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Osteoarthritis - the wear & tear condition
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a very common condition, affecting around 7.4m people in England. OA is known as the 'wear & tear arthritis' as it is a degenerative condition of the joints and occurs when the cartilage between the joints becomes worn or torn, causing pain, swelling & stiffness. Many joints in the body are susceptible to OA, with the fingers and thumb, knees, hips and feet all commonly being affected. Sometimes just one joint is affected, but often multiple joints are affected just at different speeds. So it is not uncommon for example, to first notice some hip stiffness on one side, only to be followed with similar symptoms on the other side some months or years later. The risk of OA can be reduced by keeping active, as this helps maintain a healthy weight, (reducing strain on joints) and encouraging the production of synovial fluid which lubricates the joints.
Soft tissue therapy can be helpful in managing OA. It can help increase mobility in the joints and reduce muscle tightness. Therapists can also prescribe exercises, that will strengthen the muscles that support the joints, helping to reduce pain. Get in touch if you are concerned about OA.
Disc Herniation
Around 80% of the population will at sometime suffer from lower back pain. One of the more common causes of lower back pain is a disc herniation, sometimes known as a “slipped disc” or “disc prolapse”. This article looks at the anatomy of the spine, along with tips for treating a disc herniation.
Massage therapy that encompasses manipulation, mobilisation and advice on strengthening & stretching can help relieve pain and restore strength and mobility to the lower back.
'Text' Neck
Soft tissue treatment can reduce the tension within the neck muscles, reduce pain and address the postures that aggravate your symptoms. To read more about causes, signs & symptoms and treatment, take a look at the article on the link below.
Knee Pain & Cycling
One of the most common cycling complaints is knee pain. This handy article looks at potential causes, management & rehab and most important....prevention
Running Injuries: Runners Knee
PFPS is a condition which affects the cartilage on the underside of the knee cap (patella) and the structures which support it, as it moves up and down over the groove on the femur (thigh bone) when you bend and straighten your knee. The injury happens to both top runners and amateurs alike, with some statistics showing it accounts for nearly 50% of all running injuries. Read more about symptoms, cause, fix & prevention. The article includes a useful rehabilitation plan
Running Injuries: Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It can occur when the thick band of elastic tissue that runs from the toes to the heel & supports the arch of the foot (the plantar fascia) becomes inflamed. It commonly causes stabbing heel pain that is typically worse in the morning. Read more about plantar fasciitis in runners & download a rehabilitation exercise plan, aimed at assisting recovery from this painful, nagging injury
Which Posture Are You?
Ideal posture allows the spine to form soft curves that act like shock absorbers, distributing mechanical stress on the body during movement and at rest. Deviations to this can cause chronic neck & back pain, migraines, stress, neural problems, muscle strain and much more.
This article describes swayback, flatback and kyphotic-lordotic postures, the clinical problems they can lead to and importantly, rehabilitation and physical therapy treatments that can help to correct these postures and maintain a more neutral position.
If you’d like to be emailed an exercise handout aimed at improving your posture, get in touch here. Alternatively, for a full postural assessment with personalised treatment and rehabilitation plan, book for a 60 min appointment.
Rise & Shine!
If you need a good old stretch when you first wake up, why not try this 10 minute routine?
Consisting of 11 stretches, this will get you moving and create the right start to the day...(along with coffee of course!)
Need a Reason to Book an Appointment?
Did you know that regular soft tissue treatment can help you manage stress and anxiety? It can also reduce the frequency of migraines and help you sleep better. Take a look at the poster on the link below to see other ways in which massage might be able to help you or someone you know
Myofascial Dry Cupping Therapy
Dry Cupping is a type of therapy that combines massage and stretching techniques with the use of pressurised cups. It is offered as a standalone treatment or can be incorporated into soft tissue therapy appointments. Small suction cups create a vacuum to stretch connective tissue and allow fresh blood and oxygen into the region being treated.
You can read more about what to expect, the conditions it is used to treat and its benefits on the article link below.
The Power of Massage
Whilst massage is often seen as a go-to indulgence, it is actually a powerful tool to help you take charge of your health and wellbeing.
Most people would agree that an occasional massage leaves you feeling great. Hopefully you've experienced that feeling of post-massage bliss: relaxed, enjoying more movement & feeling ready to take on the day (or world!). Regular massage can however do so much more.
Each session builds on itself, helping your body maintain its relaxed state and your muscles remain loose - even during times of physical and mental stress.
Breaking it down into 3 fundamental areas of health and well-being, this article looks at how regular massage helps you to live better, get physical & boost immunity.
Patellar Tendon Pain
(Jumper's Knee)
This condition occurs frequently in athletes involved in ‘jumping’ sports (hence why it is often nicknamed Jumper’s Knee) - but can also occur as an everyday injury. To read more about how it occurs and how soft tissue therapy can help, take a look at the article on the link below
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