Every Wednesday, I undergo therapy in form of a massage called Neuromuscular Massage Therapy (NMT).
Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) is a modern, logical system of massage therapy. NMT is based on understanding how the neuromuscular system functions. Neuromuscular principles help me understand what’s causing your pain: trigger points, posture, etc, and how to treat it. The nervous system controls everything in the body, including muscle tension and pain.
Neuromuscular massage techniques often use the thumbs or fingertips to explore tissues in detail. Elbows or forearms are also used, when necessary. Tense muscles often form bands of muscle fibers even tighter than the rest. These are areas of hypertonicity and ischemia. Searching thoroughly, I can feel bands of tight muscle fibers; the areas that are in the most trouble. These are found and treated until they release. – BodyTechnician.com
But before you go, “Wow, sosyal! Lucky!” it’s not the typical massage you’re thinking of. There’s no classical music, no Zen garden with trickling water as background and definitely no aromatherapy for the ambiance. (But the oil they apply on my back smells kind of nice. Citronella, I think!)
No fluffy robes and bath towels, too, since they massage you with your clothes on. (Recommended attire: a simple shirt and jogging pants)
The place I go to is a simple and quaint garage-like house with NO airconditioning. Just an open gate, open windows and 4 wooden massage beds.
The outside 🙂
Rustic, right?
It’s definitely not an elegant, relaxing type of massage either.
Two to three therapists are usually assigned to massage you at the same time. It’s a full-body massage but they will concentrate and spend more time on your problem areas.
During the massage, it WILL hurt (but it’s good pain!), especially when they apply pressure to muscles which are in spasm or cramped. After the massage I usually feel really tired and a bit lethargic (like I’m detoxing). And for the next 2 days, I get body aches all over. But the 2 day body aches are nothing compared to the relief and improvement I’ve noticed for myself.
Don’t let these facts discourage you from trying out Neuromuscular Massage Therapy, especially if you have the following conditions:
- Migraine
- TMJ
- Bells Palsy
- Sinusitis
- Insomnia
- Asthma
- Back Pain
- Heart Problems
- Slipped Discs
- Scoliosis
- Osteoporosis
- Lupus
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Frozen Shoulders
Neuromuscular Massage Therapy has REALLY helped my recovery a lot. I can honestly say that I’ve gotten better results compared to going to Physical and Occupational Therapy in hospitals.
In my case, these are the improvements I’ve noticed ever since I started going to NMT (I’ve gone through 12 sessions as of this posting):
- Improved circulation. After my operation, I developed chronic cold hands and feet due to poor circulation. And when it’s really cold, my left arm and hand turns slightly bluish. NMT has improved this.
- Better walking gait. Since my muscles are opening up and getting less cramped, I can walk properly now. I can even walk in 1 inch heeled shoes! 😉
- Improved range of motion.
- Relieved chronic neck pains.
- Improved posture.
- Better moods. I think the massage (along with my magnesium supplements) help in controlling my hormones, so I’m less of a crazy woman when it’s the time of the month)
- Less muscle spasms.
- Decreased altered sensation. The feeling under my feet are sort of becoming normal again, though I still have the forever pins and needles under my feet.
I really recommended that you try NMT if you’re feeling any chronic body pain, aside from the other conditions I’ve mentioned.
South Branch:
Blk.1 Lot 1 Cynthia Nakpil St.
BF Resort Village, Las Pinas
Tel #: 874-8192North Branch:
A.A.N.I Herbal Garden
Quezon City Circle
Tel #: 379-1930Look for Donna. (She’s in the South branch from Mon-Wed, and in the North branch from Thurs-Sat. If she’s not available during your preferred time, the other therapists are equally as good as she is.)
Each sessions takes an hour and a half (1 hour and 30 minutes) and costs P300-P400. They also offer home service, but price varies depending on where you live so it’s best to call them up to inquire.
Don’t feel disheartened if you don’t feel any improvement after your first session. You’ll normally feel the effects after your second or third 🙂
If you want to read more about Neuromuscular Massage Therapy (NMT), this is a good article: Neuro Muscular Therapy
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