SERVICES
What is Myotherapy?
Myotherapy is an evidence-based manual therapy that assesses, treats and manages muscular pain, injury and dysfunction affecting movement.
We treat the cause of your pain, not just the symptoms.
First we discuss your symptoms, history and concerns. We then conduct an assessment of your musculo-skeletal system to find the source of your pain.
Based on the results, we then move on to treating and prescribing exercises and advice to further improve your condition.
The goal of our treatments are suited to your needs, but are mostly surrounding improving mobility, restoring function and to reduce pain.
We also educate you on your condition and provide exercises surrounding posture, resolve imbalances and dysfunction, prevent and manage your pain and restriction.
We focus on treating muscles, tendons, joints, ligaments, fascia, scars and nerve pain.
Techniques we use:
Massage, Myofascial Dry Needling, Myofascial Cupping,
Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Cross Fibre Friction, Contract-Relax Technique,
Joint Mobilisation, Neurodynamics, Functional Movement, Rock-taping,
MFTT, Thermotherapy.
(read below for more info on some of these techniques)
Myofascial Dry Needling
What is myofascial dry needling and what does it do?
Myofascial Dry Needling (MDN) is the application of a myofascial needle (no fluid) in a trigger point (through the skin to the muscle) to decrease pain, increase movement and facilitate muscles.
The needles used are thin and disposable ranging in different lengths to suit the muscle’s depth.
How does it work?
The needle stops the signal from the spinal cord that’s sending out too much calcium; therefore the muscle relaxes around the trigger point in order for oxygen and magnesium to get through to the muscle, relieving pain.
(Integrated Hypothesis of MTrP’s) (K.Sparre 2013 & Josh Davies 2014)
Does myofascial dry needling hurt?
MDN replicates the pain you are feeling from the trigger point - being a dull ache feeling.
It can occur at the site of the needle or it’s referral pain pattern.
It may come on sudden or a build up of pressure until it reaches the trigger point.
The level of discomfort can increase by anticipation, emotional state and severity/extent of muscular pain and tightness presented.
How do I know that myofascial dry needling is for me?
Myofascial Dry Needling can be used to decrease pain and dysfunction, increase movement and help switch muscles on.
So if you have areas of pain or tightness coming from muscular dysfunction and do not have any contraindications to dry needling then you are eligible and can benefit from it.
What is the difference between Myofascial Dry Needling and Acupuncture?
They use the same needles but for different purposes and different areas.
Myofascial Dry Needling is used to decrease muscular pain and increase movement.
They are inserted into Active and Latent trigger points to deactivate or facilitate muscles.
Acupuncture is a part of Chinese Medicine and have pre-determined points on the body.
Acupuncture is used for energy flow and the balance of yin and yang, treating mental and physical illness, and have a different purpose of healing than Myofascial Dry Needling.
Myofascial Cupping
What is myofascial cupping?
Myofascial cupping is a technique that gently lifts up the fascia and soft tissue.
How does it work?
It allows the fascia to produce more fluid enabling the muscles to slide efficiently, release tightness and loosen up the fascia, which in turn decreases pain and improves your range of motion.
Does it hurt?
It should not be painful.
We work with your pain levels, and adjust the suction to make it as comfortable as possible.
Will I have marks left on me?
If left static on your body then you will receive marking, which is the blood and toxins coming to the surface of your skin.
It is completely normal and will go away within a few days to a week.
When gliding it along your body, it should not leave marks but can leave a bit of redness if your fascia is quite tight and the suction is high.
Different ways they can be used?
- They can be used statically (no movement - stays in same spot for period of time - this is where you see circle marks left behind)
- Dynamically (gliding along skin with no movement from client)
- Functional movement (moving along skin whilst client is also moving through range of motion)
These are all used for different needs and benefits!
Neurodynamics
What is Neurodynamics?
Neurodynamics is the communication between different parts of the nervous system and the nervous systems relationship to the musculo-skeletal system.
In relation to a Myotherapy treatment, we clinically apply the mechanics and physiology of the nervous system as they relate to each other and are integrated with musculo-skeletal function.
In basic terms, it is how well the nerves move in relation to the surrounding myofascial tissue.
Neurodynamics is used to assess accurately on whether your nerves (and which nerve/s) are being affected and causing your symptoms to treat specifically.
