Precision Neuromuscular Therapy at BodyWork Associates
Massage therapy clearly can be a wonderful luxury to reduce stress and tension. In knowledgeable
hands, it can also be a powerful tool to relieve pain, increase range of motion, and make a tremendous
difference in the lives of people with soft-tissue pain (which most studies indicate to be about 30% of the
population). What is the difference between the two therapies, luxury and pain relief? Some might think
that it is pressure and discomfort, that massage for pain relief is more aggressive. This would be like
saying one piece of music excels over another because the first piece is louder. The key is not pressure
or volume, the key is Precision.
Precision Neuromuscular therapy feels wonderful, as does other massage, but it gets results. People
come for specific reasons and the session is designed to address those needs, rather than whole body
relaxation. The areas worked are quite targeted. Instead of working the whole body, only areas that have
to do with your original complaint are addressed. The work is more thorough, but less area is covered.
Sessions are focused on specific areas of muscular holding and restriction that are the underlying
causes of pain. A problem solving approach to muscular pain, PNMT begins with structural and
functional analysis and seeks to piece all the various clues together to formulate an effective treatment
plan.
Initial sessions are usually an hour long. Subsequent sessions may be shorter. We suggest that you
allow us at least three to four sessions to address a problem. If no change happens in four sessions, we
will probably suggest another therapeutic approach. We would be happy to convey exactly what we did
to your doctor at that point, it is useful information to them and could impact what therapeutic
approaches they might recommend.
The therapists of BWA who are certified in PNMT have worked very hard to attain this distinction. In
addition to a minimum of 100 hours of additional training (most have done more than twice that), the
therapists have also done clinical research in the field and participated in publishing these studies. The
founder of Precision NMT is the also the president of BWA, Douglas Nelson. He has taught seminars all
over the US, Canada, and in Central America, and Egypt. Several of the staff members have also
assisted and taught with Doug at these trainings. You may also see the teaching website at
http://www.nmtmidwest.com
BodyWork Associates
407 Windsor Rd
Champaign, IL 61820
217-351-1011
www.bodyworkassociates.com
Copyright BodyWork Associates 2010
What is the difference between PNMT and deep tissue massage?
Deep tissue massage is distinguished by deep pressure and broader more general approaches.
PNMT is distinguished by a rational and deductive problem solving approach to muscular discomfort,
clear measurement and assessment, and techniques that are very targeted to the condition. In
short,PNMT is not about pressing harder, it is about accuracy.
Trigger point treatment is one pillar
of PNMT. A trigger point (as denoted
by the X) in the Trapezius muscle can
refer pain to the head, creating the
experience of a headache.