welcome to
"Pain is an unpleasant conscious experience that emerges from the brain when the sum of available information suggests that you need to protect a particular part of your body."
- Dr Lorimer Moseley
assessment - treatment - rehabilitation
what is
myotherapy?
Myotherapy is a system of manual therapy like physiotherapy, osteopathy and exercise physiology, which focuses on the evidence based assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal pain and/or pain restricted range of motion from injuries and conditions or lifestyle factors.
This type of pain typically stems from:
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muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, joints and nerves
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Myotherapy is derived from the Greek word "myo" meaning muscle.
Myotherapists, are traditionally known for our strong focus on the use of hands-on techniques and working together with patients and other healthcare professionals when required to help you achieve your goals.
Myotherapists use a variety of skills including:
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Myofascial release
Functional release cupping
Remedial massage
Sports massage
Dry Needling
Taping (Rigid and Kinesiology) techniques
Electrotherapies - TENS and E-Stim
Heat & cold therapy
Joint mobilisations
Muscle energy techniques
Stretching
Self-mobilisation techniques
Rehabilitation exercises
Education
Activity modification
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how is myotherapy different from remedial massage?
Myotherapy and massage are two distinct professions, with different aims and objectives, different health fund rebates, and very different educational pathways.
In common with physiotherapists, osteopaths and chiropractors, myotherapists may use massage in their treatments, when warranted. Myotherapists also call upon a wide range of other evidence-based treatment approaches and skill-sets which in addition to manual therapy, dry needling, and thermo and electro-therapeutic techniques may include; exercise prescription and/or education about pain management, load management, activity modification and/or lifestyle modification.
In common with the previously mentioned allied health professions, myotherapy has its own separate qualifications, specifically the BHSc (Clinical Myotherapy), BHSc (Myotherapy) and AdvDip (Myotherapy), which qualify practitioners to undertake an evidence-based assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of patients experiencing musculoskeletal pain and associated conditions.
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Yes, some remedial massage therapists utilise some of these additional techniques. The major difference is that, as a nationally recognised qualification all these additional competencies are delivered and thoroughly assessed to a strict national standard.
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Additionally, Myotherapists undergo extensive additional training in areas such as clinical assessment techniques, advanced palpation, clinical reasoning, nutrition, research and evidenced based practice methodology, pain management
- Myotherapy Association of Australia
what do myotherapists treat?
Myotherapists treat various issues such as sporting and occupational injuries, stiffness and soreness, chronic pain and overuse syndromes, symptoms associated with arthritis and other chronic musculoskeletal conditions as well as assisting with past injuries. Myotherapists can also assist with recovery and return to regular activity following surgery and/or extended periods of inactivity.
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Back pain
Neck and shoulder pain
Headache
Hip & knee pain
Sports injuries
Rotator cuff and shoulder problems
Occupational injuries
Achilles tendinopathy and other foot and ankle injuries
Jaw pain and clicking
Chronic pain conditions
Tennis elbow
Muscle aches and pain
Post-operative rehabilitation
Running injuries
Sporting performance improvement
Tedonopahties
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You don’t need to be in pain to visit a Myotherapist. Once symptoms have settled treatment may focus on restoring optimal activity (rehabilitation), reducing the likelihood of further injury, and keeping you moving and performing at your best.
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Myotherapy techniques are particularly beneficial in conditions for those experiencing acute, sub-acute, or chronic pain, reduced function, or limited range of motion (ROM).
treatment
process
A common treatment process may regularly include 4 phases.
In general an initial consultation may include one, two, three or all four of the following phases. Remember, as stated previously the goal of myotherapy is to treat and rehabilitate not just the symptoms, but the root cause of musculoskeletal pain.