MYOTHERAPY

You are working on your laptop at work, when suddenly, your elbow hurts and a numbing sensation engulfs your left hand. Your immediate thoughts are of a possible cardiac arrest, but in truth, it may be less severe - it could actually be a case of tennis elbow. Myotherapy can accurately diagnose and relieve your muscle, ligament and tendon pains. Recommended especially for those who are seeking sports injury rehabilitation!

Disclaimer: Individual results may vary. Images above are for illustrative purposes only.

What is occupational injury?

An injury or illness is considered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to be "work-related if an event or exposure in the work environment either caused or contributed to the resulting condition or significantly aggravated a pre-existing condition." Some of the most common body parts involved in occupational injury are the spine, hands, head, skeleton, and skin.

What is the most common occupational injury?

Back pain is one of the most common and notable musculoskeletal problems in the world. In 1993, back disorders accounted for 27% of all nonfatal occupational injuries involving days away from work in the United States.

Workplace injuries include:
• Repetitive work movements
• Work with arms lifted above shoulder height
• Heavy lifting work

Two basic types of injuries

The two type of injuries are overuse and acute. Acute injuries are usually caused by accidents or a traumatic incident such as wrist fractures, ankle sprains, shoulder dislocations, and hamstring muscle strain.

Some leading causes of non-fatal occupational injuries

The common non-fatal occupational injuries and illnesses recently are overexertion, bending, pushing, pulling and repetitive use of tools and equipment. One of the industries that has many cases of non-fatal occupational injuries is in aircraft manufacturing.

What Is Myotherapy?

'Myotherapy' stems from the Greek word "myo" which means muscles. Myotherapy is a form of physical therapy. It primarily focuses on the treatment and management of musculoskeletal pain such as trauma or muscle contracture (myofascial pain), nervous system (neuropathic pain) and joints (articular pain).

What Conditions Does Myotherapy Treat?

Myotherapy treats a wide range of conditions and pain that is related to the joints, muscle and nerve caused by trauma, posture and overuse from work, sporting and recreational activities.

The common conditions and pains that myotherapy treats include:

• Ankle Pain or Clicking
• Arthritis
• Disc Bulge
• Facet Joint Irritation
• Fibromyalgia
• Groin Pain
• Headache/Migraine
• Hip Pain or Clicking
• Knee Pain or Clicking
• Low Back Pain
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Neck Pain
• Overuse Injury from Computer Work
• Poor Posture from Computer Work
• Pregnancy Associated Joint Pain
• Sciatica and Other Pinched Nerves in the Neck And Back
• Scoliosis and Kyphosis of the Spine
• Shoulder Dysfunction or Pain
• Sporting and Recreational Activity Injuries
• Tennis and Golfer's Elbow
• Tight Muscles from Exercise of Sporting Activities
• Torn Muscles
• Torn Tendon Acute or Chronic (Grade 1 and 2)
• Wrist Pain

What Techniques Does Myotherapy Use?

Myotherapy uses massage, trigger point therapy, stretching, corrective exercises, and assessment techniques to restore the integrity of the soft tissue structures. Applying the four types of palpation skills (light palpation, deep palpation, light ballottement and deep ballottement), myotherapists can determine the trigger points and relieve pain via soft tissue manipulation techniques.

What are the Symptoms Of Myofascial Pain/Soft Tissue Pain?

Pain caused by muscle tissue or muscle fascia is termed as myofascial pain syndrome. Its symptoms may develop slowly, causing inflammation and pain.

The symptoms include:

• Deep and Constant Aching in the Muscles
• Muscle Tightness
• Numbness in any Body Part
• Recurrent Tingling, Prickling or 'pins And Needles' Sensation.
• Reduced Joint Mobility
• Possible discolouration or bruising
• Pain on movement
• Sore Spots in the Muscle
• Stiff Joints
• Swelling

There are cases where the pain is not the source of myofascial pain syndrome. Known as referred pain, the actual location of the myofascial pain generator may cause pain in other areas. This is where myotherapists can correctly identify the trigger points and relieve pain.

