support.

We use various types of myo-therapy in our office. These include, but are not limited to compression or pressure techniques, trigger point therapy, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and post isometric relaxation.