What is the Difference Between Myotherapy and Physiotherapy

The main difference between myotherapy and physiotherapy is that myotherapy is more based on remedial massage whereas physiotherapy is a manual therapy that assists in rehabilitation.

Myotherapy and physiotherapy are two types of healthcare treatments that benefit patients experiencing pain, injury, and illness. Generally, the types of treatments include massage, mobilization, manipulation, and stretching.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Myotherapy
– Definition, Characteristics, Importance
2. What is Physiotherapy
– Definition, Characteristics, Importance
3. Similarities Between Myotherapy and Physiotherapy
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Myotherapy and Physiotherapy
– Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Myotherapy, Physiotherapy

What is Myotherapy

Myotherapy is a form of muscle therapy that helps in the assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal pain and related pathologies. Generally, it is a collection of hands-on techniques that helps to recover after an injury or illness. Myotherapy is widely used in soft tissue injuries and restricted joint mobility. It is more involved in remedial massage therapy. The main techniques in myotherapy include muscle stretching, muscle energy techniques, cupping, passive stretching, acupressure, acupuncture, and dry needling.

Figure 1: Myotherapy

Furthermore, myotherapy is beneficial to remove tight muscles, headaches, strains and sprains, and tendonitis. Therefore, the main benefits of myotherapy include improved mobility, an increase in body movement, a reduction in pain, and an increase in physical performance. However, myotherapy is a branch of manual medicine.

What is Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is a manual therapy that restores movement and function after undergoing an injury or illness. Generally, it is more similar to myotherapy. However, the main difference between myotherapy and physiotherapy is that myotherapy is more involved in remedial massage in comparison to physiotherapy. Generally, physiotherapy manages and prevents pain in conditions that occur due to an injury, disability, post-surgery, or any other reason. However, the treatment plans depend on the type of injury that occurs to the body and the type of treatments include exercise programs, joint manipulation and mobilization, soft and deep tissue massage, dry needling, taping, etc.

Figure 2: Physiotherapy

Moreover, the main function of physiotherapy is to improve joints, muscles, and bones to work together in movements. Physiotherapy is helpful for people of all ages. In addition, during sessions, physiotherapy ensures the proper function of bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and soft tissue. Other benefits of physiotherapy include better coordination, pain relief, improved range of motion, increased strength, and reduced stiffness.  

Similarities Between and Myotherapy and Physiotherapy

• Myotherapy and physiotherapy are two healthcare treatments that benefit patients experiencing pain, injury, and illness.
• Generally, the types of treatments include massage, mobilization, manipulation, and stretching.
• They focus on the musculoskeletal system, ensuring the proper function of the muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, and soft tissue.

Difference Between Myotherapy and Physiotherapy

Definition

Myotherapy refers to a form of physical therapy used to treat or prevent soft tissue pain and restricted joint movement caused by muscle dysfunction while physiotherapy refers to the treatment of disease, injury, or deformity by physical methods such as massage, heat treatment, and exercise rather than by drugs or surgery.

Importance

Myotherapy is more based on remedial massage while physiotherapy is a manual therapy that assists in rehabilitation.

Significance

Myotherapy contains more hands-on techniques while physiotherapy contains less hands-on techniques.

Conclusion

In brief, myotherapy and physiotherapy are two branches of manual medicine. Both are important in restoring health from injuries and some illnesses. In addition, they mainly relieve musculoskeletal pain. However, myotherapy engages more in remedial massage in comparison to physiotherapy. Therefore, the main difference between myotherapy and physiotherapy is their engagement in massage.

References:

1. “Myotherapy.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 21 Oct. 2022.
2. “Physical Therapy.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 23 Oct. 2022.

Image Courtesy:

1. “BPEWMH2 (1) Bonnie Prudden, Enid Whittaker and Michael Haines” By Patricia Shiner – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Physical Therapists at work” By – Own Work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia