Frequently
Asked
Questions
Top 10
Frequently Asked Questions
1What has caused all this pain?
A medical answer to what causes pain typically contain terms and phrases that end in “itis,” meaning pressure on nerves from inflammation and swelling, or it may be from hyper-contracted muscles, joint compressions, skeletal misalignment, a rupture, tear, spur, herniation, stress fracture, infection, disease, etc. Whereas the real cause of all these kinds of effects may be more easily stated by saying colliding variables that finally led to the “perfect storm.” In other words the choices we make everyday have costs as well as benefits attached to them and they add up over time and mileage – equaling the sum total of “I feel good” or “I feel bad.” Things like chronic stress, old injuries, repetitive movements, poor posture, musculoskeletal adaptations and compensations, poor nutrition, dehydration, lack of rest, too much or too little exercise and stretching, inconsistent or incorrect daily self-care and on and on. Chronic pain is the body’s way of saying “Enough!" Self-corrections can no longer take place without you getting some help and making a few changes. In this regard as painful as pain can be, it is also the most trustworthy and loyal companion you will ever have. Much like an internal “watch dog” it will bark, growl, beg and eventually bite you really hard in order to drag you away from danger and protect you - even from yourself. The only way to silence this lifelong friend is to get to know its daily needs and provide them, then it will stay happy and more quietly on guard.
2Why hasn’t this pain gone away when I have been doing all the right things?
As simple as it sounds, something along the way has not been as “right” as you thought. Perhaps you have been doing things in the wrong order or to the wrong parts of the body. Maybe there have been treatments that could not be well received or responded to because there were other necessary things missing. Maybe something was incorrectly diagnosed or you just need to try another practitioner or type of treatment. I cannot know for sure without connecting to you personally, but whenever I hear this question, I sit down and analyze all the data at hand and try and figure out what can be done to create wellness, as opposed to focusing on all that happened to cause pain. At times I discover nothing more than that the person was not really doing their part, or that they were impatient with the healing process at large or they didn’t give the right treatments enough time to work before quitting or resuming the same irritating activity. The bottom line is when what you are doing is not working step back, take a deep breath and figure out what needs to change.
3How do I know what to believe with so many conflicting opinions out there?
There are always going to be varying opinions about pain, what causes it, what cures it, and what you should or should not do in regard to it, but when it comes to the human body there is solid science around what it needs and how it works. So my suggestion is that you do some personal research then use your gut for all the rest. Don’t rule out the incredibly simple solution no matter how complicated or complex you may think your situation to be. Get referrals whenever possible. The most solid advice I can give you on this topic is – after all that you read and after all that you hear from other people, you are your own person and only you know what is best for you. The answers you are seeking may even come in the form of a well timed bumper sticker, a book that crosses your path, the content of an overheard conversation, from more than one person telling you about something, or a random thought of inspiration that you may have never considered before. Remember that sometimes part of the process is in just trying a few things so that you can discover what appeals to you and what does not. Most of all stay open to making changes - especially in what you may currently believe about pain and your body - as change is the solution when something is not working.
4I have heard NMT is painful to receive, is that true?
For me personally when NMT is done correctly, it is not painful to receive, but instead a welcome relief for the aches and pains I am already having. Yet I have heard some others say “Yes it hurts really badly, but it was so worth it.” By far the most common description we hear about receiving NMT is “it hurts so good.” Like scratching an itch you could never reach. Each to his own, I suppose. The fact is that neuromuscular massage therapy is not intended to be painful, nor is any other type of massage therapy for that matter. However, when the soft tissues are troubled with tension, swelling, adhesions, etc. – the reality is that it can be uncomfortable to have them massaged, stretched and treated. A real Catch-22. Then once they relax, lengthen, and the swelling dissolves, the same massage techniques no longer hurt - which is simply amazing. Client/therapist communication is the key so that the treatment can be closely monitored in order to keep all discomfort to a minimum and still get the job done. The goal is to use exactly the right amount of movement and pressure to cause the hyper-contractions in the muscles to relax or “release” without adding further trauma to them. Remember, complete hydration and having enough vitamins and minerals in the body promote good circulation which is the real way to avoid unnecessary discomfort during treatments as well as soreness or bruising afterward. At TTPT we require that you be on top of these things before ever coming in for your first session.
5Is a doctor referral required before receiving NMT?
