treatments
Myofascial Release
Myofascial release is a word used to describe manual soft tissue release techniques (‘hands-on’ work). This includes deep tissue massage, deep and superficial connective tissue (fascial) release techniques and trigger point treatment.
If there is a soft tissue restriction at an area which is causing a compensatory increase of movement at another area, it is helpful to work on releasing the restrictions in one area while improving the control of the adjacent area.
Joint Mobilisations
Joint mobilisation techniques go hand in hand with myofascial release techniques. Joints are soft tissue connections between bones and can become stiff or sore.
Hand work techniques can help to reduce the pain experience as well as, in combination with specific exercises, regain the natural joint glide and restore function.
Motor Control Retraining
Motor control retraining describes an approach to treatment which assesses your habitual movement patterns and, if these patterns are a contributor to a recurrent problem, prescribe specific control exercises designed to target and correct these patterns to improve stability and control of an area.
Dry Needling
Dry needling is a very successful medical treatment which uses thin needles to restore normal function in a muscle affected by myofascial trigger points. Myofascial trigger points are restricted, sensitised points within a muscle characterised by reduced blood flow and contracted muscle fibres.
Dry needling of these points can restore apparent loss of strength or length of a muscle, reduce pain and improve blood flow to an area. These points are common within us all but when directly related to the problem you are experiencing, de-activating these points and restoring normal function can be very helpful in the rehabilitation process.
Taping (Strapping)
There are various taping options available to unload and support an area during the healing process, or to provide proprioceptive feedback to an underactive muscle while the body relearns how to recruit that muscle.
Electrotherapy
There are many electrotherapy options available that can be helpful. The ones I have available to me are ultrasound (sound waves to facilitate fluid movement and blood flow in an area), laser (light waves to facilitate the local healing response by increasing the local energy), and TENS (a very useful tool that facilitates a release of the body’s own opioids which can decrease the pain experience temporarily, allowing you to work on the movement required for you to effect a more permanent change.)
