Tag Archive for: remedial massage

Myotherapy: cupping

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What is it?

Cupping is a technique commonly used by our Shepparton Myotherapist, in conjunction with other techniques such as massage, dry needling and the Graston technique.

Using suction and negative pressure, cupping therapy helps release tight soft tissue, break up adhesions, and lift connective tissue. This process enhances blood circulation to the treated areas, delivering vital minerals and nutrients essential for muscle health.

The lifting effect of the cups also provides a gentle stretch to target myofascial trigger points (muscle knots), helping to restore the muscle’s full length, elasticity, and strength.

 

Benefits of cupping therapy

  • Pain Relief: Cupping therapy has been known to provide relief from muscle tension, chronic pain, and even conditions like migraines and back pain
  • Improved Circulation: By creating a vacuum effect, cupping therapy helps to enhance blood flow to targeted areas. This increased circulation can aid in transporting vital nutrients and oxygen to tissues, supporting their rejuvenation and healing.
  • Stress Reduction: The calming nature of cupping therapy induces relaxation, helping to lower stress levels.
  • Detoxification: The suction created during cupping therapy is thought to draw out toxins and waste products from the body’s tissues. This detoxification process can help promote a healthier internal environment.
  • Muscle Recovery: Athletes and active individuals often use cupping therapy to aid muscle recovery. It can alleviate muscle soreness, improve flexibility, and accelerate healing after intense physical activities.
  • Combination with Other Therapies: Cupping therapy can complement other treatments, such as acupuncture and massage, enhancing their effectiveness and contributing to a holistic wellness approach

Is it painful? What about the bruises?

One of the more interesting aspects of cupping therapy is the skin discoloration it can leave behind. These marks often resemble round circular bruises but are entirely harmless and a normal part of the cupping process – they shouldn’t be cause for concern.

It’s important to note that cupping can still be effective even without visible marks.

The color of the mark will usually fade within 24 hours but may take several days to completely disappear. Most marks fade within 4 to 10 days, although this is dependent on the individual.

 

– Jake Curtis
Myotherapist Shepparton
GV Sportscare

Myotherapy: have you heard of the Graston Technique?

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The Graston Technique is a form of instrument assisted manual therapy that involves using specialized stainless-steel tools to gently scrape or massage the skin. This method targets areas with scar tissue, muscle tension, or inflammation. By breaking down fibrous tissue and improving blood circulation to the affected regions, it can help alleviate pain, enhance mobility, and speed up recovery from soft tissue injuries.

How does it work?

The Graston method uses specially designed stainless-steel tools of different shape and sizes, that move over the skin to allow the clinician to gain feedback, identify and address areas with damaged fibrotic tissue. These instruments enable clinicians to apply precise pressure to break up scar tissue, which can restrict movement and cause pain.

The scraping action creates controlled microtrauma, triggering a localized inflammatory response that speeds up tissue repair and boosts blood flow to the area. This process not only helps reduce pain and improve function but also promotes the realignment of collagen fibres, enhancing the flexibility and strength of the affected tissues.

Who could benefit?

The Graston Technique can be highly beneficial for a variety of individuals, especially those dealing with soft tissue injuries or post-surgical scar tissue.

  • Back pain, shoulder pain and neck pain
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Tendinopathies
  • Athletes recovering from sports injuries

Who is not a good candidate?

Your Shepparton Myotherapist will discuss whether or not this technique is appropriate for your condition, as the Graston Technique may not be suitable for everyone. Rest assured that we will assess your injuries and medical history to determine whether you’re a good candidate for the treatment.

Individuals with compromised skin, such as open wounds or active infections should avoid this treatment. It’s also not recommended for those with certain vascular conditions, like deep vein thrombosis, due to the risk of dislodging a clot. People taking blood thinners or those with bleeding disorders may be more prone to bruising and bleeding. Also, people with a recent injury may not benefit, as the microtrauma created may disrupt the initial healing processes of the body.

 

– Jake Curtis
Myotherapist Shepparton
GV Sportscare

Myotherapy: dry needling and electrostimulation (electro-dry needling)

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What is it?

