Tag Archives: Research

January 15 – Issue 25

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REFRESHING REHABILITATION

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to you all and best wishes for 2015. I hope the festive period was a fun and joyous one and over-indulgence didn’t take over too much!

2014 was such a busy year I didn’t get time to produce any newsletters so I hope to keep on time with the quarterly newsletters as i previously did!!

My friends and I have also decided on dates for our annual charity events. There will be a Ball that will take place in June and my annual football tournament will be in August. I will also do a running challenge of some sort again as I did last year. Further details are inside and also if you would like to help out or support.

Elite Therapy Update

It’s been a very busy year for the business, with opening times increase and client numbers also increasing, so thank you to all my new and returning clients for your loyalty.

In April, I am having to increase prices slightly. Sessions will go up to £24, £32 and £40 for 30, 45 and 60 minute sessions. Packages are still available for those who would like them, so please enquire if interested. There is also a new online booking facility available on the webpage so if you cant get hold of me you can book yourself in as it shows all availability. I am hoping to make online payments available in the near future too.

Regular checks on Facebook (EliteTherapy Kempston) or Twitter (@Carmelitetherap) also show my availability so follow me on social media too!

As I mentioned its been a busy year for business, but also, for those who know, I hold annual charity events for Children With Cancer UK and Cancer Research UK. The 3 parts consisted on me running a marathon, an auction night and my annual 6 a side tournament. In total we raised a fantastic £7039, so to all who supported by online donations, sponsoring or attending an event thank you very much.

This years events are similar, I will do a marathon challenge in mid June, there will be a ball in early June and my football tournament will be in early August though dates are not confirmed yet. If you would like to help in any way please feel free to get in touch, helping hands are greatly appreciated.

Recent Research

1.     The knee “giving way” has puzzles scientist, and in fact the general public on the why it happens. Recent studies have suggested that the Anterolateral ligament of the knee may cause this. Critics will suggested the reasoning of not finding this before, others suggest evolution may play part, or simply another development in techniques to find the mechanisms of these structures. An interesting proposal, which will have further study I’m sure.¹

2. It has long been suggested that exercise helps prevent osteoarthritis and a recent analysis of all research has further consolidated this notion. Moving stimulates the body to produce hormones needed to reduce the progress of osteoarthritis. This does not mean it will stop, but it could slow it down, allowing more function and mobility in the effected joints.²

3. Taping has assisted in recovery and rehabilitation, as well as support for many individuals over years and recent taping modalities have suggested that they are better or stronger. The true fact is from the studies analysing them all and they suggest that no matter what tape is used, the important thing is that the individual applying the aid must apply it correctly or it will be useless or could obstruct normal moving patterns instead which could cause further problems.³

References

1. Claes S., Vereecke S., et. al., (2013), Anatomy of the Anterolateral Ligament of the Knee, Journal of Anatomy, Vol 223($), pp 321-328.

2. Uthman O.A., Van der Windt D.A, et al., (2013), Exercise for Lower Limb Osteoarthritis: Systematic Review Incorporating Trial Sequential Analysis and Network Metalnalysis., BMJ, Vol. 347

3. Osorio J.A., Vairo G.L., et al., (2013), The Effects of Two Therapeutic Patellofemoral Taping Techniques on Strength, Endurance and Pain Resonses, Physical Therapy in Sport, Vol 14(4), pp. 199-206.

 “Quick Fact”

On average, every square inch of your body has 32 million bacteria!

Special Offers

Now available from Elite Therapy are gift vouchers in the values of £5, £10 and £20. They may be purchased at AFC Kempston. Unfortunately, there is no online payment facilities of yet.

Current clients that introduce friends to a massage session will also benefit from receiving a 10% discount in there next session. Students are also enititled to 10% discount with valid NUS card.

A discount package has also been devised for anyone who wishes to regularly receive a sports massage. If you pay for 3 sessions in advance, you will receive the fourth one for free. All sessions.

