The Importance of Posture

The better your posture the more air can fill the lungs to help dissolve fatigue. Research from the Ohio State University in the US found that good posture is linked to higher confidence levels and overall wellbeing. 

Perfect posture is our passion and purpose to help awaken the mind-body potential through natural alignment. Advanced Myotherapy is devoted to the best professional practice in promoting the potential for greater energy and helping you get the most out of life. 

Alignment is the core foundation of energy flow, longevity or in other words "prevention of premature ageing" or resistance to gravitational forces, that are synonymous with older age and degeneration of spinal strength. Spinal health is the birth place of nerve control, functionality and life connection which gives us every little aspect of physical movement and responsiveness that allows energy to flow through the body. 

Like the sails of a yacht controlling the steady balance of the sail in the wind, the muscles are the foundations that support the movement and resilience of the body's structure under the force of gravity. Muscles join bone to bone, controlling the movement of the spine which is the most influential channel through which all CNS (central nervous system) - brain / neural messages are sent and received. Like the telephone line, the spine, held strong by the muscle movements...is the vessel through which our vitality and physical intelligence gains momentum and strength. 

It's undeniably evident that good posture develops healthier appearance, brighter outlook, increased confidence, ability, resilience, agility, more youthful radiance and the invaluable immunity to stress build up. The number one cause of death, associated with mental health issues, stress is predominantly prevented with the support of healthy brain function. Good posture is like a face lift, but one that includes the body, giving you an air of health because one who has physical alignment, benefits from the freedom from pain and stress accumulating in the body and mind. Most people have the ability to regain good posture with the right help and corrective treatment.

People that have come to us have reported getting more from their body than they ever have, even from their youth, when health may well easily be taken for granted and put last on the list of priorities. Bad habits however do set things in place to solidify and become stubborn, stiff and rigid, which speed up the ageing process which is less noticeable until we begin to degenerate and tire in middle age. The number one priority that instils good posture is standing tall. Not only does it make you look more confident and approachable, but it brings out your best mood! Opening the chest, helps open the heart space for others to connect. 

It is a sign of good character and honesty to look and appear open by standing tall and adopting bright, energetic body language. Our body stance and stature says a lot! You cannot put a price on the freedom from pain.

Give foot pain the boot

Pain in the facia area underneath the foot, often comes from long term posture imbalance through activities that cause misalignment of the centre of gravity / core of the body. This results in strain on the planta facia which is the biggest risk factor  of insufficient sports recovery when it comes to planta faciitis / heel pain. Advanced Myotherapy combine various modalities and techniques in the effective treatment of Planta Faciitis, otherwise experienced as Heel Pain. Taping is one method incorporated in the maintenance and recovery of this condition.

One cause of Planta Faciitis/ Heel Pain, is the gradual wearing down of the fat padding in the heel, which causes nerve irritation. This is why sufficient rest is a crucial part of successful recovery from this injury. Home self care is a vital aspect of effective rehabilitation from Planta Faciitis, as it is an injury brought on initially by lifestyle factors over time without enough recovery from sporting activities and poor foot wear.

Planta Faciitis/ Heel Pain is often quite a painful and restrictive injury that can also be a result of poor fitting foot wear or long term wear and tear from endurance sporting activities like running, as well as insufficient recovery and rest. The effective treatment of Planta Faciitis involves not only Myotherapy techniques and modalities, but the vital role of guided, correct self care and home maintenance.

Foot wear can be a major contributing factor leading to Planta Faciitis/ Heel Pain. This is one of the first factors considered in the successful treatment and rehabilitation of this injury. At Advanced Myotherapy we promote client commitment in their own self care and recovery, which speeds up the process of rehabilitation. There are also great stretch that help release the tightness in the planta facia that can make a huge difference when done correctly.

Rolling balls underneath the facia is a very effective method in relieving the pain associated with planta faciitis. Advanced Myotherapy regularly offers personal condition coaching around the successful recovery and rehabilitation of injuries like Planta Faciitis. Downward dog is also one of the most effective Yoga postures in releasing the facia and relieving heel pain that comes with this injury.

Planta faciitis is a result the connective tissue in the planta facia essentially being worn down or tight, and can be a very painful restrictive injury if not treated properly. Planta Faciitis is much of the time a matter of wear and tear after long term overuse in endurance sporting activities such as running or wearing poor quality shoes such as high heels. If you suffer heel pain or planta faciitis, call us or visit us today for a consultation to find out more about how we can help on 9347 5764 or www.advanced-myotherapy.com 71 Elgin Street Carlton.

