Special feature                                                                       back to Home Page

Osteopathy +

(Myoneural therapy)

A safe and effective approach

During our many years of experience in orthopaedic physical  therapy, we have developed a skilled and sophisticated treatment which we call Myoneural  Therapy. It involves the diagnosis and manual treatment of superficial and deep muscles which, when abnormal, cause stress and pain. In our view it is the key to relieving pain, increasing mobility, and generally improving structural health. Myoneural therapy offers a safe and effective approach to osteopathy.

Muscles do more than make us move

The musculo-skeletal system makes up 60% of our body mass. It consists of our bones and muscles, plus tendons, ligaments and connective tissue. If you could peel back the skin to reveal the underlying structures, you would discover the most amazingly intricate network of muscles which play an essential part in everything we do. Without muscles to activate our skeletons, we would not be able to stand upright or even breathe. The muscles are the greatest energy user, and are far more 'alive' than we realise. They appear to have 'memory' and react to emotional changes. Supported by all our body systems, it is through our muscles that we are able to experience life. Perhaps not surprisingly, muscular dysfunction is one of the primary sources of pain and structural problems in the body.

The problem starts in the muscles

Back pain is often assumed to originate from the bony structures of the spine, when very often it is in fact a soft tissue problem associated with the muscles. Likewise pain in other joints and limbs. The source of the problem may be localised or some distance from the site of the pain. The muscular changes may be caused by abuse and/or overuse, fatigue, bad posture, injury, poor blood supply, toxicity and acidity, nutritional deficiencies, or muscular tension from emotional and psychological stress. Problems in the back may affect other parts of the body, for example headaches are often the result of tension in the muscles of the neck and shoulders.

The human skeleton is such a masterpiece of engineering that the smallest movement of any bone affects the whole structure. Each movement is dependent upon the muscles which are attached to the bones. The condition of the muscles will determine the ease of movement permitted in the skeleton. For healthy structural functioning the muscles have to be in prime working condition. Given the number of factors which can affect muscles, it is hardly surprising that they are rarely in tip top condition.

Concerns about osteopathic treatment

Many patients come to Orchard Lodge Clinic with a certain amount of trepidation, having had previous experience or heard from friends that osteopathic treatment involves forceful and sometimes painful manipulation of the spine and other joints. At Orchard Lodge Clinic we avoid forceful manipulation as we don't believe this to be necessary.

How myoneural therapy works

The spine and all other joints are surrounded and supported by a network of muscles and ligaments. It is the stress registered in these muscles which creates abnormal positioning and strain in the joints, often described as a joint ‘going’ or ‘locking’, or 'putting one's back out'. Diagnosis at this stage may reveal a herniated disc, osteoarthritis, or other joint problem. The important thing is that the pathology was most likely there, unnoticed, for some time before the onset of pain. The condition has become painful because of the muscle spasm around the joint, which tends to focus around areas of mechanical weakness. Furthermore, this muscle spasm may in its turn be aggravated by dysfunction in one of the other muscles involved in the movement of the joint. By treating the muscles, using Myoneural therapy, the cause of the pain can be removed and mobility returned.

Treating the muscles

Problems (lesions) within the musculature are detected by moving the fingers along the muscles. Muscles normally feel firm but not solid. One can slide a finger along the body of the muscle, feeling the difference between areas of pliability, restriction and congestion. Amongst the changes noted may be immobility, tenderness, oedema, muscle tension, fibrosis etc. Some lesions are easily palpable but others are minute, and escape detection by all but the most skilled hands. Very often lesions are revealed by areas of hypersensitivity to pressure ('sore spots'), described technically as myofascial trigger points, because they indicate abnormal function in the nerve supply and muscle activity. In myoneural therapy, these muscle lesions can then be treated and normalised by deep friction, stretching and mobilisation.

Uses of myoneural therapy

Myoneural therapy is an effective and safe form of treatment for acute symptoms and for chronic (ie long term) pain, and in some cases may prevent the need for surgery. Myoneural therapy is also highly effective in maintaining structural health, and many of our patients have regular treatments at 1 to 3 month intervals. This sort of regular maintenance helps to prevent problems recurring. Myoneural therapy improves function, removes pain, reduces energy loss, improves posture and significantly improves negative psychological states. It is suitable for people of all ages, including children.

If you would like to know more about Osteopathy or Myoneural therapy, phone us on 01684 568744 - we are here to help you.

Orchard Lodge Clinic, 48 Church Road, Malvern, Worcestershire WR14 1NG

Tel / Fax: 01684 568744        Email: enquiries@theosteopaths.com