The importance of posture
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Posts
6 Stretches to reverse Sciatica
Spinal twist & glut release
Glut release knee to chest
Hamstring & thoracics lengthening
Leg & hip lengthen
Hip & lumbar spine stretch
Lower back & leg release
Understanding sciatica is key to helping heal faster and prevent the painful condition returning. With the right knowledge and self-care, Sciatica can be significantly reduced and reversed. Myotherapy and Remedial Massage have helped us see many clients recover from this debilitating condition. Sciatica can be experienced as sharp and shooting pain through the glut and down the leg, which alarms many of it’s sufferers.
Sciatica stems from an impingement of the sciatic nerve being compressed by the discs of the lumbar spine.
These discs compress the nerve to create pain, due to restriction from 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 medication is… 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.
Here are some symple steps to overcoming Sciatica naturally…
1. The first step in reversing Sciatica is to release tension from the surrounding area, being the gluts and lower back. Regular (daily) corrective stretching, focusing on the legs (particularly hamstrings) and gluts, is an incredibly effective tool in reducing sciatic nerve pain.
2. 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”.
3. 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.
4. Along with these few very effective practical steps you can take at home, we use Myotherapy and Remedial Massage to manipulate 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-musculoskeletal conditions in the body that Myotherapy specialises in treating.
5. It is essential that you incorporate lifestyle changes such as reducing the length of time you spend sitting, such as driving or sitting at a desk for work. It can be as simple as breaking the day up with frequent stretching sessions or brief walks.
Along with regular treatments to lengthen the restricted fascia around the sciatic nerve, self care is the number one tool in preventing sciatica pain from returning.
6. Keeping active and fit and maintaining a healthy weight and general range of motion is the best way, holistically speaking of preventing and correcting Sciatica. Incorporating these 6 simple stretches & steps will ensure you not only recover from this debilitating condition fast but prevent it from recurring later on.
The Core Issue
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Autumn Self Care
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Myotherapy for Neck Pain
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Lymphatic Drainage Massage
The Lymphatic system is the fluid of the body flowing alongside the circulatory system on the outer layer of the body. It contains much of our immune system including glands (lymph nodes) which are responsible for the elimination of waste and toxins through the body. With many of our lymph nodes in certain areas of the body, Lymphatic drainage massage helps to encourage lymphatic fluid to move through the body for elimination, as opposed to building up causing inflammation and illness.
The importance of the Lymphatic system is found to be vital in maintaining a strong immune system, preventing stagnation in glands that are otherwise responsible for fighting infection, bacteria and disease. Swollen lymph glands are a sign of the body fighting illness and is a key indication of the need to rest and increase good self care medicine. With many of our lymph nodes residing in our throat, groin and armpits, these are important areas to keep aware of. Any swelling in these areas can be a sign that we need extra love and care to speed up the innate healing powers of the lymphatic system.
Seeking Lymphatic Drainage Massage is the best way to help prevent disease by supporting the immune system. Working to encourage the lymph flow back to the heart where it can re-enter the circulatory system for elimination is vital to help remove built up waste and fluid retention from the body. This is especially beneficial for pregnancy, to prevent swelling which is common as the body fluid increases. It is also an excellent support for pregnancy due to the fact that a women’s immune system is slightly weakened during this time given her energy resources are fed through the placenta to the baby.
Supporting pregnant women in this way can encourage her immune system to stay strong as her baby develops, which will in turn help support the health of the developing baby. Using shower gloves to self massage the skin in the direction of the heart, is a great way to encourage lymph flow. Another great thing to do to support the lymphatic system is to dry brush the skin (again in the heart direction), to stimulate the lymphatic flow. Myotherapy & Massage in general do help support the lymphatic system and can be used to support the immune system, especially be reducing stress built up within the body.
Combining treatments is a great way to encourage detoxification and waste elimination, vital for the prevention of disease. When the body is stagnant, inflammation and waste builds up to form debilitating symptoms of pain and illness. It is our job at Advanced Myotherapy to help reverse and prevent such conditions from arising. Myotherapists are trained in Lymphatic Drainage Massage and can incorporate this into your treatment if needed. So if you feel as though you need a little more TLC at the moment, please mention this to us next visit.
Founding Director Matthew Cleary
Matthew Cleary has been a Myotherapist for 14 years, establishing Advanced Myotherapy in 2008. Through word of mouth referrals alone, without ever advertising, Matthews client base grew to the point where he recruited his team at Advanced Myotherapy. Matthew is part of the historical AFL success of the Brisbane Lions, working with them through achieving 4 consecutive Grand Finals, with 3-peat premierships from 2001. He has been a highly sought after therapist since working with the team for ten years. Offered his own full time clinic with the Brisbane Lions at the GABBA, Matthew chose to stay in Melbourne, opening Advanced Myotherapy.
As an industry leader, Matthew has been consulted by many fellow health professionals in clinical practice and skills development, and provides ongoing support, training and professional development at Advanced Myotherapy. In 2013, Advanced Myotherapy received 2 service awards, while Matthew co-authored his first book Self Care Medicine, A Guide to Living Well. Matthew now maintains a full client base at the clinic where he leads a highly reputable team of Myotherapists.
With some of his clients traveling interstate for treatment, he has become renowned for his success in helping people prevent surgery and recovery from debilitating injury. Here’s what some people are saying about what Matthew has done for them:
“There are so many opinions as to which of the practices to choose, be it chiro or osteopathy even bowen therapy. My opinion…It depends on the practitioners. FEW in each feild around Australia, and perhaps the world, have the ability to heal. Not just treat the problem send you on your way, but to find the Source of the problem. To help you minimize future recurrences by teaching you about your body and it’s movement. Matt at Advanced Myotherapy is one of these rare practitioners. My job requires alot of heavy lifting. I surf and skateboard and play golf. So I can be sore and broken on a daily basis and when it’s been bad Matt has fixed me every time AND has given me the know how to alleviate minor issues or self maintain. I don’t go anywhere else now... – Kris Rachmanczuk, TV Sound Technician
“Matt,
Are you Jesus? I saw three doctors and went to the St Vincent’s ER ward and after all this testing they sent me home with no explanation, treatment or prevention advice.
I see you, give me some therapy and home treatment, I literally sat in a bath of ice for 20 minutes only twice yesterday and BOOM, swelling has disappeared this morning. I cannot begin to thank you, such a simple solution but all too hard for the medical board to pinpoint. You are a legend! Thanks a heap, I’m over the moon.” – Danielle Giordano
