Pilates is a kind of workout introduced by Joseph Pilates quite a few years ago. Joseph constructed gear and exercises on that gear to imitate normal body motion.

Pilates has emerged into a well-liked form of exercise normally found in gyms and can either be done on a mat or with equipment for example a reformer bed. Pilates courses are managed by health and fitness coaches who have usually taken a training course in Pilates.  There can be as many as 20 participants in a Pilates class in a gym style, every participant does the same exercise concurrently (except if injury stops them from doing a particular exercise).

In contrast, Clinical Pilates is an area of rehabilitation available from specific physiotherapy clinics. Physiotherapists who take a clinical Pilates training course, combine their current familiarity with the body, injuries and rehabilitation with a Pilates based rehabilitation method. This is usually using Pilates equipment in a one to one or select few setting.

Patients are thoroughly examined and a specific recovery or exercise regime is made to last for them in line with the clinical / fitness benefits they might need. All people begin their clinical Pilates plan with one-to-one supervision by their managing physiotherapist / clinical Pilates therapist. When they are more acquainted with their program and the equipment, they could enroll in a small group program where there are ordinarily a maximum of 4 participants, everyone of whom continues to perform their own plan while still in guidance of their therapist.

The primary purpose of clinical Pilates is to provide a more stable inner core for the spine and limbs, permitting safer, better function and helps facilitating a return to other kinds of physical activity when it comes to injury or illness.

Clinical Pilates offers a private health insurance rebate with extras cover for Physiotherapy.

Are you about to go on a long flight or journey? Here are a couple of useful things you can do to keep your body feeling comfortable and overcome the strain of travel…

While Traveling by air:

• Keep well hydrated – mineral water is superior to alcoholic beverages


• Request an aisle seating – making getting up less difficult


• Move – attempt to get up and move about just about every few hours. It will help to  prevent stress on the back from extented sitting as well as lessen the probability of deep vein thrombosis (DVT)


• Do back bends each time you stand up – positioning your hands on your bottom, lean back into your hands Ten times and keep for 10 seconds each time.


• Have an (empty) hot water bottle with you on the airplane – hot water is always available and helps to unwind tight back and neck muscles. Warm water bottles do not weigh very much.


• Make use of a inflatable neck pillow in order to support your neck while dozing off.


• In case you have a very sensitive lower back – roll-up the offered blanket or use the small pillow in the small of your back while seated.

Luggage:

• When packing – spread the weight of your travel luggage evenly between your suitcases avoiding having one really heavy case.


• Consider using a back pack as carry on luggage as opposed to other cases that could need to be constantly lifted.


• Take care of your back when lifting cases – bend your knees whilst keeping your back straight.

Pillows:

• Don’t we all dislike hotel pillows! It’s well worth taking your own pillow in case you have a good one OR purchasing a lightweight comfortable travel pillow. These are sold at More Than Physio.


• Refrain from resting on your stomach – side lying is the most suitable with a pillow between knees.

Of course, we would like you to know that these suggestions is general and supplied courtesy of the Physiotherapists at More Than Physio. If you have particular enquires or distinctive situations, make sure you contact us or your medical doctor for more precise advice.

Massage therapy is a modern day health practice chosen to manage and treat muscular pain, tension and stiffness, especially of the neck, shoulders and back.

New research suggests that there is a relationship between mild muscle pain (non- specific or debilitating) and sleep disturbances.

Due to the growing interest in the role of sleep and pain processing studies have shown; people with sleep disturbances have enhanced pain sensitivity, depression and an increased risk of chronic disease.

As well as disturbance and/or restriction of healthy sleep it has also shown to impact upon the metabolic and endocrine balance of the body, which in turn could directly or indirectly involve muscular pain and soft tissue disease.

Therefore sleep deprivation can cause an increased pain response to normal painful stimuli and a painful response to non-painful stimuli. This is due to the reduced suppression of pain, by the brain.

Massage therapy can not only help to relax you, decrease your stress levels, decrease muscle tension and pain, but it can help to make sure you sleep well and wake rejuvenated. Massage therapy is an enjoyable and gentle way to thank your body for getting you through the days. Be kind and reward you body. 

And remember it is important to get enough sleep as this will make sure your pain levels do not become overly sensitive.