Dry needling, sometimes referred to as trigger point needling, involves inserting acupuncture-style needles into muscle trigger points to provoke a ‘twitch’ response. This response helps release or relax the trigger points. The term “dry” refers to the fact that the needles are used without any medication.

The primary goal of dry needling is to restore normal muscle function. It is typically combined with a targeted exercise program, or other manual techniques, designed to address biomechanical imbalances that contribute to muscle dysfunction and the formation of myofascial trigger points.

This approach takes aim at the root cause of the muscle dysfunction rather than simply addressing the symptoms, such as pain.

What is a trigger point?

A trigger point is the painful point can be felt as a lump, band or ‘knot’ in the muscle, and a twitch response can be elicited on stimulation of the trigger point. Palpation of the trigger point reproduces pain, and the pain radiates in a distribution typical of the specific muscle containing the trigger point or may ‘shoot’ and refer to a different area.

 

How does it work?

Needle penetration causes localised tissue damage, which triggers an inflammatory process. This stimulates release of small inflammatory chemicals in the body called histamine and bradykinin which results dilation of the blood vessels. This means that blood flow to the area is increased allowing for nutrient delivery and removal of waste products that the body makes after injury.

The needle’s stimulation also targets the tight muscle fibres (trigger points) promoting their relaxation.

Additionally, dry needling reduces pain through both local and central nervous system responses. The sensation from the needle insertion triggers the brain to release endorphins, the body’s natural pain relievers, providing short-term pain relief.

 

Electro-stimulation using dry needles:

Electrostimulation with dry needles is a therapeutic technique that combines dry needling and electrical stimulation.

After the dry needles are inserted, our Shepparton Myotherapist then can apply an electrical current through the needles to stimulate the tissues.

  • The electrostimulation enhances the effects of the dry needling, speeding up tissue healing and regeneration. The electrical pulses encourage cells to migrate to the targeted area, boosting cellular activity and promoting faster recovery, ultimately supporting the restoration of balance and healing in the tissue.
  • Electrostimulation can also be a great addition to your rehabilitation program, by activating or ‘waking up’ muscles that are weak.
  • The electrical impulses can also help block pain signals from reaching the brain, reducing the sensation of discomfort.

What conditions can it help?

  • Muscle pain or tightness
  • Chronic pain
  • Neck pain
  • Low back pain
  • Muscle strains
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Tendinopathies

Dry needling and electro-stimulation can be used alongside massage, cupping and other myotherapy techniques.

Click here to read more about our Shepp Myo!

 

– Jake Curtis
Myotherapist Shepparton
GV Sportscare

Myotherapy: what is it?

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Myotherapy is a form of physical therapy that focuses on the assessment, treatment, and management of musculoskeletal pain, particularly pain associated with muscle and soft tissue dysfunction. It involves the use of a variety of techniques, including manual therapy, dry needling, stretching, and corrective exercises, to alleviate pain, restore function, and improve mobility. See upcoming blogs for more on these techniques!

The main goals of myotherapy are:

  • Pain Relief: Myotherapists work to reduce or eliminate pain caused by muscle tension, trigger points (tight, painful spots in muscle tissue), and other musculoskeletal issues.
  • Improved Movement: Through targeted therapy, myotherapy helps improve range of motion and flexibility in affected muscles and joints.
  • Injury prevention: Myotherapists often provide advice on posture, ergonomics, and exercises to prevent future injury or discomfort.
  • Recovery: It is used to speed up recovery from injury or chronic musculoskeletal conditions by addressing the underlying causes of pain.

Our Shepp Myo uses a number of different techniques to get you back to feeling great!

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Myotherapists are clinicians who have undergone formal higher-level education, and are accredited and registered with a professional body such as Myotherapy Association Australia.

Our Shepparton Myotherapist often works with patients who have conditions like chronic back pain, headaches, sports injuries, postural problems, and general muscle soreness.

– Jake Curtis
Myotherapist Shepparton
GV Sportscare

CONTACT US

Shepparton Physio & Podiatry

03 5897 7044
1/164 Welsford St, Shepparton, VIC 3630

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