Contact Physio Latest News
METHVEN CLASSES
Start from Monday 29th Jan – 4th Apr 10 weeks
Mon
day
Krissy
5-6pm
BEGINNERS & LEVEL 1
Wishing
to start Pilates as a core strengthening,
balancing programme and no specific condition limiting
your movement and for people to continue onto level 1 at steady
pace
Krissy 6-7pm BLOKES LEVEL 1& 2 Continue Pilates for core strength and flexibility.
Venue : Elim Church Rooms, above the cinema on Main St
Price: Early Bird Rate of $150 - payable to confirm your place by Wednesday 24 th January .
After this, classes will be $180 for the term
STAVELEY CLASS
Wednesday Tania 9-10 am LEVEL 2 For those with Pilates experience who wish a more challenging session
Tania 1015-1115am LEVEL 1 continue Pilates as a core strengthening, balancing programme and no specific condition
limiting your movement
Venue: Staveley Hall
Price: Early Bird Rate of $150 - payable to confirm your place by Wednesday 24 th January .
After this, classes will be $180 for the term
Payment for Methven & Staveley classes :
Can be made at the clinic Mon - Fri with cash, eftpost or cheque or via direct credit to the
Westpac bank, Tancred St, Ashburton, 03 0835 0400010 03 .
Use name and Pilates as a reference. Places are confirmed on payment and email confirmation only. Classes subject to minimum numbers to run. Contact: phone 03 3028 205, email amy@contactphysio.co.nz
ASHBURTON CLASSES
Start from 30th Jan – 3rd Apr 10 weeks
Tuesday Nina 530-630pm LEVEL 1&2 continue Pilates as a core strengthening, balancing programme and no specific condition limiting your
movement.
Venue: St Pauls Room, 65 Oxford Street Ashburton
Price: Early Bird Rate of $150 - payable to confirm your place by Wednesday 24 th January.
After this classes will be $180 for the term
Payment for Ashburton classses :
Can be made at the clinic with cash, eftpost or cheque or via direct credit to the Westpac bank, Tancred St, Ashburton 03 0835 0400010 00.
Use name and Pilates as a reference. Places are confirmed on payment and email confirmation only. Classes subject to minimum numbers to run.
Contact: phone 03 302 8205 to Methven clinic or email to amy@contactphysio.co.nz
Are you stuck with an idea for Xmas present? Looking for something different? Please see below items we have on offer!
You can purchase some of these items on our online store as well so please visit the store !
Pilates voucher 10 weeks class $150
Pilates mat 15mm $75
Spikey massage ball $15
Strapping tape $20
Wheat Bags $20
Lumbar Roll $25
Deer Velvet $65- varieties for joints, athletes, dogs !
Vouchers for complimentary therapies 45mins session- $90
Craniosacral
Reiki
Somalink
Acupuncture
Visceral Mobilisation
I love this study! You can google a short summary under FIDELITY- the Finnish Degenerative Meniscal Lesion Study.
Signs of cartilage or meniscal degeneration in the knee are joint line pain with squatting or twisting with or without locking where the knee feels stuck.
I cannot imagine any other Ethics Committee authorising “pretend†surgery but that is what happened in this Finnish research. They compared two groups-  keyhole knee surgery removing degenerative cartilage in the knee to keyhole surgery NOT removing the cartilage. Yes, they had the anaesthetic and the incision but no actual surgery was performed in the control group.
In short the outcomes were pretty amazing. At two year follow up patients without knee arthritis but with symptoms of a degenerative medial meniscus tear were no different whether they had had the actual surgery or not. That means that their condition could have been just as well managed with no surgery.
CASE STUDY
I had an interesting example of this last year. A 32 year old woman had tweaked her knee squatting to lift a heavy pot out of a low cupboard. She showed all the clinical signs of a tear in her cartilage so we arranged a specialist appointment and had a few sessions of physiotherapy working on strength, range of motion and pain management. The specialist confirmed the diagnosis but in the interim the mother of one had conceived again and was unable to proceed for MRI or surgery.
