My treatment approach
What is myotherapy?
Myotherapy is the evidence-based assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of neuromusculoskeletal conditions. Clinical myotherapists have completed a 3-year Bachelor of Health Science in Myotherapy or Clinical Myotherapy. In comparison to diploma-qualified myotherapists, we do additional studies in exercise theory and rehabilitation, electotherapies, and spend considerable time studying differential diagnosis and foundational health science subjects, including neurophysiology and pain science.
My approach
As a clinical myotherapist, I aim to treat the root cause of your pain through clinical examination, evidence based hands-on and targeted treatment and home care advice, including exercise-based intervention.
I begin with the principle of neuromodulation: your brain and nervous system regulate how much tension and pain you experience in soft tissue and joints, so by working directly to influence the nervous system, the interventions are more effective and durable. This approach is also deeply relaxing: rather than hard massage, which increases the stress response and makes soft tissue "tighter", I work to increase your rest and digest response by applying a range of techniques along lines of connective tissue in the body called anatomy trains. Anatomy trains hold the body together, providing tension and integrity. When working at a point along a line, I can affect other locations along that line, resulting in a globalised and integrated approach that is effective and reduces the risk of post-treatment flare.
Techniques I use include gentle joint mobilisation, soft tissue treatment, instrument-based soft tissue mobilisation, dry needling, cupping, electrotherapies including microcurrent point stimulation (MPS), relief of neural pain using sliders, mobilisation and MPS, facilitated stretching, myofascial release, exercise therapy, and home care advice.
My approach is holistic and collaborative, and designed to empower you to apply self-care techniques when you need them in your daily life.
What I treat
Some common conditions I treat include:
- Nerve pain associated with chronic conditions like hypermobility
- Pain and dysfunction associated with the musculoskeletal effects of hormonal changes: particularly perimenopause, pregnancy or puberty
- Headaches and migraines
- Sinus pain and congestion
- Neck, back and shoulder pain and stiffness
- Bursitis and tendinopathies
- Sport injuries
- Arthritis
- Jaw and facial pain
- Hypermobility and joint instability
- As an adjunct treatment for complex conditions like Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinsons and Fibromyalgia
- And many more.
A note about Microcurrent point therapy (MPS) using the Dolphin Neurostim: MPS is a promising electrotherapy that involves the delivery of a very low amplitude direct current (DC) pulse into the body that is great for reducing pain, neural irritation, improving circulation and reducing inflammation. Compared to the much higher amplitude alternating current (AC) pulse of TENS, MPS operates at the same frequency as the current that operates our heart and autonomic nervous system, and has a powerful effect on the autonomic nervous system, and consequently on the muscles, connective tissue and joints. MPS using the Dolphin Neurostim has been found to be effective for relieving neck and low back pain, improving autonomic nervous system regulation, reducing cortisol (stress hormone) production, pain associated with scar tissue, and symptoms of long COVID, among other things. More info: https://www.mpscourses.com/research-publications/
