NKT is muscle testing and nervous system rewiring technique that is similar to applied kinesiology. It's an unique addition to massage therapy because it provides long-lasting results.

At RISE, we integrate NKT to enhance your results by identifying and addressing the root causes of pain and tension—not just the symptoms. NKT is a powerful assessment tool that combines manual muscle testing with an understanding of how your nervous system governs movement patterns. It reveals hidden compensations that often lead to chronic pain, tightness, and dysfunction.

Massage therapy is excellent for relieving muscle tension and increasing circulation. But when combined with NKT, we take it one step further—identifying why certain muscles, tendons/ligaments, or scars are tight or painful in the first place.  NKT considers the full picture: how your brain organizes movement, and how certain muscles might be “overworking” to cover for others that aren’t pulling their weight "underworking". By uncovering these compensation patterns, we can apply targeted manual therapy to reset the system and restore optimal function.

Picture this!

Imagine someone dealing with persistent lower back pain. A standard massage might temporarily relieve tension in the area, but with NKT we may discover the true cause lies in a surgical site (like a c-section scar - even if it is 30 years old!) or dysfunctional core firing patterns. By addressing these imbalances, we help prevent the issue from returning.

Conditions and Concerns That NKT Can Help Address:

Everyone’s body tells a story — sometimes through stiffness, tension, or pain that just won’t go away.
NKT helps retrain your body to move the way it’s meant to, so old pain patterns can finally release and balance is restored.

Here are some of the things I’ve seen NKT help with:

 Everyday Pain & Stiffness

• Seized or locked-up lower back

• Neck tension or instability after accidents

• Shoulder pain or limited range of motion

• Mid-back or rib tightness

• Jaw tension or TMJ pain

• Knee or hip pain from old injuries or overuse

 Neck, Shoulder & Upper Body

• Tension headaches 

• Shoulder blade or mid-back stiffness

• Elbow or wrist pain from repetitive use

• Tingling that goes into the fingers

• Forward head posture and chronic neck strain
  
  

After Injury or Surgery

• Post-surgery pain from knee, hip, or shoulder procedures

• Compensation patterns that linger after healing

• Weakness or stiffness that physical therapy didn’t fully resolve

• Guarding or “protective” patterns after injury

• Scar tissue tension (including C-section scars)
  
  

Chronic or Recurring Issues

• Pain that returns even after massage, stretching, or chiropractic

• Tightness that seems to move around

• Old injuries that still feel weak or off

• One side always tighter or stronger than the other

• Constant tension that never fully releases
  
  

 Pregnancy & Postpartum

• Hip or pelvic pain during or after pregnancy

• Core disconnection or diastasis recti

• Lower back pain from carrying or nursing

• Tinging down the arm or wrist pain

• Difficulty reconnecting to strength and stability postpartum
  
  

Even a short NKT session can help your body start working with itself again — releasing tension, restoring motion, and helping you feel like you again.

When NKT Has Limited Results

While NKT can be powerful for restoring movement and relieving pain, it’s not the right fit for every condition. Some issues require medical care, rest, or healing first.

Limited or Minimal Results With:

• Tremors or neurological disorders (e.g., Parkinson’s, essential tremors)

• Recent or severe muscle tears (like a ruptured Achilles tendon)

• Bone fractures or acute injuries

• Active inflammation or infection

• Torn ligaments that need surgical repair

• Advanced arthritis with major joint damage

• Severe nerve compression (such as herniated disc pressing on a nerve root)

• Fresh post-surgical pain before healing has occurred

• Systemic conditions like thyroid dysfunction, fibromyalgia flares, or chronic fatigue

• Uncontrolled diabetic neuropathy or vascular pain

• Vertigo or dizziness from inner-ear causes
  
  

 What That Means for You

NKT focuses on the neuromuscular connection — how your brain and body communicate.
If the issue is coming from inflammation, tissue damage, or a medical condition, NKT may only help after the body has healed enough to retrain movement patterns.

Even then, NKT can still support recovery by:

• Reducing overcompensation

• Calming the nervous system

• Complementing other care like physical therapy, chiropractic, or massage

What to Expect During a Session

During your session, we'll guide you through simple muscle tests—no pain, no invasive tools. These tests provide immediate feedback about how your body is compensating. With that insight, we combine soft tissue techniques like deep tissue massage, myofascial release, stretching, or trigger point therapy with corrective strategies tailored just for you. The goal: long-term relief and lasting balance.

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