Call our massage clinic today on 9500-8656 (Armadale) or 9570-1277 (East Bentleigh) to book your appointment for “Rapid Relief & Lasting Results”

More Than Physio – Located at 1234 High Street,, Armadale, More Than Physio offers Physiotherapy, Clinical Pilates, Podiatry, Massage and TCM to the local Armadale, Malvern, Toorak, Bentleigh East, Bentleigh and McKinnon communities. 

As our lives get busier and we take on more responsibility, our stress levels begin to rise.

Stress affects people in many ways. It is an issue that needs to be addressed before our body becomes affected by it and begins to become ‘rundown and sick’.

One of the easiest ways to reduce our stress is to relax! Massage has been proven over the years to be a beneficial and alternative way to relax the mind and body. Massage stimulates the brain to release endorphins into our blood stream which makes us feel calm, relaxed, happy – giving us a sense of wellbeing. Adrenalin, cortisol, and norepinephrine; are stress hormones, studies have shown that these hormones impair the immune system.  Massage helps to decrease the release of these hormones. 

Massage reduces muscle tension, anxiety/ stress, depression, improves blood circulation, joint mobility and flexibility, skin tone and mental awareness, and has many other benefits.

It is so important to take time out of your busy schedules and relax, to allow your mind and body some time to recover.

Be kind to your body by booking a regular massage with one of our experienced massage therapists.

Situated at 1234 High Street,, Armadale, More Than Physio offers Physiotherapy, Clinical Pilates, Podiatry, Massage and TCM to the local Armadale, Malvern, Toorak, Bentleigh East, Bentleigh and McKinnon residents. 

Acupuncture has been used for centuries in the management of pain. Acupuncture treatments involve treating the body as a whole therefore not only reducing the pain immediately but working toward preventing further pain in the future.

Acupuncture is a safe and natural alternative from pain medications and anti-inflammatory drugs.  Needles are inserted into points located within the body and stimulated to release endorphins and other natural pain relievers that are produced by your body.  Acupuncture increases the flow of blood and Qi (energy) throughout the body to relax muscles, improve your immune system and emotional well-being.
Muscular pain is a very common form of pain. It can be very debilitating and can prevent us from undertaking our daily activities. From muscle tightness to strains and sprains, acupuncture can benefit recovery and healing as well as prevention of further injuries causing to pain.

Headaches and migraines are another common type of pain that can cause much discomfort and disruption to daily living. Acupuncture can help to relieve pain and prevent future attacks through balancing energy throughout the body. Treatment may involve diet modifications, lifestyle advice and acupuncture.

During the first consultation the Acupuncturist will work with you to identify the cause and create a treatment plan that is designed specifically to your bodies needs in order to  begin the healing process and maintain a pain free state. 

Situated at 1234 High Street,, Armadale, More Than Physio offers Physiotherapy, Clinical Pilates, Podiatry, Massage and TCM to the local Armadale, Malvern, Toorak, Bentleigh East, Bentleigh and McKinnon residents. 

Call us today on (03) 9500 8656 to get started to a pain- free life.

Call us today for an appointment.

Bri is a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture. Bri has a passion for musculoskeletal medicine and combines her acupuncture and her qualification as a remedial massage therapist to provide her patients her dual perspective in the management of their injury.

In addition Bri has a special interest in Cosmetic Acupuncture, and can assist you to get that youthful appearance without the botox!

Bri will be consulting from both our Armadale and Bentleigh East practices.

To celebrate our expanding team, we have convinced Bri to offer a $25 OFF discount on the first consultation for you or your family & friends. Simply book a consultation for Chinese Medicine / Acupuncture in June or July to receive your special discount.

Call 9500 8656 TODAY to book your session

Kinesiology means the study of movement. Spidertech Kinesiology taping is a type of therapeutic taping that is gaining in popularity amongst therapists and elite sports people the world over. Normal fleshy coloured rigid tape that has been used for ages is much stiffer and has been used forever to strap a body part to protect an injury. The problem is that it limits normal movement. Here is where Spidertech Kinesiology taping comes in..

Kinesiology taping is manufactured to mimic the properties of skin. It is a very lightweight, non-allergenic cotton taping that has a 30% stretch to it.

