Welcome

 

Welcome to the David Anderson Injury Rehabilitation website.  Please browse the site; make sure you take a look at the gallery to see photos of recent events the company has been involved with.  To view the services we provide, click on the services page for detailed information on all aspects of David Anderson Injury Rehabilitation. 

There you’ll find info on what treatment we can offer you. Perhaps you need to hire a professional practitioner or sports trainer/instructor for your event or tournament, or maybe you are a qualified health and fitness professional and seeking further professional development, then we may have a seminar/workshop that will fit the bill for you.   

If you have any comments, or if any of the information you have read has raised any thoughts or questions, please feel free to email me.  Should you wish to book a consultation, you can contact me directly by telephone or mobile. 

 

A little bit about Neuromuscular Therapy

In recent years, neuromuscular therapy (NMT) has emerged as a significant methodology for assessing soft tissue injuries and chronic pain.  NMT is a series of manual treatment protocols which relies on the practitioner’s skills, theoretical knowledge and palpation ability to treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions. 

NMT developed both in Europe and the USA over the last 60-odd years.  The early pioneers of neuromuscular techniques knew little or nothing about each others work, but modern NMT protocols are similar because they are based on sound physiological principles.  In the mid 1930’s and 1940’s Stanley Lief and Boris Chaitow, who were trained in osteopathy and naturopathy, and are credited with developing European style Neuromuscular Techniques, began to incorporate assessment and treatment for soft tissue dysfunction.  Many other osteopaths and naturopaths since then have taken part in the development of European NMT.  Today in the UK, a full degree programme in Neuromuscular Therapy is available at the University of Westminster, London, part developed by Dr Leon Chaitow.  In Ireland, John Sharkey, MSc. BSc. NMT (exercise physiologist) is credited with the developing an academic programme of *neuromuscular therapy including certificate, higher diploma levels and masters degree level (which will be available 2009/10).  See www.ntc.ie

(*NB as opposed to neuromuscular techniques – practitioners from other disciplines many use aspects of neuromuscular techniques in their work). 
Sharkey’s vision is to develop a complete therapeutic programme for the assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction.  Here is what he says

“In the hands of a qualified therapist, NMT may eliminate the cause of acute or chronic myofascial, muscular or osseous pain and discomfort through the application of neuromuscular techniques, which include soft tissue manipulations, inter-oral tissue release, myofascial release, positional release, muscle energy techniques, cranial manipulation and trigger point therapy, homeostasis is restored between the nervous system, osseous system and soft-tissue systems. (NTC also embraces modalities utilizing dry needling and frequency specific microcurrent approaches….)

“neuromuscular therapy enhances the function of joints, muscles and the general arthrokinematics of the body.  NMT can improve healing by facilitating the return of appropriate core (lumbo-pelvic-hip) muscle function throughout the entire kinetic chain.  A special focus is given to the treatment of trigger points, local ischemia, neural interferences, postural and biomechanical dysfunctions, nutritional factors and emotional wellbeing.

The work of the late Dr Janet Travell and Dr David Simons, amongst other physicians, has greatly assisted our understanding and treatment of myofascial trigger points. 

Simons’ states; …..”in the core of the trigger lies a muscle spindle that is in trouble for some reason…….a minute part of the muscle [shortens] (sarcomere) and reduces the supply of oxygen and nutrients into the trigger point, during this disturbed episode, an influx of calcium occurs and the muscle spindle does not have enough energy to pump the calcium outside the cell where it belongs…..a vicious cycle is maintained and the muscle spindle can’t seem to loosen up and the affected muscle can’t relax”