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»   Neuromuscular Therapy » faqs

The human body maintains life and health in an amazing way. Each individual cell performs an activity that contributes to the body's ability to maintain a balanced internal environment called homeostasis. Every day, life situations threaten to disrupt that balance. Physical traumas, strains and even emotional stress undermine homeostasis. This imbalance leads to aches and pains that, left untreated, may result in physiological dysfunction.
 
There are ways to get at the roots of these imbalances and alleviate much of the pain and dysfunction. Neuromuscular Therapy is based on research that identifies the fundamental causes of pain. The techniques are supported by scientific neurological laws that explain how the central nervous system initiates pain responses in the body. By understanding how pain originates and by being able to locate the source of pain in the body, Neuromuscular Therapists treat the CAUSE of pain (primarily muscles) - not just the effects.
 
Neuromuscular Therapy is a very specialized form of manual therapy. A therapist trained in neuromuscular therapy is educated in the physiology of the nervous system and its effect on the neuromuscular and skeletal systems. In particular, Neuromuscular Therapy is the utilization of static pressure on specific myofascial points to relieve pain. This technique manipulates the soft tissue of the body (muscles, tendons, and connective tissue) to balance the central nervous system.
 
There are five (5) principles that contribute to neuromuscular pain:
» Ischemia
» Trigger Points
» Nerve Compression and/or Entrapment
» Postural Distortion
» Biomechanical Dysfunction
 
FAQs about Neuromuscular Therapy
1. How do I know if Neuromuscular Therapy is appropriate for me?
2. What conditions do Neuromuscular Therapy help?
3. How is Neuromuscular Therapy performed?
4. How many treatments does a patient need?
5. Is Neuromuscular Therapy painful?
 
1. How do I know if Neuromuscular Therapy is appropriate for me?
Raffa Neuromuscular Therapy addresses a wide spectrum of myofascial pain. It could be as simple as muscular strain due to inactivity or deconditioning or as complex as conditions associated with physical traumas, motor vehicle accidents, work related injuries, sports injuries, repetitive strain patterns and cycles of abuse including muscular pain associated with physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, addictions, and eating disorders. » top
2. What conditions does Neuromuscular Therapy help?
It is a whole-body approach to treatment, so most people find that when they are treated for their back pain, their knee pain, headaches, bladder dysfunction, and other problems they thought could not be helped or "weren't a big deal" are also addressed. Some of the conditions Raffa Neuromuscular Therapy is successful with are:
 
Headaches, Migraines, Scoliosis, TMJ, Whiplash, Herniated Disc Syndrome, Back Pain, Neck Pain, Shoulder Pain, Hip Pain, Knee Pain, Foot Pain, Osteoarthritis, Plantar Faciitis, Torticollis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Sciatica, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Shin Splints, Tendonitis, Spasms, Cramps, Strains, Postural Distortions, Fibromyalgia, Trigeminal Neuralgia, Post Polio Syndrome, and the list goes on and on . . . » top
3. How is Neuromuscular Therapy performed?
Raffa Neuromuscular Therapists believe that the healing process should also be an educational process, so they teach the patient about their health, structure, biomechanics, and anything else that may be influencing their pain condition. In addition, they will work with other healthcare practitioners and supportive professionals.
 
The client is actively involved in the process of healing by providing the Therapist information about his or her particular condition. During the initial visit, which is generally 60 minutes, the Therapist palpates and evaluates the soft tissues to determine if there are problems with ischemia, trigger points, and nerve compression and/or entrapment. Once the evaluation is complete, the therapist will follow a specific protocol of rehabilitation, designed to produce the most efficient and long-lasting results.
    The steps in this protocol are as follows:
  • locate and eliminate spasms, hyper-contraction and trigger points from the soft tissues;
  • restore postural alignment, proper biomechanics or movement patterns;
  • restore flexibility and increase blood flow to the tissues;
  • rebuild strength of the injured, weak, and/or atrophied tissues; and build endurance of the tissues for permanent results
If rehabilitation is attempted without following this order, it is our experience that re-injury and setbacks usually occur. For example, if an injured person attempts weight training before hypercontraction has been properly eliminated from the tissues, the result usually is that the tissues will re-spasm and the old patterns will recur. » top
4. How many treatments does a patient need?
This question varies with each individual, depending upon the severity of their condition, nutritional and emotional health, age, fitness, and the skill of the therapist. One person may need only one session, while another may need 25 sessions. Generally, after about ten (10) sessions the patient feels a great improvement in their health. This number varies depending on severity of injury, trauma, and longevity of chronic pain. Once the problem is eliminated, the patient may opt to continue with treatment every few months to maintain their health and help prevent future imbalances from occurring. At the Raffa Neuromuscular Treatment Center we believe in providing patients with the tools and information needed to improve and maintain their own health. » top
5. Is Neuromuscular Therapy painful?
In a treatment, the Therapist will palpate the soft tissues to determine if there are ischemic, trigger point, nerve compression and/or entrapment possibilities. The appropriate pressure to be used during a treatment varies depending upon age, fitness, nutritional health, postural pattern, and the extent of trauma and toxicity level in the tissues. In Neuromuscular Therapy, the therapist applies pressure for 8-12 seconds to each area being treated, prompting a therapeutic response in the tissues. Since Raffa Neuromuscular Therapy is a highly effective method of therapeutic massage, as opposed to relaxation massage, using the proper level of pressure will elicit 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. However, pressing too hard can cause the body to treat the pressure as an intrusion, particularly if there is inflammation in the tissues. Optimal success is achieved by applying pressure to trigger points or ischemic areas 3-4 times for 8-12 seconds rather than a longer duration. This is because the therapist's goal is to interrupt the physio-pathological reflex circuits. The therapist is in constant communication with the client to assure a tolerable pain threshold.
 
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