Remedial Massage for Sciatica Pain Relief

Posted on May 6, 2024June 24, 2024 by Tucker Creative

Sciatica is a condition that affects countless people in Adelaide and around the world. Whether it’s a dull ache or a sharp, shooting pain, sciatica can disrupt mobility and diminish quality of life. Fortunately, with City Physiotherapy’s remedial massage treatment, relief from sciatica related pain and discomfort is within reach.

What is sciatica?

Sciatica typically refers to a pain that originates and runs through the sciatic nerve, which is the longest nerve in the body. This nerve runs from your lower back through your buttocks and down each leg. When the sciatic nerve becomes irritated or compressed, it can cause pain, weakness, and other unpleasant sensations along the sciatica nerve and connected areas.

The severity of sciatic nerve pain, and related symptoms, varies from person to person. Some people experience a dull ache, while others describe it as a sharp, burning sensation. The pain can worsen with certain activities like sitting, bending, or twisting. Even coughing can contribute to the pain.

Other symptoms of sciatica may include:

tingling or numbness in the leg or foot
weakness in the affected leg
difficulty walking or standing

There are numerous causes of sciatica, along with factors that contribute to sciatic nerve irritation, including the following conditions.

Herniated discs

A herniated disc, also known as a disc bulge or slipped disc, is a crack in one of the spine’s 23 discs. When the soft cushion between your vertebrae bulges or breaks, it sticks out which can press against the sciatic nerve causing irritation.

Spinal stenosis

Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal column, which puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots, including the sciatic nerve. In most cases this is a result of age related wear and tear, with symptoms developing gradually over time.

Piriformis syndrome

Piriformis syndrome is a musculoskeletal condition in which a muscle deep in your buttocks tightens and compresses the sciatic nerve.

This compression often mimics the symptoms of sciatica pain caused by spinal issues, with the notable difference being that despite its origin being far closer to the leg, most people rarely experience muscle weakness where the compression occurs.

These are just a few examples of what can cause sciatica. Our physiotherapists provide hands on treatment at our clinic located conveniently in the Adelaide CBD to treat sciatic nerve pain and address the cause of the issue at the source.

Remedial massage for sciatica pain relief

What is remedial massage therapy?

Unlike a typical massage, remedial massage is a targeted treatment with a specific goal: to address pain and dysfunction. It’s a powerful tool in our physiotherapist’s toolbox. Our remedial massage therapist at City Physiotherapy is also highly skilled at treating sciatic nerve pain.

They leverage remedial massage techniques (hands on physiotherapy) to not only alleviate existing pain and discomfort but also proactively prevent injuries. By strategically targeting muscle tension and physical stress points, remedial massage helps to restore optimal balance and function throughout your body. This holistic approach empowers you to move with greater ease and confidence, minimising the risk of future problems.

At City Physiotherapy we use remedial massage to address numerous issues including

injuries
tissue damage
muscle tension
headaches

How can a physio help with sciatic nerve pain?

Remedial massage therapy is a powerful tool for managing sciatica pain. It involves using various techniques to manipulate the soft tissues of your body, including muscles, tendons, and ligaments. At City Physiotherapy Adelaide, our experienced physiotherapists can help you with:

Pain Relief: Remedial massage (hands on physio) stimulates the body’s natural pain-relieving hormones, providing temporary relief from sciatic pain.

Improved Circulation: Remedial massage increases blood flow to the affected area, delivering nutrients and oxygen to facilitate recovery.

Muscle Relaxation: Muscle tension is a big contributor to sciatic nerve compression. The benefit of remedial massage is precisely to target the tight muscles which are putting the most pressure on the sciatic nerve.

At City Physiotherapy, we offer a comprehensive approach to sciatica treatment that combines the benefits of remedial massage with physiotherapy techniques. Our experienced physiotherapists will develop a personalised treatment plan to address the underlying cause of your pain.

