Health-Massage-Bodywork Tips

What is Neuromuscular Therapy?
Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) is also called Trigger Point Therapy (TPT). The focus of this technique is to find “trigger points” in body tissues that are overworked, contracted, and hypersensitive. Then, address these “trigger points” with concentrated finger pressure or specialized tools.

“Trigger points” typically refer pain to other areas of the body. A trigger point in the neck may cause temporary headaches, eye pain, or pain down the arm while a trigger point in the hips can cause temporary low back pain or pain down the leg. Once these triggers points are released, proper posture and more flexible, fluid body movements are achieved.

NMT/TPT is very effective for breaking the chronic pain cycles. This therapy helps clients to restore postural alignment by invigorating normal physiological functioning (like efficient blood flow, effective nerve responses) of the musculoskeletal system (the system of muscles/tendons/ligaments and bones/joints and associated tissues (i.e. nerves) that move the body and maintain its form).

Who would benefit from Neuromuscular Therapy?
If you have a history of injuries and these injuries are affecting your daily life. If you are suffering from chronic pain for long periods of time. If you require rehabilitation therapy from an injury(s). If you are weary of going to the doctors for more medications and for impending surgeries. If you want a healthier, happier, pain-free lifestyle.

Some trivia: Janet Travell was the American physician who coined “trigger point” and pioneered TPT in the United States. She was asked to be the first female Personal Physician to US President John F. Kennedy, because of her very successful treatments to his back pain using TPT.

What are the differences between massage and Neuromuscular Therapy?
Generally, a massage session involves working the entire body with some communications throughout the session between the practitioner and client.

In a NMT/TPT session, the massage practitioner works in a focused manner in a specific area, trying to reduce muscular tension and break-up adhesions and scar tissue on a deeper level. The massage practitioner and client must work together (communicate constantly throughout the session) to release the tightness, spasms and referred pain patterns from these muscles. Sometimes a NMT/TPT session can be nauseating depending on how much toxins are released in the chronically, contracted body tissue, how hydrated the person is, the health condition of the client, etc.

Looks like the Department of Veterans Affairs has joined the bandwagon in supporting other healthy alternatives to holistic health! Go to page 8 of Veterans Health Today (Winter 2010) and read the article titled, “Managing Pain Without The Pills”.

Acupuncture and chiropractic services are now provided at the San Diego military healthcare facilities and “outside” of the military healthcare system. Work within their guidelines/procedures in order to receive these services in the local community.

Be daring and ask your military healthcare provider about seeing a massage-bodywork practitioner in your area if you are experiencing chronic pain, considering or recovering from surgery, healing from injury, or wanting to add another harmonizing therapy to improve your current health situation (a great complement to yoga, talk therapy, etc.).

Currently, the military healthcare system does not recognized massage-bodywork services as a healing therapy. Share with your military healthcare providers the benefits you received from massage-bodywork therapies, and hopefully, eventually, massage-bodywork therapies will be incorporated into the healthcare system and hospitals like acupuncture and chiropractic services.

I have reasonable session rates for active duty, retired, veteran, and government personnel.

If you want to get rid of pain, improve your posture, look thinner and feel better, call me for an appointment and visit my website for more information about my practice. My website is very informative, so please visit to learn more about my services, session prices, and my schedule along with massage-bodywork benefits and tips for before, during, and after your sessions.

I would like to partner with other health practitioners (orthopedic surgeons, dentists, doctors, chiropractors, counselors/therapists, coaches), health facilities (gyms, exercise studios (karate, yoga, dance)), and small businesses in the city of San Diego. My practice does complement these services to bring about more health and well-being to people. If you have any recommendations, please connect us by sending them my e-newsletters and contact information, OR I would be happy to contact them directly!

I can provide demonstrations and classes about health and massage-bodywork to businesses and its employees. Review My Calendar for what talks I’ve completed in the past in the San Diego community.

If you have any questions about my services and would like to set up an appointment, please, call or email me. I look forward to working with you at your next appointment!