Myotherapy and Physiotherapy share many techniques, including soft tissue techniques, exercise, and mobilisation. However, there are a few crucial differences.

Physiotherapists often work in the hospital setting and their training has a large focus on cardio/respiratory dysfunction, pre-and post-surgical management and some exercise prescription. MSTs do not typically work in hospitals. Instead, they work primarily in private practice and have more of a focus on personalized physical rehabilitation, hands-on therapy, and a holistic approach to treating pain presentations.

MST’s are qualified to assess and treat muscles, joints, and nerves using a variety of treatment modalities, including:

• Soft tissue therapy - Soft tissue therapy may involve massage, myofascial release techniques and a host of other hands-on therapies to influence the tone of muscles and connective tissue.

• Trigger point therapy - Trigger point therapy is a form of remedial massage therapy where direct pressure is applied to specific points on tender muscle tissue to reduce muscle tension and provide pain relief.

• Muscle Energy Technique (MET) - By employing a number of neurological reflexes, this form of manual therapy can produce a highly effective and efficient method of stretching myofascial tissue.

• Myofascial dry needling - Like acupuncture, dry needling involves inserting sterile, single-use, fine needles into the body. However, its goal is to influence the nervous system and myofascial tissue to reduce pain and improve movement.

• Myofascial cupping therapy - Myofascial cupping is a soft tissue therapy that involves creating a negative pressure or suction on the skin with glass cups. These draw and hold skin and superficial muscle and fascia inside the cup, creating a sustained stretch and encouraging improved tone in the tissue.

• Taping - Using both rigid and kinesiology tape, taping is employed to stabilise joints, unload injured tissue, correct faulty posture, reduce pain and improve performance.

• Joint mobilisation - Joint mobilisation is a manual therapy that involves performing a back-and-forth oscillation of a skeletal joint to restore motion. It specifically addresses joint pain and poor range of motion.

• Corrective and rehabilitative exercises - A Myotherapist takes a systematic approach to identify deficits, such as posture issues, movement imbalances, or joint limitations. They will create and prescribe an exercise-based intervention to address these physical complaints.

• Electrotherapy - Electrotherapy uses a number of different devices that can deliver a low voltage electrical current to the body in a very controlled way to reduce pain, improve muscle performance, decrease tension, and much more.

On your first visit, our goal is to gain a deep and complete picture of your symptoms and health. This will allow me to design a treatment plan tailored to what will benefit you most. 

Your appointment will typically last for 60-90 minutes. Your MST will want to know about your current physical and mental health, medical history and health goals. To help your MST pinpoint the cause of your symptoms and provide the best care possible, it is important to answer honestly. Any information disclosed will be kept in strictest confidence.

Your MST will perform a thorough physical assessment. By asking the right questions and observing your ability to perform clinical tests, your MST will be able to which tissues and mechanisms are involved in your pain. Depending on your physical complaint, this assessment may involve:

• Examining the affected joints and associated muscles

• Testing your reflexes

• Checking your range of movement

• Examining your gait

• Assessing your posture

• Palpation

• Using orthopaedic, neurological and functional testing to assess your injury or complaint

Once your MST has identified the right treatment or pain management plan, you will receive your first treatment.

Your MST may provide advice on self-care strategies and exercises to utilise at home, as well as adjustments you can make to your daily routine to reduce your symptoms.

Yes and No, pain is not necessary to produce a therapeutic outcome.

At all times, you are in control of your treatment and can accept or reject any manual therapy intervention. Some MST techniques have the potential to produce discomfort and manageable pain, but at no point should you experience unmanageable pain.

• Loose clothing - which allows access to joints/areas of the body affected.

You may also bring any/all of the following should you feel it relevant to your physical health

• Medicines - Provide a list of any medicines you are currently taking.

• Test results - Bring along any scans, X-rays, MRI or test results about your injury or conditioner to help your MST understand the big picture.

• Long-term health goals - If you have specific goals around your physical fitness, abilities or challenges, let your MST know.

• Phobias or concerns - If you’re not comfortable with a particular treatment, let your MST know. For example, if you have a needle phobia, they can adapt your treatment plan to exclude dry needling.

• Australian Natural Therapies Association (ANTA)

• Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA)

• Endeavor College of Natural Health