Treatments

Massage comes in many forms, this is a good and a bad thing. The good part is that massage can be used to treat a vary wide variety issues.
The bad part is that this also means you don't always know what you are signing up for when getting a massage. So, let me explain wat you can expect when you come to see me for Remedial Massage Therapy.
Professional vs Standard
Not commonly known is that Remedial Massage therapists are trained in a lot of the same skills, techniques and knowledge that physiotherapist are.
When you see a professional therapist like myself we don't just throw you on the table and rub you for an hour (there is nothing wrong with that either), we will first spend a moment assessing you and asking questions about your current issues, so we can we can figure out how to efficiently and effectively resolve your problem.
How Does It work
Whilst Remedial Massage works directly with the muscles, what we are actually effecting is the Nervous system.
It is this change in the nervous system that results in the reduced tension and pain often attributed to massage treatment.

A very powerful and accurate treatment, Dry Needling can treat even the most severely tight and painfully muscles.
Often used to help with sports injuries and common chronic pain symptoms, Dry Needling is a great additional tool to use alongside massage and exercises.
Is it like acupuncture?
Whilst they both use Needles, Dry Needling and Acupuncture very different in their approach.
Acupuncture works with the premise that the body has certain channels, called meridian lines, that move energy and information through the body too the brain and other organs.
Needles are used to affect these lines and bring function back to the system. Dry Needling on the other hand simply targets tight painful muscles.
How Does It Work
When a Needle is placed into a muscle we often see a twitch or short contraction and then a relaxation of the muscle.
This very quick response results in a chemical change in the tissue often resulting in reduction of pain and improvement in range of motion.
Electro Needling
As well as the benefits of dry needling, electro needling introduces a light pulsing current through the needles. The addition of the current can significantly help to treat inflammation and pain in the area, often with immediate results.

You may have seen athletes sporting (see what I did there?) circular bruises on their bodies. These are from cupping, which is a form of therapy that suctions a section of skin and muscle tissue to improve blood and lymphatic flow to the area.
Often, pain is the result of poorly oxygenated and acidic tissue that is not healing and recovering, this is where therapies like cupping can help.

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a therapeutic technique that involves delivering electrical impulses to the vagus nerve, which is a major nerve in the body that plays a crucial role in regulating various bodily functions, including heart rate, digestion, and mood.
VNS has been approved by regulatory agencies for the treatment of certain medical conditions, such as epilepsy and depression. In epilepsy, VNS may help reduce the frequency and severity of seizures by modulating the electrical activity in the brain. In depression, VNS may be used as a treatment option for individuals who have not responded well to traditional antidepressant medications.
Additionally, research suggests that VNS may have potential benefits for other conditions, including anxiety disorders, migraines, pain and inflammatory diseases, although further studies are needed to fully understand its effectiveness for these purposes.
Overall, VNS offers a promising avenue for the treatment of various medical conditions by harnessing the body's natural nervous system pathways to promote therapeutic effects.

Pain education and counseling can be invaluable for individuals experiencing chronic pain. These approaches aim to provide patients with a deeper understanding of pain mechanisms, its impact on their lives, and effective coping strategies. Here's how they can help:
Understanding Pain Mechanisms: Chronic pain often involves complex biological, psychological, and social factors. Pain education helps patients understand the underlying mechanisms of pain, such as central sensitization, nerve sensitization, and neuroplasticity. By understanding these mechanisms, patients can better comprehend why they experience pain and how various factors influence their pain experience.
Changing Pain Perceptions: Chronic pain can lead to maladaptive beliefs and perceptions about pain, which can exacerbate suffering and disability. Counseling sessions provide an opportunity for patients to challenge these beliefs and develop more adaptive attitudes towards pain. By reframing their understanding of pain, individuals can reduce fear, catastrophizing, and avoidance behaviors, leading to improved pain management and quality of life.
Promoting Self-Management Skills: Pain education equips patients with practical self-management skills to better manage their pain on a day-to-day basis. This may include techniques such as pacing activities, relaxation exercises, mindfulness meditation, and stress management strategies. Counseling sessions provide a supportive environment for patients to learn and practice these skills, empowering them to take an active role in their pain management.
Addressing Psychological Factors: Chronic pain often coexists with psychological comorbidities such as depression, anxiety, and trauma. Counseling sessions can help individuals address these psychological factors by providing emotional support, teaching coping skills, and facilitating problem-solving strategies. By addressing the psychological aspects of pain, individuals can experience improvements in mood, sleep, and overall well-being.
Improving Function and Quality of Life: Ultimately, the goal of pain education and counseling is to improve function and quality of life for individuals with chronic pain. By empowering patients with knowledge, skills, and support, these approaches can help individuals regain a sense of control over their lives, engage in meaningful activities, and cultivate resilience in the face of pain challenges.
In summary, pain education and counseling offer a holistic approach to chronic pain management by addressing the multidimensional nature of pain and empowering individuals with the tools they need to live well despite their pain.

At the heart of most pain and dysfunction is a history of poorly executed excise or lack there of. All too often I hear the story of the late 30's to 40 something individual who has let themselves go for too long and then decides to try and get fit and hit the gym, only to end up on my table with shoulder, back or knee pain.
What I offer in my personal training and movement coaching is not the "drop down and give me 20" approach that carelessly pushes people to injury, but one that teaches you the skills of how to move and exercise well.
Train with me if you want:
Quality and professional coaching
To get out of pain
Feel mentally and physically stronger
Sort your body out for good

Luke Sparrow Coaching