What is Neuromusculoskeletal Therapy and Why Is It Applied?

Neuromusculoskeletal Therapy is a manual therapy technique that aims to relieve pain and its causes at the root, that is, on the nervous system. 

What is Neuromusculoskeletal Therapy?

Neuromusculoskeletal Therapy is a manual therapy technique that evaluates pain and the factors that cause pain holistically, that is, considering the physical, psychological and social conditions of individuals, in terms of musculoskeletal system and neurological dimension. 

Neuromusculoskeletal therapy, applied by expert physiotherapists trained in kinesiology and biomechanics, as well as the physiology of the nervous system and its effect on the musculoskeletal system, aims to relieve pain on the nervous system.

How is Neuromusculoskeletal Therapy Applied?

In a healthy individual, nerves transmit impulses to the body very slowly. Factors and disorders such as injury, trauma, poor posture, tissue deformation or stress accelerate the transmission of nerves, leaving the body vulnerable to pain and dysfunction. For this reason, a balance must be established between the musculoskeletal system and the central nervous system in order to stabilize neurological activities at normal values ​​and to maintain body coordination and functionality. 

Neuromusculoskeletal therapy is performed by manually applying static pressure, called soft tissue manipulation, on specific myofascial points, known as trigger points, to relieve pain and pain-causing deformities. With the soft tissue manipulation performed, it is aimed to create a balance between the central nervous system and the musculoskeletal system, and the healthy functioning of the organs is supported. 

The primary focus of neuromusculoskeletal therapy is to work on the formation of myofascial trigger points, aiming to locate the source of pain and eliminate the causative factors while paying attention to correcting negative postural and biomechanical patterns.

What Are the Five Main Factors Causing Pain in Neuromusculoskeletal Therapy?

1- Ischemia 

Ischemia is a tissue damage caused by a lack of blood in soft tissues that causes hypersensitivity to touch. Ischemia occurs as a result of weakening or complete loss of blood flow in the tissue and prevents important molecules, including oxygen, from reaching the tissues. 

2- Trigger Points

Trigger points are the points where deformations occur on the muscles that direct the feeling of pain and sensitivity to other areas when certain parts of the body are touched. Trigger points are also known as grips and can cause pain and tenderness, as well as limitation of movement. 

3- Postural Distortion

Postural deterioration, also called posture disorder, is the physical deformation of the musculoskeletal system that occurs on the alternating movement and sitting positions. These deformations lead to an imbalance in the musculature and as a result may cause curvatures on the skeletal system to maintain body balance. Scoliosis and hunchback are examples of frequently encountered postural disorders.

4- Biomechanical Dysfunction – (Restriction of Movement)

Biomechanics, which can also be defined as the science of movement in the medical literature, is the study that focuses on the movement of the body by working in harmony with the muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments. Biomechanical dysfunction is defined as the deterioration in the body's mobility for various reasons, and this limitation of movement negatively affects the daily life quality of individuals and leads to the occurrence of pain. 

What Are the Steps Followed Before Neuromusculoskeletal Therapy?

Before starting neuromusculoskeletal therapy, people's walking skates are carefully examined and a coronal plane and coronal section of the body, that is, anterior, abdominal, posterior and dorsal plane maps are created. With this map, necessary reference points are provided to examine the deformations that occur. As a result of meticulous examination of reference points, posture and biomechanics, the cause-effect relationship with pain is determined and the methods to be applied for therapy are started to be investigated. 

As the second step before neuromusculoskeletal therapy, the specialist physiotherapist begins to examine the person by carefully touching the soft tissue with the hand to detect whether there is ischemia, trigger points and nerve compression. It is aimed to ensure alignment on the body spine by applying the manual manipulation technique, that is, the manual therapy technique, on the determined areas. At the same time, with the applied manipulation, it helps to provide the necessary blood flow to the tissues and accelerates the healing of the tissues. 

What are the Points to Consider During Neuromusculoskeletal Therapy?

Manual pressure, known as soft tissue manipulation, during neuromusculoskeletal therapy varies depending on the age, fitness, nutritional routine and postural suitability of the individuals, trauma and level of installment. Insufficient pressure may not be sufficient for nerve receptors to produce the necessary stimulation needed to produce the desired therapeutic response. 

In addition, improperly administered neuromusculoskeletal therapy can lead to disability or compromise the success of therapy. For this reason, it is of great importance that neuromusculoskeletal therapy be performed by physiotherapists who are experts in their field, trained in the nervous system and the effects of the nervous system on the musculoskeletal system, and knowledgeable in kinesiology and biomechanics. 

To Whom Is Neuromusculoskeletal Therapy Applied?

Neuromusculoskeletal therapy, which aims to eliminate pain and the factors that cause pain, depends on the musculoskeletal system;

• Waist, neck, back pain
• Nerve root compression spreading to the arm and leg
• sciatic nerve pain 
• Eagle Tunnel Syndrome
• Pain originating from knee cap bone such as Meniscus Tear 
• Herniated disc 
• Neck hernia 
• Scoliosis
• lordosis
• Kyphosis 

It is used to support the improvement of neurological medical questions such as

Does Neuromusculoskeletal Therapy Reduce Muscle Pain?

Pain can mostly originate from ischemic muscle tissue. Ischemia is the muscle's lack of proper blood flow due to muscle spasm, and the muscle's inability to get enough blood and oxygen causes the muscle to produce lactic acid. The production of lactic acid in the muscle can cause pain, especially after physical activities. 

Neuromusculoskeletal therapy relaxes the muscles, helping to release lactic acid from the muscles and supplying the muscles with adequate blood and oxygen with the help of the healing tissues. In this way, the pain caused by spasm can be alleviated or completely eliminated. 

What Are the Benefits of Neuromusculoskeletal Therapy?

Neuromusculoskeletal Therapy aims to restore the balance between the nervous system and the musculoskeletal systems by helping to heal soft tissues. 

Neuromusculoskeletal therapy;

• By reducing pain, it improves range of motion and helps to eliminate movement limitation.
• By increasing the flexibility of the spine, it relieves muscle tension and pain.
• It helps to develop proper posture and balance.
• Provides a healing effect on trigger points. 
• It supports overall health by helping to improve blood circulation.