What to Expect
We encourage you to print off the detailed confidential health history form and fill it out beforehand. The initial evaluation starts with targeted questioning and deep listening. This is followed by a physical examination for posture and movement. (There is always time set aside for treatment in this initial session.)
From the information derived from the symptoms and signs, special tests, and clinical reasoning, a treatment strategy is formulated and agreed upon.
The hands-on part of the treatment involves partial undressing to allow access to the involved parts. This is similar to conventional massage therapy. Therapy is a combination of dry techniques and lubricated glides and is dynamic, targeted and well tolerated.
Techniques used will include skin rolling, trigger point identification and deactivation, neuromuscular glides, some instrument-assisted techniques, stretching, and movement retraining.
Various perpetuating factors are also considered, like ergonomics, sleep habits, nutrition, environment, stress and attitude to pain.
You will be shown a homecare activity and reassessed at your next visit.
We love to collaborate with any other healthcare providers that you are using.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is modern Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT)?
Modern Neuromuscular Therapy is a form of problem-solving advanced massage therapy. It comprises comprehensive information gathering, followed by a detailed assessment.
This informs the design and purpose of the advanced manual techniques. We use active movement techniques along with some pain neuroscience education.
This combination helps pain sufferers understand and give meaning to their symptoms, enabling the healing process.
NMT considers the whole patient in context with their environment.
What makes modern neuromuscular techniques different?
All techniques have been compiled and road-tested over the years on thousands of patients.
They are based on current science. Stew has added pain neuroscience education to the manual techniques. These techniques are now more dynamic.
You will not be lying passively in the same position throughout the treatment. There will also be constant patient feedback to enable refinement and tolerance of the techniques.
What happens in an NMT session?
The first session is what we call an Initial Evaluation. There is a lot of information gathering, a postural and dynamic assessment, followed by clinical reasoning, and treatment planning.
The treatment part will involve trigger point therapy, neuromuscular techniques, and nervous system strategies.
This advanced massage therapy restores musculoskeletal balance, symmetry, and conditioning.
Each subsequent session strategy is determined and modified after patient feedback. Seldom are any two successive sessions the same.
How does a NMT therapist compare to other massage therapists?
The standard of service is positioned to exceed the highest levels of massage training in the country.
No other massage therapists have the same qualifications or understanding of anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, and pain science of the body.
With this base knowledge, the best hands-on therapy can be applied.
NMT
The Principles Underlying NMT
Your health will be considered under three components of overall well-being:
Biomechanics
Biochemistry
Psychosocial Factors
Techniques are personalized for each patient and each patient-visit depending on how the person is feeling. Sessions are client-focused, with great attention to detail, with regular communication and feedback, enabling refinement and accuracy of the bodywork.