You do not need a physician referral in order to receive massage or bodywork therapy in the state of NC. However, at TTPT we prefer if patients have already been medically screened and have ruled out the more serious conditions that can be causing pain such as infection, disease, tumors, bone spurs, disc and ligament damage, torn muscles, stress fractures, etc. before seeing us. Our protocol is that if we do not see significant positive changes in both your pain and movement within 5-6 hours of treatment or if you are not maintaining the results that you do receive, we will ask that you contact the appropriate physician for further screening.
6How many treatments will I need/how long will it take?
Each case is taken on an individual basis and I can never know exactly what someone will need until I do a few sessions to see how their body is going to respond. But in general most everyone we see does very well in only 5-10 sessions over a 3-8 week period of time and report 70-100% improvement in pain and mobility. As long they do their part at home. Whereas with more involved cases such as severe scoliosis, reconstructive surgeries, joint replacements, spinal cord or brain injuries or those with more than a 75% reduction in overall movement and function I have seen it take as many as 20-60 hours of treatment over a year or more in order to see big changes and get lasting results. More often than not, these cases also require other practitioners be closely involved as well. Overall, we will work to get you the best results as rapidly as your body will allow and if you need something more than we can provide at the clinic, we will quickly refer you to someone else we know and trust in the area.
7How do the medications I am taking affect my treatments?
We suggest that you speak to your doctor and with a pharmacist before receiving treatments if you are taking prescription medications, as many drugs have side effects of muscle cramping, headaches, dehydration and even pain that you may not be aware of. For example, certain blood pressure medications can cause severe muscle cramping and some popularly prescribed migraine medications have “rebound headaches” as a common side effect. The fact is that some medications are absolutely necessary and others are simply over prescribed and overused in a society where drug use of all kinds has become a national pastime. By speaking to your physician and the pharmacist you may discover that there are preferred alternatives to many of the medications you are taking or solutions that may not involve taking medications at all. In any case, increasing your water intake, vitamins, minerals and movements may help counter the negative side effects of medications during treatment.
8What is the difference between what you do and physical therapy?
Neuromuscular massage therapy can be a part of physical therapy treatments and “physical therapy” can certainly be one description of what it feels like to receive neuromuscular massage therapy. However, in reality the two industries are completely separate and are governed by different state Boards yet they share a common goal; helping people reduce pain and restore proper movement and function. In general, neuromuscular therapists do the detailed, time consuming, hands-on, manual soft tissue release work, and the physical therapists do the flexibility, strength and mobility aspects of rehabilitation. They make a great team. TTPT works closely with many physical therapists in the area and we see ourselves as completely complementary not competitive. The fact is results are more rapid and thorough when these two types of practitioners team up for the benefit of the patient.
9Are the lumps and knots I feel in my muscles trigger points?
Sometimes a lump or knot is nothing more than a build up of tension or contracture in a muscle or tendon and it will have a trigger point associated with it, though this is not always the case. If the lump or knot does not have a referral or radiating sensation associated with it, that travels to another area of the body when it is touched or otherwise stimulated then it is not a trigger point. But if instead it is simply very sore and painful to the touch then it is what we call “ischemic” tissue (click to learn about Ischemic) and it will probably go away over time by applying appropriate techniques in neuromuscular massage therapy. At other times lumps are benign fatty tumors also known as lipomas or they may be something more serious. In which case it is always a good idea to see your doctor if ever you have a lump or a knot in the body that does not go away with massage, or if it seems to be getting larger or growing more painful over time.
10Are trigger-points the same as acupuncture points?
Trigger points and acupuncture points are not the same thing. Trigger points are unnatural, undesirable “points” that occur in the body as a result of stress, trauma, postural distortion, injury, surgery, etc. Wherever a trigger point radiates, there might be another place in the body where trouble may be brewing. We want to discover and deactivate trigger points whenever possible as well as treat the areas where they have been radiating, until there are no longer painful or irritating sensations associated with touching either area. Acupuncture points and acupressure points on the other hand are normal, naturally occurring places in the body that can be stimulated with small needles or touch in order to assist the body into normal function again once it has gotten out of balance - or whenever the “energy” or “chi” has become “blocked” or sluggish. Acupuncture and acupressure points are universal in all people, whereas trigger points can be completely unique based on the injury or trauma that caused them. And everyone has acupuncture points, but not everyone has trigger points. Basically, trigger-points are “bad” spots and acupuncture points are “good” spots.
