Facebook

In an attempt to keep up with this social media trend I am setting up a facebook profile for my massage practice. I will post a link once I've navigated all the rather confusing settings! I will use it to share useful and interesting links; details of courses I am running or attending; changes in my clinic hours and availability and other such information.

My 2014 professional training: pelvis and lumbar

After much deliberation I have booked myself onto a weekend advanced skills course in February to develop greater expertise in treating the lumbar and pelvis. The course is organised by the Institute of Sport and Remedial Massage in London and focuses on the assessment and treatment of pelvic-lumbar dysfunction. I hope to gain from it improved accuracy in assessing, treating and restoring function to this important area that can have such influence over the rest of the body.

This does mean that I will not be available at the 919 Clinic on Friday 7th or Monday 10th February.

Collaborations with a running coach

People often ask me at the end of a treatment what they can do to prevent the problem reoccurring; my answer is often that they need to address not only their posture but how they are moving and functioning. I sometimes refer people on to remedial personal trainers and recommend individual or small group classes such as Pilates, Alexander technique or Feldenkrais. Learning to move efficiently can be life changing!

This morning I met with running coach Chris Adams http://www.therunning-coach.co.uk/
Like me, Chris is passionate about his work and sees it as his vocation. After a long and interesting chat about the kind of things remedial massage therapists and coaches like to chat about such as efficient movement and posture, functional training and the problems caused by the limited range of movement many people are experiencing on a day to day basis, we decided it would be great to collaborate together. I'll be working on ideas for a series of talks, the details of which I will post once arranged.

 

Interesting article on barefoot running.

A colleague drew this article to my attention:

http://www.clinicaladvisor.com/a-better-understanding-of-barefoot-running/article/328384/?DCMP=EMC-CA_ClinicalAdvisor&cpn=eliqcard&spMailingID=7718687&spUserID=MjQ4ODU5MDk3NzgS1&spJobID=112802668&spReportId=MTEyODAyNjY4S0

It is an interesting overview of the existing data including when barefoot style may be of benefit to a runner, and ends with some advice on making the transition to minimalist shoes including technique, timing, the importance of strengthening and stretching muscles and warning signs to look out for. The writers emphasise that some runners may need longer to make the transition.

 I was interested in its findings on the impact (quite literally!) of running style being as crucial as choice of footwear. Changing footwear to minimalist shoes whilst maintaining a rear foot strike is unlikely to reduce the incidence of injury.... The writers also advise caution with regard to changing running style if there are no existing signs of stress or injury; this is a view that other physiotherapists have expressed.

Welcoming in 2014!

Hopefully everybody reading this will have enjoyed the Christmas break. I am enjoying the increasingly lighter evenings! My goal for this year is to run the Nine Edges in September (I usually walk it) so I need to start a proper running regime again. The event raises funds for Edale Mountain Rescue and is a lovely route, taking in the edges from Derwent to Birchen including Stanage, Burbage, Froggat, Curbar and Baslow. Entries open on the 14th April.

I returned to work last week and am currently available every week day at the 919 Clinic excepting Wednesday.