Our remedial massage therapist Tom is also a qualified myotherapist. Myotherapy specialises in the assessment, treatment, and prevention of specific somatic (body) dysfunctions and various musculoskeletal pathologies. It focuses on the rehabilitation of a variety of musculoskeletal conditions from tennis/golfer’s elbow, non-specific lower back pain, tendinopathies, plantar fasciitis, frozen shoulder, wry neck, chronic tension headaches, and many more. 

A myotherapist uses their knowledge of anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and pathologies to understand the relationship between the myofascia (muscles and related connective tissue, e.g., tendons and ligaments) and other systems of the body. We aim to gather the information needed to resolve the underlying causes of the dysfunction, as well as addressing the symptomatic pain of the condition. 

Myotherapists use a variety of modalities to enhance the restoration and recovery of these soft tissue dysfunctions, including soft tissue manual therapy (massage), joint mobilisations, cupping, myofascial dry needling, muscle energy techniques, stretching, electrotherapeutic therapy (tens machine therapy), and rehabilitation exercises. 

Myotherapy vs Remedial Massage

The primary distinction between myotherapy and remedial massage is that myotherapists use a much broader range of techniques to identify the underlying cause of the injury and will aid the full term of the rehabilitation process. Whereas remedial massage is more commonly used to treat non-specific injuries such as muscle tightness or soreness, and to provide people with some form of relief (often more immediate or short-term). As far as qualifications, a remedial massage therapist will have completed a Diploma or equivalent level qualification, whereas a myotherapist will have completed either a Bachelor of Health (Clinical Myotherapy) or an Advanced Diploma of Myotherapy. Thus, a myotherapist should have a higher base level of knowledge in their field. 

When to see a Myotherapist? 

If you are experiencing chronic (ongoing) symptoms of musculoskeletal pain, a session with a myotherapist would be beneficial. This can be as simple as sore shoulders or a stiff knee, or perhaps you have recently incurred an injury. A myotherapist can help to address the symptoms and also discover the causative factors that produced the pain. In my work, personally, I advocate strongly for correcting postural habits and introducing strength exercises and daily stretches to address a wide range of pathologies with the intention of reducing the likelihood of these injuries recurring and giving the client an overall higher quality of body function. 

If you discover that you have a specific injury or dysfunction that you have been trying to work through to no avail, maybe myotherapy is for you!

This piece is from our latest GHE Magazine; click here to view the magazine in full.