It has 3 basic uses:
• Its used for supporting the body while it moves, rather than blocking movement. This supported movement helps the body deal with pain.
• It can be used to reduce swelling from an injury and speed up recovery
• It is mostly used to reduce pain sensations and thereby help the body restore more normal muscle activity.It stays on for up to 5 days, constantly stimulating your body to override pain sensation, thus providing you “therapy” between treatment sessions.

How does it do all that?

By stimulating receptors in the skin using the specialised taping applications, trained physiotherapists, chiropractors, osteopaths and myotherapists can now have an overriding effect on the transmission of the pain messages to the brain. If the brain isn’t receiving the pain signals, it figures that it doesn’t need to make the muscles go into protective spasm. Clever, aren’t we?

Spidertech is the only company to manufacture Pre Cut taping applications for different body parts. This means that the taping application can be consistently re-applied to your skin in an effective accurate re-producible manner. Its also means that someone can be taught to reapply the tape to you at home or while you are away, giving you longer lasting benefits.

As for the bright colours of the tape, opinions differ as to if they actually make a difference or not, my information is they don’t, but they do keep things cheerful!

So next time you can see anyone with this type of taping, you will know they are getting “therapy between treatment sessions”

Come in and see us at More Than Physio today or ask your own therapist to Spidertech tape you next time you are in pain.

Check out www.spidertechtape.com.au or see what international athletes are saying on our Spidertech Facebook Site about how Spidertech is helping them perform at their peak

You heard the commentators talk about it.
You saw the players wearing it.

So what’s with all the different coloured tapes that tennis players Li Na and Novak Djokovic were brandishing on their finely tuned bodies in their respective Australian Open finals matches?

It’s called kinesiology tape and would you believe it’s been around over 30 years?
First developed by Japanese Chiropractor, kinesiology tape is made from a cotton weave which is lightweight and elastic to mimic the properties of skin.
You may have first noticed it on many of the Beijing Olympics athletes, and it is now becoming more utilised in the mainstream by athletes and their therapists.
What’s so special about kinesiology tape you may ask yourself?

Kinesiology taping offers many unique benefits not traditionally available from the more rigid types of sports strapping / tape:
It provides a support to the body while it moves without preventing normal movement
It can be used to reduce swelling and bruising and so speeds up healing
It can be used to reduce pain and thus normalise muscle activity normally affected by pain.
It can be used to prevent injury in an area by supporting it and optimising muscular activity to support the body part it is used on.

There are many different brands on the market of varying qualities of the tape (and the adhesive). This is important bearing in mind that kinesiology tape can be worn for up to 7 days while exercising and going about normal daily activities. The better the quality, the less likely it is to cause skin irritation and the longer it will last.
SpiderTech is an innovative company leading the way in the field of Kinesiology taping with their premium quality, ingenious patented “pre-cut applications” and their single minded focus on therapist education. SpiderTech’s biomechanically designed pre-cut shapes for each body part makes application much quicker and more easily re-producible to deliver consistently good benefits. As a physiotherapist I can tell you that time is of the essence when you are treating many patients and having something easy, more accurate and time efficient to apply makes a lot of sense.
Don’t just take my word for it. Athletes can also tell the difference. Since her Australian Open success, Li Na has just joined the SpiderTech Team of sponsored athletes. The astute Novak Djokovic was also very keen to use Spidertech shoulder application in his Australian Open final. At his physios request I dropped some off for him over the weekend which was prominently displayed on his right shoulder each time he removed his shirt.
You don’t have to be an elite athlete to benefit. Spidertech taping is helpful for many conditions and is benefitting the general population in all age groups.

So, now you know there is more to Kinesiology taping & SpiderTech than a fashion trend.
Next time you have an injury or want to prevent one, be sure to ask your physio to” SpiderTech tape you!”

More Than Physio has certified SpiderTech practitioners on its team ready to help you recover from your injuries. Call us on 9500 8656
 

Darron Goralsky
Physiotherapist & Education Consultant for SpiderTech Aus & NZ

SO, the take home message here is to ensure you have a pillow that is suitable for you. This means that is fully supports your head (and thus needs to be fairly firm) and keeps it inline with ther rest of your spine. This will ensure that your neck joints and muscles are in the best position and are your muscles are allowed to fully relax.

You wouldnt sleep on a bad matress from a cheap shop, so don’t make the same mistake with your pillow. Give us a call if you want us to evaluate you on your own pillow to see if its doing the job.

Have a peaceful sleep.