Samantha Gifford Therapy

17/08/2025

14/08/2025

🌿Massage - a nervous system reset.🌿

🌿When people think of massage, they often think about muscles and trigger points. But there’s so much more going on.

🌿Massage communicates with your nervous system, not just your muscles and fascia. Gentle, targeted touch activates the Gate Control Theory — where pleasant sensations “close the gate” to pain signals in the spinal cord, reducing discomfort.

🌿It can also trigger a DNIC (Diffuse Noxious Inhibitory Control) response, your body’s built-in pain-dampening system. This is when new, controlled sensory input helps the brain quiet down other areas of pain.

🌿The result? Less pain, deeper relaxation, and a body that feels safer and calmer — far beyond just loosening tight spots.

🌿What to experience how a skilled therapist can release pain in your body and calm your nervous system? Book an appointment with me now by PM or calling 07780 747701.

13/08/2025

Excellent article of interest to all no matter what your current activity level. Key message - embrace gentle movement 🌿

Want to be healthier and happier, without spending hours slogging away in the gym? The answer could be a state just above total inactivity

13/08/2025

Key Points for Perfect Driving
Doctor of physical therapy

13/08/2025

𝙁𝙧𝙤𝙯𝙚𝙣 𝙎𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙨

Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, is a condition marked by progressive pain and stiffness of the shoulder joint due to inflammation and thickening of the joint capsule. It typically progresses through three distinct stages, each with characteristic symptoms and duration.

✅ 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙚 1: Freezing Stage (Painful Phase)
•Duration: 6 weeks to 9 months
•Key Features:
-Gradual onset of pain – often worse at night and with movement.
-Progressive loss of shoulder motion, especially external rotation.
-Pain is deep, dull, and constant in nature.
-Activities like reaching overhead, behind the back, or lifting objects become painful.
-Muscle guarding due to pain leads to decreased range of motion.

𝙋𝙝𝙮𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙀𝙭𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣
-Synovial inflammation begins.
-The capsule starts to thicken and lose pliability.
-Adhesions start forming inside the joint capsule.

𝙋𝙝𝙮𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙮 𝙁𝙤𝙘𝙪𝙨
-Pain management (ice, heat, TENS, gentle joint mobilization).
-Education to avoid overuse but prevent complete immobility.
-Maintain as much ROM as possible with gentle active-assisted movements.

✅ 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙚 2: Frozen Stage (Adhesive/ Stiffening Phase)
•Duration: 4 to 12 months
•Key Features
-Stiffness becomes the main symptom; pain may reduce but persists at end ranges.
-Major restrictions in active and passive movements.
-Activities of daily living become very limited.
-The joint feels hard to move despite reduced pain.

𝙋𝙝𝙮𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙀𝙭𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣
-The capsule becomes thicker and more fibrotic.
-Adhesions become dense and restrict normal gliding.
-Synovial inflammation reduces, but tightness increases.

𝙋𝙝𝙮𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙮 𝙁𝙤𝙘𝙪𝙨
-Emphasis shifts to mobilization and stretching.
-Grade III and IV joint mobilizations (posterior glide, inferior glide).
-Heat therapy before mobilization.
-Pendulum exercises, wall climbing, wand exercises to maintain mobility.

✅ 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙚 3: Thawing Stage (Recovery Phase)
•Duration: 6 months to 2 years
•Key Features:
-Gradual improvement in range of motion.
-Minimal or no pain.
-Stiffness starts to resolve slowly.
-Function begins to return.

𝙋𝙝𝙮𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙀𝙭𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣
-Capsular remodeling occurs.
-Adhesions soften and stretch.
-Inflammation is resolved.

𝙋𝙝𝙮𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙮 𝙁𝙤𝙘𝙪𝙨
-Continue aggressive stretching and functional strengthening.
-Encourage full active range exercises.
-Use resistance bands, pulley systems, functional task training.
-Restore strength and proprioception of rotator cuff and scapular muscles.
Doctor of physical therapy

12/08/2025

🌿5 Things You Didn’t Know About Back Pain🌿

Back pain isn’t always about your back. Here are some misconceptions and how massage can help.

1️⃣ It could be your hips, not your spine.
Tight hip flexors or glutes can pull your lower back out of alignment. Massage looks beyond the sore spot to treat the root.

2️⃣ Stress and emotions play a huge role.
Your nervous system, not just your muscles, contributes to pain. Massage calms the fight-or-flight response so your body can actually let go.

3️⃣ Poor posture isn’t always your fault.
Weak or restricted fascia, scar tissue, or desk-bound tension all shape how you carry yourself. Massage helps retrain the body gently.

4️⃣ Deep tissue isn’t always the answer.
Sometimes your body needs soft, targeted release—not force. A skilled massage works with your tissues, not against them.

5️⃣ Chronic pain changes your brain.
Pain that sticks around can rewire how your brain interprets sensation. Regular massage helps break that pattern and reintroduce ease.

🌿Massage for back pain is not a luxury—it’s part of a long-term strategy for comfort, function, and freedom.
Let’s get you moving again.

12/08/2025

Blaming a tight psoas for stiff, achy hips? These 5 exercises will strengthen the area and reverse the damage from sitting.The psoas is a use it or lose it m...

12/08/2025

If you've had pain or injury in your hip flexor or your psoas and you're looking to return to your sport or build resilience, then learn these advanced exerc...