Pelvic Tilt and 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

NMIT Interview with Director Matthew Cleary

Interview with Director Matthew Cleary by Trish Gallagher from NMIT

What is a career in massage really like once you leave the classroom and hit the clinic? Matthew Cleary, founding Director of Advanced Myotherapy in inner city suburb of Carlton commenced his studies at NMIT in 2001 and has since gone on to establish his highly successful Myotherapy business.  Matthew and his team of therapists are highly sought after in the industry and have worked with organisations such as the AFL, South African Rugby Union team, professional sportspeople in the disciplines of gymnastics, ice hockey and boxing.
We spoke to Matthew about his fascinating career and find out what it takes to be successful in this industry.

What made you decide to choose Myotherapy as a career?

Myotherapy was a natural career choice for me as someone who first began working as a Remedial Therapist, discovering the impact it could have on people’s wellbeing. Helping people overcome debilitating pharmaceutical addictions to costly pain medications was a great inspiration. My mother worked in a Pharmacy for 43 years and establishing my first clinic in the adjoining Doctor’s surgery, allowed me to witness the needless dependence many people had on this type of treatment. Not only did I see the potential for an incredible long term financial benefit to people finding a natural solution to postural and lifestyle related musculoskeletal conditions, I became increasingly passionate about being able to contribute to a better quality of life for people.

How does this differ from other massage careers?

Myotherapy has the advantage of more specialised training with regard to muscle health and injury recovery, especially longer term. Myotherapists are trained to a higher level than other Massage therapists as it requires more clinical knowledge for an educational approach in corrective self care understanding. Here lies the difference, where many Massage practitioners can merely offer treatment that will only suffice for a more temporary relief of pain symptoms.

Tell us about some of your clients?

Working with the Brisbane Lions football club for ten years during their historical 3-peat premierships with consecutive grand finals, I gained incredible knowledge of the important role a therapist can have in helping people achieve a much better level of physical performance and injury recovery. Many of the clients that now come to my clinic are elite professional athletes from AFL players, to Ice Hockey teams, Soccer players and professional netball players. We treat many people for sports performance with a natural approach that promotes a greater self care and recovery awareness. Our patients also include many people who are referred from other health professionals such as Doctors, Neurosurgeons, Osteopaths, Chiropractors and the like for surgery prevention with natural drug free care.

 Is there much travel involved?

Our team of therapists all live very locally, although have originally come from the country for their studies and career. Melbourne is the leading city in Australia for Myotherapy as it is much colder and our lifestyle is much faster in pace than the warmer states. There is certainly more demand for more specialised muscle health care in the cooler climates. The demand for injury recovery and pain management in this city is much higher than elsewhere, as we are also the world’s sporting capital. So if you are in or near Melbourne, there is certainly not a great need for travel when it comes to work in the Myotherapy profession.

What specialist equipment do you need to be a Myotherapist?

Though starting out as a mobile therapist, when I opened Advanced Myotherapy, It was important for me and the team to have electric tables so as to prevent muscular imbalances of our own. It’s important to have the table at the right height to avoid straining and injuring yourself as a therapist. Other than that, we have grown from a paper booking calendar to an online booking system which also saves our clients a lot of time being able to see therapists availability and booking appointments at any time of the day. This also allows for the phone to ring a lot less while we are in treatment, to keep the ambiance of a quiet practice.

What advice can you give to budding Myotherapists?

Apply all of your knowledge and keep educating yourself. If you want success in anything you must live it, breathe it and love it. You will become infectious to others when you are passionate. Don’t be afraid to start out working hard. Business success is built on a solid foundation of commitment in hours, energy and time. You must have the experience if you want to gain the confidence that goes with getting results. This is what people respect. The experience comes from a willingness to start somewhere and not give up.
Contact NMIT’s Personal Services department today to find out how you can start your career path in massage and myotherapy

Sciatic Nerve Pain – Sciatica

Understanding sciatica is key to helping heal faster and prevent the painful condition returning. So many people suffer needlessly with sciatica and with the right knowledge, it can be significantly reduced and reversed, even “remedied” with self care education, Myotherapy and Remedial Massage. Sciatica is the experience of sharp and shooting pain through the glut and down the leg, which can frighten a lot of people who do not fully understand what it is caused by.