In combination with remedial massage, your sciatica treatment plan may include:

Spinal Mobilisation: Gentle techniques to improve flexibility and reduce pressure on the nerve roots.
Soft Tissue Manipulation: Techniques like massage and stretching to target tight muscles and improve flexibility.
Addressing Muscle Imbalances and Posture: Addressing imbalances that contribute to sciatic nerve compression.
Dry Needling for Pain Relief: targeted dry needling techniques can help reduce the symptoms of sciatic pain.
Strengthening Exercises: Specific exercises to strengthen core and leg muscles, improving stability and reducing the risk of future injury.

By stimulating blood flow, reducing inflammation, and releasing tension in affected muscles, remedial massage effectively mitigates sciatic nerve pain, and plays a pivotal role in promoting healing and restoring mobility for those suffering from sciatica.

Contact City Physiotherapy Today

If you’re tired of letting sciatica dictate your life, it’s time to take action. At City Physiotherapy, we’re committed to providing unparalleled care and personalised treatment options to help you reclaim your health and vitality. Don’t let sciatica hold you back any longer—schedule an appointment with our team of dedicated professionals and embark on the journey toward lasting relief.

How to Reduce Stress with Physiotherapy and Remedial Massage

Posted on September 30, 2022June 24, 2024 by Tucker Creative

Three quarters of Australians believe stress negatively affects their physical and mental health. Not only is stress an ongoing health pandemic, but it is also detrimental to the Australian economy, costing it billions of dollars each year. Millions of workdays are lost each year due to work-related stress. Whilst you might immediately think days off work are a good thing for you, why should you care? Workplace stress not only reduces productivity through absenteeism and through a reduced capacity for work caused by stress, but stress affects your overall wellbeing and your immediate, medium, and long-term health.

Physiotherapy and remedial massage are highly effective interventions that can help you reduce your stress. Some people may consider massage or physiotherapy a luxury. Ongoing stress however should not be a normal part of life. Working outside of our capacity over and over with stressors stacking up, affects us negatively.

We all know that high levels of stress are pervasive in our society, but that doesn’t mean that we should ignore them. Your health is your most important priority. You can’t perform at your best without your health, and you can’t look after your loved ones without your health. Ignoring spiralling stress only leads to bigger health problems. Managing your health with physiotherapy and remedial massage is not a luxury, it’s an investment in you now and an investment in the future you too.

City Physiotherapy is experienced in holistic physiotherapy and remedial massage interventions to reduce stress. We explain what stress is, how it presents physically, and physiologically, and how these targeted interventions can help reduce your stress.

Remedial massage is also often used as a way to upkeep good physical health in athletes and generally active people. Investing in it regularly is a great way to avoid the build-up of pain and soreness as a result of physical activity.

What Is Stress?

Stress can present itself physiologically, biologically, or psychologically. It is the body’s response to a stressor such as an environmental condition that is threatening, challenging, or physically and/or psychologically demanding. To produce a stress response, the body reacts to stimuli in the environment through two main systems, the autonomic nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.

Autonomic Nervous System

The autonomic nervous system comprises two different systems, the sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic (rest and digest) nervous systems. The autonomic nervous system functions in the background to regulate the body.

They work together to control human physiology and behaviour. The sympathetic nervous system promotes alertness, motivation, and goal-directed behaviour. The parasympathetic nervous system promotes healing, repair, and the anabolic growth required for restored energy reserves and longevity.

The sympathetic nervous system’s primary process is to activate the body’s fight or flight reflex, which dedicates energy to more relevant bodily systems to acute adaptation to stress. While the parasympathetic nervous system is constantly active at a basic level to return the body to homeostasis, reducing stress.

It goes without saying, for ongoing physical and psychological health, the delicate balance between the activity of the sympathetic and parasympathetic needs to be maintained.

Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis

The second major stress-response system, the HPA axis, controls reactions to stress through the release of cortisol. It influences many bodily functions including metabolic, psychological, and immunological functions. It controls digestion, the immune system, mood and emotions, sexuality, and energy storage and expenditure.

The autonomic nervous system and HPA axes are modulated by many regions of the brain, including the limbic system, prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hypothalamus.

What are Stressors?

An environmental condition is called a stressor. There are three types of stressors, such as:

Acute

Acute stress is what an individual experiences at the time the stressor is encountered. Your body’s stress response kicks in and you start to feel better once the event is over or you’re able to deal with it. For example: a traffic jam

Acute episodic

When an individual experiences acute stress on a consistent basis, such as overworking or worrying too much, it can negatively impact physical and psychological health. The signs and symptoms of stress start becoming more apparent, which can cause further stress.

