Neuromyology

Dave Henshall, NMT Neuromyologist follows a specific protocol of rehabilitation. This produces the most efficient and long lasting results.

The Proper Stages of Rehabilitation are as follows:

  1. Eliminate spasms, hypercontraction and trigger points from the tissues (therapy)
  2. Restore proper biomechanics (movement)
  3. Restore flexibility t the tissues (stretching)
  4. Rebuild strength of injured, weak and/or atrophied tissues
  5. Build endurance of the tissues

Following this in order is essential. Rehabilitation that is not followed in this order will cause the results to be less effective, slower, and incomplete. Often times, the patient may regress and end up in more pain. For instance, if you attempt to restore flexibility before eliminating hypercontractions and restoring proper biomechanics, you are forcing tissues to lengthen that may not be ready. This can cause reflex spasms, possible joint damage and connective tissue tearing. If proper biomechanics (movement) are not restored, then every time that movement is performed such as walking, a sport activity, work activity, sleeping posture, etc, you are re-facilitating the injury and soft-tissue hypercontractions. Oftentimes, rehabilitation will start directly with strengthening exercises. This is a huge mistake. Trying to strengthen injured tissues without first releasing spasms, eliminating tripper points, breaking down adhesions and restoring full range motion will just perpetrate the problem and possibly complicate it even more.

Dave will palpate the soft tissue to determine if there are ischemic, trigger point, nerve compression and/or entrapment possibilities. When the body is aligned on the coronal, midsagittal, and horizontal planes, the tone of both somatic (body covering) and visceral (internal organ) tissue improves. The appropriate pressure that is used during a treatment varies depending upon age, fitness, nutritional health, postural patterns as well as the extent of trauma and toxicity level of the tissues. The proper level of pressure elicits a mild state of discomfort. If pressure is too light, it does not produce the necessary stimulation of nerve receptors to produce the desired therapeutic response. When adhesions are found in the tissues, deeper pressure may be used by working across muscle fibres.