Ask An Expert Myotherapist
We receive many enquiries about different injuries & areas that Myotherapy can assist with.
Here are some of our enquiries below that may help you.
We are here to assist you! If you would like to ask a question of one of our qualified Myotherapists, simply complete the contact form and we will be in contact with you.
I have just been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Can Myotherapy help me?
Dawn
Hi Dawn,
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a disorder in which the body’s own immune system starts to attack body tissues. The attack is not only directed at the joint but many other parts of the body.
In RA, most damage occurs to the joint lining and cartilage which eventually results in errosion of two opposing bones.
RA often affects joints in the fingers, wrists, knees and elbows. Unfortunately there is no cure for RA but you can manage the symptoms so it does not affect your day to day life.
We have a lot of clients that come to Elite Myotherapy who suffer from RA and they benefit greatly from Myotherapy.
Myotherapy will use deep tissue massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, stretching, dry needling and heat therapies to help reduce pain levels, increase circulation, increase range of movement through joints, reduce muscle tightness and improve general health.
Myotherapy is just one of the treatments to manage RA. You may also need Physical therapy, lifestyle changes (including exercise and weight control), ortho bracing, and medications.
Thanks for your question Dawn!
What is Bursitis?
Andrew Preston
Hi Andrew,
Bursitis is the inflammation of one or more bursae (fluid filled sacs of synovial fluid in the body). The burse acts as a cushion between bones, tendons, joints and muscles.
Healthy bursae create a smooth, almost frictionless functional gliding making normal joint movement painless. When a bursae becomes inflamed movement becomes difficult and painful.
Movement of tendons and muscles over the inflamed bursa aggravates its inflammation, perpetuating the problem.
Bursitis can happen in many areas of the body including shoulder, knee, elbow, hip and ankle. Bursitis is commonly caused by repetitive movement and excessive pressure.
Inflammation of the bursae might also be caused by other inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. However, shoulder bursitis is more commonly caused by overuse of the shoulder joint and related muscles. Bursitis can also occur from a traumatic impact over the joint or area.
The symptoms of bursitis include pain (increased with movement or pressure), tenderness, swelling and loss of movement.
Bursitis can be treated with rest, ice, elevation, Myotherapy, and anti-inflammatory drugs.
At Elite Myotherapy what massage creams and oils do you treat with?
Sarah, Toorak
Hi Sarah,
In all three clinics we tend to use two different creams depending on what area of the body and how the therapist wants to treat. These two creams are listed below with all ingredients. Occasionally we will use an anti- inflammatory cream for acute injuries and conditions.
Premax Original
Premax Original combines beeswax, Aloe Vera, Vitamin E and essential oils, Lavender, Peppermint and Coconut.
The cream has a moderate resistance allowing the therapist to ‘gain traction’ to the treated area, perfect for sports massage, deep tissue massage, myofascial techniques, acupressure, and frictions.
Ingredients: Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Purified Water (Aqua), Beeswax (Cera Alba), Petrolatum, Sodium Tetraborate Decahydrate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Extract ORGANIC, Tocopherol, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Methyl Paraben, Propyl Paraben.
Cosma Massage cream
One of the most widely used massage and therapy creams on the Australian market. This is a ‘wipe-on’, ‘wipe-off’ massage treatment cream that leaves minimal oil residue, will not matt body hair, and the smallest amount goes a very very long way.
Ingredients: Beeswax, paraffin wax, almond oil, medicinal white oil, de-ionised water, borax powder
Anti-Flamme
This anti – inflammatory cream Soothes strained muscles, joint aches, and common sports injuries. It contains natural ingredients including pure herb extracts of arnica, hypericum, calendula and peppermint oil.
Ingredients: Arnica Montana extract, Calendula Officinalis extract, Hypericum Perforatum extract, Peppermint oil, hydroxybenziates and Sorbates.
What is cupping and how does it apply to Myotherapy?
Jane, Camberwell
Hi Jane,
Cupping is derived from Traditional Chinese Medicine, and is based on the belief that conditions (such as common colds, asthma etc) and musculoskeletal pain are caused from imbalances in the body’s life force or chi (energy). It is a method of applying suction cups to the skin and muscles.
Myotherapy utilises the cupping technique in two different ways.
Static cupping (non-moving); may be used to deactivate trigger points ( tight muscle ‘knots’ ) of painful muscles, whilst Dynamic cupping (moving cups) may be used to release the connective tissue that wraps around the muscle (fascia).
