Frequently asked questions about Neuromuscular Massage Therapy

1. How do I know if Neuromuscular Therapy is appropriate for me?
Raffa Neuromuscular Therapy addresses a wide spectrum of myofascial pain. It could be as simple as muscular strain due to inactivity or deconditioning or as complex as conditions associated with physical traumas, motor vehicle accidents, work related injuries, sports injuries, repetitive strain patterns and cycles of abuse including muscular pain associated with physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, addictions, and eating disorders.

2. What conditions does Neuromuscular Therapy help?
It is a whole-body approach to treatment, so most people find that when they are treated for their back pain, their knee pain, headaches, bladder dysfunction, and other problems they thought could not be helped or "weren't a big deal" are also addressed. Some of the conditions Raffa Neuromuscular Therapy is successful with are:

Headaches, Migraines, Scoliosis, TMJ, Whiplash, Herniated Disc Syndrome, Back Pain, Neck Pain, Shoulder Pain, Hip Pain, Knee Pain, Foot Pain, Osteoarthritis, Plantar Faciitis, Torticollis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Sciatica, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Shin Splints, Tendonitis, Spasms, Cramps, Strains, Postural Distortions, Fibromyalgia, Trigeminal Neuralgia, Post Polio Syndrome, and the list goes on and on . . .

3. How is Neuromuscular Therapy performed?
Raffa Neuromuscular Therapists believe that the healing process should also be an educational process, so they teach the patient about their health, structure, biomechanics, and anything else that may be influencing their pain condition. In addition, they will work with other healthcare practitioners and supportive professionals.

The client is actively involved in the process of healing by providing the Therapist information about his or her particular condition. During the initial visit, which is generally 60 minutes, the Therapist palpates and evaluates the soft tissues to determine if there are problems with ischemia, trigger points, and nerve compression and/or entrapment. Once the evaluation is complete, the therapist will follow a specific protocol of rehabilitation, designed to produce the most efficient and long-lasting results.

The steps in this protocol are as follows:

• locate and eliminate spasms, hyper-contraction and trigger points from the soft tissues;
• restore postural alignment, proper biomechanics or movement patterns;
• restore flexibility and increase blood flow to the tissues;
• rebuild strength of the injured, weak, and/or atrophied tissues; and build endurance of the tissues for permanent results

If rehabilitation is attempted without following this order, it is our experience that re-injury and setbacks usually occur. For example, if an injured person attempts weight training before hypercontraction has been properly eliminated from the tissues, the result usually is that the tissues will re-spasm and the old patterns will recur.

4. How many treatments does a patient need?
This question varies with each individual, depending upon the severity of their condition, nutritional and emotional health, age, fitness, and the skill of the therapist. One person may need only one session, while another may need 25 sessions. Generally, after about ten (10) sessions the patient feels a great improvement in their health. This number varies depending on severity of injury, trauma, and longevity of chronic pain. Once the problem is eliminated, the patient may opt to continue with treatment every few months to maintain their health and help prevent future imbalances from occurring. At the Raffa Neuromuscular Treatment Center we believe in providing patients with the tools and information needed to improve and maintain their own health.

5. Is Neuromuscular Therapy painful?
In a treatment, the Therapist will palpate the soft tissues to determine if there are ischemic, trigger point, nerve compression and/or entrapment possibilities. The appropriate pressure to be used during a treatment varies depending upon age, fitness, nutritional health, postural pattern, and the extent of trauma and toxicity level in the tissues. In Neuromuscular Therapy, the therapist applies pressure for 8-12 seconds to each area being treated, prompting a therapeutic response in the tissues. Since Raffa Neuromuscular Therapy is a highly effective method of therapeutic massage, as opposed to relaxation massage, using the proper level of pressure will elicit a mild state of discomfort.

If pressure is too light, it does not produce the necessary stimulation of nerve receptors to produce the desired therapeutic response. However, pressing too hard can cause the body to treat the pressure as an intrusion, particularly if there is inflammation in the tissues. Optimal success is achieved by applying pressure to trigger points or ischemic areas 3-4 times for 8-12 seconds rather than a longer duration. This is because the therapist's goal is to interrupt the physio-pathological reflex circuits. The therapist is in constant communication with the client to assure a tolerable pain threshold.

1. Drink plenty of WATER before and after your session. During a massage metabolic waste, or toxins are released. Increasing your water intake will assist your body in removing those toxins.

2. Take a hot Epsom Salt bath. The high magnesium content of the Epsom salts promote the release of lactic acid from muscle tissue. An Epson salt bath can be helpful anytime you are suffering from aches and muscle strain. It is also an excellent idea after having a massage to relieve any generalized soreness from treatment to a particularly tight area.

Directions for use:
Add 2-4 cups in a full bath of hot water.
Drink 4-6 cups of water during or after bathing to avoid dehydration.
May apply a cool cloth to forehead or neck for comfort.
Soak for at least 20 minutes.
Lay back, relax and enjoy!

As with any hot bath, get out of the tub slowly. Rinse off to cool your body, with a cool shower, or use a cold cloth when leaving the bath. Rest for about an hour to balance out your body.