Myotherapy

Is Myotherapy for me?

Patients who come to us for myotherapy have a range of presenting issues. In today’s demanding work conditions, many people develop postural issues over time that may result in pain, injury, discomfort or stiffness. Myotherapy looks at the interconnectedness of our muscle and surrounding tissue to help address the root cause. We then tailor our hands-on treatments to our patients, using a range of techniques to help:

• Treat injuries, such as occupational overuse syndrome (OOS) or tennis elbow
• Alleviate tension headaches related to muscle tightness
• Bring relief from pain and stiffness
• Relieve strain, aches and numbness or tingling
• Lessen joint pain and stiffness

After offering you a thorough assessment and diagnosis, our therapists will work with you to combine techniques for your treatment. Muscular issues often arise from a work or study environment. We will talk to you about any ergonomic or biomechanical issues with your seating or other aspects of your routine.

Myotherapy treatments involve such things as trigger point therapy, mysofascial release, stretching, cupping and other corrective and mobilisation exercises. These are designed specifically for your soft tissue and joints. The treatment involves specialist techniques to work with the patient’s myofascia and joints specifically. Myofascia are the fibrous tissue sheets surrounding and separating muscles.

Health Fund Rebates

Private health funds provide varying levels of cover for Myotherapy treatment. Please contact your health fund for full details of these benefits.

ANTA, MMA and MAA members

Anna Pattison, Jessica Mazurek, Brendon Lang, Tash Norris and Lauren Torpey are members of ANTA, MMA and MAA, the national professional bodies representing Myotherapists and Remedial Massage Therapists.

How does Myotherapy differ from massage?

Myotherapy is:

• Manual (hands-on) therapy that involves the assessment and treatment of soft tissue injury, including muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia of the body
• Techniques include: soft tissue manipulation, stretching, myofascial release, trigger point therapy and thermal therapy
• Myotherapists use massage in their treatments where warranted (but not as much massage as remedial massage therapists use in their treatment)
• Myotherapists also use dry needling and joint mobilisation in their treatments (most remedial massage therapists will not, as they are not qualified to do so).
• The Myotherapy course includes extensive dry needling and joint mobilization training, whereas remedial massage therapy courses do not offer this. If a remedial massage therapist wishes to learn dry needling, they must complete separate training, which is not as extensive as the Myotherapy dry needling training offered
• Myotherapists incorporate advanced injury prevention, health and fitness advice and exercise prescription into their sessions
• Myotherapists do not offer relaxation treatments (whereas remedial massage therapists do)
• Myotherapy has its own separate qualifications, including a Bachelor of Health Science (‘Clinical Myotherapy’ or ‘Myotherapy’) or an ‘Advanced Diploma of Myotherapy’. This enables Myotherapists to have a greater understanding of the human body, anatomy and physiology over remedial massage therapists
• Myotherapists are more consultative, educational and holistic in developing their treatment plan: they aim to trace any pain, complaint or discomfort as far as possible back to the original cause, with the goal of healing both the cause of the concern, as well as the symptoms in which they are presenting with
• A Myotherapist has a broader scope of practice than a remedial massage therapist: they carry out a full postural analysis, medical history, range of motion testing and special tests for your presenting complaint in order to help diagnose your condition and formulate treatments plans

Massage is:

• Manual (hands-on) therapy that involves the assessment and treatment of soft tissue injury, including muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia of the body
• Techniques include: soft tissue manipulation, stretching, myofascial release and trigger point therapy
• Apply more massage in their treatments, as they are not qualified to perform dry needling and joint mobilization techniques (unless they have completed further training)
• Remedial Massage is more commonly performed on conditions that are either already diagnosed, or non-specific injuries (such as soreness or tightness) to provide some form of relief, whether it be a chronic pain complaint, postural related muscle tightness or simply for those patients that want to relax. Some therapists have additional training in things like Lymphoedema massage, Bowen therapy, dry needling (basic) and other alternative therapies
• Separate qualification to Myotherapy and is not a University degree, whereas Clinical Myotherapy is a University degree
  
• Remedial massage is designed to balance muscle/soft tissue length, tension and tone, which will, in turn, promote the return to normal joint/capsular/bone position
• Increases the flow of blood and lymph, particularly in the injured areas, thus removing blockages, damaged cells, scar tissue and adhesions resulting from injury
• Remedial massage therapists offer relaxation massage, as well as remedial, sports and pregnancy massage
• Remedial massage therapists incorporate basic injury prevention, health and fitness advice and exercise prescription into their sessions

Health Fund Rebates

Private health funds provide varying levels of cover for Myotherapy treatment. Please contact your health fund for full details of these benefits.

ANTA, MMA and MAA members

Anna Pattison, Jessica Mazurek, Brendon Lang, Tash Norris and Lauren Torpey are members of the ANTA, MMA and MAA, the national professional bodies representing Myotherapists and Remedial Massage Therapists.

How do we ensure safe, effective myotherapy?

At CHH, all our therapists receive ongoing training in assessment, risk, therapeutic relationships and communication. This is alongside their professional development in the hands-on techniques of myotherapy and myofascial dry needling. We use draping and positioning to ensure your comfort and offer a clean, hygienic and disease-free environment.

We offer:

• Thorough and holistic assessment and diagnosis
• Effective communication about any surrounding or potential issues arising from your condition or injury
• A safe and inclusive environment for your treatments, where you will be treated with respect and dignity
• Consent around treatments that may cause discomfort or are invasive
• Access to information on risks and flow-on effects of your condition, injury or treatment plan

Because we are a dedicated health hub, we also have a highly qualified team of therapists to refer you to as a result of assessment. For example, we offer a range of massage and osteopathy treatments that may be great options for you. This means we can not only provide you with myotherapy treatments but also discuss other approaches to your issue, to ensure you see great results.

Health Fund Rebates

Private health funds provide varying levels of cover for Myotherapy treatment. Please contact your health fund for full details of these benefits.

ANTA, MMA and MAA members

Anna Pattison, Jessica Mazurek, Brendon Lang, Tash Norris and Lauren Torpey are members of the ANTA, MMA and MAA, the national professional bodies representing Myotherapists and Remedial Massage Therapists.