Myotherapy Explained

Myotherapy is a form of muscle therapy which focuses on the assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal pain and associated pathologies. The term myotherapy was coined by Bonnie Prudden to describe a specific type of trigger point therapy which she developed in the 1970s based on the earlier work of Travell and Simons who researched the cause and treatment of pain arising from myofascial trigger points. While based on rational principles, there is little scientific research regarding the efficacy of this therapy, so it remains controversial within the medical and academic disciplines.^[1]

Over the ensuing 40 years, myotherapy has evolved to become an allied health discipline which is practised in many countries across the world including the UK, Australia,^[2] USA, Canada, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Effectiveness

In 2015 the Australian Government's Department of Health published the results of a review of alternative therapies that sought to determine if any were suitable for being covered by health insurance; "Massage therapy or myotherapy" was one of 17 therapies evaluated for which no clear evidence of effectiveness was found.^[3] The report found that the overall quality of the trial was poor, although highlighted that there was moderate quality evidence of success with certain patients. The report concluded that "the effectiveness of massage therapy within this population remains uncertain. No studies were identified that assessed the effect of myotherapy in people with a clinical condition, and the effectiveness of this therapy is therefore unknown."^[3]

Further reading

• Gunn C.C.; 2007, The Gunn Approach to the Treatment of Chronic Pain – Intramuscular Stimulation for Myofascial Pain of Radiculopathic Origin, 2nd edn., Churchill Livingstone, CN
• Jamison J.R.; 2006, Differential Diagnosis for Primary Care – a handbook for health care practitioners, 2nd edn., Elsevier, LON
• Kendall, F.P. et al. 2005, Muscles Testing and Function with Posture and Pain, 5th edn., Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, USA
• Magee D.J.; 2006, Orthopedic Physical Assessment, 4th edn., Saunders Elsevier, USA
• Petty N.J. & Moore A.P.; 2002, Neuromusculoskeletal Examination and Assessment – A Handbook for Therapists, 2nd edn., Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier Science Ltd., CN
• Travell J.G. & Simons D.G.; 1999, Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction – The Trigger Point Manual: Volume 1. Upper Half of Body, 2nd edn., Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, USA
• Travell J.G. & Simons D.G.; 1993, Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction – The Trigger Point Manual: Volume 2. The Lower Extremities, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, USA
• Tritton, B.; 1996, Massage and Myotherapy, 2nd edn., RMIT Publishing, AUS

Notes and References

1. Vagg. Michael. Myotherapy: panacea or placebo?. The Conversation. October 3, 2012. 23 July 2017. 2 June 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170602180845/http://theconversation.com/myotherapy-panacea-or-placebo-9183. live.
2. Web site: Myotherapy. State Government of Victoria. 25 August 2012. 14 December 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121214033003/http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Myotherapy. live.
3. Web site: Review of the Australian Government Rebate on Natural Therapies for Private Health Insurance . Australian Government  - Department of Health . Baggoley . Chris . 2015 . 2019-12-31 . 2019-12-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191202194518/https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/4899F1657E19A6F4CA2583A50020140D/$File/Natural%20Therapies%20Overview%20Report%20Final%20with%20copyright%2011%20March.pdf . dead .