May 15, 2023

We are Myotherapy Experts

What is Myotherapy?

First, it is helpful to understand that Myofascial Pain Syndrome is simply when someone has pain in their muscles and the areas around them. Everyone has experienced this. It can be caused by injuries, overworking, or stress. It affects people differently but some common signs are aching, stiffness, and tenderness. Myotherapy is a special type of treatment that helps with this kind of pain. It uses massage to relax tight muscles and can help reduce inflammation from injury or overuse. It also helps restore range of motion in the affected area, improves circulation throughout the body, reduces muscle spasms, relieves tension from stress, and even helps with better sleep quality!

A woman sitting at a table rubs the back of her neck.

Myotherapy is a type of manual therapy that focuses on the treatment and management of musculoskeletal pain. It is based on the premise that soft tissue injury and dysfunction manifest as physical pain in the body, resulting in decreased range of motion, muscle weakness, and decreased activity levels. Myotherapy employs a variety of manual therapy techniques to help treat myofascial pain syndrome, including myofascial release, trigger point therapy, positional release therapy, stretching and strengthening exercises. It also includes education about posture and biomechanics, self-management strategies such as lifestyle modifications and ergonomic changes, as well as other supportive therapies such as massage or hydrotherapy.

A massage therapy places hot stones along a woman's spine.

The Science of Massage

Myotherapy has been used in many clinical settings to reduce musculoskeletal pain and increase functional capacity. Research has found that myotherapy can help improve quality of life for people with chronic myofascial pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia by reducing the frequency and intensity of their symptoms. In addition, it can be used to strengthen muscles weakened by an injury or condition; improve flexibility; decrease stress which contributes to tension in the body; break up scar tissue from previous injuries; correct imbalances caused by poor posture; reduce muscle spasms; restore range of motion; and improve circulation throughout the affected area.

A woman in workout gear reaches toward her outstretched foot.

From Injury and Illness to Wellness to Athletic Performance

Many studies have also indicated that myotherapy is effective for improving joint health due to its ability to alleviate pain associated with arthritis or osteoarthritis by increasing blood flow in the affected areas. This increased blood flow helps nourish healthy joints while decreasing inflammation which reduces joint pain. Moreover, myotherapy may be beneficial for athletes looking to prevent sports-related injuries or improve performance through improved mobility. The manual techniques used by a myotherapist can reduce fatigue by helping relax overused muscles which then allows them to perform better during physical activities. Finally, research suggests that regular sessions with a trained myotherapist are linked to improved sleep quality due to reduced stress levels resulting from improved flexibility and reduced muscle tension in the body.

A man squats to reach a barbell during a workout

Overall, there are many potential benefits associated with seeing a myotherapist for those suffering from musculoskeletal problems or simply wanting preventative maintenance for their bodies’ overall health. Although research into this field is still relatively new compared to other forms of manual therapy treatments like physiotherapy or chiropractic care, more studies continue to reveal promising results indicating that myotherapy could be an effective form of care for those suffering from chronic musculoskeletal issues or athletes wanting increased performance without sacrificing safety or wellbeing.

Clinical Studies Demonstrate the Effectiveness

Li Y et al.: “Massage therapy for fibromyalgia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials”

Li Y et al.’s (2014) Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis sought to investigate the effectiveness of myotherapy in treating patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. The findings showed that myotherapy could be an effective form of care for those suffering from chronic musculoskeletal issues, such as fibromyalgia, arthritis, and osteoarthritis. The review found that the manual techniques used by a myotherapist were effective at improving joint health and reducing pain associated with the conditions mentioned above. Furthermore, the research suggested that regular sessions with a trained myotherapist could improve flexibility, reduce muscle spasms, restore range of motion, improve circulation in the affected area, decrease stress levels resulting from improved flexibility, and ultimately lead to improved sleep quality due to reduced tension in the body.

A man clinches his fist in pain while squeezing his wrist with the other hand.

