Tag Archives: sports physiotherapy

Lower back pain

Lower back pain

Acupuncture, Cupping, Dry Needling, Exercise, Lower back pain, Medicare EPCs, Medicare physio, Pain, Perth Physiotherapy, private health, Trigger Points, Uncategorized, Yokine Physiotherapy, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Low-Back-Pain

Lower back pain problems are a common issue for many patients treated at Dr7 Physio and Podiatry in Yokine Perth. Many of our patients from the surrounding suburbs such as Yokine, Dianella, Joondana, Tuart Hill etc, are being successfully treated for back pain every week by our highly experienced physiotherapists.

Causes:

Usually lower back pain is caused by a strain in the muscles or a sprain in the ligaments in the lower back. Things that contribute to the strain and sprain to the muscles include:

  • Improper lifting, instead of squatting down and lifting with your legs you bend over and lift with your back.
  • Lack of regular fitness, running after a long time can strain your muscles because it is not use to it.
  • A ruptured disc, the disc may be pressing on the sciatica nerve causing constant lower back pain.
  • Poor posture, if your posture is bad certain muscles groups will have to compensate for the other areas. This causes strain in the muscle that is working over time.

Lower back pain relief:

  • Cold packs, applying a cold pack to your back may reduce the inflammation of the muscles. It also slows down nerve impulses which causes spasms that causes lower back pain.
  • Heat packs, this will stimulate blood flow which increases the healing process.
  • Stretching, continuous stretching daily can loosen the tense muscles in the lower back.
  • Taking medication, Pain relief medication may temporarily reduce your lower back pain.

Treatment:

  • Come down to Dr7 Physio and Podiatry in Yokine Perth to get a physiotherapist to administer dry needling, manipulation and releasing your pressure points with a massage.
  • A professional masseuse at Dr7 Physio and Podiatry can target the right muscle group and strains to relieve you from lower back pain.

Prevention:

  • Strengthening your core, this will provide support to your lower back.
  • Exercise regularly, this will keep your body healthy and strengthen other muscles in your body which supports to the lower back.
  • Be well rested, sleeping is a very important factor and sleeping sideways is also beneficial to the lower back.
  • Lift heavy objects correctly, keep your back straight and use your legs to lift and not your back.
  • maintain proper posture, keep your back upright and correct your posture so all the muscles are correctly supporting one another.

 

We are well located to provide physiotherapy, podiatry, hydrotherapy and massage to  Yokine, Dianella, Joondana, Tuart Hill, Osborne Park, Coolbinia, Mount Lawley, Bedford, Inglewood, Balcatta, Stirling, Nollamara and surrounding Perth communities.

We have been providing friendly and professional physiotherapy, podiatry, hydrotherapy and massage treatment since 2001.

Hydrotherapy

What is physiotherapy?

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What is physiotherapy? Physiotherapy is a medical practice that is designed to help patients with injuries. The aim is to restore mobility and flexibility. In most cases, their services are called in to help patients recovering from injury or disease.

A physiotherapist is a qualified, well-trained individual. They work in concert with doctors to provide a physical element to the recovery. Like all medical personnel, they work so the patient can get better and be given the tools to remain healthy.

Physiotherapists use a variety of techniques and go over various data. Their tasks require them to make assessments, diagnosis and prescribe treatments for a broad range of conditions. Movement disorders, joint issues, injuries, and other mobility-related problems are part of their expertise.

However, the practice is not limited to post-injury treatment. They can also be called upon to provide regimens meant to prevent injury or promote better health. Physical rehabilitation and maintenance of mobility, along with aid in particular chronic disease management programs, is not unusual.

A typical physiotherapist in Australia will have an education in patient education and occupational health.

You might be wondering: why would I need a physiotherapist? The first inclination is to think that you don’t and never will. An injury-free lifestyle and a healthy diet, along with exercise, seems like a good recipe for keeping the doctor at bay.

However, various people might come to a physiotherapist to address a variety of concerns. Even those who are perfectly healthy may decide to consult one, in the interest of staying in good health. It helps that the discipline can address a broad range of needs.

Cardiovascular and respiratory therapy are everyday actions for physio Dianella.