Chronic

If you’re constantly under stress, if you have a lot of responsibilities, or are under mental and physical distress, it can lead to chronic stress. Major life stressors usually contribute the most to chronic stress. For example: bereavement, traumatic events, personal health problems, job stability, family responsibilities and personal safety.

What is Cortisol?

Cortisol is a hormone that helps the body respond to stress. It is regulated by the HPA axis, which is indicated in many bodily functions. Furthermore, cortisol has other functions including, but not limited to, stress.

It is made in the adrenal glands and helps to regulate many different functions in the body, including:

blood sugar regulation
inflammation reduction
memory formulation
metabolism regulation

Cortisol is required for the body to function properly. Too much cortisol can cause problems and produce unwanted symptoms.

What are the symptoms of high cortisol?

High amounts of cortisol can cause several unwanted symptoms. Symptoms can vary depending on the cause of your stress and high cortisol levels.

Signs and symptoms of high cortisol include:

Acne
Easy bruising
Difficulty concentrating
Flushed face
Headache
High blood pressure
Irritability
Muscle weakness
Severe fatigue
Slowed healing
Thinning skin
Weight gain and rounding of the face
Weight gain, mostly around the midsection and upper back

The Signs and Symptoms of Stress

What happens to the body during stress?

The autonomic nervous system controls the body’s stress response, which helps the body deal with stressful situations. Additionally, it controls heart rate, breathing, vision changes and more. However, chronic stress can cause wear and tear on the body. Thus, physical, emotional, and behavioural symptoms develop.

Physical symptoms of stress include:

Aches and pains
Back and neck pain
Chest pain or a feeling like your heart is racing
Fatigue
Headaches, dizziness or shaking
Insomnia (trouble sleeping)
High blood pressure
Muscle tension or jaw clenching
Stomach or digestive problems
Trouble having sex
Weak immune system

Stress can lead to emotional and mental symptoms like:

Anxiety or irritability
Depression
Panic attacks
Sadness

Often, people with chronic stress try to manage it with unhealthy behaviours, including:

Drinking alcohol too often, or too much
Gambling
Overeating or developing an eating disorder
Participating compulsively in sex, shopping or internet browsing
Smoking
Using drugs

What Is Remedial Massage?

Remedial massage therapy is a type of massage that intends to target specific issues by treating muscles that are injured, knotted, tense, or locked up. Remedial massage is used to identify and repair damaged areas of the body and accelerate the healing process of the body, or target and relieve the root of a problem. It is useful for a number of problems with muscles and joints, alleviating pain, and rehabilitating injuries, among others.

Furthermore, remedial massage is not general, it is a type of massage administered with a specific aim in mind; to solve an issue. This may be done over several sessions, allowing the therapist to monitor the patient’s condition and record any improvements, concerns, or regression. This allows the treatment to be tailored to the patient’s specific needs, increasing the likelihood of a successful recovery.

How to Reduce Stress with Remedial Massage Therapy

Remedial massage is beneficial for stress due to the many physiological effects it has. These effects include increased body temperature, the removal of waste products and increased endorphins, serotonin and dopamine. It also reduces stress by eliciting a parasympathetic response, encouraging the body to produce endorphins which lower adrenaline and cortisol levels, reduce muscle tension, lower the heart rate and produce a relaxation response.

Remedial Massage to Reduce Stress Symptoms

High blood pressure

Remedial massages improve your circulation. The stimulation of your blood supply allows toxins in your muscles to be removed. This reduces fatigue, helps repair damaged muscle, and releases restrictions in the muscles.

Fatigue and insomnia

Fatigue is usually caused by a lack of quality or duration of sleep. Remedial massage reduces pain and stress that might interrupt your sleep. It also helps with stress and depression which may be causing low energy.

Aches and Pains

Remedial massage treats muscles that are knotted, tense, stiff or damaged. It helps loosen tight muscles and ease your pain and stiffness.

