Myofascial trigger points are areas of hyper-irritability in a tissue – muscle, tendon, ligament, fascia – which when compressed, are locally tender and, if sufficiently hypersensitive, give rise to referred pain. Trigger points often refer pain from one area of the body to another – muscle tissue or internal organs. For example, trigger points located in some of the anterior muscles of the neck refer pain to the head and jaw contributing to headaches and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction.

Trigger points initiate and maintain a vicious cycle of pain and immobility that frequently gets worse over time. Pain reflexively elicits spasms which limit movement and set the stage for more negative compensations, such as the formation of a type of scar tissue (fibrotic adhesions) that also restrict the flow of blood (ischemia).

Therapists employ hand delivered modalities such as cross fiber and trigger point techniques, along with neuromuscular re-education and a systematic reorganization of the body's myofascial connective tissue.

NMT practitioners receive advanced training and certifications through a series of workshops and testing. The therapist is equipped with a full range of knowledge and precise application skills needed to address the neurological and muscular components of pain. Whether the problems are joint compressions of the neck or back, or tendinitis problems in the limbs, Neuromuscular Therapy by a well-trained therapist, successfully resolves the soft-tissue component of pain and dysfunction.

NMT specially addresses:

• Cervical injuries
• Pain mechanisms of the lower back
• TMJ dysfunction
• Shoulder Girdle Distortion

It also provides successful treatment in cases of:

• Arthritis and bursitis
• Low back, hip pain and Sciatica
• Headaches (including migraines)
• Tendinitis
• Muscle tension or weakness
• Stiff neck or shoulders
• Athletic injuries
• Knee problems
• Joint inflexibility
• Chronic or short-term stress and anxiety
• Lowered vitality and fatigue
• Poor posture
• Limited range of motion for most joints
• Sinus pain
• Whiplash injuries
• Shoulder injuries, pain, stiffness
• Arm and head pain
• Leg and foot pain
• Abdominal spasms
• Carpal tunnel syndrome

One of Ethan Cantor's clients is a Denver Bronco. His shoulder was bothering him toward the end of the season, hampering his ability to reach for the ball. The shoulder girdle was worked quite thoroughly using specific stretch techniques as well as T-bars, the tools of choice in neuromuscular work. Specific stretch is a technique in which stretching of a muscle is created either actively or passively, creating the space to flex; tight muscles reduce immobilization. As a result of his therapy, this player made some key plays defending against big passes by reaching up and knocking the ball away.

Another Cantor client, a twelve-year-old gymnast, was assisted in her recovery from hamstring problems using NMT and his specific stretch technique. He also helped an eighty-year-old woman regain more flexibility in her hips allowing her to be more mobile. Ethan has found that there isn't anyone who can't benefit from this type of bodywork – it has even worked on clients' dogs.

A client from Minnesota came to Ina Price and Rico Rosendo with a rotator cuff problem. He was treated with Deep Tissue Massage and Neuromuscular Therapy which made him feel much better. In addition, they used a specialized machine known as Therastim.^® He left completely well.

Another Price-Rosendo client, with a 30-year history of sciatica pain, flew in from California. A combination of Deep Tissue Massage, Neuromuscular Therapy and Therastim treatment relieved her pain within three days. She has maintained her wellness for the last two years.

Source: Kins Loree, ANMT, Executive Director, Center of Advanced Therapeutics, Denver CO; Donna Formell, CMT, CNMT; Peggy Daugherty, ND, CMT, Evergreen CO; Ethan Cantor, CMT, Denver CO; Rico Rosendo, CMT, Denver CO; and Barbara A Lynch, RN, CNMT, Boulder CO

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