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Neuromuscular Therapy




Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) is a kind of massage wherein a quasi-static pressure is applied in order to stimulate skeletal muscle areas. It is an excellent massage therapy for lower back pain. It is also known as ‘trigger point myotherapy’.

Brief History of Neuromuscular Therapy


Dr. Stanley Lief and Boris Chaitow developed the Neuromuscular Therapy around 1930 in England. It is the European-style neuromuscular technique. Neuromuscular Therapy is now a widely known massage therapy, which is used to assess and treat chronic pains and soft tissue injuries. Besides being a massage technique, it is also used in physical and occupational therapy, chiropractic, nursing, osteopathic and naprapathic.

How Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) Works


Neuromuscular therapy works on the basis of holistic principles, where it stimulates the body and allows it to heal itself. It releases endorphins, a hormone which helps in the easy mobility of muscles and joints.


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Neuromuscular therapy comprises interchanging levels of concentrated pressure on the areas of muscle spasm. Usually, knuckles, fingers or elbow is used to apply the pressure on the affected area. However, the pressure should not change before 10-30 seconds.

Before a masseur treats a receiver with the therapy, he examines the medical history in order to understand the factors that are causing body pain.

Benefits of Neuromuscular Therapy


  • Releases spasms
  • Releases hyper contractions in the tissue
  • Heals the injured tissue
  • Assists in venous and lymphatic flow
  • Restores postural alignment
  • Imparts flexibility to the tissues

Conditions Treated by Neuromuscular Therapy


  • Chronic pain
  • Sciatica
  • Rotator cuff dysfunction
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Temporomandibular joint dysfunction
  • Migraines