"The goal of Myoskeletal Therapy (MST) is to develop strategies for recognizing myofascial as well as skeletal strain patterns that commonly lead to neck/back dysfunction and pain. Emphasis is always on prevention. MST techniques focus of creating symmetry and balance and allowing the innate wisdom of the body heal itself."
-Dr. Erik Dalton,
founder of Myoskeletal Alignment Therapy
-Dr. Erik Dalton,
founder of Myoskeletal Alignment Therapy
What is Myoskeletal Alignment™ Therapy?
Like many manual therapists, Kristine gravitated to the study of chronic neck/back pain in part because of her own personal experiences with physical ailments. She first began studying Myoskeletal Alignment techniques in 2008, and has had the privilege of attending several of Dr. Erik Dalton's training seminars.
Myoskeletal Alignment Therapy is a pain management system created by Dr. Erik Dalton; Osteopath, Rolfer and Manual Therapist. The Myoskeletal Therapist uses simple assessment, realignment and retraining strategies to deal with common strain patterns caused by muscle imbalances- imbalances that primarily result from tension, trauma and poor posture. Think of it as very specific and focused deep tissue manual therapy. Although some MST techniques may be subtle, the intention is directed at a deeper level to encourage structural realignment by mobilizing joints through muscle manipulation.
Why try Myoskeletal Alignment Therapy?
As we age, too much tension and too little exercise greatly increase the natural loss of muscular fitness. This is compounded by the forces of gravity acting upon us. The resulting muscle weakness, decreased range of motion and muscle stiffness become more and more common as people age. Chronically tight muscles essentially become unhealthy, lack proper blood circulation and can undergo a shortening process. The shorter and tighter they become, the more pressure is applied to nerves running through the muscle sheaths. This is one of the major reasons the elderly population suffers chronic muscle aches and pains such as peripheral neuropathies (Dalton PhD, AMT). Much of the Myoskeletal approach is designed to work with postural deviations that result from our 'flexion-addicted society'. For example; clinical evidence overwhelmingly supports the fact that prolonged sitting or sleeping in flexed positions neurologically shortens and tightens the body's hip flexor muscles. This creates a commonly seen muscle imbalance in which some muscles become shortened and inhibited, while others compensate and become over-stretched. This can shift the pelvis out of proper alignment and result in back pain. The Myoskeletal approach works with the knowledge that the body's myofascial and skeletal systems are inseparable. What affects one always affects the other.
Like many manual therapists, Kristine gravitated to the study of chronic neck/back pain in part because of her own personal experiences with physical ailments. She first began studying Myoskeletal Alignment techniques in 2008, and has had the privilege of attending several of Dr. Erik Dalton's training seminars.
Myoskeletal Alignment Therapy is a pain management system created by Dr. Erik Dalton; Osteopath, Rolfer and Manual Therapist. The Myoskeletal Therapist uses simple assessment, realignment and retraining strategies to deal with common strain patterns caused by muscle imbalances- imbalances that primarily result from tension, trauma and poor posture. Think of it as very specific and focused deep tissue manual therapy. Although some MST techniques may be subtle, the intention is directed at a deeper level to encourage structural realignment by mobilizing joints through muscle manipulation.
Why try Myoskeletal Alignment Therapy?
As we age, too much tension and too little exercise greatly increase the natural loss of muscular fitness. This is compounded by the forces of gravity acting upon us. The resulting muscle weakness, decreased range of motion and muscle stiffness become more and more common as people age. Chronically tight muscles essentially become unhealthy, lack proper blood circulation and can undergo a shortening process. The shorter and tighter they become, the more pressure is applied to nerves running through the muscle sheaths. This is one of the major reasons the elderly population suffers chronic muscle aches and pains such as peripheral neuropathies (Dalton PhD, AMT). Much of the Myoskeletal approach is designed to work with postural deviations that result from our 'flexion-addicted society'. For example; clinical evidence overwhelmingly supports the fact that prolonged sitting or sleeping in flexed positions neurologically shortens and tightens the body's hip flexor muscles. This creates a commonly seen muscle imbalance in which some muscles become shortened and inhibited, while others compensate and become over-stretched. This can shift the pelvis out of proper alignment and result in back pain. The Myoskeletal approach works with the knowledge that the body's myofascial and skeletal systems are inseparable. What affects one always affects the other.
What to expect in a Typical Myoskeletal Session-
Myoskeletal Alignment can be combined with acupuncture or offered as a treatment alone. A session involves an efficient 5-minute structural evaluation, thorough assessment and history taking. Manual therapy sessions are tailored and specific to the individual case. Some clients find that there is a cycle of repeated improvement and reversal, usually due to fluctuations in physical or mental stressors. However, with proper treatment each cycle usually is characterized by greater improvement with less frequent and less severe reversals.
Kristine Shaw Southern LAc
is a Certified Myoskeletal Alignment™ Therapist
is a Certified Myoskeletal Alignment™ Therapist
