What is
Neuromuscular Massage Therapy?
The most effective type of massage therapy
for lower back pain is neuromuscular therapy. Neuromuscular therapy is
also called trigger point myotherapy. The
American Academy of Pain Management
recognizes this form of massage therapy as an effective treatment for back pain
caused by soft tissue injury (such as a muscle strain).
Neuromuscular massage therapy
technique
Neuromuscular therapy consists of alternating levels of concentrated pressure on
the areas of muscle spasm. The massage therapy pressure is usually applied with
the fingers, knuckles, or elbow. Once applied to a muscle spasm, the pressure
should not vary for ten to thirty seconds.
Massage therapy can reduce muscle
pain
Muscles that are in spasm will be painful to the touch. The pain is caused by
ischemic muscle tissue. Ischemia means the muscle is lacking proper blood flow,
usually due to the muscle spasm. This in turn creates the following undesirable
process:
 | Because the muscle is not receiving
enough blood, the muscle is also not receiving enough oxygen |
| The lack of oxygen causes the muscle to
produce lactic acid |
| The lactic acid makes the muscle feel
sore following physical activity. |
After the muscle is relaxed through massage
therapy, the lactic acid will be released from the muscle, and the muscle should
start receiving enough blood and oxygen.
Neuromuscular therapy will feel painful at
first, but the pressure of the massage should alleviate the muscle spasm. At
this point, it is extremely important to communicate with the massage therapist
regarding the pressure - whether the pressure is too much, too little, getting
better, getting worse. The therapist should listen and respond accordingly. The
massage therapy pressure should never be overly painful. In fact, most people
describe the pressure as “good pain”.
What to expect after massage
therapy
Following a neuromuscular therapy massage, any soreness that presents itself
should fade after twenty-four to thirty-six hours. The muscles that were tight
should remain noticeably more relaxed for four to fourteen days, depending on
stress, activity level, and severity of back pain prior to beginning massage
therapy.
What Should I Do After Having A
Massage?
|
Drink plenty of WATER before and after your
session. During a massage metabolic
waste, or
toxins are released. Increasing your water intake will assist your body in
removing those toxins.
|
|
Take a hot Epsom Salt bath.
The
high magnesium content of the
Epsom salts promote the release of lactic acid from muscle tissue. An Epson
salt bath can be helpful anytime you are suffering from aches and muscle
strain. It is also an excellent idea after having a massage to relieve any
generalized soreness from treatment to a particularly tight area.
|
Directions for use:
Add 2-4 cups in a full
bath of hot water.
Drink 4-6 cups of water
during or after bathing to avoid dehydration.
May apply a cool cloth to
forehead or neck for comfort.
Soak for at least 20
minutes.
Lay back, relax and enjoy!
| As with any hot bath, get out of
the tub slowly. Rinse off to cool your body, with a cool shower, or use a cold
cloth when leaving the bath. Rest for about an hour to balance out your body
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