There are many soft tissue treatment modalities that are ‘hands free’ such as cupping therapy, electrotherapy, dry needling, IASTM etcAlthough there is still conflicting beliefs on effectiveness of these tools and equipment. (The same goes for hands on techniques too) … there are many pros and cons to both therapist and client. First the negatives 1- Tools cannot replace touch. Touch allows therapists to feel feedback in the tissues. You can feel resistance to application of pressure and

Pilates is a great all round workout but it is also a fantastic add on to your existing exercise.  There is a large emphasis on core strength and stability which transfers over to many different sports and exercises, as does the focus on breathing, control, balance and coordination. Crossfit ‘Crossfitters’ are normally very aware that they need to improve mobility/flexibility but often overlook the critical element of stability. How does Pilates complement crossfit training? Weightlifting – We can often get

Depending on the class type and teacher you may notice similarities between Yoga and Pilates. Yoga has been around a lot longer and Pilates actually draws inspiration from Yoga. Both are low impact and can be modified to suit fitness levels and injuries. So what is the difference? Typically … Yoga focuses on flexibility and mobility Pilates focuses on strength and stability. That’s not to say that Yoga doesn’t include strength/stability work and Pilates doesn’t include flexibility or mobility work (because

The health and fitness industry has spent years drumming home the importance of a ‘perfect’ posture and how this is to blame for many musculoskeletal dysfunctions. BUT when every single body is unique, can there really be such a thing as a ‘perfect’ posture? What we are actually seeking is neutral alignment. Reducing any excessive postural deviations e.g. forward head position (aka text neck), hyperlordosis (arched lower back) etc. Posture is the position in which someone holds

1 – It works really well for tender or stubborn areas Some clients specifically request cupping therapy and for some I recommend it before or during treatment. If a client is in a lot of pain or has an excessively ‘tight’ area, the tissues are less likely to respond to an excessive downward pressure. If the body is resisting against pressure, this defeats the whole purpose of the treatment and can leave the client feeling worse. By applying

1 – Massage Obviously this is number 1 on the list.A sports massage for muscle recovery rather than injury/dysfunction can actually be really relaxing (believe it or not)! I’ve had many clients fall asleep during a session… A regular massage (every 3-6 weeks) is a wonderful way to improve recovery from exercise, reduce stress and keep you injury free. 2 – Bubble Bath (Bubbles optional) Apparently some people don’t like baths? A hot bath does wonders for relaxing the body

If you exercise or even if you don’t, rest and recovery is vital for maintaining overall health.That could be rest/recovery for your mind if you have a high pressure job, are feeling stressed or have a busy schedule.Or it could be rest/recovery for your body if you exercise, carry your children around, sit at a desk all day, have an active job etc.A reactive person pushes their mind and body near it’s limit before taking

The reason why treating and managing pain is so complex…Just look at how many layers of muscles make up the neck alone – now imagine what the rest of the body consists of…Treatment directly to the area of pain can provide relief but doesn’t necessarily address the root cause.Always approach pain relief and management with an open mind and understanding of how the body functions.

The body is pretty bloody incredible and much more resilient than we believe… yet many of us live our lives in fear of getting injured. Running is bad for your joints… you’ll ‘slip a disk’ if you bend over like that… squatting is bad for your knees… don’t lift too heavy… your back hurts? Better stay away from the gym until it heals… Our bodies are not that fragile! When an injury occurs it is often a

1. You need to actively participate in sports or exerciseAlthough it was originally developed to improve performance and treat sporting injuries, ultimately, Sports massage aims to combat the negative effects of repetitive actions and movements.These repetitions can lead to muscular imbalances, which in turn lead to aches, pains, tension and injuries. It is therefore especially advantageous to anyone whose work routine involves repetitive activities e.g desk-based work and driving.2. You need to have something ‘wrong’