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Book NowWith any condition, treating the causes of the problem is the key to getting effective, long-term results. And as this Case Study shows, careful assessment and diagnosis is a crucial part of this.
Mary (not her real name) had a history of bad lower back and pelvic pain. Some years earlier she suffered a fracture of her sacrum (the bone between the bottom of the spine and the tailbone), and since then her pain there has been steadily getting worse and more frequent.
When Mary came to see us, she was experiencing strong pain in the small of her back at the L5-S1 level (where the bottom of the spine and the sacrum meet). The front of her left hip was also very sore and getting steadily worse, as a result of her walking differently to cope with her lower back pain. It is understandable that most people with this pain would expect a massage therapist to massage the sore area to relieve the pain. However, pain in this area can have many causes, and without treating what is causing the problem the pain will keep coming back.
Mary advised that her pain was at its worst when trying to stand or sit up straight, and was better when she bent forward or sat with her left leg crossed over her right. We performed various range of motion and other orthopaedic tests which verified this was the case. After a very detailed examination of her muscles and the quality of their movement, we decided that the problem was due to her sacrum not moving correctly, which was restricting her body being able to sit or stand up straight. The most common cause of this lack of movement of the sacrum is the Piriformis muscle, which is located very deep below the glute (buttock) muscles.
When we stand or sit up straight, our Piriformis muscles should relax and allow our sacrum to move forwards. Though Mary was not experiencing pain in her glute area, additional testing confirmed that her right Piriformis was not relaxing when it should, and instead was holding her sacrum backwards. This meant that her sacrum and spine couldn’t move in a co-ordinated way with each other, resulting in a ‘collision’ of the bones, and causing her pain.
Our remedial massage therapist started working on Mary’s right Piriformis, and after only 10 minutes her lower back pain had totally cleared. There was no need for any massage whatsoever where she had been experiencing her pain. The remainder of the massage session was spent releasing the muscles at the front of her hip, which had been compensating for her walking unevenly.
At her next visit, Mary reported that her sacrum and lower back pain had completely resolved, so we worked on other areas that were causing her discomfort instead.
This Case Study is a good example of the pain being in one area, but the cause being somewhere else. If our back pain treatment had only focussed on the area where Mary was experiencing her pain, it is likely she would have received only temporary relief (or maybe even no relief at all).
James (not his real name) was suffering with a dull pain and persistent tightness under and between both of his shoulder blades. This tightness would ‘catch’ and feel significantly worse with breathing in. Sometimes the tight feeling would go up into his neck, or his arms would get achy and feel heavy, with the left arm being much worse than his right.
There are a variety of different causes for some of these symptoms, so an Orthopaedic Assessment was conducted, including posture and range of motion tests. However the ‘catching’ with breathing is typically due to a problem with the ribs, and the arms feeling heavy is usually due to compression of the Brachial Nerves. (These nerves run from the spine at the back of the neck to the front of the neck and then into the arms.)
The Orthopaedic Assessment confirmed there was restriction in the movement of some of his ribs, as well as significant compression of some of his Brachial Nerves. The Posture and Range of Motion testing also indicated specific muscles that also needed treatment.
So there were several parts to James’s first treatment.
James had a second appointment a week later, and he reported that the pain between his shoulder blades was fully resolved and that his left arm was feeling significantly lighter. After further Orthopaedic Assessment we found that there was still compression of the Brachial Nerves for his arm. As the problem with the rhomboid muscles was resolved but the arm heaviness was only reduced, it seemed that the heaviness was a combination of referred sensation and nerve compression. So we treated James’ neck and the pathway for the Brachial Nerves (Thoracic Outlet) in order to relieve the compression on the nerves.
At his next appointment a week later, James reported that all of the issues had been resolved. He received the occasional massage treatment since then if his arm heaviness started to return. Now, 3 months down the track, he gets the occasional mild sensation and that is all.
As this Case Study illustrates, careful assessment and diagnosis is the key to getting great results for any condition.
Our expert remedial massage therapists average over 20 years experience, so if you have a back, neck, shoulder, hip or other muscle or joint problem, feel free to book in with one of them.
If you stand up from your chair and feel a pain in your lower back, it could be coming from your sacroiliac (or SI) joint. SI joint pain affects many people, and in some cases the pain can be debilitating.
The ‘sacro’ in sacroiliac refers to your sacrum, which is at the bottom of your spine, above your tailbone. The ‘iliac’ refers to the hips. So your sacroiliac joint is where your spine and hips join together.
The main job your SI joints perform is to take the weight of your upper body when you stand or walk, and transfer that load to your pelvis and legs.
The pain can be a dull or sharp type of pain. It normally starts at your SI joint, but it can transfer to your buttocks, thighs, groin, or even upper back.