Sciatica arises when there is an impingement of the sciatic nerve which is compressed by the discs of the lumber spine. How these discs come to close in and compress the nerve to create referred pain, is in being restricted by tight fascia surrounding the discs! That is how simple this condition is, and unfortunately so many people not knowing this will turn to medication.

The problem with pain drugs is that they do not treat the underlying cause of the pain as Myotherapy and remedial massage do. There are a number of leading factors that contribute to the onset of sciatica, which are assessed and addressed at our clinic Advanced Myotherapy Carlton. Understanding the biomechanics of the body is something we wish to instill in our clients, so as to facilitate long lasting results, through self awareness and lifestyle changes.

Some of the most important changes you can begin with today include regular (daily) corrective stretching. Focusing on the legs (particularly hamstrings) and gluts, to reverse sciatic nerve pain is essential to reduce pain and bring relief. Secondly, simply using a ball to lay on underneath the affected glut and hip, can help with “trigger point therapy”. Holding position where the pain is for several minutes or until fully released, can bring instant release.

The key to getting results with such self treatment at home is in holding both the stretches and the pressure of the (tennis sized) ball under the body for long enough to allow for full release. The trick can be not to release the stretch or remove the ball before this relief comes, so as to avoid “activating” the pain further. To avoid this, simply be gentle with yourself enough to be able to hold the position long enough for it to be effective in allowing the tight muscles causing the pain to fully “let go”.

Another incredibly effective self care method of treating sciatica is by applying heat (a wheat bag) to the area. Heat relaxes the tight muscles enough to let them soften to release the affected area, and take the pressure off the discs compressing the sciatic nerve. Along with these few very effective practical steps you can take at home, we use Myotherapy and Remedial Massage to manipulate the the surrounding area to allow softening and restoration of a better range of motion for less pain and restriction. This is the key to recovery when it comes to many neuro-musculo-skeletal conditions in the body that Myotherapy specialises in treating.

Pain in the neck?

Too many people suffer needlessly too often with preventable neck pain that can easily be treated affectively with the right skills. Its our lifestyle in the world today with computers a central aspect of most businesses, job roles and studies, that causes much of the pain. Manual labour and poor habits tend to govern much of our life which too often winds us up to the point of excruciating tension. 

With Hairdressers, cutting and blow drying hair all day long and administrators, sitting wrong and for far too long, what's most important for our long term health is posture correction and reversal. What Myotherapists do is exactly that. 

Myotherapy targets muscular imbalances in order to align the body, correct the posture and release the pain. We approach neck pain with a hands on technique of getting to the core of the problem, assisting the neck to restore natural range of motion and stability with stretches, manipulation and prescribed corrective self care plans. 

Key to our successful practice is the strong educational support to help you make the needed changes for lasting results and long term freedom. Our passion is to create independence from the costly pharmaceutical approach to pain management. We believe that this route is an ineffective way of masking the real underlying problems by dulling the nerves and compromising the body's intelligence.

Using deep and soft tissue manipulation, dry needling and cupping, our treatments combine the best techniques to resolve the root causes of neck pain. If you have had persistent pain and only been able to temporarily achieve relief with other forms of treatment, then Myotherapy is worth trying. 

People turn to us when they are seeking lasting results, beyond short term relief. If you would like to banish that pain in the neck for good, call us today on 9347 5764 to book an appointment.

Advanced Myotherapy is an experienced and qualified team who successfully treat many debilitating injuries, pain and muscle imbalances. Our passion is helping prevent unnecessary and costly surgery and drug dependence for pain management. We pride ourselves on fast & long term recovery and self care education for smarter lifestyles and posture health.

Visit  www.advanced-myotherapy.com or call 9347 5764 today to take a step in the right direction for your long term health.

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.

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.