The heart and lungs are like the body’s engine, making sure that all the right stuff is pumped into all the right places. Physiotherapy regimens can help rehabilitate people living at risk of many hearts and lung-related conditions, such as asthma.

The physio Osborne Park practice can also provide technique’s to help recover from surgery involving the cardiovascular or respiratory systems.

Cancer is also a possible cause you might seek physiotherapy Dianella.

Lymphoedema, palliative care, and other cancer-related needs can be addressed through the right regimens. Physiotherapists can devise programs that include the treatment and management of the fatigue associated with the cancer treatments.

At the same time, they can aid in deconditioning and alleviating the muscle and joint stiffness. These are sometimes known to be side effects of certain types of cancer treatment.

The elderly can also reap a variety of benefits. Exercise and physical activity – as directed by physiotherapy Dianella – can help improve the quality of life for senior citizens.

Older individuals can use physiotherapy to improve their mobility in the wake of incontinence, osteoporosis, and other conditions. A regimen can also be designed to aid in remaining mobile and active, even in their old physical state.

Physiotherapy can also help the old address continence issues.

Women’s health is also an area that may benefit. Pregnancy, bowel control, post-partum care, pre-birth exercises, and menopause are all areas where physiotherapy can offer assistance.

Some neurological concerns may also be addressed.

Neurology and physiotherapy converge in the areas of damage to the spinal cord or brain. Injuries and trauma may reduce mobility or quality of life. A combination of neurological efforts and physiotherapy regimens can reduce the problem, particularly for conditions such as Parkinson’s or multiple sclerosis.

Orthopaedic concerns are also covered.

Physiotherapy Yokine can help the management of acute or chronic conditions. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and amputations are some areas that the practice can help with. They are also part of the rehabilitation program for orthopaedic surgery.

Musculoskeletal areas can also benefit from physiotherapy. The primary focus here lies in preventing strain and injury. Techniques can also address some underlying problems, such as limited mobility, or neck and back pain.

Physiotherapy Dianella can also assist various occupational health concerns. The practices and exercises can support the overall well-being of workers. They can also help in reducing the risk of injury or disease and address safety hazards.

There are other areas where a physiotherapist Joondanna might be able to offer help. Consult with one to make sure. Other areas where physio Dianella might help include men recovering from testicular cancer. Physio Yokine can also assist various paediatric concerns.

You might be curious about the average physiotherapy Osborne Park session. Below you’ll find a description of how things tend to go so that you can get an idea for yourself.

The session – indeed, your entire relationship with a physiotherapist – begins with questions. The therapist will ask about your overall health and various other queries, intent on getting an idea about your unique needs and condition. The treatment will depend on what is learned at this stage.

Assessment and diagnosis of what the patient needs follows, using information on the condition. The goal at this point is to know what would be required, which informs the plan and regimen.

This is also the point where the therapist inquires about the patient’s goals. Some patients want to run marathons, while others want to remain physically mobile even in old age. What they want will affect what the therapist will recommend.

A therapist will work with you in setting those goals. Sometimes, you might set a goal that is far too advanced or beyond your body’s current abilities. A physiotherapist can help keep the objectives from being impossible but still challenging. Physio Joondanna can be a huge help for you.

Finally, a treatment plan is developed. Physical aids and exercise will usually be part of this, along with changes to lifestyle and general health. The result is a comprehensive plan meant to make your life better, while also helping you achieve your goal at a steady pace.

Physio Tuart Hill can assist you in having a better quality of life. The holistic approach and the ties with other medical practices mean that you are getting comprehensive care and the attention of a professional. Physiotherapy Tuart Hill might be a good idea for you and your overall health.

 

Notre Dame student

Clinical placement for Notre Dame students

Acupuncture, Aqua Fit, Cupping, Dry Needling, Exercise, hockey injuries, Hydrotherapy, Hydrotherapy Exercises, Hydrotherapy Pool Perth, Medicare physio, Pain, perth hydrotherapy, Perth Physiotherapy, Sports Physiotherapy, Trigger Points, Uncategorized, Wrist and Hand Injuries, yokine hydrotherapy, Yokine Physiotherapy, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Dr7 Physiotherapy has provided clinical placement for Notre Dame Students (Fremantle campus) for the past 10 years. Around 20 students each year will go through our clinic and gain valuable experience for their physiotherapy studies. The physio students work closely  with our experienced physiotherapists and hydro-therapist on a daily basis to gain insight into patient treatment and management. “We wanted to help in any way possible to educate and teach the interns to better prepare them for the future”, as quoted by Ryan our head physiotherapist.

