Massage / Dry Needling

Massage

Massage is the practice of soft tissue manipulation with functional, physiological and psychological purposes. Massage involves acting on and manipulating the body with pressure – structured, unstructured, stationary, or moving – tension, motion, or vibration, done manually or with mechanical aids. Target tissues may include muscles, tendons, ligaments, skin, joints, or other connective tissue, as well as lymphatic vessels, or organs of the gastrointestinal system. Massage can be applied with the hands, fingers, elbows, forearm, and feet. In professional settings massage involves the client being treated while lying on a massage table.

Massage can be beneficial before or after an athletic event and can help alleviate pain by lowering overall stress levels. This is achieved by releasing feel good endorphins , increasing blood flow and releasing muscle tension which will aid & lead to a better recovery .

Massage can also lead to better sleep, loosen tight muscles, increase motion & flexibility and improve circulation of blood & lymph fluids around the body which enhances the actions of the immune system.

Reflexology

Reflexology is an alternative practice involving the application of pressure to specific points on feet & hands , this is done using thumb and finger acupressure points. Reflexology can help to clear any channels of blocked energy.

Reflexology has been known to:

• Boost your immune system
• Help Boost Fertility
• Help Sinus Issues
• Improves Digestion
• Helps with recovery from illnesses
• Helps with relaxation

Dry Needling

Dry Needling is a Physiotherapy therapeutic technique used to release myofascial trigger points within a muscle, which are a common source of pain and dysfunction. The treatment uses filament needles to release the trigger points or ‘knots’ within the muscle which can be a source of pain both locally and referred.

Dry needling is performed by gently inserting a needle directly into the skin in the area where a myofascial trigger point has been identified. Often a local twitch response is experienced once the trigger point has been stimulated, jump starting the nerve supply and blood supply to the area, which helps relax the muscle. When you experience the localized twitch a brief painful response might be felt, but this will not last more than one second.

Dry needling is very safe and there is very little risk when performed properly. You may sometimes feel slight pain for a short while after Dry Needling and some patients may have a little bruising around the needle site. However, like with all treatments, there are certain conditions where Dry Needling in contra-indicated. Your Physiotherapist will discuss this with you on the day.

Following a full assessment your Physiotherapist will identify biomechanical issues that may cause muscle overload. For example; tightness in the neck and shoulders, particularly within upper trapezius muscle from extended periods working at a computer. Your Physiotherapist will help you address this issue, usually with manual therapy, an exercise program, postural education, or whatever treatment may be best suited to you. However, Dry Needling can be used to release the overloaded muscles for pain relief and immediate increased in range of motion when identified as suitable by the Physiotherapist.