movement caused by muscle or myofascial dysfunction

Ligaments and tendons are comprised of bundled myofascia

The philosophy of myotherapy is founded on Western medical principles including anatomy, physiology and biomechanics. You don’t need a referral from a doctor to make an appointment with a myotherapist. Pain that is caused by muscle tissue or muscle fascia (myofascia) is called myofascial pain.

Symptoms can include: chronic pain

Myotherapy can be used to treat a wide range of disorders including: muscle sprains. For your first appointment, take any medical test results and reports (such as x-ray films) that relate to your condition.

The myotherapist will ask questions about your symptoms

Tell them about your medical history, including prior illness and surgery. Give them a list of all the medicines, natural and prescripted, that you are currently taking.

This information is kept in strictest confidence

The myotherapist will perform some physical assessment as well as orthopaedic and/or neural tests to assess dysfunction and address pain, if necessary. This initial examination is thorough and helps the myotherapist to find out if the symptoms are myofascial. The myotherapist may refer you to other healthcare professionals for further diagnosis or treatment, depending on your medical condition.

Myotherapy uses a range of techniques which may include (but is not limited to): myofascial release.

Each session typically lasts one hour

The myotherapist will explain your condition in detail

The myotherapist may advise treatments to use at home including: The myotherapist will work with you to identify factors that may be making your condition worse (such as poor posture, or overtraining) and help you find ways to avoid or reduce these aggravating factors. or age-related changes to spinal discs), the myotherapist will develop a pain management program.

This may involve referral to other healthcare professionals

For acute or persistent joint pain, always see your doctor. Suggestions for finding a practitioner include: and ask for a list of members in your area.

Ask your doctor or healthcare professional for a referral

Ask your friends for word-of-mouth recommendations. About myotherapy Myotherapy is a form of physical therapy used to treat or prevent soft tissue pain and restricted joint Myofascia are the thin, fibrous sheets of tissue that surround and separate muscles Symptoms of soft tissue pain deep and constant aching muscle tightness sore spots in the muscle (myofascial trigger points) reduced joint mobility stiff joints numbness recurrent tingling, prickling or ‘pins and needles’ sensation Myotherapy can treat a range of disorders overuse injury, such as tennis elbow or shin splints some sports injuries tension headache pain caused by poor posture some types of chronic back pain some types of joint pain, such as shoulder impingement syndrome What to expect at your first myotherapy appointment Myotherapy techniques massage , including sports and remedial techniques gently moving the patient’s affected body part through its range of motion (passive stretching) hot or cold therapy transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy trigger point therapy (acupressure) myofascial dry needling Self-help suggestions exercises and stretches specific to your condition self-administered massage heat packs ice packs relaxation techniques, including meditation Ongoing management with myotherapy scoliosis If something cannot be changed (for example, arthritis Finding a myotherapy practitioner Visit the American Massage Directory Contact Massage & Myotherapy United States Where to get help Your GP (doctor) Massage & Myotherapy United States (616) 555-0200 The American Massage Directory .

Key Points

  • movement caused by muscle or myofascial dysfunction
  • Pain that is caused by muscle tissue or muscle fascia (myofascia) is called myofascial pain
  • Symptoms can include: chronic pain
  • myotherapist will ask questions about your symptoms
  • This initial examination is thorough and helps the myotherapist to find out if the symptoms are myofascial