Pelvic Tilt & Back Pain

Top 5 causes of the dreaded pelvic tilt that contributes to lower back pain:

1. Weak hamstrings
2. Weak abdominals
3. Weak glutes
4. Tight erector spinae
5. Tight hip flexors

The answer? Lengthen & strengthen! Want better posture? Stretching and exercising are the two most vital keys. Being fit beats being "skinny or slim" and by no means are they the same thing. Fit people come in all sizes, but generally as you will see looking at the image here, their shape indicates a better resistance to gravity and more grace of movement. 

Sitting wrong or for too long is another leading cause of the pelvic tilt, given that over time, it tightens the hip flexors which places pressure on the lower back. Most of the people we see that come to us with lower back pain have very tight hip flexors, which is a result of desk work. 

As you can begin to see, there are two essential elements in maintaining good posture and preventing premature shortening of the spine, along with other signs of ageing. These are "stretching and strengthening". The longer and stronger the muscles, the better health we have as these promote better health all round in allowing freedom of movement and increased range of motion. 

Myotherapy works to do just this, in assisting clients to restore the perfect posture by adjusting the spinal alignment with the support of muscle balance and integrity. Myotherapists are becoming more and more popular in finding solutions to musculoskeletal imbalances and conditions because they treat both together by providing the body's structure muscular support to hold the bones in correct positioning. 

If you have a posture problem and associated pain and wish to avoid depending on costly drugs or time off work, call us today for a consultation on 9347 5764 or visit www.advanced-myotherapy.com

Wrist pain - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpus comes from the Greek word which means wrist. Carpal tunnel syndrome is when  there is irritation and pain that comes from tight tissue which makes up the carpal tunnel, squeezing the nerves and causing tingling and numbness in the fingers. 

The very same thing occurs in Tarsal tunnel syndrome because the anatomy of the ankle and the wrist are very similar. What usually leads to this condition is exerting pressure on the nerve at the wrist, which can be a results of a number of other conditions such as pregnancy, obesity, arthritis and trauma. It can be a result of RSI / repetitive strain on the wrist and inflammation from work such as uninterrupted typing and the like. 

In surgery the carpal tunnel is cut away to take the pressure off the nerves, which is most of the time preventable with correct care, awareness and treatment. Carpal tunnel can even resolve itself over a period of time and is often a temporary condition or it can also persist and progress which is when Myotherapy should be sought for treatment and recovery. 

Sometimes Carpal tunnel syndrome can be mistaken for tendonitis, which is the inflammation of the tendon that extends the thumb. This can be corrected with the R.I.C.E method of rest and ice along with correct support in place. Carpel tunnel left untreated however can lead to weakening in the hand grip and strength along with atrophy and deterioration. 

Here is what one of our clients had to say after treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome...

“I was diagnosed with CTA – carpel tunnel symcrome, tendonitis and fibromialga and was treated by a Psysio for 4 months once a week.  You have done more for me in one session  than the physio did in that whole time and the tingling is almost gone already.”- Malina Larm

Knee Pain

Knee pain, runners knee and ITB syndrome are all problems associated with the knee which can mostly be treated without drugs or surgery. Soft tissue injuries around the knee can easily be treated with the R.I.C.E method of Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. When related to arthritic problems, heat and movement help enormously to heal the condition and the faster you seek treatment the earlier recovery will be possible to avoid developing greater severity of the problem. 

It is recommended that sufferers of knee pain and conditions such as those listed above only perform low impact exercises that strengthen the muscles without injuring the joints (swimming, cycling, walking). A muscle strengthening program is essential in recovering from knee problems to avoid surgery which often results in degenerative disorders. 

Degenerative changes such as osteoarthritis are more likely to develop if knee surgery takes place. Myotherapy is recommended for muscle tears to help restore integrity and strength around the area without having to resort to toxic drugs or intrusive surgery.

Most sprains of the ligaments heal fast if the client follows a Myotherapists advice and recovery program which includes self care exercises. In cases where the ITB is affected and causing restriction, strengthening and stretching exercises help the process of recovery, alleviating the IT band pain. People often think that training will only make things worse when it comes to knee problems however this could not be further from the truth. 

