Neuromuscular massage therapy is most often applied to clients with back spasms. The strokes are applied at varying pressures using a combination of effleurage or gliding strokes, petrissage or grasping strokes along with energy work to release the spasm. After locating the muscle spasm the therapist will begin by applying continuous pressure with hands, elbows knuckles to encourage proper blood flow to the area. Even pressure must be maintained for approximately 30 seconds to the afflicted area in order to have a satisfactory result.
Spasms in persons back can usually be traced to lack of blood flow in the muscle tissue. When the muscles are lacking blood a build up of lactic acid can occure. Neuromuscular therapy attempts to disperse this lactic acid build up which will allow the oxygen rich blood to enter the muscle more freely. This type of therapy can be painful and knowing when too much is too much is very important. A client should have a decent pain threshold in order to endure these sessions, but there are no medals given for one's ability to withstand a therapist jumping up and down on your back.
A therapist will generally increase the pressure and depth of the strokes until the spasm goes away or the muscle releases. A good therapist will encourage the client to speak up if the therapy is becoming too painful. Possibly establishing a pain scale from 1-10 from which to work. Initial treatments may result in some serious soreness the day after the therapy but continued appointments could reduce this greatly.
