The following is an overview from Erik Dalton’s (founder of) Myoskeletal Alignment website:
Therapists learn six dynamic ways to identify and correct conditions such as sciatica, lumbago, scoliosis, Dowager’s Humps, rib dysfunction, carpal tunnel, rotator cuff injuries, forward head postures, and anterior scalene syndrome.
- Evaluate painful neck, shoulder, arm, and low back structures looking for ART = Asymmetry, Restriction of motion and Tissue texture abnormality
- Lengthen only the hypertonic (tight) muscles
- Tonify weak, inhibited muscle groups to promote agonist/antagonist balance
- Palpate and dig-out fibrosis in deep spinal rotator muscles that lock facet joints open or closed
- Improve scoliotic postures by releasing cervicocranial, cervicothoracic, transabdominal, and pelvic diaphragms
- Correct adhesions, sympathetic spasm, and joint blockage caused by Tension, Trauma and Poor Posture
The Five Minute Myoskeletal Assessment Routine
The Myoskeletal method simplifies assessment of painful neck, low back, shoulder, arm, and hand conditions by looking for A.R.T. = Asymmetry, Restriction of motion, and Tissue texture abnormality. Treating pain without improving posture is generally regarded as a quick-fix and, at best, only a temporary solution for helping our clients in need. Fortunately, the work of the great biomechanical researcher Vladimir Janda, M.D., has gifted the bodywork field with two very powerful tools for identifying muscle imbalance strain patterns that cause body asymmetry leading to pain.
Agape Therapy’s Orthopedic Massage staff use the Myoskeletal Alignment protocol if the treatment calls for it. This has been an extremely effective way of treating so many issues. Possibly even more important is the education to help intensify the healing outcome. Essentially, the therapist is using the patient’s body to create muscle and posture balance. No outside force, medicine, or surgery!! This a great opportunity.