Training the hamstrings and inner and outer thigh can help significantly in the healing of knee problems. Strength and flexibility are key to restoring balance to any musculoskeletal condition. Daily movement no matter what, is essential to keep things functioning properly, and where there is resistance, you must have persistence, in getting things back to normal.  

Problems such as Patellar Tracking Disorder come from an imbalance in the knee that causes the kneecap (Patella) to tilt as the leg angles bend which result in chronic and acute types of pain. Often the problems are a result of weakness in the thigh muscles (quadriceps), overuse, RSI, strain, trauma to the area or a growth spurt. The key is allowing the knee to rest when it is aggravated while strengthening the muscles around it to restore normal tracking and repair damage, with correct guidance and technique. 

Shoulder Pain

From frozen shoulder to sprain and inflammation, shoulder pain is a result of a wide range of factors. Most clients we see for the first time with shoulder complaints have had this pain for any length of time, and have spent many wasted dollars trying different forms of therapy and treatment. 

Sometimes they will have suffered months, even years with this condition without successful recovery because many practitioners simply address the symptoms and rarely the underlying cause. Because of this the person only gains short term relief  from the treatment and rarely any long term results and benefits. 

Our priority lies in addressing the underlying reason / roots of shoulder pain to determine whether is comes from postural imbalances, muscular imbalances or injury, so that we can treat not just the pain, but also the cause for immediate and long term improvement and pain relief.  

Chronic and ongoing shoulder pain originates from muscular imbalances which irritate the function of the shoulder joint. This can come from stiffness in the pectorals at the front of the chest or between the shoulder blades (rhomboids). Releasing these tight muscles with deep tissue myofascial therapy alongside strengthening self care exercises, is affective in correcting such complaints.

In chronic cases where someone has tried all other forms of treatment with no success, we find that the cause is often related to other areas of tension and imbalance. In such cases we treat the body holistically to restore balance overall and alleviate pain rather than isolating the symptoms. 

Assessing the muscles in the hips and back will also be essential in working with such problems, to address and issues where lengthening and strengthening is needed, which eradicates postural imbalances. Once bi-lateral treatment restores postural balance, clients will become free from the cause of such pain and will no longer suffer with this condition. 

The Benefits of Muscle Therapy

Muscle Therapy, which includes Myotherapy and Massage has endless healthy benefits. A recent research study states that anxiety sufferers undergoing withdrawal from psychoactive drugs experienced both significant immediate and sustained reduction in symptoms. By improving the experience of the withdrawal process, providing patients with healthier approaches to managing the way they feel, the study concluded that massage may help retain patients within service areas, improving overall wellbeing. This study was published in the Journal of Alternative & Complimentary Medicine (2010).

Studies have also shown significant reduction of symptoms in endometriosis / painful menstruation sufferers, after receiving a series of (massage) treatments. Results showed that the severity of pain and symptoms subsided immediately and lasted up to six weeks. The research concluded that massage therapy can be used to reduce menstrual pain and endometriosis as an inexpensive method of treatment with no reported side effects. Findings showed that there was a significant difference between the intensity of pain before the intervention started and immediately after. This study was published in the Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research (2010)

Research has also showed significant improvements in fatigue and insomnia in massage patients. Massage has been shown to promote fast recovery in patients who have undergone surgery for a range of conditions, even preventing surgery in countless cases. We ourselves at Advanced Myotherapy have seen a number of successful recovery cases who have previously been recommended surgery, but thankfully sought a  (our) second opinion. Read some of our success stories below.

“I’d like to thank you for the awesome work on my back and legs. 6 months ago I couldnt walk and now I have done the dandenong mountains 1000 steps 2 weeks in a row. You are a life saver. I feel so much better and happier with all the pain gone. Keep the good work up. Again thank you” – Nazih Dib

“Told I needed surgery for Achilles Tendonitis, I wanted a second opinion. After treatment I became more aware of my own contribution to the condition and have since recovered fully without surgery.”- Theo, TNM Consulting

“I had doctors telling me I needed surgery,  now they are scratching their heads after seeing my follow up scan only months later. NO more herniated disc!” - Grant Smith, Sound technician

“I was diagnosed with CTA – carpel tunnel symcrome, tendonitis and fibromialga and was treated by a Psysio for 4 months once a week.  You have done more for me in one session  than the physio did in that whole time and the tingling is almost gone already.”- Malina Larm