We continued with occasional physio visits and exercise and I was thrilled to see her and her beautiful baby pop in to the clinic at the beginning of the year with a fully functioning pain free knee.
I am sure she would have proceeded for surgery had she not become pregnant. It was a great learning experience for me and a relief for her and her family!
Reference:
Sihvonen R, Paavola M, Malmivaara A , et al
Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy versus placebo surgery for a degenerative meniscus tear: a 2-year follow-up of the randomised controlled trial
Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases Published Online First: 18 May 2017. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2017-211172
METHVEN CLASSES
Start from Mon 2nd Oct - 5th Dec for 10 weeks
Monday
Krissy
5-6pm
ADVANCED
LEVEL 1&2
Continuing
from level 1 at steady pace
Krissy 6-7pm BLOKES LEVEL 1& 2 Continue Pilates for core strength and flexibility.
Tuesday Isabel 6-7pm BEGINNERS Wishing to start Pilates as a core strengthening, balancing programme and
no specific condition limiting your movement.
Venue: Elim Church Rooms, above the cinema on Main St
Price: Early Bird Rate of $150 - payable to confirm your place by Wednesday 20 th September .
After this, classes will be $180 for the term
STAVELEY CLASS
Wednesday Tania 9-10 am LEVEL 2 For those with Pilates experience who wish a more challenging session
Tania 1015-1115am LEVEL 1 continue Pilates as a core strengthening, balancing programme and
no specific condition limiting your movement
Venue: Staveley Hall
Price: Early Bird Rate of $150 - payable to confirm your place by Wednesday 20 th September 2017 .
After this, classes will be $180 for the term
Payment for Methven & Staveley classes :
Can be made at the clinic Mon - Fri with cash, eftpost or cheque or via direct credit to the
Westpac bank, Tancred St, Ashburton, 03 0835 0400010 03 .
Use name and Pilates as a reference. Places are confirmed on payment and email confirmation only. Classes subject to minimum numbers to run. Contact: phone 03 3028 205, email amy@contactphysio.co.nz
ASHBURTON CLASSES
Start from 3rd Oct - 5th Dec 10 weeks
Tuesday Nina 530-630pm LEVEL 1&2 continue Pilates as a core strengthening, balancing programme and
no specific condition limiting your movement.
Classes subject to minimum numbers to run. Payment required to secure place.
Venue: St Pauls Room, 65 Oxford Street Ashburton
Price: Early Bird Rate of $150 - payable to confirm your place by Wednesday 20 th September 2017 .
After this classes will be $180 for the term
Payment for Ashburton classses :
Can be made at the clinic with cash, eftpost or cheque or via direct credit to the Westpac bank, Tancred St, Ashburton 03 0835 0400010 00.
Use name and Pilates as a reference. Places are confirmed on payment and email confirmation only. Classes subject to minimum numbers to run.
Contact: phone 03 302 8205 to Methven clinic or email to amy@contactphysio.co.nz
When netball and Rugby seasons was in full swing we saw a lot of ankle sprains coming through.
It can be so tempting during a game to have a tweak and play on- clinically I often see this preceding a much more significant sprain and resulting in time off sport and work. So rule number one is even for a small sprain- stop and RICE rest ice, compress and elevate. Elevate above the level of the hip. Take the time to evaluate before returning to play.
An ankle x-ray should be considered if there is pain around the malleoli – the bumps on either side of the ankle, bony tenderness along the bottom 6cm of the posterior edge of the tibia and fibula- either the inside or outside ankle bones, or an inability to weight bear for four steps- both immediately and once at the medical centre (Ottowa ankle rules).
It is recommended to RICE for 48-72 hours and then progress to movement. This can be a good time to consider physiotherapy support to help manage pain, swelling, joint stiffness and gait re-education. Choosing the appropriate time to progress weight bearing and exercises can be very helpful to optimise recovery time and return to play.
Taping and bracing are often used in the treatment and prevention of recurrent ankle sprains. Studies have shown both to have a preventative effect while having minimal detrimental effect on sports performance. There is no research evidence soundly supporting one more than the other.
