Below are the modalities used in Clinical Myotherapy
Dry Needling
Dry Needling is a term used to differentiate ‘non-injection’ needling, from the ‘injection’ needling, which utilizes the syringe to inject fluid into the body; most commonly saline, corticosteroids or local anaesthetic. Dry Needling uses solid, fine-filament needles (acupuncture needles) to focus on intra-muscular stimulation to relieve muscle contraction and increase blood supply. Segmental Dry Needling, used in the central region of the body, helps stimulate nerve roots at vertebral levels, to increase neural supply to the associated soft tissue.
Cupping
Cupping is an Ancient Chinese form of manual medicine, whereby plastic or glass cups are placed on the body, and a vacuum is created either by suction or heat, respectively. This vacuum draws the underlying tissues into the cup, which creates blood stasis, and activates the healing process.
Corrective Exercise
Corrective Exercises are used in conjunction with Clinical Myotherapy treatments, to help bring the body into neutral postural alignment. Corrective Exercises allows the patient to become involved with their own rehabilitation, whilst helping the body to work in harmony, and decreasing pain. Corrective Exercises also helps to continue the treatment through from session to session, helping to decrease the patient’s complaint each session.
Trigger Point Therapy/Deep Soft Tissue Manipulation
Development of a Trigger Point occurs when there is a significant amount of waste product formed within the muscle tissue. This usually occurs in muscle tissue that has been over worked, or placed in a stretched position for a long period of time, causing aggravation. Trigger Points can be palpated as taut bands or nodules and relieved by the practitioner’s compression of the area, and then release, and compression again; while the patient continuously deep breathes. This technique is used in the conjunction with Clinical Myotherapy treatments to relieve patient pain and discomfort.
Joint Mobilization
Joint Mobilization is a technique applied by a practitioner, to specific peripheral and central synovial joints, with the intention of re-aligning the articulating surfaces, and decreasing associated pain. Joint Mobilization works within a safe range, known as grades 1-5, with grade 6 joint mobilization, known more commonly as skeletal manipulation, often used by Chiropractors.
Myofascial Release Techniques
Myofascial Release techniques work to elongate the soft tissues of the body, particularly the fascia. The practitioners elbow or knuckle sinks into the tissue and pressure is applied, then the area is contracted and stretched; increasing the blood supply, and releasing the associated muscle contraction.
TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)
TENS is a compact device which elicits an electrical impulse through soft pads when placed on the body, used to stimulate the local nerve supply, to reduce pain. Activation of a TENS machine allows the practitioner to modulate the pulse width, intensity and frequency of the electrical stimulation. The TENS stimulation begins with high frequency and low intensity impulses, or low frequency with an intensity that produces autonomic muscle contraction.