Muscle balancing therapy is a natural remedy that deals with the underlying cause of postural dysfunction. Believing that the cause of all muscle imbalance is improper spinal curvature, the self-directed approach helps you realize where any muscle imbalances exist throughout your body and allows you to treat these imbalances with corrective maneuvers. Review this type of therapy with your physician first before beginning.
History
The Healthy Back Institute was founded in 2001 by Jesse Cannone, a rehabilitation and fitness expert, and Steve Hefferon, a massage therapist. The Institute has published, created and sold over 55,000 copies of its "Lose the Back Pain System," which contains the principles of muscular balancing therapy through self-treatment and assessment for dealing with sciatica and back pain.
Facts
Muscle balancing therapy uses assessments to develop a program to realign muscle imbalances through specific exercises, according to Healthy Back Institute. Muscle imbalances affect all ages, gender and physical fitness levels. Self-assessments involve careful and simple techniques used to reveal stability, flexibility and strength of the musculoskeletal system, including the spine, pelvis and hip area. Treatment does not rely upon drugs or medical intervention. Therapy helps reduce symptoms while addressing underlying causes of muscle imbalance.
Muscle Imbalances
Muscle imbalances affect the alignment of your musculoskeletal system, causing a poor alignment. Imbalances occur when muscles in one body area are overdeveloped and tight while the opposite muscles are weak and pulled out of proper position. This uneven stress causes additional deterioration of affected ligaments, muscles, body joints and spinal column, according to the Healthy Back Institute. Imbalances can be started while performing everyday activities including job duties, playing sports and/or daily functioning tasks such as climbing stairs or lifting items. Some can be caused by trauma, improper joint placement or medical conditions such as fractures dislocations or arthritis, according to the Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma. Muscle imbalances can lead to medical conditions including improper postural alignment and dysfunction, frozen shoulders, herniated discs, subluxation, sciatica and pain throughout the hip, knee and back.
Alternatives
Muscle balancing therapy can be a natural alternative to traditional muscular pain treatments such as surgery, chiropractic care, chemical pain relievers and physical therapy. According to muscular balancing therapy, these practices provide temporary relief and do not treat the cause of the imbalance.
Considerations
Before beginning muscle balancing therapy, consider that it is not a quick fix for a serious underlying ailment. Treatments and assessments take time to implement and require a consistent effort in order to receive any noticeable results, according to the Healthy Back Institute.
Warning
Muscle balancing therapy may not be for everyone. Self-treatments, such as muscle balancing therapy, may be harmful to individuals with musculoskeletal medical conditions that require closely supervised professional care, such as those afflicted with joint inflammation, arthritis, fibromyalgia or individuals born with congenital abnormalities. If you take medications, do not stop while using the muscle balancing therapy program.