“Self Care is the key word for 2012….highly advocated by Advanced Myotherapy ….thanks for the inspiration Advanced Myotherapy…..although I am ageing I get much more out of my body than ever before!”  - Cindy James

“Thank you for a great treatment today and the follow up plan. It was my first experience of a dry needling treatment today, I can truly recommend this treatment. Feeling more movement already.” – Sandra Cleary

“I had severe pain in my elbow and lost a lot of strength in my fore arm. Now I’m back to work as usual without restriction.” – Ramsey Pedro, Electrician

“Running a highly demanding corporate organisation with a family at home, I came to Advanced Myotherapy on recommendation, for the severe pain down my leg. I am now free from the debilitating pain I was constantly in. I highly recommend Advanced Myotherapy for anyone seeking better health.” – Lazarus, Skillup Australia

“Advanced Myotherapy came highly recommended to me for the treatment of my painful feet. I have now been able to maintain an active lifestyle with a more conscious awareness of recovery and self care.” - Cindy James, Interiors That Fit

“Success in the melbourne marathon in tough conditions a pb of 5.06 half an hour faster than expected! Legs feel great thanks to training and Advanced Myotherapy!”  - Joanne Baxas

“Thanks a lot! No matter what persistent pain I have, you make them disappear in an instant! You are a true PAIN MAGICIAN!!!”  - Veronika Nemes

You can also visit us at www.advanced-myotherapy.com

Musculoskeletal Disorders

Comprising of bones, nerves, joints and muscles, musculoskeletal disorders are treated my Myotherapists who are trained specialists in this area. Muscles join bone to bone which forms the foundation of the structure of the body. The focus of Advanced Myotherapy is not only the treatment of root causes of conditions, as well as their painful symptoms, but on lengthening and strengthening the muscles in order to maintain and promote strength and flexibility. 

These are two key principles that we place importance on as Myotherapists for the purpose of increasing mobility, range of motion and physical alignment. For the full effects of Myotherapy to be gained, it is normal for a person to have 3 - 5 sessions for lasting results of most musculoskeletal conditions. Disc herniation is a common problem that often affects the lower back, given these discs normally absorb the greatest pressure from the spine. The next most common area for disc herniation is your neck, given the weight it carries in holding the head, affected by the pressure of poor posture.

Common signs of disc herniation

Disc herniation happens when poor posture leads to irritation from the spine placing pressure on the nerve roots. A common sign of disc herniation is constant pain, numbness or tingling in the leg, foot, arm or hand or shooting pain in the lower back. Pins and needles sensation is another warning sign of this condition which impinges the nerve roots. Weakness in certain areas or the inability to stand straight / tall is often the result of pinched nerves. 

If being recommended for surgery, always seek a second opinion. Surgery is invasive and often results in further pain and long term restricted use. In most cases it is largely preventable and easily avoidable with correct treatment, advice and care. Musculoskeletal disorders can easily be reversed using myotherapy to correct causes and relieve resulting pain. Below are a few examples of what is possible with the right treatment care.

“I’d like to thank you for the awesome work on my back and legs. 6 months ago I couldnt walk. Doctors said they could do nothing and now I have done the dandenong mountains 1000 steps 2 weeks in a row. You are a life saver. I feel so much better and happier with all the pain gone. Keep the good work up. Again thank you” – Nazih Dib

“Running a highly demanding corporate organisation with a family at home, I came to Advanced Myotherapy on recommendation, for the severe pain down my leg. I am now free from the debilitating pain I was constantly in. I highly recommend Advanced Myotherapy for anyone seeking better health.” – Lazarus, Skillup Australia

“I had doctors telling me I needed surgery,  now they are scratching their heads after seeing my follow up scan only months later. NO more herniated disc!” - Grant Smith, Sound technician

Tennis Elbow / Lateral Epicondylitis

Tennis elbow is a common  injury associated with overuse causing pain in the outer elbow and back of the forearm. This group of muscles work to extend and bend the wrist and fingers. 

Contraction of the forearm extensors, causes tension through the tendon at its attachment to the lateral epicondyle. When this tension builds due to overuse or force, there is a risk of damage. Tennis elbow is a condition of inflammation and degeneration of the extensor tendon at its attachment to the outer elbow. Most often a result of gradual overuse, tennis elbow can however result from trauma to the area.

