Shefford Soft Tissue Therapy

08/01/2022

It’s the new year!! I haven’t posted on here for a very long time but 2022 sees the arrival of a bit more time to focus on my business and helping more people live pain free lives. Please get in touch to see how I can help you or to book your appointment.

28/02/2018

Some of the many things treated at Speen Soft Tissue Therapy!

07/02/2018

Pain in the arm and hand is often caused by a problem in the neck. This is known as referred pain and is created by pressure on the nerves as they leave the area hence the famous saying ‘the root cause!’

This nerve impingement can be caused by structures in the spine or the muscles themselves which get tight and trap the nerve. Treatment to these areas is crucial to help the pain, which can be felt anywhere down the arm and into the hands and fingers.

29/01/2018

Did you know that I also offer aromatherapy massage?

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils to promote healing and a feeling of well-being and relaxation. The essential oils are extracted directly from herbs and plants and have many powerful effects on the body. By selecting different combinations of these oils you can tailor your treatment to each individuals needs. The massage itself is slow and relaxing - perfect for feeling pampered.

For more information contact Charlotte 07887781507. Gift vouchers are available.

23/01/2018

Take time to establish the things you do. They will last longer and be more fulfilling.

17/01/2018

Do you suffer with neck and shoulder stiffness? Do your shoulders feel like they are tense and sore? Maybe you have pain between the shoulder blades?

So often this is related to problems with the trapezius muscle - highlighted in the pictures below. Deep tissue massage can effectively release tight spots within the muscle and rebalance the way it functions.

Get in touch to find out how I can help you. Speen Soft Tissue Therapy is open for appointments both daytime and evenings. I treat many types of problems and injuries, returning my patients to pain free living.

Contact Charlotte on 07887781507.

10/01/2018

“A pain in the bum” - What could be the cause?

You may have heard of Piriformis syndrome. This is a condition in which the piriformis muscle, located in the buttock region, spasms and causes buttock pain. The piriformis muscle can also irritate the nearby sciatic nerve and cause pain, numbness and tingling along the back of the leg and into the foot (similar to sciatic pain).

Check out this video which shows exactly what happens when the piriformis muscle becomes problematic. I frequently work with patients who exhibit signs of pirifomis syndrome and through soft tissue release and correct stretching can correct the problem.

Piriformis syndrome is an irritation of the sciatic nerve caused by the contraction of the piriformis muscle.

04/01/2018

Happy new year everyone! Well it’s back to work for me this week. I’ve had a really relaxing Christmas break but ready to crack on with the new year with lots of exciting things planned. In January many people begin New Years resolutions and reflect on what they want to achieve. Your health is something that your cannot put a price on, so pick just one thing you can improve on, roll with it and reap the rewards 🌟

11/12/2017

Remember to stretch! So many of the problems we experience in our musculoskeletal systems can be over come by stretching regularly.

I create individual exercise programs for my patients to maximise their treatment and maintain pain free movement.

08/12/2017

The gluteal muscle group plays a huge part in how your lower back feels. They are the biggest muscle group in the body and are generally weak and tight following injury to the back. Releasing these muscles has a profound effect in reducing pain in the lower back region.

07/12/2017

What causes pain the the lower back muscles?

Muscles that are in spasm will be painful to the touch. The pain is caused by ischemic muscle tissue. Ischemia means the muscle is lacking proper blood flow, usually due to the muscle spasm. This in turn creates the following undesirable process:

1. Because the muscle is not receiving enough blood, the muscle is also not receiving enough oxygen

2. The lack of oxygen causes the muscle to produce lactic acid

3.The lactic acid makes the muscle feel sore following physical activity.

After the muscle is relaxed through soft tissue
therapy, the lactic acid will be released from the muscle, and the muscle should start receiving enough blood and oxygen again.

06/12/2017

Treatment for Lower Back Injuries

Compared to many other kinds of back injuries, a pulled muscle is usually straightforward to diagnose and easy to treat, and symptoms usually resolve within 4 to 6 weeks. Some severe muscle injuries, such as a complete muscle tear, can take months to heal though.

Recovery from these soft tissue injuries is speedier and more successful long term, with correct management rather than the ‘ignoring’ and hoping it will ‘go away’ approach!

So what is the best way to treat you strained or sprained lower back?

1. Anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen reduce inflammation, which often contributes to pain.

2. Muscle relaxants may be prescribed on a short-term basis to reduce muscle spasm. Sadly most muscle relaxants do not affect muscles directly, but rather dampen pain receptors in the central nervous system. These medications have many side effects, and muscle relaxants also carry risk of addiction.

3. Ice packs reduce inflammation that can occur shortly after a muscle is injured. I commonly recommend applying a cold or ice pack for 15- 20 minutes at regular intervals throughout the day, and using a towel or other barrier between the ice and the skin to prevent an ice burn.

4. Heat packs increase circulation, which improves healing and relieves tension in strained muscles. As a general rule, I recommended starting about 48 hours after the injury occurs. A layer should be kept between the heat pack and skin to avoid a burn. Applying heat before changing positions or starting an activity can help ease pain related to movement. For example, using a heating pad on the low back for 10 minutes before getting out of bed in the morning can alleviate stiffness.

5. Walking and staying active during the day is important to keep the spinal structures functional and healthy. Even short, frequent walks can be helpful - walking for 3 to 5 minutes several times a day can help relieve low back stiffness, and in the process reduce discomfort and pain.

6. Activity modification, such as avoiding strenuous activity or heavy lifting when low back pain is intense, can help prevent worsening a muscle injury and low back pain. In some cases a short rest period may be advised; it is best to limit rest to one or two days, as underusing muscles causes deconditioning and stiffness over time.

7. Massage and soft tissue therapy increases circulation, relaxes muscles and releases fascia improving range-of-motion and decreasing pain. Massage therapy also releases endorphins, which lessen pain signals in the nervous system.

8. Ultrasound - I use ultrasound therapy when I have diagnosed a ligament sprain in the lumbar spine. The ligament tissue absorbs the ultrasound waves very effectively whereas muscle tissue doesn’t so I don’t tend to use it on strains alone. When uses correctly ultrasound works to reduce inflammation and pain and speed up the healing process.

9. Kinesio Tape
‘K tape’ as it’s known is very useful in treating muscle injuries in the lower back. It is placed over the affected muscles in a specific way and encourages the soft tissues to relax and promotes healing. I have had really great results using k tape on my patients.

A combination of the above, employed in the correct way works extremely well to treat these injuries. When I see a patient with lumbar or lower back strain/sprain I create a detailed, treatment plan which is tailored to the individual.

Tomorrow - the soft tissue therapy techniques I use to successfully treat lower back injuries 👍🏼

For further information or advice on your back please get in touch 07887781507