Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) is an integrated bodywork that focuses on the release of Trigger Points. Trigger Points are specific areas of spasm and pain in the muscle. These areas are called trigger points because they trigger a pain reaction in a different spot from where the spasm is located. The referred reaction can cause numbness and tingling. This sensation is from the trigger points putting pressure on nerves. Nerves transmit impulses along their entire route so the symptoms can be felt fairly far away from the source of trouble.

Nicole Davis LMT, NCTMB Denver Massage Therapy

On numerous occasions clients have told me they felt sensations in their knees when I was relieving trigger points in the neck. When a muscle (or part of a muscle) spasms, the flow of blood to that area is cut off or severely decreased. Blood carries oxygen, so when blood can't flow to an area, oxygen can't get there either. This lack of oxygen results in a buildup of lactic acid (the same chemical that causes the "burn" that people who work out sometimes feel), which itself causes muscles soreness. The trouble is, soreness and pain can cause even more spasm and therefore less blood flow, less oxygenation and even more lactic acid buildup. Using NMT techniques I will apply pressure to the area of spasm and pain and hold the trigger points for however long I feel necessary, using the client's feedback and my own intuition from the body. While I am putting pressure on the area no blood can get through, but when released the blood will flow back in, providing the area with the oxygen it needs to heal. Sometimes the effects are immediate and the client feels the pain resolve right away; at other times it may take up to a day or two for the residual soreness to subside. Obviously this can be a very intense technique; it is meant to be used for serious pain. If a client has a lot of trigger points it can take more than one session to treat them all. Even without the actual trigger point work itself, it can take time to locate the source of the pain. I always warm up the body with Swedish strokes before engaging in intense NMT. NMT can be used for many conditions such as low back pain, TMJ, whiplash, numbness and tingling of extremities, repetitive motion injuries, and athletic injuries. NMT helps with range of motion, better posture, more balanced muscle tone, and increased energy. One of the best benefits of NMT is the awareness it causes. By using NMT the pain patterns in your body are evident and you can start treating them. NMT is an intense bodywork technique with intense results!