Releasing fascia increases movement and function as well as increasing blood circulation to the area.
Cupping allows toxins to be naturally removed, which increases natural healing and recovery rates for muscles. On occasion cupping can leave temporary skin markings (similar to a bruise, but without pain).
Benefits of cupping with Myotherapy:
- Trigger point treatment
- Releases tension and toxins from muscles
- Stimulates the nervous system
- Increases blood flow to damaged tissue, helping draw inflammation away.
- Stimulates blood flow and lymph
I have been receiving Myotherapy treatment from Cat for my chronic pain due to fibromyalgia but unfortunately while I enjoy the treatment at the time, I experience quite severe pain especially in my legs for about a week.
Thereafter I do have more mobility and ease of movement particularly in my shoulders. Cat did do a more gentle massage the last time but I still experienced discomfort and pain. What is the answer?
Mrs W
Mrs W,
Your condition Fibromyalgia is a complex condition with variable symptoms depending on the person’s lifestyle, health etc.
Unfortunately there is no straight forward reason to why you are experiencing pain for a week after your treatments other than we know that people with Fibromyalgia cannot cope with much pressure point work in a session as it seems to increase the awareness of symptoms in the body. Mostly you will feel better after the tenderness settles down.
If you are under stress or are tired or you may have been particularly active in the week leading up to your treatment, all can affect how sensitive your body may be.
It does come down to finding out a treatment that works well for each individual case and so after consultation with you we have come up with a few alternative approaches we can apply.
Your upper body responds well to our treatments, so we will keep our method consistent here.
However, in regards to your lower body, we will be trying myofascial dry needling along with heat for a gentler approach and leave any soft tissue massage therapy until you feel stronger in the area.
We can also try shorter sessions so that it’s not such a big change for the body all at once.
Our aim in our sessions is to offer you as much relief as we can without you having the pain following treatment – which is a common complaint from Fibromyalgia patients’.
At Elite we pride ourselves on listening to our clients experiences and to work with you until we reach the best possible result- Thanks for your questions Mrs W.
Cat Bainbridge
Elite Myotherapist
I have been diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and while my Myotherapy treatments work wonders I travel for extended periods with work when I can’t get a treatment. Any suggestions how I can manage this better myself?
Peter R, Doncaster, VIC
Hi Peter,
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition associated with the compression of the median nerve as it runs through the wrist. These nerves run through a passage that’s referred to as the ‘carpal tunnel.’
There are many tendons that also run through this tunnel and if the sheaths around these tendons become inflamed it causes swelling which leads to pins and kneedles and pain.
Preventative strategies and ongoing management
- Rest from any positions or movements that make the symptoms worse
- Wearing a wrist splint, especially at night
- Soft tissue treatment to ensure your forearm muscles are not working under strain and enabling inflammation in their tendons to be reduced.
- Do strengthening exercises– your Myotherapist can prescribe the correct exercises for your particular case.
- Regularly stretch forearm muscles before beginning any potentially stressful activity. Your Myotherapist can prescribe the correct exercises for you.
- Application of ice after completing tasks that work the forearm muscles.
I have heard a bit about dry needling, is it the same as acupuncture and how does it benefit?
Mark, Greensborough
Dry needling is a modality used by Myotherapist’s to help alleviate pain and muscle spasm. It is also used to help reduce swelling and promote healthy tissue growth.
Dry needling involves inserting needles into myo-fascial trigger points (taught ‘knotty’ muscle bands associated with referred pain) to stimulate specific reactions in a target tissue whereas acupuncture involves insertion of the needles into energy meridians with the goal of establishing healthy bodily function by restoring the natural circulation of energy, or life force known in Chinese medicine as Qi.
However both techniques utilise solid, filament needles.
Dry needling decreases the effect of pain because it increases levels of opioids in the body. It helps reduce localised swelling, increases the natural anti –inflammatory response and healthy tissue growth and at the same time helps re align connective and scar tissue.
With the promotion of new healthy tissue and increased circulation to the site, it helps reduce the pressure on the injured site for better recovery.
Have a question?
We are here to assist you!
If you would like to ask a question of one of our qualified Myotherapists, simply complete the contact form here and we will be in contact with you.
Alternatively, you can call us on: 03 9826 2006