What are Neuromuscular and Swedish Techniques?

My bodywork style incorporates neuromuscular (NMT) and Swedish techniques. NMT is used to determine the true origin of a pain. Once discovered, the hand manipulates the spasmed muscle fiber. This will reduce the discomfort and pain, including referred pain, resulting from stressed, tight muscles. "Referred pain" is pain which is perceived to come from a certain place, but originates elsewhere. NMT finds the origin of the pain more readily than traditional techniques and, thus, resolves problems more quickly. This technique originates from Dr. Janet Travell, M.D., President John F. Kennedy's personal physician. President Kennedy experienced chronic muscular pain and realized great relief from Dr. Travell's technique. She inspired me both with her text on Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction : The Trigger Point Manual and with her instructive and supportive personal letters throughout her later years.

The Swedish technique utilizes long strokes to relax the tissue and provide an overall feeling of peacefulness. This technique "moves" the toxic by-products of a muscle out of the immediate area and into the lymphatic system for removal from the body. When applied after NMT, Swedish reduces muscular soreness after each massage session.