Neuromuscular therapy, or (NMT) was co-developed by physical therapists and massage therapists including Judith Walker Delaney, LMT (www.nmtcenter.com). It is an advanced course which requires several days or weeks of therapist training outside of basic massage education. A high-level of familiarity with anatomy and physiology are a very important part of training.

NMT is the familiarization of numerous common pain problems and treatment for each, often with trigger point pressure. It is widely practiced and is of significant benefit in eliminating pain. Trigger points are specific points within muscles that may be the center of muscular disfunction. Treatment methods cover a variety of techniques, sometimes using small tools to assist in certain areas. The goal is to disrupt pain signals to and from the brain to prevent a cycle of on-going repetition.

NMT may be integrated with other therapies, such as myofascial release or deep tissue massage, depending on the therapist’s ability to develop an effective treatment plan for each client. A series of treatments are commonly needed to make the most impact in a pain management endeavor.

A licensed massage therapist is not a medically trained expert, and cannot diagnose problems. While NMT may be helpful in alleviating pain, it is not a “fix-all” for every problem. The therapist may see hints of common problems and suggest a medical expert for specific diagnosis.

Teresa received her advanced training from Judith Walker Delaney, LMT, for levels I, II, III, and IV.