Bracing and taping are not replacements for rehabilitation to regain full range of motion, strength and balance. Recurrent sprains can occur off the sports field too!
Try assessing your ankle stability by using tape to mark the above shapes. 6 feet long and at 45 degree angles. Stand in the centre and reach the non weight bearing leg in each direction as far as possible. Reach should be equal on both sides. Reduction in reach all directions and specifically in direction 4 has been found to accurately predict people with chronic ankle instability.
Neck pain is a common condition and affects most of us at one time or another. It can be acute and last a few days or be a recurrent life time problem. Gradual onset is common associated with posture, driving or computer work. Whiplash, sports injury or concussion can be involved. It can also include a headache from the neck, arm pain, pins and needles, numbness and or weakness.
Clients almost always benefit from a review of posture and provoking activities. Altering driving position, work station or even getting large mirrors for a vehicle can all make a huge difference to function. We spend a lot of time in the same position or doing similar activities. Spending some recreational time stretching or doing yoga or pilates can be very beneficial.
Physiotherapy studies have identified joint mobilisation of the neck and upper back to be beneficial in the short to medium term. Specific strengthening exercises have also been found to be beneficial. Interestingly there was not evidence found in favour of manipulation- a more vigorous mobilisation of the joint outside of normal range of motion. There is convincing evidence for specific exercises for chronic neck pain and headache.
In the clinic we assess each client individually and consider their joints, muscle length and strength and nerves in relation to their symptoms and daily activities. Our goal is to have both a treatment which eases symptoms and a longer term plan for the client to ease symptoms and prevent future recurrence. This way we are striving to build a future filled with doing the things you love without pain limiting you.
CASE STUDY
A 60 year old grandmother was having neck and shoulder pain causing her problems at work, preventing her lifting her grandchild and most importantly preventing her bowling.
We provided a work station assessment; massage, joint mobilisations, acupuncture and taping to get her bowling again and in the longer term a programme of upper back stretches and shoulder neck strengthening exercises so she would be able to keep up with her ever growing grandchild!
She is anticipating a championship win at bowling in the coming season!
Osteoporosis means porous bones and is a condition in which bones lose their strength. We reach our optimal bone density by about 18 years old and from then it is a case of slowing bone loss. 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men over the age of 50 will break a bone because of osteoporosis. This is not only relevant because of pain and loss of function but can also lead to long term disability and loss of independence.
Adults over 50, who use steroids, have a history of falls or have had previous fractures with low level trauma are considered higher risk.
The best way to address osteoporosis is prevention- high impact and strengthening exercise, plenty of calcium and vitamin D from the sun and reducing intake of alcohol and smoking are all critical. Starting as children and continuing all the way through life.
A daily calcium intake if 700-1200mg a day is recommended (National Osteoporosis Guidelines UK 2017)- possibly higher in post-menopausal men and women. Supplements or prescribed medication should be considered for those at high risk. Consider your diet and calcium uptake. Foods high in calcium are milk or yogurt, kale, sardines, broccoli, water cress and tahini.
Take a walk in the sun for 15 minutes a day. Try early in the morning so you can have the vitamin D benefits without the harsh UV rays.
Numerous studies have found that bone density can be optimised at any age with exercise. Elderly hospitalized patients could improve theirs doing arm exercises with 0.5kg weights by the side of their bed.
Physiotherapists can help provide an appropriate exercise programme. Your GP can consider the need for supplementing your calcium. Take action to maintain your bone density- it is so easy!
Tennis Elbow presents with pain in the outside of the elbow and spreading to the forearm. I rarely see it associated with playing tennis! Preserving jars, computer work and milking are some of the more common onsets I have seen this year.
Pain is typically aggravated by gripping and lifting and gets worse with more activity. Pain is generated from the bony attachment, the tendon or the muscle which extends the fingers. Localised heat, ice, arnica or Voltaren gel and stretches may all help. It is vital to address the daily tasks which aggravate the pain and try to change them to be less provocative.
