Myotherapy.
Myotherapy.
Myotherapy is a form of manual and movement therapy, which uses evidence-based assessment, treatment and rehabilitation techniques to treat neuromusculoskeletal pain and associated conditions. It involves and extensive physical evaluation and an integrated therapeutic approach in the treatment of affected muscles, joints, connective tissues and nerves.
The focus of myotherapy is to find and treat the cause of the client’s presenting neuromusculoskeletal signs and symptoms, as well as to identify and address any contributing factors. Educating the clients about the mechanism behind their presenting condition and engaging them in active treatment and rehabilitation participation is an important part of myotherapy treatment. Additionally, myotherapy identifies the clients’ individualised health needs and provides a collaborative approach with other health care professionals (e.g. naturopaths, acupuncturists, general practitioners, exercise physiologists) if appropriate to ensure a holistic approach to clients’ care.
What techniques does myotherapy employ?
- massage techniques (mainly remedial and deep tissue techniques)
- myofascial release and myofascial cupping
- trigger point therapy
- central and peripheral joint mobilisations
- neural mobilisations
- trigger point dry needling
- stretching and muscle energy techniques
- rigid or kinesiology taping
- corrective/rehabilitative exercise prescription
- education about pain management
- activity or lifestyle modification
What conditions can myotherapy treat?
- Back pain
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Headaches (cervicogenic headaches, tension type headaches)
- Rotator cuff problems
- Sports injuries
- Hip, knee, and ankle pain
- Muscle strains
- Occupational injuries, such as tennis elbow or shin splints
- Joint pain and/or dysfunction, such as shoulder impingement syndrome
- Tendinopathies, such as Achilles or Pattelar tendinopathy
- Acute to chronic musculoskeletal conditions
- Postural conditions, such as thoracic kyphosis, forward head posture
- Injury and dysfunction prevention
- and others.
Commonly Asked Questions:
Your first myotherapy appointment will be 75 minutes long. The consultation will begin with comprehensive health history screening, followed by postural and movement assessment, examination of involved joints, muscles and nerves, as well as pain and/or neurological symptoms assessment, where applicable. Special orthopedic tests and functional tests may be carried out to help establish a working diagnosis. Depending on your condition, we may refer you to other health care professional(s) for further assessment and diagnosis. Relevant patient reported outcome measures may be used to monitor the progress of your treatment.
The aim of the initial appointment is alleviate your pain or discomfort and identify the structures or movement dysfunction contributing to your symptoms. The treatment will incorporate a combination of manual myotherapy techniques, stretching and strengthening exercises, as well as home-care recommendations. Depending on your condition, an on-going treatment and exercise plan may be developed in order to restore your body back to optimal function over certain number of weeks.
Your follow-up myotherapy sessions will be 60 minutes long. Their aim is to further treat your condition, employ different treatment techniques, monitor your progress and adjust any exercises that have been prescribed. The goal of myotherapy treatment plan is not only therapeutic, but also preventative.
Loose or stretchy comfortable shorts, imaging (e.g. X-ray, MRI, ultrasound) reports if relevant, list of current medications including supplements or herbal remedies, a case history form (download here).
Yes, myotherapy treatment can be claimed with all major health funds.