What is Neuromuscular Therapy?
NMT is a complete bodywork package to reduce pain and ease dysfunction. NMT is based on balancing the nervous system with the muscular system and searches for the underlying causes of long standing pain.

The overall aim is to achieve balance and full function of the soft tissues in a pain-free body.

For a list of specific health problems that neuromuscular therapy can alleviate click here.

The treatment begins with a thorough case history, followed by a postural analysis, muscle testing and tissue palpation.

A wide variety of techniques are used in NMT treatments such as myofascial release, cranio-decompression, soft tissue release, muscle energy techniques, positional release, trigger point therapy, movement retraining, use of heat packs, ice massage and skin rolling.

Postural Analysis
The body is able to function at its most efficient, when it is in balance against gravity, while faulty alignment results in undue stress and strain on bones, joints and muscles.

The postural analysis that may be performed during your NMT assessment helps indicate which muscles are shortened and which are elongated, giving information on what changes can be made to achieve a more balanced, less painful body.

For example, carrying the head too far forward, as is very common, puts stress on the muscles at the back of the head (they work hard to hold it up), while the ones at the front of the neck become short, often trapping nerves and blood vessels, causing numbness or tingling in the hands (OOS). The diagram here shows two common postural imbalances, together with the ideal alignment.
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Trigger Point Therapy
When muscles are put under stress, they often develop trigger points. These are tiny knots in the muscles which cause pain and other symptoms to be referred to other areas.

They are the cause of many common ailments, for example trigger points in the top of your shoulders (trapezius muscles) often give people headaches. We use charts in our clinic to track down these trigger points, then use a variety of techniques to deactivate them.
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Myofascial Release (MFR)
Fascia is the web of connective tissue which covers and supports the body, holding everything together, while ‘myo’ means muscular.

MFR is the three dimensional application of sustained pressure and movement into the fascial system in order to break down physical restrictions and facilitate emotional changes which may be impeding progress in healing.
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Muscle Energy Technique (MET)
MET is a method of enhancing stretching by first contracting the muscle requiring the stretch.

MET stretches are commonly part of treatment sessions and may be used as part of the ‘homework’ for clients in between massages.

Marianne has completed courses in Posture and Flexibility with world-renowned Australian Kit Laughlin, to learn the most effective stretches for the whole body.
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