Additional physio modalities are ultrasound, laser, bracing or taping, massage, acupuncture and various exercises to load the tendon and strengthen the muscle. It is also important to exclude contributing factors referring from the neck and shoulder.
CASE STUDY
A busy 52 year old farmer had a six month history of increasing forearm pain. It improved a bit with rest but recurred as soon as he was active. It was limiting most upper limb activity- driving, managing the animals, fencing and opening a beer!
On assessment he had positive nerve tests, reduced upper limb distal pulses, elbow joint stiffness and pain and pain on the common extensor tendon of the elbow. Rest was not an option. Eccentric exercises increased his pain to an intolerable level.
We used neck mobilisations, release through the neck and chest muscles, elbow mobilisations, ultrasound, taping, massage and trigger points to reduce the pain severity and progressed to slowly introducing eccentric strengthening. It has taken a couple of months but he is finally back to work, cycling AND opening his beer!
Start from Mon 17th July – 20th September for 10 weeks
METHVEN CLASSES
Monday Krissy 5-6pm ADVANCED LEVEL 1&2 Continuing from level 1 at steady pace
Krissy 6-7pm BLOKES LEVEL 1&2 Continue Pilates for core strength and flexibility.
Venue: Elim Church Rooms, above the cinema on Main St
Price: Early Bird Rate of $150- payable to confirm your place by Friday 7th July 2017.
After this, classes will be $180 for the term
STAVELEY CLASS
Wednesday Tania 9-10 am LEVEL 2 For those with Pilates experience who wish a more challenging session
Tania 1015-1115am LEVEL 1 continue Pilates as a core strengthening, balancing programme and
no specific condition limiting your movement
Venue: Staveley Hall
Price: Early Bird Rate of $150- payable to confirm your place by Friday 7th July 2017.
After this, classes will be $180 for the term
Payment for Methven & Staveley classes: Can be made at the clinic Mon - Fri with cash, eftpost or cheque or via direct credit to the Westpac bank, Tancred St, Ashburton, 03 0835 0400010 03.Use name and Pilates as a reference. Places are confirmed on payment and email confirmation only. Classes subject to minimum numbers to run. Contact: phone 03 3028 205, email amy@contactphysio.co.nz
ASHBURTON CLASSES
Tuesday Nina 530-630pm LEVEL 1 continue Pilates as a core strengthening, balancing programme and
no specific condition limiting your movement
Nina 630-730pm LEVEL 2 For those with Pilates experience who wish a more challenging session
Venue: St Pauls Room on Oxford Street Ashburton
Price: Early Bird Rate of $150- payable to confirm your place by Friday 7th July 2017.
After this classes will be $180 for the term
Payment for Ashburton classses: Can be made at the clinic with cash, eftpost or cheque or via direct credit to the Westpac bank, Tancred St, Ashburton 03 0835 0400010 00.Use name and Pilates as a reference. Places are confirmed on payment and email confirmation only. Classes subject to minimum numbers to run.Contact: phone 03 302 8205 to Methven clinic or email to amy@contactphysio.co.nz
Tendons love loading though and specific exercises have been studied in detail in the literature- finding that exercise is the most effective way to resolve the condition. The most up to date findings advise progressive loading to the muscle tendon unit- different exercises progressed during the rehabilitation process. Unfortunately findings also suggest that working in to the pain is most helpful!
There are a number of different injections which have been tried- steroid, blood and platelet rich plasma, sclerosing and cell based therapies. The efficacy of these has not been proven.
CASE STUDY
A 32 year old passionate recreational runner presented with a 4 month history of Achilles tendon pain. He was able to run it off but found it was getting increasingly frequent and severe.
The gastroc muscle in his calf was tight so we provided heel raises, massage and stretches. His sub talar joint was stiff in eversion and eased with joint mobilisations. We provided him with a home exercise programme: He performed 5 x 45 second isometric holds and full range heel raises over a step. He was managing these within two weeks and they were progressed to single leg raises. Due to the high distances he enjoyed running we worked specifically on endurance and energy storage exercises in the later stages.
Twelve weeks later is pain free and training towards his first marathon.
