During the therapeutic massage, Patrick will focus on balancing your posture by releasing tight muscles and help to alleviate the imbalance they cause. You will not only feel fantastic after your massage therapy, but also experience less pain, improved mobility and flexibility, that will last.

One of the most difficult postural distortions I treat is the forward head posture. For every inch the head projects forward, 8- 12 lbs of weight-bearing is added to the musculature of the neck. Keeping in mind it is not the purpose of the neck muscles to perform this function. Weight-bearing is the function of the cervical bones and intervertebral discs. The primary function of the neck muscles is movement and stabilization of the head.

If left untreated, as we age, the creation of bone spurs occurs as the body attempts to prevent further projection of the head and damage to the cervical spine. As the muscles in the neck tighten to support the head, painful trigger points form that cause headache, restricted movement, referred pain into the neck and shoulders, lack of circulation, dizziness, sinus pain, breathing, and speech disturbances. The cervical vertebral discs will begin to degenerate.
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Things start to get very serious when the forward head posture is accompanied by a reverse cervical curve.  In most forward head postures, there is too much cervical curve. This is treatable and can be corrected. Where people find themselves in trouble is when this curve reverses from a lordotic curve to a kyphotic curve. The curve is now concave on the front of the spine instead of the back. A spinal stenosis can develop, or a narrowing of the spinal canal. This is difficult to correct and may lead to a surgical intervention.

The neuromuscular therapy offered at ETM can help prevent this worse case scenario from occurring. By treating the whole body with precise soft tissue release and movement therapy techniques. These will complement wonderfully any chiropractic and physical therapy you are receiving. A chance for a positive outcome is high when these therapies are used in conjunction with each other.

Remember the most important factor for therapeutic success, is you, the patient. Take a active role in your therapy. Do so with a positive attitude and freedom from chronic neck pain can be the result!

Try this: Sit or stand up straight. Take a couple of deep breaths. Focus on how deeply you can breathe. Now, extend your head forward 1-2 inches. Take a couple of deep breaths. Notice a difference?
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Sit up straight again. Rotate your head to the to the right and left, up and down. Focus on the effort you use. Now, extend your head forward 1-2 inches. Repeat the movements. Notice a difference?