Happy New Year to everyone. I hope you all had a terrific festive season and the new year has started with good steps! To introduce the current issue I would like to mention my new webpage. You may find me online at www.carmselitetherapy.co.uk and I would be very greatful for any feedback on the page…….and if I’ve made a typing error!!!
Free Massage
As a new year has now commenced and we all have to get used to writing 2009, the tendency to give things to people as you do in December generally goes. I have decided to reward loyal clients that have been regularly coming to visit for treatment. When an individual visits 10 times the next visit will be free of charge! To find out how many sessions you have attended feel free to ask to find out when you are entitled to a free massage! The free massage will be for 30 minutes.
Deep Tissue Massage Affects Blood Pressure and Heart Rate
Deep tissue massage can be described as massage that passes superficial muscle tissues and manipulates underlying muscles and fibres. Sports massage uses deep tissue massage regularly and a recent study was performed to analyse its effectiveness in improving blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR). In the study over 250 individuals that reported muscle spasms and strain of moderate to severe pain were recruited. BP and resting HR were recorded prior to testing as a baseline reading. Massages lasted between 45 and 60 minutes. The results showed the systolic and diastolic readings were significantly reduced following massages and heart rate was reduced by over 10 beats per minute on average.¹ These results suggest great benefits with deep tissue massage not only in short term relief from pain and a relaxing feeling, but long term health benefits. Reduction in BP and HR reduces risks of future possible cardiovascular diseases associated with elevated levels in BP and HR.
Hamstring Injuries
The hamstrings are a group of 3 muscles located at the back of the leg, above the knee. The muscles are the biceps femoris, semitendonosus and semimembranosus. The biceps femoris is the largest of the 3 and is the most commonly injured, usually through a strain. A strain is classified by the number of fibres in the muscle that have been damaged. A grade 1 strain would damage 5-20% of fibres in the effected area and return to activity with suitable rehabilitation would be within a week or two. A grade 2 strain effects around 20-60% of muscle fibres and you may have around a month to fully recover, whereas a grade 3 strain is a rupture of the muscle and damages from 60-100% of muscle fibres. If this happens the extent of time off activity varies between individuals and the action they take². Rehabilitation may take up to 6 months if an operation has been performed. Hamstring strains may occur as a direct impact injury or as an overuse injury which happens over a long period of time.
What Happens in an Injury? Part 2
As discussed in the previous edition, there are 4 stages to a soft tissue muscle injury. In this edition the second phase is discussed. The Sub acute or proliferation stage is when the tissue begins to repair itself. After all the swelling from damaged tissue has occurred, repair begins with the removal of waste products, thus reducing swelling and the remodeling of muscle tissue. The production of scar tissue through collagen repairs the tissue and is achieved via 2 processes. The first forms the collagen (fibroplasia) and the second forms new local blood vessels (angiogenesis)³. As inflammation has ceased it is essential for the damaged area to follow a rehabilitation programme, even this early in an injury to encourage maximal strength and flexibility in the tissue. This will allow greater stability and may reduce the likeliness of an injury developing in the same area at a later date. As the scar tissue is being produce stretching and active range of motion exercises in the damaged area will minimize the recovery time through increased vascular pathways (blood vessels to carry more blood). The exercise needs to be controlled to avoid pushing the muscle tissues over their limits and damaging them instead of repairing them. Performing movements that replicate the everyday requirements of the area allows the muscles to begin forming bonds in the relevant directions for increased strength. If weight bearing movements (putting full body weight on the ground) are not achievable as there is too much pain from lack of strength, then movements should still be performed in a non weight bearing way. This will increase the joints range of motion so that more efficient movements can be performed when the damaged area is ready. Manual therapy through massage has been shown to assist in the proliferation phase, as it pushes any remaining waste products from the area and helps align new forming collagen in the correct manor. Research has also suggested that ultrasound may play a part in the remodeling phase as it stimulates fibroblasts which assist in the formation of collagen to help lay down the scar tissue needed for repair4. The next issue will look at the final 2 stages in a muscle injury. The remodeling phase and the functional specific phase.
Quick Facts!!!
“Chris Hoy’s success in the Olympics by winning 3 gold medals has been further rewarded with the national sports personality of the year.”
“The Hamstring muscles bring your heel to you buttock (knee flexion) and bring your leg behind you when you walk (hip extension).”
“All 3 hamstring muscles originate at the ischial tuberosity, more commonly known as the bum bone!”
References
1. Kaye, A.D., Kaye, A.J., et al, The Effect of Deep-Tissue Massage Therapy on Blood Pressure and Heart Rate, Journal of Alternative Medicine; 2008; Vol. 14; pp. 125-128.
2. Peterson, L. & Renstrom, P., Sports Injuries, 3rd edition, Taylor and Francis, London.
3. Dinsdale, N., Case Study: A Competitive Cyclist with Extreme Soft Tissue Trauma of the Lower Limb, SportEx Dynamics; 2008; Issue 17 (July); pp. 11-17.
4. Watson, T., Electrotherapy and Tissue Repair, SportEx Medicine; 2006; 29; pp. 7-13