Take a minute to look around and consider the position of the spines around you. A head position forward of the chest rather above our shoulders or slumped lower back are easy indicators that stress is being put on the body- which could result in pain.
Physio, massage or acupuncture can relieve symptoms in the short term… however consider how many hours a day we spend in a car, at a computer, watching TV or playing video games. The biggest change we can make is to sit upright, use a lumbar roll, set up a work station correctly, take regular breaks and move around and use recreational time to be active. And its FREE!
Consider how the bodies of the future are developing and how we are teaching them to look after themselves. Are your children sitting upright, keeping a low load on their spines and muscles? Are we leading by example?
CASE STUDY
A 34 year old teacher presented with pain in her mid back. She was fine during her working day but pain increased as she prepared her classes at her lap top after school and that evening.
She added a low-cost screen and wireless mouse to her work station set up so she could connect her laptop and sit more upright. Four sessions of physio mobilised her mid back, released muscles and taped her to assist in postural correction. She performed home exercises- stretches to relieve her pain and strengthening exercises for her postural muscles. Within six weeks her long standing pain of three years had gone and she was much more productive in her after school prep!
Take time to review your work station as outlined in last week’s article. Encourage postural awareness within the family. Plan time away from devices and be active. Seek early input for postural pain- it does not need to take long and can provide a postural wellness strategy for life.
Recently I did an ergonomic review for teachers at a school and it transpired they are also doing most of their evening work on laptops on the couch. What are you doing? How does your body feel after a couple of hours working at a device? What are we teaching children? Are we looking after them and ourselves and leading by example?
I thought I would start by outlining how to set up a workstation optimally.
WORK STATION SET UP
Start with your chair. Find out how to adjust height, angle, seat position and arm rests. Your chair should have good low back support which should sit snugly in your lower back. Alter angle of the seat pan and tilt backrest slightly back. There should be a fist size gap from the back of the knee and the bottom of the seat.
Set height relative to your desk first by raising or lowering the chair. Your desk should be 50mm above your thighs which should allow your elbows to be at 90 degrees and wrists resting in neutral at your desk.
Your keyboard should be 50mm from the desk edge with your wrists in a neutral position. Your mouse should be right next to the keyboard so you are not reaching.
Screen should be arm’s length in front of you and the top of your screen level with the top of your head. If there is the option tilt the screen slightly forward to reduce glare.
If your feet are not completely flat, consider a foot rest. This should tilt 15 degrees and height should allow hips at 90 degrees.
If you get these right your head should be relaxed above your shoulders in a neutral position, shoulders relaxed, wrists and neutral and hips and knees at 90 degrees with feet flat.
Start from Mon 24th April – 28th June for 10 weeks
Monday Krissy 5-6pm ADVANCED LEVEL 1&2 Continuing from level 1 at steady pace
Krissy 6-7pm BLOKES LEVEL 1&2 Continue Pilates for core strength and
flexibility.
Tuesday Isabel 6-7pm BEGINNER/ LEVEL 1 A quick progressing Pilates
For these with minimal physical limitation.
Venue: Elim Church Rooms, above the cinema on Main St
Price: Early Bird Rate of $150- payable to confirm your place by Thurs 13th April 2017.
After this, classes will be $180 for the term
STAVELEY CLASS
Wednesday Tania 9-10 am LEVEL 2 For those with Pilates experience who wish a more
challenging session
Tania 1015-1115am LEVEL 1 continue Pilates as a core strengthening, balancing
programme and no specific condition limiting your movement
Venue: Staveley Hall
Price: Early Bird Rate of $150- payable to confirm your place by Thurs 13th April 2017.
After this, classes will be $180 for the term
Payment for Methven & Staveley classes:
Can be made at the clinic Mon - Fri with cash, eftpost or cheque or via direct credit to the
Westpac bank, Tancred St, Ashburton, 03 0835 0400010 03.
