Holistic Touch
therapeutic massage with a difference
Book your appointment by phone with:
Kevin Rowley at 478-918-5933
or Tiffani Gaiters at 478-319-3445
or use our Email Appointment System.
2116 Riverside Drive REAR, Macon, GA 31204
Parking and Entrance on Old Holton Road.
Spontaneous Muscle Release Technique
SMRT (Spontaneous Muscle Release Technique) is a positional release modality that interrupts pain signals
in the body, painlessly resolves trigger points, has an incredibly calming effect on the nervous system.
By working with all tissues in any given area, SMRT easily and quickly allows the tissues to balance and
the joints to realign effortlessly, re-establishing correct posture.
Benefits of SMRT include:
• natural realignment of joints by directly releasing specific ligaments and joint structures
• pain free resolution of trigger points
• swift and painless removal of adhesions
• considerable stimulation of the lymphatic system
All of this is done quickly, with almost no pain to the client, and in a way that is
tremendously easy on your body. Because we have disrupted the pain loops, settled the parasympathetic
nervous system, created almost no additional pain, and brought the area back to homeostasis, the results
of an SMRT treatment last.
SMRT Website
Benefits of Spontaneous Muscle Release Technique
Spontaneous Muscle Release Technique (SMRT) SMRT is a positional release modality. The
principles of SMRT are similar to Strain Counterstrain and PRT. When we use SMRT, we move the tissue or
body part into a position of ease or comfort. In other words, if tissue is shortened, we shorten it further.
What we believe is happening when we do passively move tissue into its existing pattern is described in a
theory called Proprioceptive Theory.
Proprioceptive Theory states, in simple terms, that when tissue is in a dysfunctional pattern
there is an imbalance in activity between the golgi tendon organs and the muscle spindle cells that leaves
the muscle spindle cells more sensitive. This sensitivity leads to increased restriction and sustained
contraction. SMRT positions decrease muscle spindle cell activity and restore length to shortened tissues.
What is the benefit of SMRT for practitioners?
1. faster results, we hold SMRT positions for 20 to 45 seconds
2. easy on the therapist, positions should be done in a small, slow, controlled fashion.
3. little to no pain for the client
4. effective, lasting treatments
Clients receiving SMRT treatments have reported the following:
1. that SMRT positions are incredibly relaxing giving them a feeling of euphoria
2. that they feel like the smallest movements are working deep within their body
3. reduction in pain while the position is being held
4. decreased inflammation, typically after one or two positions
5. increased movement when the session is over
6. results that last longer then other therapies they have experienced
To be clear, Proprioceptive Theory is a theory that we subscribe to. There is a fair amount
of research on both Strain Counterstrain and PRT that supports this theory. Research studies have not been
done one SMRT, but we have 25 years of (mostly) positive clinical outcomes done by thousands of SMRT therapists
on tens of thousands of clients. If you would like more technical language or a greater understanding of how
positional release modalities act on the nervous system, here are a few articles to look at (there are many more available):
How-does-the-gamma-motor-neuron-affect-the-stretch-reflex
Top-10_Positional-Release_Therapy_Techniques_to_Break_the_
Chain_of_Pain_Part_1
Gamma_motor_neuron
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