Chronic Neck and Back Pain

In chronic neck and back pain, there are many causes, but it is worsened by muscle tension. Remedial massage is effective in reducing muscle tension, pain and the reduction of muscle spasms that can cause a flare-up of chronic symptoms. In fact, remedial massage is effective in the reduction of most chronic pain.

General Benefits Of Remedial Massage

City Physiotherapy’s remedial massage therapist is highly qualified in administering treatments for specific pain points.

Common issues that we encounter and correct through massage are;

Back and neck pain
Sporting injuries
Tissue damage
Pain caused by poor posture
Sore points or “knots” in muscles
Headaches

Don’t stress…

So, why stress? You’re in good hands with city physiotherapy’s experienced physiotherapists. Call our friendly reception on 8212 4886, or click the book online button below for a same-day appointment.

City Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic is conveniently located in the heart of the Adelaide CBD on King William Street, for almost 30 years we’ve been providing physiotherapy to the residents of Adelaide and have served over 30,000 people.

10 Ways Remedial Massage is Important For Health

Posted on May 15, 2022June 24, 2024 by Tucker Creative

What is Remedial Massage?

Remedial massage is a type of massage that intends to target specific issues by treating muscles that are injured, knotted, tense, or locked up. Remedial massage is used to identify and repair damaged areas of the body and accelerate the healing process of the body, or target and relieve the root of a problem. It is useful for a number of problems with muscles and joints, alleviating pain, and rehabilitating injuries, among others.

Problems with muscles can potentially trigger or radiate pain to other parts of the body. City physio remedial massage seeks to find the source of pain, addressing both the cause and the symptoms. An evaluation of the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and posture is the initial step in remedial massage. The therapist will give a targeted massage of the area once they have figured out what is causing the injury, ailment, or pain.

What Happens During a Remedial Massage Treatment?

A remedial massage session at City Physiotherapy will begin by talking to you about your lifestyle and asking you about any issues you’ve been having with your muscles, joints, or general wellbeing. City physio’s remedial massage therapist will then perform an assessment of your whole body to determine what your problem areas are, or what may be causing the problems you illustrated in your conversation.

You will then be directed to the massage table and be asked to undress appropriately and be covered with towels for privacy and to keep you warm during your treatment. During the massage, the therapist will use cream to assist in the smooth application of pressure. The pressure may vary depending on what is best for treating a specific issue, whether strong and deep or gentle and shallow.

The therapist will use a number of different techniques to best target the particular problem plaguing you. They might also stretch muscles related to your issue.

10 Ways Remedial Massage Is Important For Health

1. Getting rid of neck, shoulder, and low back pain

Muscular pain can have various causes, from issues in posture, to acute injury to the muscles, to pain radiating from issues in other muscles. Neck pain, shoulder pain and low back pain are the most common issues we see when patients come to us looking for help. However, remedial massage can target the cause of any type of pain, including chronic pain

2. Helps to heal injuries

Remedial massage increases the body’s natural healing response. The lymphatic system and circulation are stimulated which increases the drainage of waste products and the increase of nutrients and oxygen, which increases the rate of healing. Other factors that may be impeding recovery by putting undue stress on an injury will be taken care of as well.

3. Addresses the root cause of headaches

Headaches can often have a root cause in tight neck or shoulder muscles. Remedial massage will deeply penetrate these muscles to work out tightness and trigger points that may be at fault for your headaches, and hopefully get rid of them.

4. Increases Circulation

5. Chronic pain

Chronic pain can be horrible, some people have no relief for long periods of time. Chronic pain has various causes, however, it is often worsened by muscle tightness and stress. Remedial massage decreases these two things which can help fix chronic pain.

6. Reduces stress

During remedial massage, cortisol levels (the stress hormone) drop by up to 31%. Decreased amounts of stress have a number of benefits, including an improvement in sleep quality, reduced blood pressure and heart rate, and relaxation, which helps you handle life better. Read more about how remedial massage can reduce stress.

7. Good for mental health

During remedial massage serotonin levels increase by 28% and dopamine levels increase by 31%. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, happiness, and wellbeing.

Dopamine, as our pleasure hormone, helps us stay motivated by rewarding us with feel-good emotions. Both hormones are important for reducing anxiety and depression and overall wellbeing. This shows that remedial massage is an effective mental health tool!