Use name and Pilates as a reference. Places are confirmed on payment and email confirmation only. Classes subject to minimum numbers to run. Contact: phone 03 3028 205, email amy@contactphysio.co.nz
ASHBURTON CLASSES
Start from 25th April – 27th June 10 weeks
Tuesday Nina 530-630pm LEVEL 1 continue Pilates as a core strengthening, balancing
programme and no specific condition limiting your
movement
Nina 630-730pm LEVEL 2 For those with Pilates experience who wish a more
challenging session
Classes subject to minimum numbers to run. Payment required to secure place.
Venue: St Pauls Room on Oxford Street Ashburton
Price: Early Bird Rate of $150- payable to confirm your place by Thurs 13th April 2017.
After this classes will be $180 for the term
Payment for Ashburton classses:
Can be made at the clinic with cash, eftpost or cheque or via direct credit to the Westpac bank, Tancred St, Ashburton 03 0835 0400010 00.
Use name and Pilates as a reference. Places are confirmed on payment and email confirmation only. Classes subject to minimum numbers to run.
Contact: phone 03 302 8205 to Methven clinic or email to amy@contactphysio.co.nz
It is when the joint cartilage breaks down and there is reduced cushioning. It is a normal part of aging.
The ‘diagnosis’ of arthritis is often viewed negatively and comes with the expectation that there will be pain, disability and surgery. However there are now numerous studies supporting interventions that can improve the symptoms of the condition.
- Supervised home and group exercises specific to certain muscle groups have been shown to be most effective. This way a clinician can assist
with the challenges of pain limiting the ability to perform or progress the exercise and ensure the correct muscles are being targeted
- Hydrotherapy- exercises in warm water can help to reduce load on joints and be fun!
- Manual therapy mobilisations to the joint can reduce pain and stiffness
- Massage- one study has suggested this is beneficial for pain relief in the short term. To achieve functional improvement, it must be combined
with specific strengthening exercises.
- Ice packs can improve range of motion and physical function in OA. Interestingly the same benefits were not achieved with heat.
- TENS uses electrical currents to assist with blocking pain perception. We stock some to trial at Contact Physiotherapy- research findings are
mixed however clinically I see some real benefits.
- Ultrasound- new studies have shown ultrasound reduces pain and improves aerobic condition in knee OA.
- Taping and bracing can be helpful
CASE STUDY
A very active 65 year old farmer presented a month ago with a painful knee. His surgeon said the joint was “not bad enough to require surgery and he would have to live with it for another few years.” Meantime he had interrupted sleep, could not tramp and was dreading his overseas holiday to Europe due to pain and reduced mobility. A month of joint mobilisations, exercises, acupuncture and pilates and he is pain free, sleeping through the night, tramping, excited about his trip and certainly NOT looking at surgery soon!
Symptoms may or may not include loss of consciousness, unsteadiness, confusion, headache, loss of memory, change in behavior, altered emotions, sleep disturbance and irritability. There is a need to exclude spinal injury or serious brain injury.
If any of these symptoms present after an on-field injury the player should be evaluated by the treating health professional using the SCAT3 or ChildSCAT3 (age 5-12 years) assessment forms. If necessary referral to a GP should be made as soon as possible. Concussion is often an evolving injury and signs and symptoms can be delayed. The player should not be left alone and regular monitoring over the next few hours is essential. The player must not return to play on the day of injury.
Post-concussion medical recommendations are an initial 48 hour rest period and then a gradual return to school and social activities at a pace which does not increase the original symptoms. Return to sport should only occur after return to learning and normal activities is symptoms free. Most injuries recover over a few days. 10-15% take ten days or longer. Children may also take longer than adults to become symptom free and return to sport.
Evidence for treatment is sparse. Rest and low level exercise initially. Physiotherapy for neck problems and balance may be helpful. Craniosacral therapy is being trialled with success with American Footballers in the United States. Additional interventions for memory, anxiety, fatigue and depression may be required. Specialist services in Christchurch are available via GP referral.
Prevention is best so it is important to be familiar with best practice of the sports you play. Use protective gear but also council athletes and children against risk taking behaviour. Be aware that concussion in children takes less force, takes longer to recover and could affect their cognitive development, especially below 15 years old (McCrory et al, bjsm 2004).
