Clinic Services: Precision Neuromuscular Therapy

Precision Neuromuscular Therapy (PNMT) is an advanced method of soft tissue (muscles, tendons, ligaments, connective tissue, etc.) therapy for the relief of muscular discomfort, pain, and limited range of motion (flexibility). This highly evolved treatment approach utilizes primarily hands on techniques. The way in which PNMT is practiced is through methodical and precise palpation (touching) under the interpretation of physical examination, firmly grounded in science. The number one goal of PNMT is to get results!

PNMT helps to reintroduce and reintegrate forgotten or lost body movements with the use of skillful hands on mobilizations. It can be thought of as a kind of tool of self-awareness. “It is exactly this kind of awareness that competent bodywork can impart to the individual, more quickly and more directly than any other means. Periodic treatments in the life-long course of development gives the individual the chances to pause, to actually feel what has come about through habitual usage, to reflect upon the present situation’s progressive tendencies, to awaken insight into problem areas, to experience the relief of release, and –most importantly– to inspire the conscious will to take a more active hand in future developments.” Deane Juhan, Job’s Body

“A hyperirritable spot in skeletal muscle that is associated with a hypersensitive palpable (touch) nodule in a taut band (knot). The spot is painful on compression and can give rise to characteristic referred pain, referred tenderness, motor (movement) dysfunction, and autonomic (sensation) phenomena. (Travell & Simons)” These trigger points will cause pain or other sensations away from the actual site of the spot itself. In the image on the right side are the typical trigger points of Sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscles, the Xs depict the TrPs and the red color area shows the referral area. You will typically only feel the referral area. Many clinical studies have concluded that trigger points are the primary source of pain in over 70% of patients presenting at pain clinics! Trigger points are an incredibly overlooked cause of many people’s pain because of the difficulty in locating them. They don’t show up on MRI, X-ray, or other diagnostic testing. The only way to discover them is through careful and precise palpation (touching) by an experienced practitioner. PNMT has shown its great success in the deactivation and desensitization of TrPs in different types of myofacial pain and the normalization of the body’s function. Common conditions that are caused by TrPs are Fybromyalgia, headaches, neck and shoulder pain, TMJ disorders, back pain, hip & sciatic problems.

1. Initially with the direct palpation to the dysfunction tissues there will be a slight increase in discomfort. This increased discomfort can also occur later the same day of treatment.
2. This is then typically followed by a steep fall of discomfort in about 18-36 hours after treatment.
3. Then a gradual fall and followed by a plateau.
4. Continued gradual fall with incremental improvement each day.
5. Finally a flat-line of improvement.

This is the typical response to PNMT, however depending on unique circumstances the progression may be slightly different depending on the specific case. Your PNMT therapist will determine what this means and modify the treatment to suit your special needs.

There are a few things to consider when answering this question.

1. How long have you had the pain?
2. How severe is the pain?
3. How is your overall health?
4. What other circumstances are affecting your condition?

Therefore, the longer and more severe the pain is, typically the greater the number of sessions you will need to become pain free. Also your overall constitution and limiting circumstances can affect the length of the treatment program. With the above listed conditions taken into consideration, a substantial improvement should be noticed within 2-6 sessions. Many times a significant change can be achieved in the first session. Additional treatments will be considered on an individual basis.