Neck pain is something that we all suffer from time to time and it can be debilitating leading to headaches, poor concentration and being unable to move properly.

Causes of neck pain are:

• Ligament damage/sprains – Pain after overstretching, overusing or twisting, often during exercise

• Fracture – Trauma to the neck shoulder resulting in bone fracture

  Hyper mobility/subluxation weakness, instability, clicking in the neck. Normally muscle fatigue occurs towards the end of the day

• Trigger Point Referral Pain – Persistent pain typically better with exercise and worse when sitting or at the end of the day. Headache type ache but can be sharp, localised pain

• Osteoarthritis – Pain and stiffness, mild swelling, more common in older people, improves with exercise

• Disc/Nerve – Can be mild or intense pain in the shoulder or arm with or without neck pain symptoms

• Stiffness/Lack of flexibility – Pain & stiffness typically first in the morning or before warming up for exercise. Often fine during exercise and symptoms may return within a few hours or days afterwards

• Spinal Conditions like stenosis – typically consistent pain and stiffness that lasts months or years. Often with poor flexibility

• Facet joint irritation – sudden, sharp pain often worse when moving quickly but more manageable with slower movements.

Sports massage will be able to help with the mechanical cause of your pain, like muscle tension or spasm. It will increase flexibility and decrease muscle pain. We can find ways to stretch muscles without causing irritation AND we help mobilise your neck, shoulders & upper back in ways to relieve tension.

By combining hands on work, calming the nervous system, it makes things more tolerable allowing you to move more normally.

This creates a window of opportunity for you after the appointment for you to get moving more and a chance for your brain & body to learn that the risk is lower, hopefully causing a longer lasting effect of reduced muscle tension and improved movement. Exercising, using the muscles, during this time is REALLY important!

Back pain is the number one reason people seek medical advice. There are many issues that can occur with the back and some can be serious. Mostly back pain is caused by poor posture and sitting for way too long. This pressure builds up in the spinal joints and also the muscles tighten up to protect the spine from injury. Weakness in the supporting muscle or core muscles means that your spine doesn't get the support it needs and the back muscles have to work overtime to keep you upright.

If you are sitting all day and get back pain you should consider having regular muscle therapy treatment to loosen up these tight muscles and take pressure off the sensitive facet joints and discs in the spine.

Headaches and migraines are very different things. A headache is basically pain in the head caused by things such as:

• strained muscles in the neck from poor posture or bad sleeping positions

• inflammation in the cervical neck joints

• TMJ (jaw) dysfunction from grinding teeth or clenching

• environmental factors such as light, noise and chemicals

• not drinking enough water

• not getting enough sleep

• too much caffeine or alcohol.

Migraines on the other hand are usually caused by vascular issues (blood vessels) in the brain that can cause more sever symptoms including:

• severe, pulsing headaches that are usually just on one side of the head

• visual disturbances such as flickering light, sparkles or sensitivity to light

• Numbness or tingling in the face, head, shoulder or arm

• Neck pain and stiffness

Most people don't realise that soft tissue work and massage to the neck, jaw and scalp can release the tension in your head and get rid of the headache immediately, no drugs required!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Migraines can often be triggered by neck tightness or inflammation so therefore releasing the muscles of the neck and head can also prevent them coming on in the first place.

My mission is to get to the root of what may be causing your headaches giving you advice on stretching, strengthening, lifestyle or if it is a more complex issue we can refer you on to the right people who can help you.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

TMJ pain usually occurs from grinding of the teeth or clenching the jaw. TMJ pain can manifest as jaw or tooth pain, headaches, ear ache or ringing in the ears, neck pain and/or eye pain.

Many times TMJ pain will occur after dental work, from increased stress or from a trauma to the jaw.

Muscle therapy is the perfect treatment for releasing the tension in the jaw muscles and re-aligning the temporomandibular joint.

Once this tension is released headaches and neck pain will usually subside.​​​​​​​​​​

Treatment can involve deep tissue massage/myofascial release to upper neck, jaw and head muscles. Active release techniques to the jaw and neck muscles including intra-oral massage to the muscles inside the mouth. The medial and lateral Pterygoid muscles which are

located inside the mouth are major jaw muscles. Releasing these muscles can alleviate much of your jaw pain.

You are in safe and experienced hands for your TMJ pain as this is one of my specialties and I am passionate about helping you get out of pain fast.

Ongoing repetitive use of the wrist and hands can lead to painful conditions of the wrists that require wrist pain treatment .

Humans have always relied on strong wrists and hands to perform daily tasks like gardening, needlecraft, woodworking, building and just about any craft or trade you can think of. In modern times, technology has impacted the way in which most of us use our wrists and hands, and we often spend long hours typing on a computer keyboard or texting with our thumbs. In athletics, the wrists may be used to provide support, break a fall or stabilize the hand.

When you over use a part of the body the muscles and connective tissues break down. They can no longer function properly and become painful.

