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