MYOTHERAPY & CLINICAL MASSAGE

According to World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 1.71 billion of the global population suffers from musculoskeletal conditions, with low back pain being the leading cause of disability in 160 countries. Musculoskeletal disorders are characterised by pain (acute or chronic), with limitations in mobility, affecting people's ability to live a good quality of life. The most common form of pain is experienced in musculoskeletal structures. The number of people living and affected by this is rising rapidly, primarily due to population growth and ageing.

At Amaris B. Clinic, our medical professionals recognise "Health is Beauty, Beauty is Health." While aesthetics treatments and body sculpting procedures can assist an individual to retard ageing and look toned and contoured, we also believe that a healthy and well-functioning body is the crux of a good quality of life for many years to come.

Therefore we expanded our range of services beyond sculpting and aesthetics to help you achieve a pain-free life.

Disclaimer: For general medical information only

What Is Myotherapy?

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

Myotherapy is carried out by a myotherapist who aims to identify and treat pain (like trigger points) related to the body's soft tissue structures. The aim is to help the patient to relieve pain, tension and restricted ROM (range of motion).

What Conditions Does Myotherapy Treat?

Myotherapy can treat acute and chronic pain, postural misalignments, sports injuries, repetitive strain injuries, and muscular (myofascial pain). It is also a useful therapy for those who suffer from stress-related issues, anxiety, insomnia (sleep disorder), and in general, promotes well-being for the individual.

Pregnant women generally experience muscle aches, difficulty sleeping and mood swings. When carried out by an experienced and well-qualified myotherapist, myotherapy can provide these patients with much-needed help and relief.

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

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

The symptoms include:
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• 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 in 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.

What Causes Myofascial Pain/Soft Tissue Pain?

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

Myofascial pain may develop from a muscle injury or strain on a specific muscle, muscle group, ligament or tendon.

Other causes of myofascial pain/soft tissue pain include:

• Injury to muscle fibres
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• Lack of activity, such as a sedentary lifestyle or immobility of limbs
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• 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.

HOW CAN MYOTHERAPY HELP WITH PAIN RELIEF?

Using a range of techniques such as trigger point therapy, myofascial dry needling, myofascial release and joint mobilisation, our myotherapist can relieve your pain commonly caused by occupational or repetitive strain injuries.

Depending on your clinical condition, he will prescribe corrective exercises and nutritional guidance to help you stay fit and enjoy optimal health.

HOW CAN MYOTHERAPY HELP WITH SPORTS-RELATED INJURIES?

Regular Sports Participation

Source : National Sports Participation Survey, Sport Singapore (formerly known as Singapore Sports Council)

According to the National Sports Participation Survey by Sports Singapore, from 2001 to 2020, there was a whopping 35% increase in females and a 25% increase in males actively participating in sports-related activities! Sports-related injuries such as ankle sprains, groin injuries, hamstring strains, knee injuries, tennis elbows, back injuries, dislocation and ligament tears are commonly seen.

For such cases and depending on the patient's clinical conditions, our myotherapist will perform a functional assessment, muscle and stress test, joint mobilisation, dry needling, myofascial release, tendon release, lymphatic drainage, waves and vibration therapy and sports-specific rehabilitation.

Myotherapy not only can help put athletes back on track faster, but it can also improve sports performance.

HOW CAN MYOTHERAPY HELP TO RELIEVE STRESS?

Myotherapy is not only an effective and holistic treatment to treat muscular pain, but it is also helpful in stress management.

During the session, our myotherapist may perform muscle stretching, muscle energy techniques (METs), soft tissue massage, trigger point therapy or passive stretching to help reduce muscle tension and stress hormones and improve blood circulation. These will help to reduce symptoms of anxiety and heightened mental alertness.

WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS THAT WILL BENEFIT FROM MYOTHERAPY?

• 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
• Insomnia (Sleep disorder)
• Indigestion
• Constipation
• Jaw pain & dysfunction

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MYOTHERAPY AND REMEDIAL MASSAGE?

Many often confuse Myotherapy with Remedial Massage as both treat 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 intensive massage techniques such as dry needling, musculoskeletal alignment, deep tissue massage, cupping, muscle stretching and various 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?

There are some critical differences between physiotherapy and myotherapy, although they share several similarities. Myotherapy is a more hands-on therapy involving techniques such as trigger point therapy and soft tissue massage focusing on addressing the “trigger points” to bring relief to the patient.

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 remember to share your medical history, recent illness, current medications intake and even surgeries you have undergone. This will assist the myotherapist in better understanding your symptoms and effectively treating your pain. All information shared will be kept private and confidential.

Our myotherapist will work closely with you to tailor solutions to help reduce pain or prevent inflammation aggravation.

WHAT IS clinical massage?

Clinical massage is focused on achieving relief from a medical condition such as injuries or disease and is aimed at helping the body heal itself. The treatment is directed to a defined and affected body area, and the treatments are more intensive.

Difference between Clinical Massage & Other Types of MassageS

Clinical Massage

Other Massages

Settings

Clinical setting

Spa, massage parlour and others

Purpose

Focuses on addressing a medical need, such as an injury or medical condition. Treatment is more intensive and directed to a defined and affected area.

More luxurious and relaxing. This applies to ‘spa’ treatments with hot stones, essential oils, body scrubs and wraps.

Techniques

Techniques employed may include myofascial release, soft tissue massage, trigger point release, etc.

Techniques employed are mainly for full-body relaxation. Examples of such massages include Swedish massage, Thai, Balinese, Aromatherapy Massage, etc.

Therapist Training & Experiences

Degree in physical therapy with in-depth knowledge of body’s anatomy and physiotherapy

A certificate in basic massage is usually the base requirement or on-the-job training is usually provided

Who is Amaris B.'s in-house clinical myotherapist & clinical massage therapist?

Our qualified Myotherapist and clinical massage therapist 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 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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