Causes of tennis elbow

You do not have to play tennis to have this condition. It is a condition associated with repetitive activities involving wrist extension against resistance. Usually caused by sporting activities and manual labour it is one of the possible repetitive strain injuries - RSI. It can also be developed from other activities involving repetitive gripping of the hand.

Often people develop tennis elbow from a sudden increase in activities that place stress on the forearm extensors or due to a change in these activities. Heavy lifting forceful gripping through the arm along with a history of wrist, elbow, shoulder or neck injury may also increase the likelihood of developing this condition.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms may present as an ache and aggravating during activity involving these muscles. Tennis elbow is also painful when touched and can radiate down the forearm. Pain can range in severity and sharpness, depending on the range of activity. Normal daily activity such as turning a door knob can become painful in severe cases, developing a debilitating stiffness in the elbow. A thorough assessment and examination from a myotherapist can diagnose tennis elbow. 

Treatment

Myotherapy uses a variety of modalities in the treatment & prevention of Tennis Elbow. Applied pressure combined with the movement of the elbow, in addition to simple exercises & stretches which increase strength & flexibility of the affected area are important recovery factors in rehabilitation of the condition.  Controlled manipulation of the extensor carpiradialis is performed in treatment of tennis elbow to increase range of motion, blood flow and free the area to restore normal function. With correct treatment, most cases of tennis elbow usually recover within a few weeks. In more severe and chronic cases recovery can take up to a few months. Early motherapy intervention is therefore vital in speeding up recovery.

Contributing factors

There are several factors which can predispose people to developing this condition. These need to be assessed and corrected with direction from a motherapist.

 Some of these factors include:

• insufficient sports recovery
• excessive activity
• poor sporting technique
• muscle weakness
• muscle tightness
• joint tightness
• poor posture
• inadequate warm-up

Motherapy for tennis elbow

Motherapy treatment for this condition is vital to the healing process and reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

Treatment may involve:

• joint mobilization
• dry needling
• heat treatment
• self care education
• technique correction
• anti-inflammatory advice
• corrective sport or activity plan

Leading the way in Health Regeneration

At Advanced Myotherapy you will find:

• Highly qualified and caring Myotherapists
• Specific treatment and management of your conditions
• Postural health and correction
• Injury rehabilitation
• Treatment for all ages
• Personalised self care advice
• Early and late appointments 7 days a week

Established on Elgin Street Carlton in 2008, by experienced Therapists who continue to be competitive leaders in musculo-skeletal health and recovery, Advanced Myotherapy is dedicated to continual professional development and bringing you up-to-date on the latest research in muscle health and best self care practices.

Advanced Myotherapy is a warm and professional clinical practice primarily treating musculo-skeletal conditions and is fast becoming popularly recommended by clients, Doctors, Physiotherapists, Osteopaths and specialists alike. Advanced Myotherapy place importance on thorough assessment and examination to determine best treatment methods according to symptom roots, pain and other contributing factors to conditions. 

Our treatments combines myofascial release, trigger point therapy, dry needling / acupuncture, assisted stretching, cupping, postural alignment, as well as nutritional and rehabilitation advice for longer lasting results. Structural conditioning through musculoskeletal correction is the most important aspect of our work at Advanced Myotherapy. Your pain management and optimal health is the purpose of what we do.

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have further queries or questions concerning your condition. If you would like to visit our official website and learn more about us, feel free to check us out here @ www.advanced-myotherapy.com and we look forward to hearing from you soon. 

Understanding Back Pain

Back and Spinal problems can result from a range of factors such as injury, ageing, poor posture and bad habits that lead to muscle imbalance causing spinal compromise. What happens when this takes place is the discs / bones placing pressure on nerve roots lead to symptoms like acute and chronic pain, tension and tingling. Poor lifestyle habits stress the body by creating structural imbalance and what this leads to is disc degeneration, bulging or rupture, arthritis, instability and premature ageing.

Back pain occurs when there is injury to the spinal discs, stiff joints, ligaments or muscle imbalance and inflammation. These can come from fractures, strains, injuries, wear and tear. Pain is a result of pressure and irritation on the spinal cords and nerve roots which stem from the spine itself. Muscular weakness, overuse, stiffness and impaired range of motion are the leading causes of spinal problems and  pain.

Osteoarthritis is a result of the wearing down of joint cartilage which comes from restricted movement and flexibility. This leads to being prone to injury. Disc degeneration is the narrowing of space between the vertebrae affecting the spinal alignment. Excessive pressure from certain habits of daily living over time leads disc herniation, rupture, pinched nerves, pressure and pain.

