When muscles have been overused or tightened for a long period of time due to an injury, stress or bad posture, the muscles lose their normal programing. They are like a computer that doesn't respond normally. When this occurs, the muscles will not contract normally. Instead they contract when they are supposed to relax. They will spasm with the slightest provocation. Muscles also can become shortened.  After the muscles have been spasmed or tightened for a long time, scar tissue will form in the muscle.

To relax these tight and contracted muscles, I use Hanna Somatics and Post Isometric Relaxation. These techniques combine stretching, movement and flexing to stretch and normalize muscle tone so that they function normally. In other words, they "reprogram" the muscles so that they work and function the way they were designed to. After receiving these techniques, most patients feel like they own their muscles again.

I also use Trigger Point therapy to relax acute muscle spasms. Trigger Point Therapy uses pressure applied to nodules in muscles to increase blood flow and calm the spasm.  The Proadjuster and Impulse instruments also work great to relax trigger points and muscle spasms.