Neuromuscular Reeducation

In addition to chiropractic, a soft-tissue technique known as Neuromuscular Reeducation (NMR) is practised at the clinic. This technique is not suitable for everybody but can be very effective in reducing pain and restoring function. Ask David about treatment options.

What is NMR?

Neuromuscular Reeducation (NMR) is a soft-tissue technique that offers rapid and lasting relief from the pain and loss of function caused by many of the most common injuries affecting the nerves, muscles, connective tissue and joints. Like chiropractic, NMR works to improve the function of the nervous system and thus the health of the whole body, with a particular emphasis on the nerves and joints of the spine. Unlike chiropractic, NMR achieves its effects by working on the soft tissues - the muscles and connective tissues around the joints - rather than working directly on the bones and joints themselves. This approach helps to make NMR both a very safe technique and a remarkably effective one. When combined with chiropractic adjustments, the results can be extraordinary.

How does the treatment work?
When an area of the body is injured, whether it is muscle, connective tissue, fascia, tendon or some combination of these elements (as most injuries are), the body handles the trauma to tissues by a swelling of the affected tissue followed by a fibrous healing – the rapid laying down of scar tissue to protect the involved areas. Scar tissue adhesions can remain in the tissues for years after the original injury, limiting both muscle strength and range of motion, and, in turn, affecting nerve function.
The techniques of NMR use firm pressure to clear these adhesions from the muscle fibres and quickly restore nerve and muscle function. All movements used in NMR are slow and controlled. There are no sharp movements or sudden thrusts.

Caution
NMR is not a ‘nice massage’. Firm pressure is used to push through adhesions and scar tissue in the muscle fibres. You are likely to feel sore after the treatment – there may even be bruising in places where we have worked hard on the muscles and tissues. The treatment can be painful to receive – but should never be more than you can tolerate. Always tell your chiropractor if you want him to use less pressure.

After the treatment
Most people experience a marked reduction in their pain levels and an improved range of motion immediately after the treatment. The treated areas may be sore for a day or so afterwards, but when this soreness has faded the gains in mobility will normally remain. Self-care after treatment is a careful balance of rest and activity. An important element of NMR is to quickly make use of your improved mobility – so that your brain and body can get used to their improved status. Your chiropractor will advise you on suitable activities and exercises to get you moving again.

How many sessions will I need?
Treatment programmes usually fall into three broad stages:
Acute stage: most people first come to the chiropractor with a new injury or an old one that has become too painful to ignore. It generally takes between 2 and 6 treatments to move out of this ‘crisis’ state. Treatments may be once, twice, even three times a week.
Rehabilitation stage: once the initial crisis is past, the focus of the treatment moves to resolving the underlying problems that caused the crisis in the first place. Exercise and lifestyle changes are an important element of this stage. Treatments can be spaced out to weekly or 2-weekly intervals.
Wellness care: once the problem has been resolved, regular checkups are recommended to keep your spine and other joints functioning well. Typical intervals are monthly or 3-monthly.

You are encouraged to make your own decisions about where you are in the healing process and about how often you want to come for treatment.