Nerves restricted by muscle and fascia can cause the following symptoms
Symptoms:
Pins and needles, numbness, loss of strength or weakened grip, pain and restricted movement, chronic tightness, feeling of tight muscles where stretching doesn’t seem to be helping.
Common conditions:
Sciatica symptoms, “bulging’’ disc, piriformis syndrome, carpal tunnel, medial and lateral elbow pain (‘golfer’s’ elbow, ‘tennis’ elbow)
Functional Movement
What is Functional Movement?
Functional movement is based around real-world biomechanics; movement patterns your body relies on for everyday activities.
Functional movement takes you through multi-planer and multi-joint movements which place demand on the body’s musculo-skeletal system.
It takes joints through full range of motion and engages stabilising muscles to prevent injury and bring back effective movement.
The aim of functional movement is to allow the ability to squat, lunge, push, pull, hinge, rotate and efficient gait (manner of walking); everyday activities.
C-Section & Abdominal Scar Release
What is involved in a C-Section & Abdominal Release treatment?
This treatment focuses on reducing your pain, pulling sensation, and appearance of your scar/s.
It also aims to improve your breathing, movement, digestion and connection to your body.
We start with a posture and breath assessment and then move on to our treatment.
We use several techniques, catered to the clients comfortability, such as myofascial release, dry needling, cupping, gua sha, breathing exercises.
We understand that your scars may hold trauma, and we will hold space for you and work with your level of comfort.
When can you get this treatment done?
8 weeks post-surgery, ensuring it is fully healed and has no infection or scabbing.
It is also dependant on when you feel ready for someone else to touch it.
What scars can be treated?
Abdominal scars such as:
- C-Section
- Tummy tuck
- Hysterectomy
- Laparoscopic (Gall bladder, Appendix, Ectopic Pregnancy, Endometriosis, Weight loss surgeries)
- Cancer/tumour removals
- Classic Appendix scar
- Hernias (that do not have mesh)
- Bowel resections
- Ablation surgeries (removal of body tissue)
Please contact me if you have any further questions.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage
What is Manual Lymphatic Drainage?
Manual Lymphatic drainage (MLD) is a light manual treatment that works with the tissue to decongest areas of inflammation and excess fluid (and other pathologies) that are causing the lymphatic system to be compromised.
Some symptoms and conditions MLD can assist with:
Hayfever symptoms
Sinusitis
Oedema
Inflammation
Bruising
Post surgery
Lymphedema
Lipoedema
Whilst MLD may help flush out fluid to push a cold along, we do not suggest this treatment while you are currently sick, as it would heighten symptoms and is a risk to the practitioner and other clients who may be immunocompromised.This is a great treatment for maintaining a healthy immune system!
Remedial Massage
What is Remedial Massage?
Remedial Massage involves treatment based on the results from a musculo-skeletal assessment, to decrease and manage pain, and increase strength and movement.
Remedial Massage techniques are already incorporated into Myotherapy treatments such as:
Massage, MFTT, Myofascial Cupping, Contract-Relax and more.
Pregnancy Massage
What is involved in a Pregnancy Massage?
During pregnancy, the body goes through a lot of changes, which can lead to pain, anxiety, sleepless nights and so on.
Treatment is centred around your goals, and can entail reducing pain and discomfort, while also relaxing the body and mind.
Treatments will be side-lying or on your back if possible.
We care about your comfort, so we provide enough pillows to support your belly, hips, knees, ankle and neck.
Advice is given surrounding safe and beneficial exercise, other potential therapists you can visit to go alongside your myotherapy appointment, improving comfortability in bed, and time to voice your questions and concerns.
Conditions and symptoms we treat
Headaches
Neck and upper back pain
Nerve compression (pins and needles, numbness, weakness (down the legs, toes, arms, fingers))
Lower Back Pain
Flexor and Extensor tendinopathy (Forearm pain, Medial and Lateral Elbow pain “tennis elbow” “golfer’s elbow”)
Plantarfasciopathy “Plantarfasciitis” (pain under the foot)
Disc pathology “bulging disc’’
Jaw Pain
Frozen shoulder and other shoulder impingement
Carpal Tunnel
Knee Pain
Postural/muscular imbalances
Shin pain/shin splints
Fibromyalgia
Chronic Pain
General pain and tightness after exercising (DOMS)
Sciatica symptoms
Sinus, inflammation and swelling symptoms (using MLD)
C-Section Scars and Abdominal Scars