Hamstrings injuries frequently occur in sports like rugby and soccer, where there is high speed running, change of direction and speed. Age, eccentric hamstrings weakness, muscle tightness and previous injury have all been cited as risk factors for injury (Liu et al 2012). Injury can result in lost days at sport, missed events and pain and disability.
If you have pain in the back of your thigh during training or a game the initial management is the same as with all soft tissue injuries- stop, rest, ice and compress. We see so many athletes who experienced a “twinge” and then went on to have a more severe injury because they ignored it and played on. If the pain resolves with stretching and relative rest then gradually return to training and practice- only returning to competition if you are sure it has settled during changes of speed and direction. If it does not settle within 72 hours, if you have bruising or recurrences then seek treatment that includes rehabilitative exercises.
Isabel’s review of a Swedish article by Askling et al (2013) found that footballers who participated in an eccentric rehabilitation programme for hamstrings recovery returned to sport almost twice as quickly as those who did an alternate hamstrings rehabilitation programme.
Eccentric muscle exercises involve training the muscle as it is lengthening. It is believed that this helps with the muscle’s ability to absorb energy during deceleration as the muscle stretches out, thus preventing strain or tearing.
For hamstrings a common eccentric exercise is the Nordic Curl. Its efficacy is well supported in the literature. Good technique is essential. Isabel has a few other good ones to demonstrate too!!
Be aware that muscle soreness after eccentric work is very common and exercises must be kept to low repetitions and progressed slowly to prevent excessive muscle strain and soreness. Include eccentric hamstrings exercises in your training to prevent hamstrings sprains.
Visceral Manipulation was developed by french Osteopath, Jean-Pierre Barral . It is a manual therapy where light, specifically placed pressure encourages normal mobility, tone and tissue motion of the internal organs and their connective tissue. These gentle manipulations have the potential to affect the physiological function and the structural integrity of the entire body.
In visceral mobilisation we use the ligament and fascial connections to the organs in the abdomen to ease restrictions in the musculoskeletal system. Who knew that the liver has direct connections to the right shoulder and can maintain persistent pain and movement restrictions? Any abdominal surgery- even keyhole- can leave scarring which over time continues to tighten and affect the body. Symptoms can be far from the surgery site because of the connective tissue through our body. Back pain, discomfort with belts or even knee pain could be traced back there!
Emotions can also affect organ function. Most of us are familiar with our stomach being affected by nerves. Sudden shock can affect the kidney or deep grief the pancreas. The restrictions in the organ can remain and create symptoms even though the emotion has passed. Menopause can increase the laxity of ligaments and contribute to acid reflux.VM has techniques to ease tensions at the junction of the stomach and oesophagus thus reducing the heartburn.
CASE STUDY
A 52 year old grandmother was referred by her GP with a two year history of upper abdominal pain which developed a few months after her hysterectomy. Despite doing stretches and abdominal strengthening exercises she continued to have pain limiting her ability to garden or lift the grandkids. Three sessions of visceral mobilization and she was able to do both of these things with discomfort but no pain limiting.
For more information on Visceral Manipulation contact Krissy at Contact Physiotherapy 3028 205, kristin@contactphysio.co.nz or the Barral Institute visit www.barralinstitute.com
She showed us how to stay grounded and refill our energy levels through the day. This allows us to hold healthy boundaries and connect deeply without burning out. What appealed to me as a physio is that by sinking in and connecting to our body and increasing physical awareness we kept things physical without getting too ‘out there’!
Many of us recognise a pattern of chronic problems- maybe back or neck pain- that settles a bit and then recurs in times when we are tired or stressed. I anticipate that using Suzanne’s techniques we can replenish our energy levels so we don’t hit this point and reduce recurring pain.
CASE STUDY
A fifty-year-old farmer’s wife had been coming in for visceral work for stomach pain. It was providing temporary relief but any time she was busy and stressed she would need to come in for more treatment- and she didn’t have time!