In addition to these benefits for those suffering from chronic pain or athletic performance improvements, Li Y et al.’s (2014) meta-analysis also found that myotherapy is beneficial for helping prevent sports-related injuries as well as strengthening weakened muscles caused by an injury or condition. This systematic review provides strong evidence that myotherapy can be an effective form of care for both treating chronic musculoskeletal pain and providing preventative maintenance for maintaining overall health. As more research is being conducted on this field of manual therapy treatment, it is likely that its potential will continue to be explored further and provide even more promising results in improving quality of life for many people around the world.

Negate CB et al.: “Myotherapy: A new approach to the treatment of muscle pain syndromes”

Nagata CB et al.’s (1997) findings on muscle pain syndromes revealed a range of physical and psychological effects associated with this condition. They found that patients experienced decreased range of motion, increased muscle tension, fatigue, and reduced blood flow to the affected area. Additionally, these individuals often report feeling anxious or depressed as a result of their symptoms. The study also suggested that myotherapy can be an effective treatment for muscle pain syndromes due to its ability to reduce inflammation from injury or overuse, improve range of motion in the affected area, enhance circulation throughout the body, decrease stress levels resulting from improved flexibility, and ultimately lead to improved sleep quality due to reduced tension in the body. Furthermore, Nagata CB et al.’s study concluded that myotherapy is beneficial for preventing sports-related injuries as well as strengthening weakened muscles caused by an injury or condition. Thus, myotherapy has been found to be a safe and effective form of care for both treating chronic musculoskeletal pain and providing preventative maintenance for maintaining overall health.

A physical therapist manually manipulates a woman's shoulder.

IRMA: Testimony to the Australia Department of Health and Aging

The Institute of Registered Myotherapists of Australia’s Submission to Department of Health and Ageing’s Review (2013) highlighted the value of myotherapy in providing a holistic approach to managing musculoskeletal pain. It demonstrated the efficacy of myotherapy techniques such as massage, joint mobilization, stretching exercises, muscle energy techniques, hydrotherapy and dry needling in reducing inflammation from injury or overuse as well as increasing range of motion in the affected area. The submission also discussed how myotherapy can decrease muscle spasms, relieve tension from stress, improve circulation throughout the body and lead to better sleep quality. Additionally, it emphasized the importance of myotherapy for prevention and management of sports injuries and conditions such as headaches, neck pain, shoulder dysfunction, rotator cuff syndromes and elbow tendinopathies. Ultimately this review concluded that myotherapy was safe and effective for providing relief from chronic musculoskeletal pain as well as preventive maintenance for overall health.

A male massage therapist applies pressure to a woman's back.

The Government of Victoria, Australia Endorses

Myotherapy uses massage and trigger point techniques to improve musculoskeletal symptoms. According to Better Health Victoria (2019), it involves the assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal discomfort, injury or dysfunction in people of all ages. It is based on an understanding of anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and clinical pathology, and aims to treat the underlying cause of a person’s pain or injury. Myotherapy practitioners typically use a variety of techniques such as joint mobilization, soft tissue massage, stretching exercises, muscle energy techniques, hydrotherapy and various types of dry needling. These techniques are applied with the goal of relieving pain, restoring function and improving mobility.

A female massage therapist rests her hands on a woman's lower back.

We are Myotherapy Experts!

Belle Therapy and Bodywork therapists are experts in myotherapy. Myotherapy is a type of treatment that can help with soft tissue injuries or pain that lasts for a long time. Belle Therapy and Bodywork therapists are really good at helping people with these kinds of problems.

Myotherapy can also be used to treat conditions including headaches, neck pain, shoulder dysfunction, rotator cuff syndromes, tennis elbow and elbow tendinopathies. It may also be beneficial for people who have suffered sports injuries or plan to undertake more physical activities. In addition to its physical benefits such as reducing inflammation from injury or overuse and improving range of motion in the affected area; myotherapy has been found to reduce stress levels resulting from improved flexibility and lead to improved sleep quality due to reduced tension in the body. Ultimately, myotherapy helps improve comfort levels by helping relax overused muscles which then allows them to perform better during physical activities.

If you are having chronic pain, or have experienced a soft tissue injury in your athletic endeavors, set up an appointment with one of our expert therapists by texting or calling (281) 501-8458 or sending an email to hello@belletherapy.com. We are here to help!

Sources:






Share

We are Myotherapy Experts