Muscle Therapy can help to restore function in the muscles, fascia and joints to get rid of pain for good. Advice on how to stretch and strengthen the area will also help to prevent these issues coming back or getting worse.

As with all injuries having a thorough assessment is key to figuring out the root cause of your issue.

Because of its complexity, there are many things that can cause wrist pain and reduced mobility. Some common conditions include:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome: This condition occurs when the median nerve becomes compressed within the carpal tunnel, often due to swelling or hypertrophy of the tendons that pass through the tunnel from the forearm. Pain may also arise from restricted gliding of the nerve anywhere along its pathway down the arm.

• Ganglion cysts: A ganglion cyst is a fluid-filled lump that appears near the joints or tendons, often at the top or on the palm side of the wrist. Their cause is unknown, and they are sometimes but not always painful.

• Osteoarthritis: Arthritis is caused by deterioration of the joint cartilage, marked by pain, stiffness and swelling. It has been linked to chronic systemic inflammation and metabolic disorders.

• Thumb sprain: A sprain is injury to a ligament, most often the ulnar collateral ligament that connects the thumb to the hand. A thumb sprain is a common sports injury, and may also occur from a fall.

• Trigger finger: Medically called stenosing tenosynovitis, trigger finger is often seen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, gout and diabetes. It arises from a thickening of tissue that inhibits smooth gliding of tendons.

• Wrist fractures: The wrist is made up of the eight carpals, along with the radius and ulna. Any of these bones can sustain a fracture, but the radius is the most common site of wrist fracture. Falls are the most common cause of wrist fractures. A fall may also do damage to ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves.

Sciatica is caused by an impingement of the sciatic nerve. This is either where the nerve comes out of the spine or can also be in the hip and leg muscles as well.

Sciatica is common in people who spend large parts of their day sitting. The pressure of the weight of their body pressing on the nerve can irritate it.

The symptoms of Sciatica include:

• shooting pain or electricity down the leg

• tingling in the leg or toes

• pain in the buttock

• pain in the back

• stiffness in back, hip and leg muscles

Muscle Therapy can help to take the pressure off the sciatic nerve and allow proper function and gliding of the nerve.

Stretching the Hamstrings, lower back and Quadratus Lumborum muscles can help keep this pressure from building up in the back. Core strengthening will give you more stability in the spine and less likelihood of sciatica.

As with all injuries having a thorough assessment to figuring out the root cause of your injury is key to helping you out of pain.

The human knee is a complex structure, designed to withstand enormous force loads. Knee pain can be caused by a number of factors, including gait deficits and injuries anywhere along the lower kinetic chain. You can avoid surgery with accurate diagnosis and conservative physical therapy.

One of the most common knee problem, for example, is patellofemoral pain syndrome. This is where the knee cap or patella doesn't quite sit right in the joint. This can cause grinding and clicking in the knee joint eventually leading to pain and or arthritis.

Knee ligament sprains are also common in the knee and at worst can become tears in the ligaments.

ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament), PCL (Posterior Cruciate Ligament), MCL (Medial Colateral Ligament) and LCL (Lateral Colateral Ligament) are the most commonly damaged ligaments in the knee. These are often involved in sporting injuries such as soccer, rugby and gym work.

Other more serious knee injuries include Meniscus damage. The meniscus is a layer of cartilage that lies between the femur and tibia. Twisting movements of the knee can tear the meniscus. Usually this will need to cleaned up with surgery.

Muscle therapy can help to restore function in the knee and either fix these problems or prevent them for getting any worse and keep them under control.

Plantar fasciitis affects the connective tissue in the base of the foot. This connective tissue is known as the plantar fascia.

There is a lot of pressure placed through this connective tissue and it absorbs the shock through the foot.

If you get a tear in the plantar fascia or and irritated area then it will become painful and walking or running will become near impossible.

Muscle therapy techniques can help to take the pressure off the plantar fascia and reduce the likelihood of it getting any worse.

Self management is important with plantar fasciitis. Rolling your foot on a golf ball can help release the plantar fascia. Stretching out the calve muscles (Gastrocnemius and Soleus) will also take the pressure off the plantar fascia as the calves wrap around the heel and blend into the plantar fascia.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition of the synovial joints in the body. It can affect most joints in the body and is most common in the fingers, toes, hips, knees and spine.

While there is no cure for osteoarthritis at the moment there are many ways you can minimise your pain. Muscle therapy can help to increase movement in the joint and also take some of the pressure off the joint thereby reducing your pain. This is by no means a cure and is only a temporary solution but is safer and better for you than pain medication and antiinflammatories.

If the arthritis is severe enough then massage wont be enough to manage the pain and medication or surgery will be the only options.

Yoga and pilates can help with flexibility and strength which can also improve your outcomes with osteoarthritis. There is a fine line between too much movement and exercise and just enough without causing yourself too much discomfort.

