Integrated Neuromuscular Taping Therapy
Posted by on Wednesday, June 25th, 2008 @ 5:21 am in Lifestyle, Miscellaneous.
The following is an article submitted to us by another Filipino physical therapist colleague of ours.
Integrated Neuromuscular Taping Therapy
by Valentin C. Dones III, MSPT, PTRP, COMT, DMS, MP, ATFunctional movements are usually limited secondary to pain experienced by the patient. The pain may be due to neurological or musculoskeletal disorder. A lot of patients encountered in the physical therapy setting include those with low back pain, bicipital tendonitis, patellofemoral pain syndrome, myofascial pain syndrome or adhesive capsulitis among others. The physical therapy techniques which are usually used are hotpacks, therapeutic currents, ultrasound, stretching and exercises. Taping is seldom used. If utilized, it usually limits range of motion. More often, the physical therapist would ask the patient to limit his/her functional activities so as to wait healing of tissues and prevent exacerbation of soft tissue dysfunctions.
Taping techniques are also seldom, if not, used in frozen shoulder. Limiting the movement will further promote tightening of the capsule that surrounds the shoulder joint. Patients are usually limited by pain. They avoid movements, such as getting objects overhead. These may cause sharp pain at the root of the shoulder. There are also instances wherein a patient with an ankle sprain is being asked to restrict an activity. This may be of significant interest to those who need to dance or run or engage in a particular type of sport. The conventional taping technique may cause severe restriction in the range of motion.
The Integrated Neuromuscular Taping Therapy (INMTT) is designed to promote motion in the functional pain free range. It uses tapes which are locally available. It has been proven in various case studies that it helps relieve pain and improve range of motion in patients with musculoskeletal syndrome. It relies on simple yet effective manual therapy techniques with use of tape to promote improvement.
A patient suffering from low back pain was asked to bend forward. He would complain of pain and paresthesia running down his thigh and leg. Upon application of INMTT, the patient immediately reported pain relief and absence of paresthesia. His Oswestry Functional Disability Index (a questionnaire for low back pain) after 5 applications demonstrated a clinically significant decrease in the scores which indicate functional improvement.
Another patient with scoliosis and low back pain scored 16 from the initial 31 in the Modified Oswestry Disability Index. This was after applying the INMTT in one session. The patient reported elimination of pain in the back.
A patient with brachioradialis pain reported significant decrease in discomfort and pain after a single application of the INMTT.
This is a taping therapy. It involves use of tape after application of specific manual therapy techniques. The INMTT may be of significant value in the clinical practice of physical therapy in the future. Its easy to learn method yet scientific approach had been proven beneficial in cases of musculoskeletal complaints.
About the Author
Valentin C. Dones III, MSPT, PTRP, COMT, DMS is a certified manual therapist. He took up his Master’s Degree in Orthopedic Physical Therapy in the University of Santo Tomas in Collaboration with the University of South Australia. He is currently working as an instructor in the University of Santo Tomas – College of Rehabilitation Sciences. He is the integrated manual physical therapist of Clinica Sparoma and clinical supervisor of San Martin De Porres Rehabilitation and Medical Center. His main interest is manual therapy in orthopedics. If you have any inquiries, you may email Mr. Dones at valdones2003@yahoo.com or contact (63) 919-4077701.
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