How Long Does Myofascial Pain/Soft Tissue Pain Last?

For grade 1 soft tissue pain and injuries, it usually takes one to two weeks.
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For grade 2 soft tissue pain and injuries, it typically requires three to four weeks for healing.
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For grade 3 soft tissue pain and injuries, it requires immediate assessment and treatment. The recovery period is normally longer, depending on severity.

What Causes Myofascial Pain/Soft Tissue Pain?

Do you know that many people have mistaken soft tissue pain for arthritis? This is because the pain, swelling, and/or inflammation in the tissues occur near the joints.

Myofascial pain may develop from a muscle injury or from strain on a specific muscle, muscle group, ligament or tendon. Other causes of myofascial pain/soft tissue pain include:

• Injury to Muscle Fibers
• Lack of Activity such as sedentary lifestyle or immobility of limbs
• Repetitive Motions such as mouse clicking

How Is Myofascial Pain Diagnosed?

Myofascial pain is diagnosed by identifying the trigger points. There are two kinds of trigger points - active trigger point and latent trigger point. An active trigger point is where the pain or tenderness within the skeletal muscle is located. A latent trigger point causes muscle weakness or movement restriction, which can act and feel like a trigger point.

What Is The Difference Between Myotherapy And Remedial Massage?

Many people often confuse Myotherapy with Remedial Massage as both treat a range of non-specific soft tissue pain and ailments. The main difference is that myotherapists have remedial massage skill sets while remedial massage therapists usually do not have in-depth knowledge of myotherapy.

Myotherapists also have enhanced skill sets such as exercise prescription, nutrition, biomechanics and postural assessment. They primarily focus on trigger point therapy. Myotherapists use an intensive range of massage techniques such as dry needling, musculoskeletal alignment, deep tissue massage, cupping, muscle stretching and a variety of injury rehabilitative exercises.

It is also important to note that remedial massage is not a relaxation massage. Remedial massage therapists use only their hands for manipulative massage techniques to reduce muscular tension and aids in muscle relaxation.

What Is The Difference Between Myotherapy And Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy is a type of manual therapy which is less hands-on. It helps to reduce pain and restricted movement.

Myotherapy is for those who are looking for a more hands-on treatment that uses a varied range of massage techniques to treat muscle pain.

What To Expect At Your First Myotherapy Appointment?

Our professional and qualified myotherapist will ask a series of in-depth questions about your symptoms. So do remember to share your medical history, recent illness, current medications intake and even surgeries you have undergone in your life. This will assist the myotherapist to better understand your symptoms and effectively treat your pain. All information shared will be kept private and confidential.

Our myotherapist will then examine and manipulate the affected joints and associated muscles. Your reflexes will also be tested to determine if the symptoms are myofascial. Based on your medical condition and results of the assessment, you will be treated accordingly or referred to other healthcare professionals.

Ongoing Management With Myotherapy

Our myotherapist will identify your trigger points as well as lifestyle habits that may worsen your condition, such as poor posture or overtraining. He will work closely with you to tailor solutions to help reduce pain or prevent inflammation aggravation.

If your condition is due to spinal discs, arthritis or age, a pain management program will be developed, which may involve other healthcare professionals, that best suits your needs.

Will The Symptoms Return?

Our myotherapist will restore your muscular system for maximum mobility. Once the trigger point is identified, it will be corrected, thus reducing your symptoms and preventing it from recurring.

WHO IS AMARIS B. CLINIC'S IN-HOUSE CLINCIAL MYOTHERAPIST?

Our qualified and Clinical Myotherapist is Ronald Villegas. He graduated from Our Lady of Fatima University, the Philippines (formerly known as Fatima Medical Science Foundation Institute) in 1999.

Ronald is a member of the Soft Tissue Therapist (Sports Medicine Australia), World Confederation of Physical Therapy and Philippine Association of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists.

His interest is in treating hip, neck and back conditions and sports injuries. He believes that movement is the crux of life. Ronald is passionate about helping his patients to health and fitness.

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