 

 

A normal day for the interns:

  • They would sit in on initial assessments and learn how the physio would assess a new patient and proper treatment if any on the first visit.
  • Students would learn the many injuries and treatments ranging from workers compensation, motor vehicle accidents and sports injuries.
  • The hydrotherapy pool would be a main focus for the students as Doctor 7 Physio and Podiatry are one of the only practices in Perth with a hydrotherapy pool in it.
  • Interns will get into the pool and help out the physios teaching the proper exercises and movements to the patients.

 

What an intern would learn from the internship:

  • How to properly prepare themselves if they choose to work in a private practice.
  • How to diagnose patient’s injuries from the initial assessment and the proper treatment methods they should undertake.
  • Observing and teaching patients on how to execute the proper stretches and exercises for their rehabilitation.
  • Gaining knowledge and experience of treatment of patients in the hydrotherapy pool

 

Dr7 Physiotherapy and Podiatry has also taken in students internationally from other Physiotherapy schools. A student from Germany came to have an internship with us in 2016, staying with us for 3 months before returning back to Germany to begin her career.

 

We will always welcome students from local or international universities to come and undertake an internship with us. If we can accommodate students, we will do our best in showing them how a private physiotherapy and podiatry practice is operated.

http://www.nd.edu.au/fremantle/schools/physiotherapy/internship-acknowledgments

New Hydrotherapy Aqua Fit class

Aqua Fit, Exercise, Hydrotherapy, Hydrotherapy Exercises, Hydrotherapy Pool Perth, Medicare physio, MMA physio, Pain, perth hydrotherapy, Perth Physiotherapy, Postnatal Hydrotherapy Perth, private health, Sports Physiotherapy, Wrist and Hand Injuries, yokine hydrotherapy, Yokine Physiotherapy, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Introducing a new Hydrotherapy Aqua Fit class starting this week at Dr7 Physiotherapy and Podiatry, Aqua Fit is a high intensity and low impact workout in our Hydrotherapy pool. Warmed at a constant 34 degrees Celsius and water resistance makes the work out more intense but with fewer injuries.

Benefits of Hydrotherapy:

  • Post operation of knee and hip replacement – people may not be able to put their full body weight on the operated area so therefore it will encourage the patients to walk properly in their rehabilitation without the weight in the pool.
  • Arthritis – with experiencing pain in their joints doing exercises may take a toll on the body on land but in warm water it can eliminate the stiffness and soreness of the joints and you may exercise pain free.
  • Sports injury/Recovery – the warmth of the water would loosen up tight muscles and encourages relaxation and speed the healing process.
  • It may boost the immune system allowing efficient function of the organs and also increasing metabolic rate and digestion.

Benefits of Aqua Fit (exercising in warm water):

  • Improves your aerobic fitness and flexibility by reducing the weight while exercising in the warm water.
  • Low impact exercising for muscles and joints
  • Improves strength and balance
  • Post natal training and injury rehabilitation

The classes will be on every Friday at 12pm to 12:40pm instructed by Tess our very own physiotherapist and personal trainer. Cost of the class is $37 and is either fully covered or partly covered by your private health, limited spots available.

Tess, Lawrence and Emma also instructs the arthritis classes on a daily basis:

Tess:
Monday 8:30am
Friday 8:30am

Lawrence:
Monday 10:30am
Tuesday 9am
Thursday 9am
Friday 10:30am

Emma:
Wednesday: 10:30am and 1:30pm

Cost of the class is $25 and is either fully covered or partly covered by your private health, limited spots available.

