Massage Therapy Journal Winter 2025

Winter 2025 • 71

Examining the attachments of the semispinalis cervicis muscle in the thoracic spine.

Clients who have turned to PNMT often present with issues that cannot be identified via more traditional diagnostic tools like MRIs, x-rays or CT scans. With no reliable diagnosis, people often feel invalidated.

Instead of relying solely on pressure, Nelson encourages students to alter their own position and/or the client’s position, or change the angle or direction of the pressure. All of these options are preferable to simply using more pressure. Additionally, Lashley points out that PNMT is often done with clients fully clothed, which allows the therapist to perform range of motion and orthopedic assessments during the session so they know what’s working and what’s not. These assessments, along with client feedback, help massage therapists know when to pivot during the session instead of waiting until the end to evaluate success. What Conditions or Issues does PNMT Best Address? “What PNMT does best is address a multitude of musculoskeletal issues that fall through the cracks of our current health care system. For many conditions, once the cause is ascribed to soft-tissue, patients are often told that it is good that it isn’t something more serious and the symptoms should resolve on their own over time,” Nelson explains. “Being told that these symptoms will likely resolve in several months isn’t very comforting if you are a person in pain.” Clients who have turned to PNMT often present with issues that cannot be identified via more traditional diagnostic tools like MRIs,

x-rays or CT scans. With no reliable diagnosis, people often feel invalidated by their health care providers and sometimes even by friends and family members. “Many clients have shed tears of relief when I was able to recreate their symptoms with highly focused touch,” Nelson says. “Having their symptoms recreated validates that

yes, something does explain why they feel what they feel. This also gives them hope that something can be done, as well.” Nelson notes four examples that come to mind:

• Jaw pain • Whiplash • Plantar pain • Costochondritis

The reason PNMT can specifically help with each of these issues, according to Nelson, is because what is often neglected in these four conditions is thoughtful, thorough, careful

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