Neuroskeletal Re-alignment Therapy
What is it?
Devised about 35 years ago by Diana Hunter and a group of Chiropractor friends in Australia, it went through many different names (Touch For Health, Bioenergetic Spinal Adjustment, Biokinetics, Neuroskeletal dynamics, Neurokinetics and Ostealign) and is known as Neuroskeletal Re-alignment Therapy (NSRT) over here, after Carole Preen, who trained in Australia about 15 years ago and set up a course at Morley College a few years later.
It is a non-manipulative and non-invasive technique for treatment of pain (back pain and others), limited movement associated with injury, misalignment and bad posture.
How does it work?
Gentle and controlled pressure is applied to specific nerve points (neurotransmission points) which stimulate tension activity to cause change within and around a stressed muscle; it works on a neurofeedback loop, in the reflex arc. The aim is to align joint structures and allow adjoining muscles to work at their optimum. This removes stress from ligaments, tendons and cartilage so that wear and tear is reduced and tensions and pain disappear. There is no 'energy' component and the therapist is simply a physical catalyst to initiate the body's own internal repair system.
People feel "shifting" sensations during treatment plus other sensations of tingling and heat as the body adjusts. After treatment it is recommended to relax and have a hot bath, as muscles become achy as they respond to treatment. This can last for 48 to 72 hours as the body settles into position and is a good sign that the treatment is working. No other treatment should be carried out during that time.
Only finger pressure is used over the clothes to give a painless treatment which does not cause trauma in the muscular system or involve any bone crunching; because no physical pressure is applied to traumatized tissues, no damage can be done to nerves, tendons or muscles. The whole process is extremely relaxing and gentle but with strong results; most people feel a difference as soon as they get off the couch after the first session.
Who can benefit from this treatment?
Many people can benefit from this treatment, notably when suffering with chronic or acute back pain… Please see the following link for more information:
People can usually reduce (or stop) their painkillers very soon, as well as their anti- depressants. A chronic problem in which the soft tissues are stiffened will respond slowly compared to a recent acute injury. A condition such as arthritis responds gradually to this treatment, but there is no instant cure for a twenty year old problem. Regular treatments will be needed in these cases, in combination with regular deep tissue massages (to free and mobilize the muscles), but otherwise there is usually no need for more than 1 to 3 initial sessions and the effects last.
After spinal surgery or severe trauma damage or in the case of congenital defects, the response may be limited as we cannot restore nerves or discs that are severely damaged.
Are there any contra-indications?
NSRT is safe for people of all ages from newborn to senior citizens and throughout pregnancy. It can also be performed on animals (cats, dogs, horses etc).
Please don't hesitate to email me for further details.
Therapist