So give Dr7 Physiotherapy and Podiatry a call today on 9349 1777 to make a booking or visit our pages:

https://www.facebook.com/PhysioExperts

Dr7 Flyer - Aquatics 2-1Dr7 Flyer - Arthritis 2-118947131_10155206690175149_542908460_o 18948747_10155206656930149_1024210344_o 18948804_10155206613320149_664476892_o (1) 18986346_10155206647535149_1797790688_o 19024598_10155212797250149_1860699602_o 19024727_10155212796560149_972323937_o

Hand and Wrist Injuires

Hand and Wrist Injuries

Acupuncture, Dry Needling, Exercise, Medicare physio, medicare podiatry, Pain, Perth Physiotherapy, perth podiatry, private health, Sports Physiotherapy, Wrist and Hand Injuries, Yokine Physiotherapy, yokine podiatry, , , , , , , , , , ,

 

INTRODUCTION

Hand and wrist injuries can dramatically affect our lives. As humans, we rely heavily on our hands to manipulate objects, grip, carry and reach for things for our survival. We take for granted the ability to feed ourselves, maintain personal hygiene or use technology and transportation, until we sustain a hand or wrist injury.  Given the importance of our hands and their role in facilitating our everyday tasks and activities, it is essential to have your injury or symptoms addressed at the onset of your symptoms.

This article will briefly outline some of the common presentations and give a brief description of how to manage them. It is important to seek the advice and assessment of a Hand Physiotherapist to ensure you are receiving the highest level of care.

WRIST AND HAND ANATOMY

At an anatomical level, the wrist contains many small bones neatly joined together by ligaments. This area is commonly referred to as the Carpus.  We have our two main forearm bones, the radius and ulna running from the elbow to the wrist. The other end of the carpus is where our finger and thumb bones join, our metacarpals and the ends of our fingers called phalanges. Our thumb contains a proximal and distal phalanx, and the 2nd to 5th digits contain a proximal, middle and distal phalanx (Figure 1).

Each bone in the carpus has a specific name and the joint spaces between each of these carpal bones is derived from those names – the join between the carpal, scaphoid and lunate is called the scaphoid-lunate joint.  We also have a number of tendons and muscles that either traverse the top or bottom of the wrist and or digits and accompanying these are nerves and blood vessels.

DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT

When considering the types of hand and wrist injuries, we can loosely divide them into two categories – an acute onset or traumatic presentation and a chronic or overuse presentation.

Typically with traumatic or acute injury, we generally feel symptoms immediately and generally, these symptoms immediately follow a particular movement or mechanism of injury.

An overuse or chronic injury, refers to symptoms that have developed over a period of time, whether the symptoms stay the same or gradually change.  This article will give a brief overview for each of these categories for most common hand and wrist presentations.

One common mechanism of hand and wrist injuries is falling on an outstretched hand. This is a common occurrence out on the football field, tripping over when walking or coming off a bike. Structures that are commonly injured include:

  • a fracture of the distal radius / ulna
  • scaphoid fracture
  • scapho-lunate ligament tear / scapho-lunate dissociation (separation)
  • Triangulo-fibrocartilaginous complex tear (TFCC)

Each of these structures will require a period of immobilisation in a specific position prior to commencing rehabilitation to restore movement and strength to the hand and wrist.

Wrist pain can also occur after repeating a movement for a prolonged period of time, or vigorous repetitions with force. Some of the conditions that can occur include:

  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
  • Intersection Syndrome
  • Tenosynovitis or synovitis of the extensor or flexor tendons at the level of the wrist and forearm

Management of these hand and wrist injuires would typically involve splinting into a specific position for a period of time with regular tendon gliding exercises, icing of the affected area. Once the symptoms have begun to subside, weaning from the splint is introduced and gradual strengthening and movement exercises are prescribed.

When we look at common traumatic hand and wrist injuries to the thumb and digits, the following presentations come to mind:

  • fractures of the metacarpals and phalanges
  • dislocations of the PIP and DIP joints (most commonly)
  • collateral ligament tears to the base of the thumb (MCP joint)
  • collateral ligament tears to the PIP joints of the thumb
  • volar plate injuries
  • avulsion fractures of the DIP joints

Each of these hand and wrist injuries require specific positioning for  varying periods of time to enable tissue healing and then rehabilitation of movement and strengthening will follow.