Appointments

Appointments can be made online via the webpage or by contacting myself on the details provided or via email. Payments can be made with either cash or cheque, made payable to Carmine Cientanni. If you have changed any details such as your address or telephone number, please inform me as soon as possible so that I can update my records. If you wish to cancel an appointment, please inform me at least 24 hours in advance.  Missed appointments will be charged at the full normal treatment rate.

 Opening Hours

Monday 10-9

Tuesday Closed

Wednesday 10.30-1 & 5-9

Thursday 8.30-11

Friday 8.30-12

Saturday 8.30-1

Sunday Closed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 14 – Issue 24

Happy New Year

 

Happy New Year to you all and best wishes for 2014. I hope the festive period wasa fun and joyous one and over-indulgence didn’t take over too much!

Within this issue I will inform and discuss the neck area and hope to show the amount of work it does. It may answer why our necks feel so tense. There will be a section on the latest research in the industry, and within Elite Therapy a price rise is set for April.

My friends and I have also decided on dates for our annual charity events. These will take place on July 20th and August 2nd. Further details are inside and also if you would like to help out or support.

As mentioned above, the dates have been confirmed for my annual Cancer Charity fundraisers. The selected charities are Cancer Research UK and Children with Cancer UK. As in recent years there will be 2 events. Our family fun day and 5-a-side football tournament will be on Sunday 20th July and our Auction evening on Saturday 2nd August. We raised a fantastic £7000 last year and hope to better that this year. If you or anyone you know would like to help, please feel free to get in touch.

Also mentioned on the front page was the increase in session prices. This will take effect on the 1st April 2014. Initial consultations will be £38 and sports massage sessions will be £22,£30 and £38 for 30,45 and 60 minute appointments respectively.

 

Recent Research

 

A study investigating exercise and cholesterol levels suggested what the intensity of the activity you perform doesn’t directly affect the reduction of you cholesterol levels. Runners and walkers were used for this research and it was the walking group that had lower levels of cholesterol following the same exercise program administered. It shows that activity in itself is the best protocol to follow, not just to work at a very high intensity.

Stretching was recently tested on males with normal and shortened hamstring flexibility. Both groups were split into a control group and a stretching group and both of the stretching groups significantly increase their range of hamstring stretch compared to the two control groups. Though this is an area that has had similar research, it is always positive to get more descent proof of the effectiveness of a suitable stretching program.

 

The Neck

 

Our neck is commonly said to be tense and tight and this article is hoping to address some of the reasons for thinking and feeling this.

The head sitting centrally on top of the spine on average weighs around 23 pounds with it’s centre of gravity being slightly in front of the spine³. This automatically makes the muscles at the back of the neck more tonic as they have to pull the head back to keep a head up straight. This also makes the muscles at the front of the neck hypotonic as the mostly provide neck flexion,or moving your chin in the direction of your chest.

For muscles to work at their most efficient, they need to be at their optimal length, which is never the case for the neck muscles unless the head is slightly flexed. This is also only taking into account the muscles that work in flexion and extension. Other muscle groups that provide lateral flexion and rotation in the neck also need to be balanced as well as shoulder muscles that originate in the skull or spinal vertebrae as they affect the neck too. The main muscles being the trapezius, the rhomboid group and levator scapulae.

With specific manipulation and stretching techniques, muscles in the neck area can be relaxed and tension reduced. This may reduce the onset of associated problems such as tension headaches, muscle spasms and cramping, being the most common.

 Quick Fact

“The brain operates on the same amount of power as 10-watt light bulb.”

References

  1. Williams, P.T. & Thompson, P.D., (2013) Walking Versus Running For Hypertension, Cholesterol and Diabetes Mellitus Risk Reduction; Artriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology; 33, pp. 1085-1091.
  2. Ayala, F., Sainz de Baranda, P., et al., (2013) Comparison of Active Stretching Technique in Males With Normal and Limited Hamstring Flexibility; Physical Therapy in Sport; 14(2), pp. 98-104.
  3. Johnson. J., (2013) Save Your Neck, International Therapist, 106, pp. 12-14.

 

 

October 11 – Issue 15

We Raised Over £4600!