8. Increase flexibility and mobility

Remedial massage decreases tightness and therefore increases the length of muscles. This removes restrictions caused by tightness and increases the flexibility of muscles and mobility of joints.

9. Reduces the symptoms of Arthritis

Arthritis can be debilitating, causing pain and impeding the ability to move. Studies show that people with arthritis-related pain may benefit from remedial massage because it relieves pain. Massage may also help to improve the mobility of joints and muscles affected by arthritis.

10. Fatigue

City Physiotherapy’s remedial massage service has provided benefits to thousands of happy clients. Use the book online button below for an appointment.

What Does A Physiotherapist Do?

Posted on January 16, 2022August 22, 2024 by Linda Shacklock

What is physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy is an allied health profession that helps patients through movement and physical treatment methods in addition to addressing the individual factors that contribute to a patient’s pain story. As physiotherapists are registered primary healthcare practitioners, you don’t need a referral to make an appointment.

Physical methods of physiotherapy may include hands on soft tissue massage, exercise, dry needling, stretching or joint or nerve mobilisations, advice on posture, ergonomics and suggestion for medical liaison or referral for radiological imaging where necessary.

Addressing the issues at the individual level may include communication, education and teaching our patients how to implement strategies to change the way they think about pain and injury, management techniques, life balance strategies, stress management and general wellbeing management.

We improve people’s quality of life, with benefits such as:

Increasing function and mobility
Reducing pain
Improving strength
Reducing the reliance on surgery and medication
Reducing the risk of future injury
Improving mental wellbeing

What do we do?

Physiotherapists predominantly treat people in pain. This can be acute pain or long-standing chronic pain. It can be from an injury, accident or from a health condition, from genetic factors, work related or repetitive movements, hormonal and chemical fluctuation factors, a sedentary lifestyle to one that is overactive or one that is in a constant state of stress and fatigue.

We treat people in pain primarily with hands-on treatment and exercise whilst also using our Physiotherapy trained skills to address the biological, psychological and social components to a patient’s pain issues. We are in a unique position to assist our patients recover from and learn new ways of dealing with their pain to improve their day to day living and lifestyle.

Our physiotherapists care about our patients as individuals and will work together with our patients to address the vast array of contributing factors that may have led to the onset of pain, stiffness and other symptoms in a safe and confidential environment.

At City Physiotherapy, we have a broad focus on many types of physiotherapy. We can assist with sports injury management and rehabilitation, from all ability levels from beginner to elite. We also have significant experience in treating musculoskeletal aches and pains, back injuries, pregnancies, headaches, and more.

As physiotherapists, we live by the phrase “Prevention is better than a cure.” Preventative physiotherapy supports overall wellbeing, and helps you reach your health-related goals.

We have the knowledge and skills to educate you on how to minimise and prevent the risk of future injuries. We have a proactive approach that addresses the underlying issues before they become problematic. We guide you by devising plans and personalised programmes that will see you get the most out of your exercise.

City Physiotherapy can also help with performance enhancing, which improves personal performance in your sport and exercise. We can do this by assessing areas of strength and weakness.

Ultimately, we assess, diagnose, and manage the care of our patients. We can treat a range of conditions, and address and reduce risk factors associated with particular conditions and lifestyles.

How we can help you

We have a wide range of treatments, because everyone is unique.

We perform manual therapy, such as stretching, joint and spinal manipulation and mobilisation, and manual resistance training. We organise and implement exercise programs, such as muscle strengthening programmes and pilates. We are highly skilled in specialised soft tissue techniques, dry needling, and pregnancy therapeutic exercises.

Often, your injury is a result of other underlying issues. For example, knee pain is often as a result of tightness or imbalances of your spine, hips, pelvis, ankle or foot. Physiotherapists work with you to identify these issues and help you get back in control of your body.

Read more about our treatments on our treatments page.

City Physiotherapy’s treatment options will help you reach your health and wellbeing goals so you can enjoy a better quality of life.

Contact us today to enquire about an appointment. Call 8212 4886 or book online for an assessment from one of our qualified and highly experienced physios.

