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Myotherapy
What Is Myotherapy?
Myotherapy is based on a scientifically integrated manual therapy approach for the treatment of painful muscle pathology. It can be effective for acute and chronic pain conditions. Myotherapy is modified from the technique formally called myofascial deep friction and stretch techniques.
Myotherapy was developed by Yoichiro Tsuji, PT, PhD, after unsatisfactory results from utilizing only joint mobilization and manipulation techniques. Mr. Tsuji and his colleagues continue to refine myotherapy techniques and research its scientific base. After many years of successful treatment outcomes, they have come to the conclusion that muscle pathology is usually the primary area of symptom production and dysfunction. If left untreated, secondary joint, disc, or other degenerative changes will manifest.
Many of the musculoskeletal dysfunctions that are commonly seen in a clinic, such as cervical strain, lumbar strain, impingement syndrome, lateral epicondylitis, and headaches to list a few, may be due to muscular pathology which is unresponsive to conventional treatment. Myotherapy treatment has been shown to be successful in reducing pain and improving patient response to exercise and active reconditioning. It is complementary to current orthopedic standards of practice.
Treatment Procedure
- Manual soft tissue techniques consisting of friction, friction-pressure, pressure-friction and pressure techniques
- Treatment in acute cases in superficial, painless and local or regional in symptomatic area
- Treatment in chronic cases is deep and extensive, extremely painful at times and global or systemic in area
- Duration is 10-15 minutes in acute cases and 30 to 60 minutes or longer in chronic cases and physical size of individual
- Physiology of Treatment
Physiology of Treatment
- Stimulation of type III and IV sensory nerve endings
- Release of neuropeptides locally at the effector site starts neurogenic inflammatory cascade
- Neurogenic inflammation promotes circulation and lymphatic drainage, decreasing muscle edema and promoting tissue healing
- Autonomic nervous system response causes release of endogenous opiates, such as endorphins, which provide analgesia
- Global treatment to affected muscular chain
- Immediate Treatment Effects
Immediate Treatment Effects
- Opiod induced analgesia
- Various degrees of disorientation, lightheadedness
- Red, glazed eyes
- Very relaxed, lethargic, slow movement
- Patients often say they feel high
- Rubor skin tone/color, swelling and softening of muscle
- Improved range of motion, muscle flexibility
- Latent Post-Treatment Effects
Latent Post-Treatment Effects
- Delayed onset soreness of muscles, usually only to touch, no contraction pain (24-72 hours)
- Occasionally will bring back acute pain, especially in chronic or more severe muscle hardening
- Sensitivity of the skin to touch, deep ache felt with slight tactile skin sensation
- Occasional visible bruising, especially with the more severe muscles problems
- Treatment Goals
Treatment Goals
- Decrease muscle edema (myoedema, myospasm), decreased muscle hardening
- Decrease sensitization or polymodal nerve endings
- Restore muscle function without pain
- Increase muscle flexibility and pain free range of motion
- Gradual restoration of activity and exercise
- Treatment Duration
Treatment Duration
- Myotherapy is done once every 10-14 days initially. (Inflammatory process takes approximately 10 days to complete its cycle.)
- As muscle hardening and pain decreases, duration between visits can be increased, with treatment eventually needed once every 4-6 weeks or longer.
- Active reconditioning program can be started gradually, with emphasis on stretching and promoting muscular endurance (important for chronic cases)
- Average number of treatments to expect change in muscle hardening, edema and symptoms is 3-5
- Average number of treatments at discharge is 7
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