Elbow Pain is very common – but sharp, severe pain less so. It can range from a dull ache to sharp, intense, stabbing pain when you try to use your hand or do exercises like press ups. Sometimes there is swelling or redness, but that is not as common. Often associated with a history of shoulder pain and/or aching into the forearm and wrist.

Some of common elbow injuries include:

• Bursitis elbow (olecranon bursitis): is a condition afflicting the olecranon bursa, one of many thin, slippery sacs located throughout the body that lubricate the joint regions and prevent friction. Bursitis elbow is typically characterised by swelling around the elbow that can the arm an odd, lumpy appearance. Patients suffering from bursitis elbow may experience limited range of motion and pain in the elbow.

Weight-lifting elbow pain may result from elbow tendonitis, which typically manifests in two different ways:

• tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis):

  is a painful overuse condition causing inflammation of the tendons on the outside of the elbow. This condition frequently occurs in people who are constantly using their forearm muscles, and is characterized by swelling and outer elbow pain. Symptoms may also include pain when playing tennis or racquetball and elbow pain when weightlifting.

• golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis):

  is a condition causing inner elbow pain (or inside elbow pain) at the exact spot where the tendons of the forearm muscles attach to the bony protuberance on the inside of the elbow. Golfer’s elbow develops from overuse of the muscles and tendons of the forearms and elbow. This can occur because of repetitive activities like shovelling or hammering nails. Golfer’s elbow is characterised by tenderness, and inside elbow pain that can be exacerbated by bending, twisting, or grasping objects. Patients may also experience left-sided arm and elbow pain, or left elbow pain. (By contrast, bilateral pain is pain in both elbows simultaneously).

Pain in the elbow is also one of the chief characteristics of pinched nerve in elbow, a condition in which a nerve in the elbow (most often the ulnar nerve) becomes pinched or entrapped. Pinched nerve in the elbow is characterised by numbness, a burning sensation, and pain in the elbow radiating outward from the site of injury. Pinched nerve in elbow can normally be treated with conventional treatments like rest, stretching exercises, and anti-inflammatory medications.

ITB syndrome or runners knee as it is also known occurs when there is excess tightness of the Iliotibial band that runs down the side of the leg. This can happen to anyone but is most noticeable in people who run as running uses the ITB a lot to stabilise the knee.

When the ITB tightens up it can begin to rub and create friction at the side of the knee. This then leads to pain in the outside of your knee.

Runners Knee usually gets worse when running or walking and is mostly fine when not moving around.

If you are getting pain in the outside of your knee when you run then you should definitely have treatment to release the ITB, Quads, Hamstrings, calves and Glutes.

Daily foam rolling of the ITB and glutes will also prevent this problem from worsening. In the long term developing stability in the hips and knees will add to the success of preventing the condition from coming back.

Your shoulder is a complex ball-and-socket joint designed to move in multiple planes. Your shoulder’s diverse range of motion enables you to perform a broad variety of movements and tasks, but its vast mobility also makes it the most unstable joint in the human body. Because of the complex network of structures involved in shoulder movement, pain can stem from multiple causes.

Some of the common conditions that causes shoulder pain are:

• Rotator cuff tendinitis

• Shoulder bursitis

• Impingement of the tendons, bursa or nerves

• Labral cartilage ruptures

• Shoulder instability

• Frozen shoulder

• Shoulder osteoarthritis

The main thing when dealing with an injury is to reduce or avoid activities which are causing or aggravating it and have treatment as soon as possible for any muscles that have become restricted in order to regain strength and flexibility.

Remedial & Sports massage is a modality that addresses the root cause of the dysfunction and pain by performing a thorough assessment; my treatment also supports your body’s own repair mechanism to speed up the healing process.

Sports massage is very effective for reducing the pain and restriction associated with muscular injuries. I use firm-pressure to release tight muscles and other tissues, alleviating pain, muscle spasm and stress from the area affected.

Hips, Pelvis & Groin pain sometimes dont have an obvious reason for the discomfort you may be experiencing and at times it’s a symptom of another problem.

But also many times it can be due to posture, gait or biomechanical imbalances, where strain is put on a particular area of the muscle. Overuse during sporting activity, or a direct force on the muscle can also cause pain and discomfort.

Some of the common hip conditions include:

• Hip impingement: occurs for many different reasons. Generally it is characterised by pain in the front of the hip and catching in the hip joint. When you go in to a squat position or walk or run you will get pain in the front of the hip. Common causes are bony growth on femur or acetabulum, tight hip flexors, tight glutes, tight adductor muscles, osteoarthritis on the hip joint etc

• Bursitis

• Hip labral tear

• Groin or hamstring strain

• Piriformis syndrome

Muscle therapy can help to release the muscles of the hip and get rid of the pain. Once the pressure on these muscles are released the body is able to reestablish correct biomechanics and restore its normal function making the pain go away.