It is common to feel the pain on just the one side of your lower back, and sometimes standing up can trigger the pain. Sometimes it will feel worse when you wake up in the morning, and then gets better as you move around during the day.
SI joint pain occurs more frequently than you may expect. It is estimated that 15%-30% of people who have this type of pain have a problem with their SI joint.
Some common symptoms associated with sacroiliac joint problems include:
The pain is caused by damage or inflammation of the joint. This can be from
As with any condition, it is important to determine what has caused the problem, otherwise any back pain treatment may not be effective. Your Brisbane Osteopath will ask you a number of questions and perform an assessment of your alignment and movements. This will allow them to understand how your body is working from a mechanical, functional and postural perspective.
Osteopaths are also able to refer you for X-rays, CT or ultrasound scans if they consider it necessary for your assessment.
If certain activities or sports make the pain worse, avoid those activities. The exception to this is when the pain is caused by arthritis- in this case it is important to keep the joint moving, otherwise it will become worse over time.
Osteopaths place a lot of importance on the structural integrity of the body. When the body is balanced and efficient, just like a well-tuned engine it will function with the minimum amount of wear and tear (leaving more energy for living).
Your osteopath will apply manual methods of treatment which are tailored for each individual client. Some of the techniques they use include soft tissue massage, manipulation, stretching of joints and muscles, articulation, mobilisation of joints, and muscle energy techniques.
They will often also provide simple stretches or exercises to improve your alignment and condition further, and to help prevent the condition recurring in the future.
Osteopathy can be a very effective treatment for many muscle and joint problems, including SI joint pain. They provide a holistic approach, by addressing both the causes and the symptoms, and tailoring the treatment for each individual.
Other therapies that can be used in conjunction with osteopathy include acupuncture and naturopathy.
If you are not sure if osteopathy is the ideal therapy for you, or would like to find out if acupuncture or naturopathy would also be valuable for you, please book in for a free Comprehensive Assessment at our clinic. Otherwise, you can book in for an osteopathy treatment by giving us a call or use the Book Now button at the top of the page.
Be well, and have a great life!
An extensive study by the University of Helsinki has found that one in four people in Europe use natural therapies (or 'complementary and alternative medicine') for their health issues.
Approximately 40,000 people from over 20 countries participated in the study, and the most popular treatments were massage (12%), homeopathy (6%), osteopathy (5%), and herbal remedies (5%).
The study found that women and those with higher education used natural therapies the most. Germany had the highest proportion of users, with almost 40% saying they used natural therapies.
With any health issue, in order to get results it is crucial to first investigate the cause of the problem. We are currently offering a limited number of free Comprehensive Assessments. (Terms and conditions: the Assessment is a completely free service, with no obligations whatsoever.)
The Assessment helps to identify:
If you would like to book in for an Assessment, please give us a call on 3376 6911, or you can book online using the link at the top of the page.
Be well, and have a great life!
There are a number of causes of back, shoulder, neck and hip problems. One of the more common ones we see is a misalignment between the shoulders and the hips.
In some ways, the trunk or torso can be viewed as a rectangle, with the hips and shoulders forming the corners. If one of these corners has shifted, it will often affect the other 3 corners as well. For example, if the left hip is tilted down the right hip will be tilted up, and the shoulders will also be uneven. So if someone has a shoulder problem, it might be due to a misalignment of one of their hips, or vice-versa.
As well as causing issues with these areas, a ‘4 Corner imbalance’ can have a flow-on affect to other parts of the body as well. If you try raising one hip high, as well as your shoulder raising up you might also feel how your neck will bend to the side to keep your head straight. So over time, this imbalance could also cause neck pain, lower back pain, soreness between the shoulder blades, sciatic pain, and sometimes even knee pain.
Diagnosis
The main method of identifying a 4 Corner imbalance is simply to look at the person’s back when they are standing up, to see if their shoulders and hips are all level. (You can see from the third diagram that the spine can sometimes also be bent to the side,) If the hips and shoulders are uneven, the person then lays face down on the treatment table, and the area between the shoulder blades is checked for any tightness or soreness. The top of the back of the hip bones (just under the iliac crest) is carefully checked as well.
Free Assessment
If you have a lower back, shoulder, neck or hip problem, we offer a free Comprehensive Assessment, which is a detailed look at what is going on in your body, what is causing the problem, and the best way to sort it out. (Terms and conditions- the Assessment is a completely free service, with no obligations whatsoever.) Most people find their Assessment results very insightful and informative.
Be well, and have a great life!