Why Should You Get Regular Remedial Massages?

Posted on January 9, 2022August 23, 2024 by physioadmin

What is Remedial Massage?

Remedial massage is hands-on therapy that treats muscles that are damaged, knotted, tense or immobile through targeted massage. Remedial massage is used to speed up the body’s own healing process, locating and repairing different damaged areas of the body. The pressure applied in this massage treatment can either be strong and deep, or gentle and shallow, depending on the problem.

Remedial massage can address a host of issues within the body, whether it affects muscles, tendons, bones or a number of other health problems. Problems within the muscles can trigger or radiate pain to other parts of the body. Remedial massage aims to target the original reason for the pain, addressing both the root of the problem and the symptoms.

Who is Remedial Massage for?

Remedial massage can be used to help people with:

neck, shoulder or back pain
preventing injuries
headaches
sports or other injuries
arthritis
chronic pain
fatigue
anxiety or depression
to treat the side effects of cancer, such as lymphoedema
to manage the side effects of diabetes
to help with addiction rehabilitation

What are the benefits of Remedial Massage?

The benefits of massage are not a secret. For centuries the soothing techniques of massage have been used for relieving stress and improving general relaxation. But remedial massage also has many physiological benefits, including increased fitness levels and faster recovery from sports injuries and sprains.

Remedial massage helps you by improving your circulation. By stimulation of your blood supply, remedial massage allows acidic byproducts to be dissolved more readily into the bloodstream and then removed through excretion. Relaxing your muscles improves joint mobility. Massage also decreases your body’s cortisol levels decreasing stress and helping to improve sleep, decrease your blood pressure and your heart rate.

Remedial massage can improve your overall flexibility through the lengthening of your muscles. Easing and stabilising the muscles can improve problems such as headaches, abdominal pain, low back pain and sciatic pain. It can also encourage lower respiratory rate and blood pressure readings and an increase in your range of movement. Some health problems that are often treated with remedial massage include sporting and dance injuries, muscle cramps, whiplash, fibromyalgia, muscular atrophy, fibrositis, spondylitis, arthritis and frozen shoulder.

What does a remedial massage involve?

Before the massage begins, our therapist will talk to you about your health and lifestyle. You will not only receive remedial massage therapy, as part of your treatment session you and the therapist can discuss how you are feeling, how they can help you and what will be the best way to get back to your sport, training and other activities, working back in the office or simply to feel the relief of all your built-up muscle tension.

They will ask you to lie on a table or couch and will cover you with towels to protect your privacy and to keep you warm.

Our therapist will use a number of different techniques to locate and repair damaged areas of the body. They will deeply penetrate muscles associated with the problem. They might also stretch different parts of the body.

Finding a Physiotherapist near me?

If you are seeking a ‘remedial massage near me’ – then look no further. City Physiotherapy is conveniently located near you in the Adelaide CBD on King William Street. Our experienced staff and long standing reputation make our clinic one of the best physiotherapy providers in Adelaide. City Physiotherapy’s remedial massage services have provided relief to many happy clients, decreasing their physical and mental pain to improve their health and wellbeing.

COVID-19

Come and see your physio in a COVID safe workplace, we are open and have an updated COVID and hygiene safety policy! We know the stress you may be feeling in these complex times, but whether it’s an injury, difficulty sleeping, annoying niggles or just space to breathe from your home-turned-office; it’s important that you see someone that cares about you, knows your past history, and individual preferences. Remedial therapy provides immediate relief, as well as preventing future injuries.

The health of you, our staff at City Physiotherapy and our community is paramount. We want to ensure your safety, and stop the spread; we are committed to helping you throughout these difficult times. We have implemented a number of safety measures at our clinic for your safety and wellbeing.

Invest in your better self. City Physiotherapy is here to help you, keeping you pain-free and moving well so you can continue to do the things you love without pain and stiffness. Our massage treatments are claimable on your private health insurance. Conveniently located in the Adelaide CBD, City Physiotherapy offers half and full hour remedial massage therapy treatments.

Contact us for an appointment with our highly experienced and qualified remedial massage therapist at our King William Street clinic. Find the best physio near Adelaide CBD, City Physiotherapy.

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