Additional Techniques
Diffrent solutions focus on providing relief and getting you feeling better, faster .
What is :
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF)
PNF techniques were first used by physical therapists for
treating athletes who had various neuromuscular disorders.PNF helps loosen up tight muscles using a clever combo of pushing and relaxing.
There’s 3 main techniques we use:
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Slow-reversal-hold-relax: Slowly push against resistance, then relax and allow a deeper stretch. Good for limiting tightness.
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Contract-relax: Push firmly against resistance, then completely relax as we gently stretch the muscle further. Choice when your movement is restricted.
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Hold-relax: Tense the muscle firmly without movement, then relax as we stretch the area. Works a treat when muscles are tense.
With all the techniques we alternate pushing and relaxing phases – about 10 seconds each.
This pushing then releasing pattern helps trick the muscles into letting go of their tension. Too much relaxation for them to stay tight!
We take advantage of the relaxation to move you into a deeper stretch, lengthening the muscles out.
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Trigger Point Therapy
Ever felt those pesky knots in your muscles? Well, those are trigger points! They’re like little troublemakers causing pain parties, and they have a knack for spreading the discomfort in predictable ways through nerve pathways. It’s like they’re playing a game of “pass the pain parcel.”
When you poke these trigger points, they can pass the pain message along the nerves like a hot potato, making your muscles scream in protest! Some trigger points are a bit shy and won’t cause a fuss unless you poke them first.
To calm these unruly trigger points, therapists use a clever technique. They apply some focused pressure for about 10 to 12 seconds, like giving them a timeout. It’s like telling them, “Hey, calm down and behave!”
Trigger points often hang out where nerves go through the fascia (that’s the stuff wrapping your muscles like cling wrap). If this clingy situation continues, it can mess with the nerves, causing all sorts of chaos and drama in your body.
The good news is, with some expert hands-on treatment, movement, and exercises, we can show these trigger points who’s boss! It’s like a superhero saving the day, restoring peace and order in your muscle land. Sometimes, a gentle coaxing of the muscle can bring back its happy, relaxed state.
In this muscle party, there are different areas where these trigger points can hide, like secret agents. We mainly focus on the muscle ones, as they tend to be the rowdiest troublemakers. It’s like calming down the wildest party-goer in the room!
However, we need to be careful with stretching the muscles before we’ve tamed those trigger points. It’s like asking your pet not to chase its tail before it’s had its breakfast – things might get a bit tangled!
So, remember, we’re like detectives looking for these key trigger points to bring peace to muscle-land. Once we’ve got them under control, it’s a ripple effect, and the other trigger points also start to chill out, even if they’re not in the same muscle postcode. It’s like a calming wave spreading through the muscle universe!
Myofacial Release Technique
Let’s dive into the fascinating world of fascia and how we can work with it to help you feel better.
Picture fascia like a supportive, huggy network that’s all around your muscles, keeping things snug and connected. Sometimes, life’s little challenges, like injuries or even spending too much time on the couch, can make this huggy network a bit too tight and clingy.
So, what’s our plan to loosen things up? We introduce myofascial release! It’s like giving your muscles a gentle stretch and a soothing massage at the same time. We’re encouraging your body to find its natural, comfy positions – a bit like coaxing a cat out from under the bed!
Researchers have discovered that myofascial release can actually call in some special healing cells (we call them fibroblasts) and help in the healing process. Think of it as throwing a little healing party for your body!
To start this ‘free the fascia’ mission, we use a light lubricant to warm things up and help our hands glide smoothly over your muscles. Just like putting oil in a pan before cooking, but for your muscles!
As we proceed, we gently apply pressure to the muscle belly, giving it a friendly nudge to improve blood flow. It’s like giving your muscles a comforting hug and saying, “Hey, let’s get that blood pumping and those knots relaxing!”
We take a journey through the layers of fascia, starting from the surface and working our way deeper. It’s like peeling layers off an onion, but a whole lot more pleasant!
And here’s a neat trick: we start with those tight, bossy muscles that love to pull your shoulders in all sorts of directions. By giving them some TLC, we guide everything back to a peaceful, balanced state. Imagine untangling a knotted necklace – a bit of care and finesse, and voila! Happy, balanced muscles, and less need for the heavy muscle warrior treatment later on.
Hope this helps you understand how we can work together to help your body feel amazing! If you have any questions, feel free to ask. We’re here to make this journey as comfortable and effective as possible for you.
Structural integration
Structural integration, a remarkable approach to promoting better posture and movement ease by harmonizing our muscles and joints.
Imagine your muscles like a finely choreographed dance, each playing its part. Structural integration aims to make sure everyone’s in sync, creating a balanced dance routine. It’s like bringing harmony to opposing muscle groups, making sure they play nice and work together.
Our goal with structural integration is to empower weaker, quieter muscles that often get drowned out by the louder, more dominant ones. It’s like giving a supporting role the spotlight it deserves, creating a symphony of muscle balance throughout your body.
Now, let’s talk about the Feldenkrais Method and the Alexander Technique—two wonderful dance coaches in this muscle harmony ballet.
The Feldenkrais Method is like a gentle dance instructor, helping you discover new, efficient movement patterns. It’s about exploring and finding those smooth dance moves that your body loves. Just like a dance class, it’s a mix of curiosity, exploration, and finding the rhythm that suits you best.
And then we have the Alexander Technique, a bit like a posture choreographer. It’s all about refining your body’s posture and movement, finding that elegant posture for the ballroom of life. Picture it as your personal posture coach, guiding you towards the grace and poise you’ve always wanted.
Now, let’s bring it all together. Structural integration, Feldenkrais, and Alexander Technique—they’re like the dream team of the movement world. Structural integration ensures the muscles are in harmony, while Feldenkrais and Alexander Technique help you discover and fine-tune your unique movement and posture style, like a dance masterpiece tailored just for you.
So, here’s to finding your perfect dance in the world of structural integration, where muscles waltz and joints tango to a symphony of balance and grace. If you have any questions or want to explore this dance further, I’m here to guide you through the steps!