(Images from Clinical Strategies, Vol.1, by K. Matsomoto and D. Euler)
Seen the large cupping marks on Michael Phelps, the swimmer who recently won his 23rd Olympic Gold Medal? Cupping is becoming very popular lately, with many sportspeople and celebrities using it to repair their bodies or improve their health. According to Ralph Reiff, a sports performance expert who has worked on over 100 members of the current U.S. Olympic team, the therapy also is popular with the USA track and field team as well as the swimming stars. He said “It’s very much common in our practice. We’ve found it to be an effective alternative therapy to add to our toolkit of resources.’’
Cupping advocates are also said to include LaShawn Merritt, who has recorded the top time in the world this year in the 400 meters, while champion tennis player Andy Murray and boxer Floyd Mayweather have been seen sporting cupping marks.
Olympic gymnast Alex Naddour has found the treatment “provides relief from the soreness and pounding that come from gymnastics”. He told a reporter “That's been the secret that I have had through this year that keeps me healthy. It's been better than any money I've spent on anything else. It has saved me from a lot of pain.”
Meanwhile movies stars Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth Paltrow, Victoria Beckham, and Jessica Simpson have been using cupping for years to improve their health.
Glass or plastic ‘cups’ are placed on the skin and a suction is created to draw the skin and muscle up a little. For ‘vacuum cups’ some of the air is pumped out of the cup to create the suction, and for ‘fire cups’, a flame is used to create the vacuum before the cup is quickly placed on the skin. (We only use vacuum cups at our clinic, as the pressure can be controlled far more accurately.)
Dr Ayaaz Farhat, the co-director of the London Cupping Clinic, said “It is a very effective way to enhance, encourage and even accelerate the body's own immune response to injury.”
“The main benefits are encouraging the inflammatory response of the body and speeding up muscular and soft tissue recovery after injury and strain. Cupping therapy has widened significantly though in the last few years and newer techniques are being used for conditions and diseases away from sports therapy such as migraines and eczema.”
In a nutshell, cupping loosens tight muscles, improves blood flow, clears toxins, and improves healing.
Loosens Tight Muscles
Massage works by pushing down on muscles to cause them to relax. Cupping has a similar effect, but pulls the muscles up instead of pushing them down.
Reduces Muscle Soreness
Strenuous exercise or prolonged muscle tightness results in metabolic wastes that can cause muscles soreness, and the increased blood flow from cupping helps to get rid of these wastes, allowing the muscles to feel better and recover faster.
By increasing the blood flow, cupping also helps to flush out old toxins, which may have been hanging around for years.
Improves Healing
The increased blood flow brings extra oxygen and nutrients to the area, allowing any muscle damage such as micro-tearing (a very common effect of exercise) to repair much more quickly and effectively. This also means there is far less chance of tiny amounts of scar tissue forming in the muscles.
Cupping is therefore very good for muscle soreness, recovery from training or sports events, sports injuries, preparation for sports events, back pain, hip pain, sciatic problems, shoulder pain, etc. It is often included as part of a massage or acupuncture treatment.
In acupuncture and many other traditional systems of medicine, poor blood flow can cause almost any part of the body to not work properly. Think of the cells of your body like little plants- if you give them plenty of water and nutrients, they will be healthy, thrive, and perform well. (On the other hand, what happens if you put your plants in a dark cupboard and don’t water them?) In the same way, cells in your body that have plenty of oxygen and nutrients, and have their wastes cleared quickly, will be healthy and perform well; those with poor blood flow will not do well, and are likely to perform badly or become diseased.
In Japan, it is a recognised therapy, and highly-trained cupping practitioners treat a very broad variety of conditions.
There is reason to believe cupping was used as early as 3,000 BC, and it has been a part of traditional medicine in most parts of the world for thousands of years. Cupping was practiced in the Babylon - Assyrian Empire, and an Egyptian papyrus from 1,550 BC describes its use. In ancient Greece, Hippocrates, the ‘Father of Medicine’, used cupping for internal diseases and structural problems, and it was also popular with the Arabs. Cupping was also practiced in many other places in Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. The modern methods of use originated in China and Japan thousands of years ago, and it continues to be used in many locations around the world today, such as Italy, Egypt, Greece, Holland, Russia, Turkey, and Vietnam. In 1946, the writer George Orwell described cupping being performed in a Paris hospital.
There are two main forms of cupping used today- Chinese (which may cause bruise marks) and Japanese (no bruise marks). In Australia, the Chinese method is mostly used for muscle or structural problems, especially back pain, sciatic or shoulder pain, whereas the Japanese technique is used more for internal health problems. Japanese cupping can even be used on young children, who usually find it fun!
However, as with any therapy, it is important to see a properly trained therapist. Cupping should never be performed over broken skin, on the abdomen or back of pregnant women, over inflamed or bleeding organs (such as a stomach ulcer), or on anyone who has Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, heart issues, or blood vessel problems.