Overuse hand and wrist injuries of the extremities include:

  • tendinitis / tenosynovitis / synovitis of the flexor tendons at the level of the digits
  • MCP joint and CMC joint degeneration
  • MCP joint instability
  • Trigger finger
  • Trigger thumb
  • Wear and tear of the PIP joints and DIP joints of the fingers

Similarly, most of these areas will require splinting for periods of time to ensure protection of the joint surface or rest of the inflamed area. Careful prescription of movement exercises, tendon gliding exercises, icing inflamed areas and controlled strengthening are all likely to be part of the rehabilitation phase.

Whether in an acute or more chronic presentation, depending on the severity, deformity, deviation and integrity of surrounding structures, other measures will be taken to ensure the best outcome for the individual. Some of these things include imaging, cortisone injections, or referral to a Specialist for surgical intervention.

If you have a hand or wrist injury, no matter how little, be sure to put your health first and consult your Hand Physiotherapist today.

About the author: Sophie Halsall-McLennan is a Drysdale based physiotherapist and is the owner of Fresh Start Physiotherapy in Curlewis, Victoria and has a special interest in hand therapy, tennis elbow and back pain. Dr7 Physiotherapy Podiatry Hydrotherapy Massage in Yokine Perth WA is proud to be partnering up with Sophie to provide high quality blogs to help educate the community in regards to health, wellness and physiotherapy.

 

Dr7 Physiotherapy and Podiatry proud physios for the under 18s WA's women's hockey team.

Physiotherapy for under 18s Hockey WA

Acupuncture, Cupping, Dry Needling, Exercise, hockey injuries, Hydrotherapy, Pain, perth hydrotherapy, Perth Physiotherapy, perth remedial massage, private health, Sports Physiotherapy, Trigger Points, yokine hydrotherapy, Yokine Physiotherapy, yokine remedial massage, , , , , , , , , ,

Congratulations to the U’18 Western Australian Hockey Women’s team who competed in the National U’18 Hockey Tournament in Hobart, Tasmania. The competition was held in April, with a total of 10 women’s teams competing for top spot. As the team’s physiotherapist I was kept very busy but thoroughly enjoyed working with the girls to bring home the bronze medal. I treated many hockey related acute and chronic injuries.

Pre Tournament:

Before departure, the team underwent a high volume block of conditioning to fine-tune components of their technical game and fitness. On touch down in Hobart the girls continued with their tournament preparations and adjusted to the new weather conditions.

During Tournament:

With the tournament underway, injuries began to surface. The girls continued implementing strategies to maintain their physical fitness and avoid emotional fatigue. A typical day for the girls would commence at 6:30am with a light walk and stretch, and finish at 5:00pm in the afternoon with freezing cold Hobart beach swim. In between their tactical match preparations the girls would individually attend physiotherapy and taping . On rest days we would go down to the local pool for hydrotherapy recovery.

Injuries

The girls contested with multiple injuries throughout the trip and kept me very busy. With fatigue setting in after the few games, majority of the team were receiving some form of physiotherapy management. We dealt with a couple of sprained ankles, knee injuries, back spasms, a split eyebrow and multiple soft tissue strains/tears to name a few. As a team we managed to go through 25 rolls of tape, 12 acupuncture boxes, 2 bottles of massage cream and multiple ice packs.

Despite the hard work-load for both athletes and the off-field staff we all had a great experience and thoroughly enjoyed our time in Hobart. I am thoroughly looking forward to working with more HockeyWa athletes in the future.

Tess M.

Dr7 Physiotherapy and Podiatry proud physios for the under 18s WA's women's hockey team.
A team huddle before the first match.
Dr7 Physiotherapy and Podiatry proud physios for the under 18s WA's women's hockey team.
Team and staff after a successful tournament in Hobart.
Dr7 Physiotherapy and Podiatry proud physios for the under 18s WA's women's hockey team.
Dr7 Physiotherapy and Podiatry proud physios for the under 18s WA’s women’s hockey team.
Dr7 Physiotherapy and Podiatry proud physios for the under 18s WA's women's hockey team.
A few stretches and warm up before the game.
Dr7 Physiotherapy and Podiatry proud physios for the under 18s WA's women's hockey team.
Our very own Tess M. from Dr7 Physiotherapy and Podiatry.
world masters

