WHY MOVEMENT THERAPY?
Physical therapy and particularly soft tissue therapy has for many years proposed that if we feel tension or tightness, we need to get into the muscle as deeply as possible to "soften the fibres" and "work out the tension" - this is not how the body and all its complex systems work, even though there are still horrendous videos on social media showing people screaming in anguish on treatment tables because "you'll feel better after" - you will NEVER experience that with my approaches. Firm should not mean painful!
Soft tissue therapy encompasses any form of remedial physical work that focuses on muscles, tendons and ligaments through the biggest organ of the body - the skin. with soft tissue treatment, I work with and through the skin which is rich in nerve endings to provide relief from perceived muscle tension, pain and restricted movement. The effects of quality soft tissue work are not only limited to physical relaxation and well-being but also have an enormous impact on your mental and emotional health.
MOTION IS LOTION
These kinds of techniques like massage, passive stretching etc have their place and feel incredibly good, but for many people I help, they have ended up in cycles of pain and protection which has drastically reduced their movement. This in turn creates sensations of stiffness, rigidity and of course... pain. This is where we need to start getting movement into daily life as safely and as soon as possible, and that's where some really exciting techniques and concepts come into play that involve more than just lying on a table.
As an ex dancer, I know first-hand the importance of movement in our lives and how good it can make us feel. I also know, much to my detriment, how terrible sitting on your backside doing no significant movement for months can be - resulting in significant pain, fear of movement and decline in mental well-being and happiness (thanks to COVID, lockdown and my lack of motivation at that time!)
Our brains are geared towards co-ordinated movement - if we aren't moving effectively, it directly affects our mood, our productivity and ultimately, how fulfilling life can be. Movement keeps our joints mobile and lubricated, our soft tissues strong and supple and all our bodily systems working effectively together
THE PAIN CYCLE
Pain can stick around - it's part of being human and let's be honest, it sucks. When we experience pain (or if we've had it for a long time) we can easily create fear around certain movements, positions or activities - from something as simple as brushing our hair or putting on a bra, to weightlifting and endurance running.
Pain like this can stick around, sometimes for years - this is where pain becomes a daily part of our lives and our resistance to movement increases because of fear which can create feelings of hopelessness, anxiety and in some cases, depression. We protect, brace, tense, grip and hold our body in ways that keep reinforcing the idea that movement is dangerous or will cause more damage.
The number one thing I reinforce - The level of pain we experience DOES NOT equal the amount of damage. Anyone who has ever had a papercut will know how much pain such an minor cut can cause.
OW!
Damn that hurts
PAIN
I don't want to make things worse
FEAR
Reduced movement & hyper caution
PROTECT
I'm not going to do things that hurt
ON ALERT
HOW DO WE BREAK THE CYCLE?
As one of my favourite physios and movement optimists Greg Lehman says: "Calm sh*t down, build it back up"
One of the most important aspects of my approach is that my clients feel safe with and trust me - this is the foundation to helping someone to get moving again. Alongside some really effective hands on techniques like DNM, stretching, massage as well as simple movement system training, we can begin to explore gentle movement in a safe and supported environment - things that you know you CAN achieve. Yes, the likelihood is that these things can be painful and uncomfortable to start with but by introducing movement in this way, we begin to break the terrible cycle of pain and allow your body to adapt to these movements without freaking out and ringing alarm bells that signal danger and can create pain to protect.
Before long, we can explore more demanding movements, weighted movements and eventually get you back to doing what it is you love, and with a better understanding of why our bodies do this in case you ever experience the same symptoms again - and hopefully, not enter into the protective pain cycle again.
WE ARE HUMANS, NOT MACHINES
When I treat, I look at each person as an individual person - not just as a body or an injury to "fix". This is because we are more than just our physical body - pain and discomfort is never a result of one singular thing. Pain, injury and discomfort are a combination of biological, psychological and social factors which all contribute to my approach of BIO-PSYCHO-SOCIAL care - some people feel more comfortable referring to this approach as holistic. We certainly cannot help the physical body if we aren't getting any sleep, are eating terribly and are stressed out by our jobs and relationships.
We will work together to improve your physical, mental and emotional well being, even from just one session. I don't want you to feel like a body on a table - I want your session to be collaborative to help you feel the best you can.