Martin Haley - Solutions Fitness

01/08/2025

The most common non-sporting injury or issue I see with clients, is with the Trapezius muscle. This muscle, which extends from the base of skull, down to collar bone, shoulder blade, then down to mid back like a huge diamond.

It’s functions are many and it has 3 parts, upper, middle and lower. It extends the head backwards, flexes the head, turns head. It lifts the shoulders, lowers the shoulders, and brings shoulder blades together. It’s the King of multi-tasking!

The upper and middle sections tend to become tense in a lot of people, from poor posture, excessive time driving, but mainly from tension, stress or anxiety – people hunch their shoulders.

When this muscle group becomes tight, it can produce headaches, head tension, neck pain, upper arm pain and even low back pain – it is common that someone will come to me for low back pain but the cause is actually coming from the neck!

So if you have nagging upper body pain that you just can’t seem to solve, maybe it is not coming from where you feel it...

23/07/2025

I was finishing up work a few days ago when Mrs H popped into the treatment room and said she needed to get on the treatment table. She NEVER does that!

She absolutely will not get on that couch unless she's in pain.

She says her upper arm hurts and wasn't able to do any push-ups. Knowing how cranky she gets if she can't train, I asked her to do certain movements with her arm. All good, no pain.

So I tested her arm and shoulder movements against resistance. No pain, all good. Squeezed her Traps - YELP!

So on the couch, did a few minutes work to her Trapezius muscle, then told her to try a push up - all good, no pain. Back on couch, another few minutes work to her Trap then some stretching. Off couch, she does 10 push-ups no issue.

Where you feel pain is almost NEVER the cause of that pain. Find the cause, don't treat the symptoms. STILL the Push-up Queen...

18/07/2025

So we've started some Shoulder Mobility, now let's work them...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYpk5sFuGDc&t=19s

Martin Haley, leading Sports Therapist based in Malaga, takes you through a lightweight shoulder workout, with limited equipment.Martin Haley is a Sports The...

16/07/2025

Just a Shoulder Mobility routine. Focus on quality movement over speed or reps. Excuse the brushing of the mic... :)

https://youtu.be/5sHej95e06M?si=cfEj4eDrIznJZlQK

Leading Sports Therapist Martin Haley takes you through a Mobility routine for your shouldershttps://www.facebook.com/SolutionsFitnessSpain

14/07/2025

If you're a Runner, then these are two exercises you MUST be doing on a regular basis!
Saying that, everyone should be doing these to ensure they maintain their balance, especially as we age.

But for runners, these exercises will strengthen your 'Posterior Chain' - your Glutes, Hamstrings and Back, and bullet proof your single leg stance.
No need to use additional weights initially but good to progress to using them going forwards.

Let me know how you get on...

10/07/2025

Out with the old, in with the new. Hopefully the new Hume will give more, and more accurate, information...

08/07/2025

Like a little test?

Are you struggling with some issues, like hips, knees or upper back, that you can't quite work out why?

Why not perform this simple at home test that 'could' give you some answers, or tell you where to look.

02/07/2025

Evatt popped over from the UK for annual maintenance session. Late flight over last night. Stay over in Malaga. Bus up today. Treatment. Meal. Then fly back to UK tomorrow. 3rd year running.
That's dedication for you...

01/07/2025

Don't start Fasting until you've watched this...

https://youtu.be/hzFmIg4t2p0?si=QS_WqKr7bYHoDqRs

As someone that performs regular fasting, here's some information of what, how and when, and also WHY?Martin Haley is a Sports Therapist with over 30 years e...

26/06/2025

Here's what improved my running/racing...

This video shows how I used to train my shoulders for running, as they always became tired towards the end of races. A simple exercise using very light weigh...

25/06/2025

Nope! You shouldn't try to change your natural running style. That's an injury waiting to happen.
Yes, you should perform 'drills' to improve your technique, and speed work sessions may also increase your cadence.

But don't just decided to change your running style because you read a garbage article like this one below...

By increasing your Cadence to the 170-190 range, your feet will land more underneath your center of mass, using a tripod landing, which helps your body absorb the impact more effectively.

25/06/2025

Nope! You shouldn't try to change your natural running style. That's just an injury waiting to happen.
Yes, you should/could perform 'drills' that may improve your stride length naturally, and speed work sessions may also naturally improve cadence.

But don't simply decide to change your natural running style because you read a garbage article like this one below.

By increasing your Cadence to the 170-190 range, your feet will land more underneath your center of mass, using a tripod landing, which helps your body absorb the impact more effectively.