Hello and thank you to everyone who came and supported the Cancer Research Fun Day we organized in early August. The weather was great and there were many people out and about. We raised a fantastic total of £4642.02 all going to help Cancer Research.

An event for next year has already been penciled in for Sunday 4th August so if you would like to be a part of our team, feel free to get in touch as more heads means more ideas to raise more money for charity.

Latest Research

It has always been suggested that massage benefits athletes, as it has been found to have been used as early as in the Ancient Greek period in which the Olympics were began. Physiologically and psychologically it alters the bodies activity in a variety of ways. Recent research in Physical Therapy in Sport¹ has suggested that a regular 30 minute weekly massage helps achieve specific running targets. It was over a 10 week period and was compared to having no massage.

Pre-season is always a tough time in any sport and programmes can be long and very difficult. Finding any kind of short cut is what all elite and non-elite athletes would be very grateful for. Recent research in the United States has suggested that a good 15 minute session of climbing stairs, skipping or sprinting would give the same results to playing 45 minutes of football². It was suggested that the sessions work your body harder and you get more from the workout. Always seek advice from your GP or a health professional prior to commencing a fitness programme to ensure it is suitable for your individual needs.

Minerals

Continuing the nutritional them of late, I thought it would also be important to inform about minerals that are requires in the body to maintain the bodies best functionality. Surprisingly, 4% of the bodies total mass is made up of these important minerals, whether on there own (calcium) or chemically bonded to another element to provide functionality (iron in blood haemoglobin). There are 21 essential minerals, 7 major and 14 minor, or trace minerals³. Like Vitamins, there is a recommended daily allowance of each mineral, in which a lack of them will lead to deficiencies. This could be stunted growth from a lack of calcium for example. Likewise, an excess of a mineral could have negative effects. The most common is high blood pressure from sodium in a salty diet.

Minerals have roles in 3 areas of the bodies system:

  • They provide structure in the formation of bones and teeth.
  • The help with the function of the heart, muscles and neural conductivity
  • They regulate metabolism by becoming part of the enzymes and hormones that modulate cellular activity.

 

In general, a person who eats a range of foods should manage to intake a suitable amount of minerals to be fully functional and free from any problems. If you are concerned about the amount of minerals you need and which ones in particular, feel free to get in contact or visit your local G.P.

 Quick Facts

1.  “Running outdoors instead of on a treadmill burns 5% more calories.”

2. “Drink a cherry based drink after exercise to aid muscle recovery.”

 3. “Peanut butter sandwiches are excellent energy-boosting low-fat snacks.”

References

 1. Dawson, K.A., Dawson, L. et. Al., Effectiveness of Regular Massage Therapy for Novice Recreational Runners, Physical Therapy in Sport, online 22nd April 2011.

2. nickgrantham.com

3. Exercise Physiology, 5th Edition, McArdle W.d., Katch F.I. & Katch V.L., Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, London

Special Offers

Now available from Elite Therapy are gift vouchers in the values of £5, £10 and £20. They may be purchased at AFC Kempston. Unfortunately there is no online payment facility. As a partner of the Bedford Leisure Card system, I am pleased to offer discounts to clients who wish to have a 45 minute or hour long massage session. All that is required is production of a valid Bedford Leisure Card.

Current clients that introduce friends to a massage session will also benefit from receiving a 10% discount in there next session.

A discount package has also been devised for anyone who wishes to regularly receive a sports massage. If you pay for 3 sessions in advance, you will receive the fourth one for free. All sessions must be of equal duration.

Appointments

Appointments can be made by contacting myself on the details provided or via email. The hours available are currently Monday to Friday evening from 4pm until 10pm and Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings from 8am until 1pm. There may be availability at other times so please enquire. Payments can be made with either cash or cheque, made payable to Carmine Cientanni. If you have changed any details such as your address or telephone number, please inform me as soon as possible so that I can update my records. If you wish to cancel an appointment, please inform me at least 24 hours in advance.  Missed appointments will be charged at half of the normal treatment rate.

January 09 – Issue 4

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