What is NMT or Neuromuscular Technique?

NMT (Neuromuscular Technique) is a soft tissue technique developed in the 1930’s by Dr Stanley Lief.  NMT is the application of quasi-static pressure perpendicular to the skin with the aim of releasing pain and tension in muscles (normally in skeletal muscles).

Neuromuscular Technique is used by

  • Physiotherapists
  • Osteopaths
  • Chiropractors
  • Massage Therapists

A lot of clients will be familiar with NMT techniques from having either a sports massage, deep tissue massage or seated acupressure massage with Vitality Therapy.  We commonly use NMT when we treat

  • muscle spasms
  • muscle tension
  • aches & pains
  • trigger points

When we have identified the problem area in your muscle, we apply pressure with our fingers, knuckles or elbows.  We often hold the static pressure for between several seconds to up to two minutes.  What we look for are non-verbal and verbal signals that the pain and tension are releasing.

Is NMT Painful?

When we apply the pressure, we aim for a “good pain” where you feel the right level of pressure is being applied to create the release.  Sometimes I ask clients to rate the pain on a scale of 0 to 10 to ensure that it is bearable and hence a “good pain”.

 

Related Posts

  • Heat

    Last time, I discussed the use of Cryotherapy to aid healing, today I would like to discuss the use of heat.  As many of you will know who have had a full body massage treatment with me, I often incorporate hot stones into my treatment.  And some of my readers will have heard me say they should use a wheat bag or cherry stone bag or some other type of hot pack. The simple reason why I do this is that most people I treat have one or more knots. A knot is created when a muscle contracts for a sustained period of time and looses its ability to stretch or relax.  A simple "muscle knot" will deprive an area of blood, oxygen, nutrients and a thyroid hormone called T3.  When a muscle has been deprived of T3 even for a few minutes it will lose its ability to relax, creating the perfect conditions for inflammation and fibrosis (the creation of adhesions).  A reduction in the partial pressure of oxygen (to 55 mm of Hg) due to restriction of blood to an area in that muscle will start the inflammatory process that causes the fibrotic condition (adhesion) to proliferate.  In the hands of a skilled massage practitioner the knot and any adhesions are located and ideally removed but at least reduced.  With the restoration of normal muscle motion, pain is decreased or eliminated, joint motion improves, and normal or near normal activities can be resumed. So heat is often incorporated into a massage treatment treatment because it

    1. Increases blood supply to an area of the body
    2. It warms up the muscle tissues to allow them to stretch (relax)
    3. It reduces muscle spasm
    and all the above help to release muscle knots and relax tense muscles.  So  the use of heat helps to create that feeling of "looseness" that most of my clients report after having a massage.      

  • Do you have foot pain?

    Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the plantar fascia, a part of your foot that connects your heel bone to your toes.  Symptoms of plantar fasciitis include pain around [...]

  • Foam Rolling Guide – Part 1

    What is a foam rolling? A foam roller readily available from the likes of TK Maxx is a tool for self massage.  Foam rolling is basically a cheap and easy way of keeping your muscles flexible. How do you foam roll? You place the foam roller under the area you’re targeting and use a gentle, flowing backwards and forwards motion to apply pressure to the area. How does it work? You know how if you visit us for a massage, we apply pressure to release the knots in your muscles.  You use the same principle with a foam roller except you use your body weight to apply pressure. Are there any downside to foam rolling? While I fully recommend foam rolling it will never replace the precision and experience of a massage therapist.  It can be difficult to target small areas with a foam roller so a spikey ball is a better alternative. How often should you foam roll? The simple answer is as much as you can.  When exercising a foam roller should be used both before and after exercise for best results.  Please try to remember foam rolling isn’t a chore it’s a therapy you will gain benefits from it!