When sciatica type symptoms get the better of you and nothing you do seems to make it better, here is something to think about from my checklist for corrective actions and treatments Part 1. Correct structural asymmetries with a heel lift, butt lift, foot orthotics, and make changes in misfitting furniture. This is more important […]
When “sciatic” type of symptoms won’t go away, what else can be considered as causes? Travell and Simons emphatically state that “Sciatica is a symptom, not a diagnosis; it’s cause should be identified.” (Vol II, p. 173) Here’s a list of things you can check. Structural asymmetries: Anything that makes one hip higher will cause […]
Neuromuscular Therapy is a specialty treatment somewhere between Physical Therapy and Massage Therapy with a focus on Trigger Points in soft tissue locations that refer pain away from their hyperactive nodules to other points in the body. Trigger Points are one of the most common causes of chronic pain. They can occur anywhere in soft […]
This is a series on low back pain. If you missed the summary of causes, go back to Part 1. Running all the way down your back are two sets of muscles, together called the erector spinae. They keep the spine erect. With the prevalence of postural issues at all age levels, these muscles are […]
This is a series on low back pain. If you missed the summary of causes, go back to Part 1. Whenever the skeleton is asymmetrical, the muscles are affected. Our bodies want to be in a state of equilibrium and have complicated systems to maintain that internal balance (homeostasis). That applies the musculoskeletal system as […]
This series on jaw pain and TMJ is based on the case study of Rodney D. If you missed the beginning, go back to Part 1. So what do I think about when someone comes into my Neuromuscular Therapy office near Boston saying that they have TMJ pain or jaw pain? The lateral pterygoid! Sounds […]
Knowledge is power. The better you understand the muscles of your knee the more empowered you will be to keep them out of pain. The last post discussed the quadriceps in the front of the thigh. The “hamstrings” are in the back of the thigh. Guys refer to them affectionately as “hammies” at the gym. […]
As a Neuromuscular Therapist, how do I think about chronic headache pain? If medical reasons for headaches have been ruled out, the cause is probably muscular Trigger Points. Examining the muscles in the neck and shoulders usually turns up at least one cause. But finding unhealthy muscles with Trigger Points is only targeting the symptoms. […]