Shifting her focus from her head which was constantly running though her busy schedule we encouraged her awareness to her body. Once she tuned in she really felt that she was physically ‘ahead’ of herself- always rushing to the next job or appointment and each time she felt that way it was making her stomach churn. In addition to the visceral work, we practiced exercises to have her bring her physical presence centred back in to her spine. This immediately eased the churning in her stomach.
It will take practice to keep this technique going but I am confident it will reduce the recurrences of the stomach pain and need for as frequent treatment.
Please contact us at Contact Physiotherapy to make an appointment or more information. kristin@contactphysio.co.nz Ashburton 308 3004 or Methven 3028 205
So here are a few facts you may not know!
- A study in Norway compared return to Sport in a group after ACL rupture. Half had surgery and half did not. Both successfully returned to their pre-injury sports activity with few differences between them (Grindem 2014)
- Five year report showed no difference in any outcome between those who has ACL reconstruction immediately, delayed surgery and those who had no surgery at all. They concluded that young active patients may be better to start by considering rehabilitation rather than surgery in the first instance.
- Surgically treated clients were however more likely to return to high level sports like handball, soccer and basketball but were also more likely to reinjure
- The study considered volleyball, squash, snowboarding, skiing and martial arts to be less physically challenging and achievable without surgery.
- 30% of athletes with a history of ACL rupture who return to sports with cutting and pivoting suffered a second ACL. This incidence was 6 times greater than those without (Paterno et al 2014)
- 12-25% risk of injury to the other side -higher in younger and females (Lynch 2013)
- Athletes who suffered another cruciate injury did so soon after return to play- 50% within 70 trainings/games
- A family history of ACL rupture double the odds for graft rupture and contralateral ACL injury (Webster et al 2014)
- Unfortunately, most post-surgical ACL clients do not return to the same level of pre-injury performance. Few are aware of this before surgery.
- The risk of reinjury is high close to the surgery, high if you are younger, higher to reinjure if you are male and to injure the other side if you are female
- Regardless of surgery the risk of osteoarthritis is high and higher again with revision surgery
- Rehab for 9 months post surgery and symmetrical quads strength before return to sport reduced reinjury rate by 84% (Grindem 2016)
It’s a lot to think about- quick message keep strengthening for at least 9 months!
John E Upledger (1932-2012) developed CST -a gentle, hands on method of evaluating and enhancing the function of the membranes and fluid that surround the brain and spinal cord. It enhances the body’s natural healing processes. These techniques do not involve spinal or forceful manipulation.
She has completed CST 1 and 2, SomatoEmotional Release 1and Paediatric 1 and 2 over the last four years. Last weekend she further expanded her knowledge completing Developing and Deepening CranioSacral Presence.
These advanced qualifications qualify her to work with new-borns, children and their families.
During labour, vacuum extraction, forceps, breach births, caesareans or long, stressful labours there can be sub-optimal forces on the scalp, cranial membranes and neurological system. Paediatric CranioSacral Therapy can assist babies with breast feeding, tongue tie, colic and sleep. It also can be helpful with children with learning challenges like ADD, sensory processing disorders, learning difficulties or those on the autistic spectrum. Simple home techniques can empower parents and siblings to assist in caring for the child.
For example, sensory processing- we all have different tolerances- a desire to play loud music to aid concentration, a preference to soft lighting or a tendency to motion sickness. For some people the input of incoming sound, smell, sensation, sight, taste and movement can be disorganized. These sensations can be too intense or under stimulating and cause the person to express behaviors like fear, anxiety, anger or frustration.
CASE STUDY
P was a nine-year-old boy who had recently been diagnosed with sensory processing disorder. P and his mother were looking to assist in his concentration at school and ease the sensations of dizziness with certain visual inputs. Using craniosacral therapy, breathing and relaxation exercises over 3 months P found an increased ability to focus on a single task, less dizziness and a SLIGHT improvement in his reluctance to go to school!
If you would like more information on craniosacral therapy or a specific problem, please phone Krissy at Contact Physiotherapy on 3028 205 or email kristin@contactphysio.co.nz