Dr7 physio – Greg Brush- Race to the WMAC

Acupuncture, Cupping, Dry Needling, Exercise, Hydrotherapy, Hydrotherapy Exercises, MMA physio, perth hydrotherapy, Perth Physiotherapy, perth podiatry, Sports Physiotherapy, , , , , , ,

This is the third in a short series of blogs I am writing in the lead up to the World Masters Athletics Championships in Perth in late October/early November. Thanks to all the practitioners at Dr7 Physiotherapy and Podiatry Perth. These are sports physio that  have helped me a lot in my preparation.

 

Entries have now closed for the event and 28 have entered the Men’s 45-49 Long Jump. The field is truly world class and includes the majority of the top jumpers in this age group, with the exception of a couple of top Russians. They are banned due to Russia’s exclusion from Athletics competition at all levels (the rights and wrongs of this were noted in my last blog). The large field means we will have a qualifying event in which the top 12 jumpers there will proceed to the final two days later.

 

On the best performances listed by the entrants I am ranked sixth in the field. I hope that home field advantage, some significant training advances and also the fact that a few of the jumpers ranked ahead of me are also entered in multiple events (including the decathlon) will work in my favour. As the long jump is one of the last events on the programme there may be some tired old guys by then.

 

Training over the last month has generally gone well and there have been no major injuries. That is aside from another bout of the flu that came from nowhere and really knocked me out. In the last week speed and jump session performances have been the best since last season. As many of you will know, the Perth weather has not been great lately. So in order to get some quality training in I flew to Darwin for a week to take advantage of better weather conditions. Now with just under four weeks to go I am beginning to taper my training in preparation for the championships. What this means is that training volume is significantly decreased and intensity is high. For example, gym work is now especially focused on explosive work with exercises such as jump squats replacing Olympic lifts. This Thursday and the following Tuesday I will have two pre-Worlds competitions that will be a good guide to how I am tracking and any technical issues I need to devote attention to.

 

That is about all for now. If you are in Perth and want to see some top athletics competition involving some remarkable and inspirational older athletes the full programme is now available at www.perth2016.com The championships run from October 26 to November 6 (October 30 and November 3 are rest days). If you are interested, my long jump competition is at the WA Athletics Stadium (Stephenson Street, Mount Claremont) – Qualifying – Wednesday November 2, 11.30am; Final – Friday November 4, 3.00pm.

 

Until the next update…

Physio Perth-MMA-Jack Becker

Physio Perth-MMA-Jack Becker

Acupuncture, Cupping, Dry Needling, Exercise, MMA physio, Pain, Perth Physiotherapy, perth remedial massage, private health, Sports Physiotherapy, Trigger Points, yokine hydrotherapy, Yokine Physiotherapy, yokine remedial massage, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

PHYSIO PERTH – MMA – Jack Becker

 

 

Do you want to prepare train and recover like a professional MMA fighter? Dr7 Physio is proud to be in Jack Becker’s corner helping him recover and stay in peak physical fighting condition. The countless injuries we’ve seen and treated will make a grown man weep! Jack is a tough dude that can fight! But he also gets his fair of sprains and strains.

 

Check out Jack Becker’s Instagram feed to see how a professional fighter prepares for his upcoming fight in Japan with the help of mach1fightclub and Dr7 Physiotherapy and Podiatry Yokine – Perth .

@dr7physioandpod

@jackmbecker

@mach1fightclub

#ufc #icwest #physioperth

# perth #perthlife #perthisok

 

www.dr7physioandpod.com.au

 

Phelps Cupping

Myofascial Cupping

Acupuncture, Cupping, Dry Needling, Exercise, Hydrotherapy, Pain, perth hydrotherapy, Perth Physiotherapy, perth remedial massage, Sports Physiotherapy, Trigger Points, Yokine Physiotherapy, yokine remedial massage, , , , , , , , ,

Were you wondering what those big bruises on Michael Phelps’ back were during his Rio Olympic campaign? They were the result of a technique called Myofascial Cupping. Cupping therapy is an ancient form of alternative medicine in which a therapist puts special cups on your skin for a few minutes to create suction. People get it for many purposes, including to help with pain, inflammation, blood flow, relaxation and well-being, and as a type of deep-tissue massage. Cupping helps to stretch tight muscles and fascia and promotes healing in the area.

