Myotherapy is a form of manual therapy that focuses on the soft tissues. For example muscle, tendon, and ligament. It uses a number of techniques to aid recovery from injury and improve your body’s overall health. Myotherapy is able to provide instant pain relief or promote longer term changes.
What is Myotherapy?
Myotherapy is the treatment of soft tissue and joint dysfunction using physical techniques. With the result that pain is eased and healing promoted.
Myotherapy is able to treat pains associated with restrictions or tightness in muscle or the myofascial sheath. Myofascia is a thin fibrous tissue that surrounds and separates muscle. Myofascia is also present in tendons and ligaments.
The myofascia can be damaged or irritated by sport injuries, overuse, poor postural control, or stress.
What can Myotherapy help?
Myotherapy is able to help with pains caused by muscle tissue or the myofascia. For example:
- Muscle tightness (trigger points);
- Reduced mobility and joint stiffness;
- Headaches and poor posture;
- Muscle strains;
- Overuse injuries such as tennis elbow or shin splints;
- Lower back and neck pain;
- Shoulder pain.
What treatment techniques can be used?
Myotherapists are able to use a variety of treatment techniques to reduce the irritation or damage to the myofascia. Examples of the techniques available include:
- Soft tissue or relaxation massage;
- Trigger point therapy;
- Superficial dry needling;
- Myofascial cupping;
- Stretches;
- Heat therapy;
- Lymphatic drainage.
Myotherapy versus Remedial Massage
Myotherapy and Remedial Massage are able to treat a similar range of pains. However, Myotherapists have a greater range of treatment techniques to use.
The two therapies share a common base level of training with a Diploma of Remedial Massage. Myotherapists then progress to an Advanced Diploma of Myotherapy
Your initial session lasts for 60 minutes. As a result there is enough time for a thorough assessment and treatment. The assessment may include a physical examination, range of motion, and postural analysis. The myotherapist will then formulate a treatment plan for you.
Review consultations can last for 45 or 60 minutes. The time required for follow up consultations will be suggested by your myotherapist. This time includes a reassessment and treatment. See here for costs.
This varies between people. Some will receive excellent pain relief with one session. On the other hand others may require 3-4 sessions to get relief.
Conversely, those with longer term neck and lower back pain may require ongoing treatment with a session every 4-6 weeks. For this reason it is best to discuss your goals with your myotherapist. They will be able to create a treatment plan to meet your needs.
The Medicare EPC program does not cover Myotherapy. However the EPC program does cover Physiotherapy, Pregnancy Physiotherapy and Pelvic Floor.
Call us on 03 9796 7599 as soon as you can to change your appointment. Or you can send an email to info@fountaingatephysio.com.au. We do not charge a fee for cancelling.