Numbness in in any area where the nerve normally provides sensation comes from disc herniation. Mistaking this to be a problem in the area of the symptom (pain) risks not treating the actual cause. Myotherapists trace the problem to it's (compressed nerve) roots and treat the cause rather than temporarily treating the "resulting" pain. Treatment will also involve addressing the originating habitual / lifestyle causes that lead to the  musculo-skeletal problem in the first place.

Sciatica is the result of pain that comes from pinched lumber region nerves that run down the legs through the buttocks and thighs and some down to the feet. Herniated discs can cause Sciatica which is ultimately a result of pressure on the nerves which can be easily treated with Myotherapy.

Spinal stenosis refers to the narrowing of space between the bones which leads to degeneration of the spine. This leads to structural changes and bulging discs and lack of blood and oxygen supply to the spinal cord which cause swelling, numbness and pain in the affected nerves. This results in a sense of heaviness, weakness and fatigue which can be treated and prevented with Myotherapy. Most back problems can be treated without surgery and in many cases, Myotherapy helps prevent it.

Headaches / Migraines

What causes headaches?

If you suffer from headaches / migraines, a myotherapy checkup is a step in the right direction. Myotherapy's drug free treatments have helped millions of headaches sufferers over the years.


Myotherapists treat the root causes of spinal nerve root compression, that has an incredibly debilitating effect on the body. It affects millions of people and is very much an epidemic. When spinal compression is corrected the body functions more efficiently to use its natural abilities to regenerate itself. 

There are a variety of causes to headaches, which left untreated can lead to persistent problems and pain.  From strong smells to intense lights, sinus congestion, high blood pressure, dental problems, drugs, poor vision, diet, tension, stress and dehydration - headaches are a symptom of nerve compression and inflammation.

Treatment

The treatment for headaches depends on the cause.  A Headache arising from visual problems can often be cured by eye and posture exercises to increase blood flow and restore natural vision. An headache related to blocked sinus or ears is relieved by clearing the mucous and congestion. This is most often treated by a natural method known as "ear candling" and other complimentary treatments / remedies such as saunas and drinking lemon and salt water to break down the mucous. While headaches are often treated superficially with painkillers to dull the nerves and cover the symptoms, the cause mostly goes untreated. 

Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent each year on drugs from aspirin and panadole to prescription meds that may provide temporary desired relief, without the cause of the headache corrected. That's why we may see millions of people swallowing pills for years, suffering with the (direct) effects of long-term medication, without improvement. It's not a healthy way to live.

The Myotherapy Approach

Millions of headache sufferers are turning to the natural, drug free myotherapy approach to health. Myotherapists are the only specialist professionals who are trained to analyze and correct the musculoskeletal root causes of imbalance that can damage your nerves and cause spinal degeneration and nerve root compression, weakening your body and causing fatigue to set the stage for premature ageing and disease. If you would like to know more about the benefits of Myotherapy and how it can help you, click here.

The Ultimate Winter Self Care Guide

As we settle into the crispy mornings of Winter's cold, we share with you our Golden Rules to:

• Avoid suffering with fatigue
• Clear mucous build up & congestion
• Build the immune system

These are 3 of the most powerful ways that you can prevent getting sick in the colder seasons and are the basic principles of health that form the foundation for having more energy for life!

Half way through 2012 already, consider this our guide to help you through to the warmer festive season with good health and vitality. Below we have our Top 5 Golden rules of Winter Self Care in each vital area of wellbeing. Consider these to be the Keys to unlocking your potential for energy this Winter.

5 Ways to: Avoid Suffering Fatigue & Congestion and Build the Immune System

1. Wake up to a Eucalyptus shower 
Enjoy the uplifting steam of Eucalyptus pure essential oil in your morning shower. Just put a few drops on the shower floor before turning on the taps. Do this every morning to help you wake up as Eucalyptus is incredibly stimulating for the senses and can help sharpen your awareness to kick start the day. This will also help prevent the common cold by clearing the sinus and respiratory system. Eucalyptus is also well known for it's anti-bacterial properties, so will work wonders at keeping infection at bay.  

