EXPERIENCE NEUROSOMATIC THERAPY
Restoring Balance to Relieve Your Pain
Your Assessment
Finding Patterns in Posture and Movement
To help identify structural and biomechanical patterns that may be associated with your discomfort, we have developed a way to analyze and chart these measurements. This structural charting allows a therapist to look for possible contributing factors, and to track the progress of a patient's treatment over time. As part of your first session, you will also participate in an in-depth interview with your therapist. In addition to structure, we want to know your symptoms and your story. Once your evaluation is complete, your therapist will take the time to explain the findings and what to expect in the way of treatment.
Your Treatment
Balancing Your Body
Our innovative approach to manual therapy is designed to address imbalances in the soft tissue, working with tissues surrounding or associated with the torso and abdominal region. Our Neurosomatic Therapists use a comprehensive array of techniques, including targeted deep tissue massage, Myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and joint mobilization. This hands-on, non-invasive treatment is designed to support comfort, mobility, and muscular function.
Your Continued Care
Empowering and Educating our Patients
The final stage of your comprehensive therapy program is a customized plan designed to help reduce the risk of future injury or imbalance. Based on your individualized needs, your Neurosomatic Therapist will train you on various techniques to stretch or strengthen the muscles that are pulling your body out of alignment. We offer a variety of educational tools, such as informational literature, instructional videos, and other online resources. At the St. John- Clark Pain Treatment Center, we want to empower you to maintain a new level of health and improve your quality of life.
Understanding Neurosomatic Therapy
A Structurally Integrative Approach
Neurosomatic Therapy, or NST, is an approach that focuses on examining soft-tissue and movement patterns that may contribute to pain, an area we believe is sometimes overlooked in a standard workup. According to recent research, many pain symptoms are considered idiopathic, meaning no clear cause has been identified. NST is a way to analyze and thoroughly explore your muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and tissues surrounding the torso and abdominal region in order to look for potential contributing factors. By using careful analysis of dysfunctional postural and movement patterns, NST allows us to create a comprehensive therapy program customized to your needs.
Neurosomatic Therapy: Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers about care, evidence, and safety
What is Neurosomatic Therapy?
Neurosomatic Therapy (NST) is an individualized form of manual therapy developed by Paul St. John and Randall Clark. It combines postural and gait assessment with hands-on soft-tissue techniques and patient education. Therapists use the assessment to plan care; NST does not provide a medical diagnosis or replace care from a physician or other licensed medical professional.
โ
How is NST different from massage therapy or physical therapy?
NST may use massage and other manual techniques, but its clinic model emphasizes measured posture and movement patterns when planning treatment. Physical therapy is a separately licensed healthcare profession with a different scope of practice. The appropriate approach depends on the person, condition, and advice of their healthcare providers.
What happens at the first appointment?
The first visit generally includes a health-history interview, postural and gait observations, an explanation of findings, and hands-on treatment when appropriate. Patients should tell their therapist about diagnoses, medications, recent injuries, surgeries, pregnancy, or other health concerns before treatment.
โ
What conditions may people seek NST for?
Patients commonly seek manual therapy for musculoskeletal concerns such as back, neck, hip, shoulder, jaw, or repetitive-strain discomfort. Individual responses vary, and improvement cannot be guaranteed. New, severe, worsening, or unexplained symptoms should be evaluated by a qualified medical professional.
โ
Is NST evidence-based and safe?
NST as a complete branded system has limited independent clinical research. Some techniques used in manual and massage therapy have been studied for certain types of pain, but findings vary by condition and treatment. Manual therapy is not appropriate for everyone. For general evidence and safety information about massage therapy, consult the NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health at nccih.nih.gov.
โ
Last updated: August 27, 2026. Content provided by St. John-Clark Pain Treatment Center.