Musculo-what? Musculoskeletal therapy offers a new frontier in holistic health.

by Jessica D (follow)

Complementary and Alternative Medicines (45)     

In recent years, demands for complementary and alternative health treatments have been on the rise, as people look outside of conventional medicine to improve their wellbeing.

Chiropractors, acupuncturists and aromatherapists have found themselves increasingly popular, with 2 in 3 Australians using such complementary treatments this year.*

But there's a new kid on the block: the musculoskeletal therapist.

Musculoskeletal therapists are trained at a tertiary level, and differ from traditional massage therapists.

Musculoskeletal therapists use 'mobilisation,' gentle techniques aimed at increasing their clients' range of movement, rather than more sudden 'manipulation' techniques.

As musculoskeletal therapists are educated in health sciences, they can also diagnose underlying causes of pain, and develop holistic management plans for effective pain relief.

"A pain management plan may include prescribed exercise, stretching, nutritional advice and postural awareness," says Celeste Carson, principal therapist at Allevi8 Musculoskeletal Health.



Other treatments used by a musculoskeletal therapist may involve dry needling, cupping and lymphatic drainage.

"Today more Australian universities are offering musculoskeletal therapy as a standalone degree," says Carson.



Certainly, as musculoskeletal therapists come to the forefront, the future of this new health service is vast.

"The health of my clients isn't just in my hands on the massage table," says Carson.

"Excitingly, musculoskeletal therapy allows it to be in their hands too!"

So rather than reaching for the medicine cabinet next time pain beckons, consider a visit to the musculoskeletal therapist!

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#Complementary and Alternative Medicines


*According to the National Institute of Complementary Medicine

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