2. Stock up on Vitamin C! 

Nutrition is King when it comes to longevity! Avoid getting sick with quality plant food. Drink orange juice, squeeze lemon in your water and on your salads. Include citrus where ever and whenever you can. Citrus is one of Nature's Golden secrets to sustaining life and building the immune system! In Winter we can often opt for the fast option of pre-cooked foods or take away but things like mashed potato, steamed vegies or a pumpkin soup can be so quick and simple to whip up and root vegies are incredibly grounding, which is perfect for the colder times. Include enough green vegies, nuts and natural salts in your diet and you will have plenty essential fatty acids and magnesium to keep you healthy and strong, not just through winter but all year long. 

3. Correct bad posture with healthy habits
Wind down at the end of each day with relaxing music and a good stretch to reverse bad posture and the shortening of muscles which create imbalances. Spend a good minute in each stretch to allow your muscles to fully release and bring blood flow to the areas. Circulation is vital especially in winter when it's cold. It's also the time when the body instinctively protects itself from the cold by tightening up. Avoid sleeping on your stomach which results in a twisted neck. Over time this causes problems and pain, along with rounded shoulders which fall forward and end up leading to the dreaded "hunch back". 

4. Open your windows every day! 
If you find it too cold in Winter to keep a window or two open at all times, even just by a centre metre or so, then at least open them wide up for a few hours a day. If no where else, then you must do this for your bedroom, as you spend 8 hours every night there and over a week, that's a lot of stale air in the lungs if not well circulated. Stale air will have you waking up tired where as fresh air keeps the respiratory system healthy and prevents breathing problems, chest infections, colds, flu and asthmatic vulnerability. 

5. Hydration linked to Longevity & Youth 
The most vital element in Nature is Water. "Drying is dying" and wrinkles are the first sign of dehydration. When we are born we are 90% water. As we grow into adults we are around 70% water and when we die, we remain around 50-60% water! So let that fact remind you to keep the fluids up and stay young! 


In Winter we tend to drink less water because we are cold, where as in Summer we are well aware of our thirst. The best way to keep balance in Winter is to keep warm and maintain healthy blood flow / circulation, so that we are drinking more. Movement generating heat in the body, so it's even more important in Winter to keep up both exercise and fluids! 

Top Tension Prevention Principles

First Aid for aching muscles is as simple as returning to the fundamental principles of self care, which are the key pillars of tension prevention and stress management. 

The most common causes of muscle ache is a lack of either exercise or recovery. Tension is a result of muscle imbalance, which can be remedied with rest, heat, lengthening and strengthening. The essential keys to muscle balance and well being, are centred around blood flow and circulation. Massage/ Myotherapy are also helpful ways to encourage this and restore ease of motion and mobility.

The second most common cause contributing to aches and pains has it's origins in mental stress and fatigue. One of the best ways to remedy and relax aching muscles is with the best of what mother nature has to offer in pure essential oils, being the real Farmacy of earth. 

Aromatherapy is the remedial medicine / modality of Essential oils used by many health practitioners, which works in many ways through the central nervous system, to balance the body naturally, without having to depend on toxic pharmaceutical drugs. Working on both the mental and emotional states, the healing properties of essential oils (pure botanical extracts)...directly effect the nerves, stimulating and relaxing both the mind and muscles. Lavender is just one of the many essential oils that provides relief from tension, stress and inflammation. 

Another leading roots causes of muscular aches, comes from a magnesium deficiency which is most often related to a lack of natural (sea/rock) salts in the diet. Other rich sources of magnesium include brown rice, whole grains, nuts, and green vegetables.  Epsom salts are a fantastic way of assisting the muscles to relax in a hot bath/ soak at the end of the day and for those without the luxury of a bath at home, either a hot shower or visit to the local leisure centre, spa or sauna will definitely do the trick. 

The most effective recovery element for aching muscles is heat, so if you are busy at work or feel muscles tightening during the day, make sure you have a wheat bag / heat pack handy to apply to tight areas. This is fantastic for the neck and shoulder area or even lower back when sitting at a desk all day long, as many do (to the detriment of their posture). The long term danger of this type of work will be a slow, gradual and almost unnoticed decline in correct posture, that causes you to suffer in all aspects of health.

The important and most vital factor for any type of work in the long term is to be aware of the influence of day to day, repetitive activity on the posture and body's muscular balance. Continuous slouching with computer use or any other type of repetitive physical or non-physical work holds the serious risk of poor health and spinal deterioration. 

