Myotherapy is a specialized form of manual therapy that focuses on the assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. It integrates various techniques aimed at relieving muscle tension and aiding recovery.
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Massage Techniques
Soft tissue and deep tissue massage techniques are the basis of most myotherapy sessions. Your Myotherapist with be ‘reading’ your body with their hands, finding the trigger points (knots), areas of tension or imbalance, and finding any restrictions.
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Dry Needling
Dry needling is an effective treatment technique that involves the insertion of a thin sterile needle into a trigger point (knot) to relieve muscle tension, improve blood flow, and promote healing.
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Cupping
Myofascial cupping is used to help relieve tension in the connective tissue of the body called fascia. The suction generated in the cup picks up and stretches out the tightened fibers, increases blood flow and promotes overall relaxation.
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Corrective Exercises
Most sessions will include you’re Myotherapist showing you some stretches or exercises that will assist in achieving your health goals.
What conditions can be treated with Myotherapy?
Whilst not an exhaustive list here are some common conditions that our Myotherapist can help with:
Back pain: chronic and acute
Neck and shoulder pain and tension
Tension headaches
Frozen shoulder
Repetitive strain injuries: ie. tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, carpel tunnel
Muscle aches associated with chronic conditions: fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue etc
Sports event preparation and recovery: marathons, football season etc
Preparation and recovery from orthopedic surgeries: ie. hip and knee replacements, back surgery
Sporting injuries
Postural imbalances
Stress and anxiety
What to expect in a Consultation
Your Myotherapist will begin with an in depth chat about the symptoms you are experiencing, when and how they started, what aggravates and relieves them. If it is your first visit to the clinic this discussion with also include a thorough medical/health history where you will be asked to share any medical conditions you may have, medications and supplements you take, as well as an overview of your diet, sleep and exercise habits.
Next your Myotherapist may ask you to perform some movements to help them identify areas of pain and restriction.
After that the hands-on portion of your treatment will begin and your Myotherapist will uses their hands to assess areas of tension in your body and then, in conjunction with your preference and comfort levels, use a combination of techniques to treat the areas of pain or tightness.
What to expect with Dry Needling
Dry needles are solid, very fine, single use, sterile needles. They are used to target myofascial trigger points (knots) or tight bands within muscles that can cause pain and dysfunction. Here’s how the process typically works:
Assessment: In the course of your treatment your Myotherapist will have found any trigger point or tight bands that are causing you pain.
Needle Insertion: The skin is prepped with an alcohol swab and then your Myotherapist will insert the needle into the trigger points or affected areas of the muscle. The practitioner may manipulate the needle to create a twitch response, which indicates that the muscle is releasing tension. Needles might be left in for a few moments or up to half an hour, depending on what the goal of the needling is.
What you might feel: whilst everyone is different, generally speaking the insertion or manipulation of a needle only creates a brief pricking pain. Sometimes when the needle is entering the muscle it can cause an aching pain which recedes over time as the needle is left in. The muscle can also sometimes twitch, this can be a disconcerting and sometimes painful sensation, however it is brief and any pain recedes once the needle is left to rest or is removed.
What if I don’t like needles?
A lot of people feel nervous about, or flat out don’t want, dry needling. That’s FINE! Your body, your choice!
Your Myotherapist will always ask if you’re comfortable receiving dry needling (or cupping for that matter), if you’re feeling nervous about it they might take the opportunity to tell you why they believe it might be beneficial to you, show you the needles (they’re nowhere near as big as an injection needle!), and or tell you how needling works to help with your condition. However, you are always in control of what happens within you’re treatment session! You can say a ‘No’, or ‘not today, maybe next time’, whatever you decide will be respected.
If at any stage you have agreed to dry needling but change your mind or need the needles to be removed for any reason, tell your Myotherapist and the needles can be out within a matter of seconds.