What is Neuromuscular Therapy?
The St. John Method of Neuromuscular Therapy is a system of soft tissue manipulation techniques that balance the nervous system (brain, spinal cord, and nerves) with the structure of the musculoskeletal system.
A unique aspect of NeuroMuscular Therapy is the focus upon six factors that create or intensify pain. Briefly, these factors are ischemia (diminished blood flow), trigger points, nerve entrapment or compression, postural distortion, nutrition, and emotional well-being or stress.
Some common problems addressed by this therapy include TMJ, dizziness from a soft-tissue origin, neck pain with or without weak discs, shoulder pain (rotator cuff), arm pain (thoracic outlet syndrome), carpal tunnel syndrome, back pain with or without weak discs (piriformis syndrome), IT bands of runners and other sports injuries, knee pain, plantar fasciitis, and others.
Neuomuscular massage therapy benefits the following issues:
- Postural distortion – muscular imbalance resulting from the body’s movement off the coronal, midsagittal, and horizontal planes in attempts to compensate for the pull of gravity
- Biomechanical dysfunction – musculoskeletal imbalance caused by habitual faulty movement or repetitive strain
- Soft Tissue causes of these patterns and presenting pain conditions – Ischemia – lack of blood flow to soft tissues which typically cause sensitivity to touch; Trigger points – rapid firing of nerve impulses into areas of the body which may be far from the actual site of pain; Nerve compression or entrapment – pressure on a nerve from bone, cartilage, or soft tissue. Nerve entrapment is the most common type of pain and always causes ischemia.
Our integrative massage therapists may use neuromuscular therapy massage techniques during your massage session. Feel free to request this type of massage work when you schedule your appointment, or before you begin your session when you arrive at the Boulder Mandala Integrative Medicine Clinic.