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Expert guide on myotherapy and musculoskeletal therapy

What is myotherapy?

Myotherapy is a physical therapy designed to prevent, treat, and manage musculoskeletal pain, improve joint and muscle function, and increase performance.

Myotherapy therapists are healthcare professionals who treat and rehabilitate joint and muscle-related pain, injuries and dysfunction. Treatments are sometimes offered alongside osteopathy, physiotherapy, and chiropractic therapies. Myotherapists are also trained in a wide range of neurologic, orthopaedic, and functional testing. This allows them to gain a holistic picture of a client’s physical capabilities.

What is the history of myotherapy?

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is defined as the “sensory, motor and autonomic symptoms caused by myofascial trigger points (MTrPs).” American physician Dr Janet Travell is generally credited with bringing MTrPs to the attention of healthcare workers in the 1940s. In 1966, she founded the North American Academy of Manipulative Medicine, and in 1983 published The Trigger Point Manuals. These were a comprehensive review of more than 140 muscles’ symptoms and their referred pain patterns.

The International Myopain Society (IMS) was formed in the US in 1999 as a result of more clinicians observing muscles as a source of patients’ pain. It expanded to incorporate European clinicians and more recently, those from the southern hemisphere.

In Australia, myotherapy evolved from the massage industry, with practitioners recognising the additional training and clinical knowledge needed to effectively treat patients. The first myotherapy course was instigated at Melbourne’s RMIT in 1989. Today, the industry continues to grow based on the increasing part that myotherapists play in treating muscle pain and injury.

How does myotherapy work?

Myotherapy draws on the Western medical principles of physiology, anatomy, pathology, and biomechanics. It includes a range of manual therapies including joint mobilisation, soft tissue therapy, dry needling, myofascial cupping therapy, taping, corrective and rehabilitative exercise, and prescriptive advice on muscle and pain management.

What are the benefits of myotherapy?

Myotherapy can help prevent and treat a wide range of chronic and acute musculoskeletal issues and disorders. These include:

• Myofascial pain: Myofascia is the protective connection of fascia (connective tissue) and muscle. Myfascial pain can occur from poor posture or exercise, localised points of tension within myofascial tissue, or from other inflammatory or nervous system related issues. It is often experienced as a dull aching sensation which can also manifest as referred pain in other areas of the body.
• Lower back pain: Lower back pain is typically a result of issues like osteoarthritis, scoliosis, disk injuries, spinal stenosis, nerve compression, a sudden injury to the muscles and ligaments, a lack of physical activity, or poor posture. Myotherapy can help restore natural posture, decrease muscle tension, and relax spasmed muscles to promote long-term healing.
• Tension headaches and migraines: The source of these is often jaw or neck-related, and a Myotherapist can employ a wide range of clinical options (including massage) to help reduce symptoms and alleviate pain.
• Sports injuries, such as muscle tears, strains and sprains: Myotherapy can play a critical role in treating and rehabilitating injuries caused by sports. It not only helps restore optimal performance, it can reduce the likelihood of further injuries down the track.
• Tendinopathy: Myotherapists are trained to identify tendon problems and provide interventions that can reduce inflammation and pain.

• Degenerative joint pain: Myotherapy can help alleviate the pain associated with arthritic conditions and improve functioning for more comfortable movement.
• Rehabilitation from surgery: In many cases, exercise and manual therapies are vital to an effective post-surgery recovery. Myotherapists can help clients recover faster so they can return to work or sport.