Myotherapy

Myotherapy is a branch of manual medicine focused on the treatment and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal pain and associated conditions. It involves a physical evaluation and an integrated therapeutic approach to affected muscles, joints, nerves, and associated viscera (organs) and is used in the treatment of acute or chronic conditions and in preventative management. Myotherapy is a form of manual therapy treatment for most common musculoskeletal conditions that result from improper posture, poor biomechanics and injury.

Myotherapy is defined as: "the comprehensive assessment, treatment and management of neuromusculoskeletal 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 are trained manual therapy professionals in the field of myofascial pain and dysfunction (pain that arises from the muscles and surrounding connective tissue).

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Myotherapists assess and treat the connective tissue (muscle, tendons, ligaments, joint capsules, tissue coverings) using mostly direct 'hands-on' techniques. myotherapists are also trained in the use of TENS machines, lasers, ultrasound, rehabilitation aids, taping, dry needling and exercise prescription for rehabilitation.

Myotherapy treatments incorporate the following:

• a thorough patient history,

• observations of tissues, movement, and gait,

• postural assessment,

• palpation of spine, peripheral joints, musculature, connective tissue and associated viscera,

• clinical orthopaedic and neurological tests.

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Myotherapy plays a role in manual medicine as a single mode of treatment, or is used in conjunction with treatment provided by both medical and other allied-health practitioners such as physiotherapy, podiatry, chiropractic, osteopathy, and acupuncture/TCM.