Myotherapy
The philosophy of myotherapy is founded on Western medical principles including anatomy, physiology and biomechanics.
Myotherapy By Fiona Hooi
What is Myotherapy and what do Myotherapist do?
Myotherapy is a form of physical therapy treatment for most common musculoskeletal conditions that result from inappropriate posture, poor biomechanics and injury.
Myotherapy is defined as: "the comprehensive assessment, treatment and management of neuro-musculoskeletal disorders and conditions caused by improper biomechanical functioning." Myotherapists take into account all aspects of health and wellness to treat patients - this includes not only physical, but psychological and occupational aspects of the individual.
Myotherapists assess and treat the connective tissue (muscle, tendons, ligaments, joint capsules, tissue coverings) using mostly direct 'hands-on' techniques. Some myotherapists are also trained in the use of dry needling and exercise prescription for rehabilitation.
Myotherapists are trained manual therapy professionals in the field of myofascial pain and dysfunction (pain that arises from the muscles and surrounding connective tissue). Myotherapy is a division of manual medicine focused on the treatment and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal pain and related conditions. It includes a physical evaluation and an integrated therapeutic approach to affected muscles, joints, nerves, and associated organs and is used in the treatment of acute or chronic conditions and in preventative management.
Many people ask what is the difference between myotherapy and remedial massage.
What does it mean beyond massage? Whilst myotherapists do massage in the same way a Remedial Therapist would. Myotherapists use more advanced techniques to assist and relieve chronic pain or injury. In particular taping, cupping and needling for example.
Symptoms of soft tissue dysfunction and conditions that may benefit from Myotherapy treatments:
- Deep and constant aching in any area of the body
- Muscle tightness
- Sore spots in the muscle
- Weakness in the muscle
- Numbness, tingling in the feet, hands, fingers or toes.
- Reduced range of motion of any limb.
- Stiff/Painful joints
- Headache/Migraine
- Pain on movement
- Chronic lower back pain and Sciatica
- Neck pain / Stiffness
- Tennis Elbow / Golfers Elbow
- Hip flexor restrictions / imbalances
- Scoliosis
- Shin Splints
- Plantar fasciitis
- Sporting and occupational injuries
- Shoulder pain, impingement syndrome and frozen shoulder
Techniques used during Myotherapy sessions include but are not limited to:
- Postural Assessment and correction
- Soft tissue manipulation and joint mobilisation
- Trigger point therapy. Trigger points form within the soft tissue. Hot stones are also great for this. Fiona uses advanced techniques MET (muscle energy technique) and PRT ( positional release technique) and ART ( active release technique) to name a few.
- Myofascial Dry Needling. THE BENEFITS OF MYOFASCIAL DRY NEEDLING - Fiona Hooi uses needling with clients that have chronic neuromuscular pain and restricted range of motion. When inserted directly into the trigger point within the muscle and fascial lines it releases the tension around the impinged nerves, and encourages blood flow. When people have a low pain threshold needles are used to assist the CNS (central nervous system) because there are times the pressure of fingers won't reach the deeper muscles and neural impingement. Not to be confused with acupuncture -this training use meridian points to activate the flow of energy around the body and vital organs. There is much evidence to support how needling can treat acute and chronic neck, head, shoulders, elbows, back, pelvic, knee pain. The body is a remarkable healing machine and releases chemicals for example endorphins (best natural pain killer on the market) and increases blood flow; Where the complex neural pathways have been blocked they start to communicate and promotes healing. Of course there are people who have phobias with needles and just don't like them...in these cases alternatives to dry needling are used.
- Massage
- Cupping - Fiona Hooi offers static and gliding cupping, known as dynamic and stagnant cupping. The negative pressure enables the clients skin to be drawn into the cups. When this happens it's effectively pulling the fascia and muscle fibres, encouraging blood to flow in to the tender area.Once released after a few minutes those tender spots may look like an octopus as gotten affectionate with you (lol). The bruising is temporary (known as ecchymosis), And the evidence of the treatment last for a few days or as long as a week. It can vary depending on how much tension your client holds. Yes those tender spots can look very colourful or not but what it has done is lower your pain gait so I can get into the area and assist with pain relief, also your lymphatic system and blood flow (qi) functions better. How often can you have this treatment? Cupping therapy can be done as often as necessary. For most people, cupping therapy is done once a week. People who are very active for example going to the gym 4 times or more a week....weekly cupping is very beneficial. If you are using cupping therapy for pain relief, you may need to do it more often. Or couple it with myofascia dry needling to get an even faster result When don't you use cupping? Cupping isn’t for everyone, even though its considered a safe practice. There are people It is not recommended for.For example people with a pace maker, heart desease, liver or kidney issues, hemophilia, anemia or similar blood disorders. Blood thinners medication is also a contraindication.“If pregnant, it has been advised to avoid cupping to the abdomen and lower back,” Ebinger quoted.
- Myofascial Release - What is Fascia? Fascia is fibrous sheets of connective tissue that surrounds our muscles and organs although around our tendons and ligaments the fascia is bundled. As we remain in poor posture our fascia sees this as the normal and starts to hold us in this dysfunctional pattern. The end result can be pain if we do not attend to this problem.
- Heat and Ice Therapy
- Corrective Exercise prescription
After the initial treatment, we can discuss a plan moving forward that can vary depending on the severity of the condition.
Generally when the condition is complex and chronic we can safely say investing in yourself is the very best investment you can make...
We can reassess how you are feeling and responding and make a healthy comparison from the initial visit.
Recommendation maybe more regular to start with and then maintenance of every 4-6 weeks.
Price Myotherapy $125 - initial consult
90 minutes $156
60 minutes $125
30 minutes $71
To book an Appointment with Fiona Hooi click here