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
Why does slumping at your desk contribute to lower back pain?
We all know that we should maintain good posture when sitting rather than slumping (poor posture) to avoid lower back pain, but why? The human spine is an upright bendy column and in someone with good posture it’s an S shape. With perfect posture a straight line can be drawn through the ear, the tip of the shoulder, the front of the knee joint and the back of the ankle. The spine is made of 24 vertebrae or segments. If we look at the S shape it consist of the cervical lordosis which is the arch in the neck, this is followed by the thoracic kyphosis which is an arch in the chest in the opposite direction, this is then followed by the lumbar arch or lumbar lordosis which is the hollow in the lower back. Perfect lumbar lordosis (or perfect arch in your lower back) helps
- Ensure the correct distribution of your body weight
- Allows your lower back to bow forwards slightly when walking to absorb the impact during walking
- Choose a chair that allows you to rest both feet flat on the floor while keeping your knees level with your hips. If necessary, prop up your feet with a footstool or other support.
- Sit back in your chair. If the chair doesn't support your lower back's curve, place a rolled towel or small pillow behind your lower back.
- Stretch the top of your head toward the ceiling, and tuck your chin in slightly.
- Keep your upper back and neck comfortably straight.
- Keep your shoulders relaxed — not elevated, rounded or pulled backward.
Remember
Although good posture should be natural, you might feel wooden or stiff at first if you are used to slumping rather than sitting up straight. The key is to practice good posture all the time, and be extra vigilant when you are really concentrating, getting tired or its late in the day. You can make improvements at any age. Stretching and core strengthening exercises can help, too. And if you have got lower back pain, why not try massage.Hip Pain
Hip pain is common problem, and it can be confusing because there are many causes. The most common cause of Hip Pain is arthritis for which you will need to see your GP for them to advise on the best treatment option of you. Trochanteric Bursitis Trochanteric bursitis is an extremely common problem that causes inflammation of the bursa, which is a protective cusion over the outside of the hip joint. There are two main bursa which protect the hip joint, the superficial trochanteric bursa and the deep trochanteric bursa. The superficial trochanteric bursa lies beneath the tensor fasciae latae (one of the muscles on the side of your hip) and the deep trochanteric bursa lies beneath the the largest of your glutes (gluteus maximus) both of the these muscles insert in to the Iliotibial Band (ITB). Reduced flexibility in your gluteus maximus, tensor fasciae latae or ITB can cause trochanteric bursitis, from too much cycling or running or from running on uneven surfaces. Another common cause is some women is an imbalance between your abductor and adductor muscles. Trochanteric bursitis can also be caused by clients altering their posture as a result of a previous back injury. In all these cases a deep tissue or sports massage can help. However if the cause is walking with more weight going through the outside of your foot (excessive foot eversion) then your make need to see a podiatrist for personalized orthotics. Hip Flexors Illiopsoas the main hip flexor, shortens when we sit down, so prolonged sitting can cause contracture (anatomical shortening) which can cause either lower back or hip pain. I have personally found this to be a common cause of hip pain which can be successfully treated with deep tissue or sports massage. If you experience lower back or hip pain when standing up from a seated position then rectus femoris which is one your largest quadriceps muscle make be tight and/or your gluteus maximus which is the other muscle which helps your stand from a seated position may be weak. If you suspect you have weak glutes you can strengthen them with squats and lunges. Fractures Hip fractures are common in the elderly with osteoporosis. Stress fractures of the hip are common in people who participate in high impact sports e.g. long distance running, treatment is usually to avoid the high impact sport and this is usually successfully. When should I see my GP about my hip pain?
- Inability to walk comfortably on the affected side
- Injury that causes deformity around the joint
- Hip pain that occurs at night or while resting
- Hip pain that persists beyond a few days
- Inability to bend the hip
- Swelling of the hip or the thigh area
- Signs of an infection, including fever, redness, warmth
- Any other unusual symptoms
