Dry Needling is a form of therapy adapted from Acupuncture, an ancient Chinese system of medicine dating back to 1600 B.C. Traditional Chinese Medicine revolves around a persons Qi, or energy force, which transports itself through the body via designated channels called meridians.

Dry needling however, uses Western based anatomy and physiology to select the points, known as myofascial trigger points, found in designated areas in muscles throughout the body. Many of these points correspond with those used in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

By placing a needle into the trigger point the restriction in the soft tissue can be reduced and an endorphin reaction, which helps with pain relief, has also been reported.

Dry Needling can be used to treat conditions such as:

• Joint pain and osteoarthritis
• Inflammatory conditions
• Headaches and migraines
• Post-surgical pain
• Back pain
• Acute and chronic trigger point pain

We are trained in the specific manual techniques which will work deeper into the tight connective tissue layers – thereby releasing muscle, fascia and even neural restrictions.  These structures can be tight and inhibited causing either pain or restriction in a joint and can negatively impact on how your body moves.

This can be as a result of an injury or very often may be the underlying cause of the injury itself. We can give you expert advice on which muscles and structures are restricted and advise you on how to manage these problems going forward.

Benefits of deep tissue massage:

• Release inhibited muscles
• Prevent injuries
• Aid recovery from tough training or competition
• Pain relief from chronic problems such as back and neck pain
• Postural problems

Strapping, or taping, is a rehabilitation technique that is used to facilitate and compliment the body’s natural healing processes. Strapping varies in many ways; from the type of tape used, to the direction of placement & tension applied.

It can provide support and stability to muscles, joints and all forms of soft tissue.

It has been shown to have positive physiological effects on the skin, lymphatic and circulatory system, fascia, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints.

Strapping is often used in conjunction with other physiotherapy treatments and modalities during the rehabilitative process, to support or maintain a postural correction and to facilitate a reduction in pain.

Strapping is regularly used as a preventative measure, and can lessen the likelihood of acute injuries occurring.
Many top athletes, such as tennis players, prophylactically tape their ankles to minimize risk of injury during training & competition

Strapping can be used in the following instances:

• Rigid strapping is often used to support and stabilise ligament and joint injuries
• Kinesio taping can be used to improve swelling, as well as to activate or to off load muscles
• Dynamic taping is good for supporting an injured area, and is particularly effective in maintaining correct postures.

Manual or manipulative therapy is used to diagnose and treat soft tissues and joint structures for the purpose of modulating pain, as well as to increase range of motion, reduce or eliminate soft tissue inflammation, encourage relaxation and improve tissue repair and flexibility.