Myofascial cupping procedure commonly involves creating a small area of low air pressure next to the skin. However, there are varieties in the tools used, the methods of creating the low pressure, and the procedures followed during the treatment.

The cups can be of various shapes including balls or bells, and may range in size from 1 to 3 inches (25 to 76 mm) across the opening. Plastic and glass are the most common materials used today, replacing the horn, pottery, bronze and bamboo cups used in earlier times. The low air pressure required may be created by heating the cup or the air inside it with an open flame or a bath in hot scented oils, then placing it against the skin. As the air inside the cup cools, it contracts and draws the skin slightly inside. More recently, vacuum is created with a mechanical suction pump acting through a valve located at the top of the cup. Rubber cups are also available that squeeze the air out and adapt to uneven or bony surfaces.

In practice, cups are normally used only on softer tissue that can form a good seal with the edge of the cup. They may be used singly or with many to cover a larger area. They may be used by themselves or placed over an acupuncture needle. Skin may be lubricated, allowing the cup to move across the skin slowly.

Skin markings are common after the cups are removed, varying from simple red rings that disappear relatively quickly, to discolourisation from bruising, especially if the cups are dragged while suctioned from one place to another, ostensibly to break down muscle fiber. Usually treatments are not very painful

Call our team of professional physiotherapists today for more information or ask about it during your next session!

GB Long Jump

Physio Yokine – Greg Brush Blog 2 Hunt for Gold at WMAC

Perth Physiotherapy, perth podiatry, perth remedial massage, Sports Physiotherapy, World Masters Athletics Championships, Yokine Physiotherapy, yokine podiatry, yokine remedial massage, , , , , , ,

This is the second in a short series of blogs I am writing in the lead up to the World Masters Athletics Championships in Perth in late October/early November.

 

Since writing my last blog, training has been restricted (training never stops, you just find alternatives) by a couple minor injuries, a short bout of flu, and Perth weather not always being conducive to outdoor sessions. It also seems like it has been an unusually cold winter, which makes the hard winter training phase even more challenging. But everything is back on track now and the weather seems to be improving (crosses fingers).

 

In terms of my current training, I generally workout six days a week, and each week do a mix of speed and jumping technique work on the track, plyometrics (think hops, bounds, jumps over hurdles, sometimes with a weight vest and up a hill), weight training sessions (Olympic lifts, squats, step ups, lunges, etc.,), and yoga, along with the all-important physio and massage sessions with Ryan and Vicki at Dr.7. If that sounds like a lot, it is, and I have an understanding employer that has allowed me to take a reduced load this year to allow me to put this time into training. The winter phase of training is high volume at a moderate intensity, and as I lead up to the competition the volume will be reduced and intensity increased.

 

With two weeks to go until entries close there are now 17 entered for my event. The entries include the World’s two leading jumpers (one of whom is a former open European champion and Olympic Long Jump finalist). There are likely to be a number of additional entries before the deadline (as yet there are no Americans entered), although as Masters athletes are, with a very few exceptions, self-funded, costs of travel to Perth may see a few of the leading jumpers from the US and Europe decide not to make the trip downunder. In any case it is still going to be a very high quality field.

 

As you may be aware, the Russian athletics team are currently banned from international competition due to their state sponsored doping programme. This ban also applies to Masters competition, so we will not be seeing any Russians competing in Perth. I have mixed feelings about this situation. Some of the Russian masters competitors are former elite athletes that competed in an era when there was extensive, ongoing and well-documented state sponsored doping in the Eastern bloc. Given that there is considerable evidence of steroid use providing long term benefits, I strongly believe any athlete doping should receive a life ban. However, there are also many Russian masters that were not former elites and especially if they found the sport later in life and do not compete at the top level, are unlikely to be doping. To group these masters athletes along with the elites and implement a total competition ban is very harsh and I empathize with these athletes and would hate to be put in a similar position.

 

Well that is all for now, I’m off to do some yoga and stretch the old body out … until the next update