Last but not least by far, when it comes to the top tension prevention principles is the need for flexibility which sustains musculo-skeletal / structural integrity, strength and vitality. These core foundations are essential for health, energy and productivity in life for anyone and everyone. Essential to maintaining these are regular Stretching & Yoga to help the release tight muscles and to restore overall body balance and physical intelligence. 

One of the fastest ways to relieve aching muscles is to spend time each day stretching, long enough to release each area of the body. This provides the release needed and enhances blood flow throughout the muscles, key to health and longevity in every sense. It is especially vital in Winter, as the cold tends to lock up the body in defence of the cold, to protect itself out of natural instinct. 

Remember, your body is the only one you have...and just like a car, needs regular tuning in order to last the longest it possibly can. We cannot stress enough, the importance of correct self care as the number one preventative factor in all health problems. Our philosophy is "Prevention" is the best medicine - and is far superior to any remedy one will find in maintaining good health. So take care this winter and stay warm. There are more ways to do this than just staying indoors. Your body needs movement to stay alive!


Click here to find out about how we can help you stay pain free this winter, and to see what people are saying about results we have helped them achieve. Want to know more about how we help? Visit our website by clicking here or visiting www.advanced-myotherapy.com

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Share your experience, results, recovery stories on our page and be rewarded with points towards a BONUS 30-minutes!

The Number 1 factor in Dis-ease Prevention

The most valuable investment you'll ever make...

People who look after themselves, know that the time invested in maintaining their health, is time saved from being in pain down the track. Self care is the number one factor in dis-ease prevention, and because we care about health we would like to encourage you to share the gift of wellbeing with your friends with a very special gift, the next time you tell a friend about Advanced Myotherapy! 

This Winter, we are rewarding our friends/clients who refer those they care about to us with a 90-minute treatment valued at $150 for just $100! And because we like to encourage those who take action & value their health most, we are giving the first 50 referrals (your friends) a bottle of our 100% Pure Lavender Essential Oil, valued at $17.95 for FREE. 

This is a beautiful essential oil, well known for it's healing properties that help sooth aching muscles, encourage restful sleep and calm nervous tension. So get in quick & your friends will love you for it! 

Below we have taken this opportunity to answer your top 3 questions, so that you can explain to your friends and family what "Myotherapy" is & what we do at Advanced Myotherapy... 

Our Top 3 FAQ's about Myotherapy... 

What do Myotherapists treat?

Myotherapists are highly sort after for the treatment of pain associated with musculo-skeletal conditions, as specialists who treat both the cause, as well as the symptoms of many conditions. Below are some of the conditions that Myotherapists are known to treat effectively: 

• Back & Neck pain 
• Headaches/Migraines 
• Sciatica & RSI 
• Chronic & Acute Pain 
• Tennis/Golfers elbow 
• Joint pain & tension 
• Numbness and tingling
• Pre & Post Natal stress 
• Carpal Tunnel 
• Knee, hip & ankle pain 
• Frozen shoulder 
• Herniated disk 
• Elbow & wrist pain 

How do Myotherapists treat pain? 

Myotherapists relieve pain using therapeutic techniques such as: trigger point therapy, dry needling, deep tissue manipulation, stretching, stimulation and corrective exercises which are also included in individualised self care plans, according to the unique muscle group affected. 

When should I see a Myotherapist? 

Most people seek Myotherapy when suffering from pain or when seeking help to recover from injury, prevent surgery, avoid pain medication dependence as well as prevent injury. People seek Myotherapists to help free restricted movement, release pain and speed up rehabilitation and recovery from injury, as well as to help strengthen muscles to prevent future vulnerability to injury and pain. Click here to read what people are saying about how Advanced Myotherapy have helped.

Also... 

For those of you who have experienced the health and freedom from better muscle balance and increased range of motion, and are yet to share your results with our online community, please join our fan page on facebook and post your experience. We would love to hear how we have helped, and look forward to keeping you up to date with all the latest research and tips on how to best sustain your health for long term vitality and energy!


And for those who  check in to Advanced Myotherapy - weare introducing a special monthly draw to WIN a 1-hour Treatment valued at $115. So be sure to remember next time your in to check in to be in the running! 


Last but not least, click HERE to read our very popular Vital Winter Self Care news from last season. This article is jam packed with valuable tips, insights & health facts that will help you through these next few months. We highly recommend this to those of you who seek to maintain strength this winter!