Pulled a muscle whilst playing a game of tennis? Got a headache or migraine from concentrating too hard during daily activities? Or do you have a stiff neck and pain associated with poor posture after spending ages in front of your computer? What you need is a good dose of myotherapy!

• What is myotherapy? -

Myotherapy, as its name states, is the therapy of muscles. It is a form of physical therapy that is used to relieve pain and maintain the normal integrity of soft tissue structures, such as muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia of the human body. Myotherapy involves massaging and pressing sensitive spots – which are also known as ‘trigger points’ throughout the body.

• What are trigger points? -

Trigger points are hypersensitive spots associated with knots in skeletal muscle, which are a common cause of pain. They are triggered in response to muscle strain, emotional stress and injuries. They rarely occur in the same location where the pain is felt. This means that if you have knotted muscles in your neck, you will most likely feel the pain in your head - leading to headaches and migraines.

• What are the common symptoms that require you to look into myotherapy? -

There are many symptoms depending on the condition and circumstances, and people can suffer from one or more symptoms. The most common is feeling a deep pain or tightness in your muscles. Other symptoms include stiff joints, reduced range of mobility, weakness, unexplained tiredness, numbness or a recurrent ‘pins and needles’ tingling sensation. If you have a severe pain for a short period of time and/or a constant dull pain, then it is best that you consult a myotherapist.

• Who is a myotherapist? -

These are qualified specialists that are skilled at physical therapy to help muscle pains. You do not need a doctor’s prescription to visit a myotherapist. Myotherapists will first give you a thorough examination and dig into your medical history, symptoms and other relevant information, to help pinpoint the cause of your symptoms. If these symptoms are related to the muscle and soft tissues and can be fixed with myotherapy, then the therapist will discuss treatment options.

• What are the common approaches to myotherapy? -

Trigger point myotherapy is a non-invasive process that brings about acute and chronic muscle pain relief and control. There is a systemized approach towards treatment which involves applying direct pressure to trigger points, deep tissue massages, stretching and corrective exercises. In some instances if required, therapy consists of inserting acupuncture needles into the trigger points – this is called ‘dry needling’.

The success of treatment can be determined by measuring the level of pain reduction and improved function and mobility. Most patients will feel relief within one to three sessions – depending on the extent of the condition.