Having said that, all of the cupping therapists at our clinic are highly trained and experienced. We offer both the Chinese (may bruise) and Japanese (no bruise) styles.
So if you have a health problem that is not getting better, if you often have tight sore muscles, have a back, shoulder, or other structural problem, or if you want to perform better and recover faster after your sport injury or training, please feel free to give us a call on 3376 6911 and talk to our Head Therapist. He will be able to advise you on just how effective cupping treatments will be for your condition.
Hip pain is often caused by a problem with the alignment of the body. It can often be caused by a misalignment of the feet (such as an old ankle injury) or from the lower back. We frequently find that our clients have hips that are twisted, tilted or raised on one side. Because your spine is supported by your pelvis, if your hips are not in the correct position your spine will have to compensate, so it can cause problems almost anywhere along your spine, but especially in your lower back or neck. Just as the hips are used to balance the lower body, the shoulders are used to balance the upper body, so if the hips are out often the shoulders will be out as well.
Have a look at the picture to the right- you can see this person's right hip is about one grid square higher than her left, and because her hips are on an angle, the spine in her lower back starts going up at an angle to the left. It then has to bend back to the right to try and straighten her up. Also look at how her right shoulder is slightly to the left of her right hip, but her left shoulder is way to the left of her left hip. (If you look carefully, you might be able to see how tight the muscles are in her lower back, and in her upper back between her shoulder blades. Her right shoulder is also slightly higher than her left.)
Another possible cause of hip problems is the liver. The liver is on the right side of the body, underneath the lower ribs, and sometimes if the liver gets congested or irritated, the muscles over it can become tight, particularly below the right shoulder blade. (You can see a little of this in the above photo.) This can then pull the right hip up or the right shoulder down, putting the body out of alignment, and could cause lower back, hip, neck or shoulder problems.
So for structural problems,
With the right diagnosis and treatment, the majority of back, neck, hip and shoulder problems can become a thing of the past.
The word “massage” might conjure up images of rich women with cucumber on their eyes, but relaxation massage is one small niche; there’s a wide range of massage techniques, for a wide range of health conditions. Here’s a basic guide.
This is the most common type of massage, and is characterised by long sweeping strokes, muscle kneading and rolling (like kneading dough), and rhythmic tapping.
This is fairly self-explanatory; hot stones are placed on the body, and the masseuse may (usually) uses hot stones to massage the body at the same time. This form is very good for releasing tension.
This is the type of massage you’ll see at events or at kiosks in the mall (sitting face forward in a special chair). The major focus is on your neck and shoulders, and it’s used to get tension out of your upper body.
This type of massage, as the name suggests, applies strong pressure to points that are causing you trouble. It’s not “pleasant”, but you can ask your therapist to adjust the pressure if you’re finding it too much and it’s incredibly important to find a fully trained therapist who you trust (as untrained hands on an injury can make it worse).
Gentle stretches plus finger pressure are used to improve the flow of energy within the body.
When friends or family have just had a baby, it can be hard to know how to help - especially as going around to visit or drop something off might wake them or the baby, or interrupt them when they're too stressed or tired to deal with visitors. Here are some simple ideas that may make the perfect offering for your loved one.
Food deliveries that can sit on the doorstep are ideal - make a laminated sign that they can stick on their door saying "baby and parents sleeping" so people know that it's not a good time to knock or ring the doorbell. Ask that people put the food in an esky or send something that won't go off if it's sitting outside for a few hours (like dry pancake mix, dry pasta and a jar of good vegetable sauce, etc) while parents and baby are unavailable.
Cleaning services can be wonderful for new parents who just don't have the time or energy to clean their house - they may not be comfortable with family or friends scrubbing their toilet, so getting a few people to chip in for a professional cleaner might be the best option. Have them come at a regular time every week or fortnight, so that the new parents are prepared for their arrival.
Similarly, a laundry service can be a wonderful thing - organising for them to just put their clothes somewhere that they can be picked up, and then dropped back off clean, dry and folded. A professional service may, again, be preferable here as they may not be comfortable with family or friends doing their laundry.
Many new mothers suffer various aches, pains and issues after the trauma of giving birth - from issues with bladder control to aching muscles. A voucher to come and see a natural therapies provider who can help them alleviate those symptoms can be a wonderful thing - they can book when they have time and feel up to it, and a little pampering and care for them during this transitional period can make a huge difference.
There was an article in the South West News/ Springfield News (24/2/16 edition) about 'dodgy' massage therapists. This topic is of great importance to us, as an entire profession is being tarnished by a small number of unscrupulous or unqualified individuals. We have heard a variety of complaints regarding various massage therapists, ranging from receiving no benefit from a treatment, to worsening their condition, to actual sexual assault. The right remedial massage therapist can make a huge difference to your health and wellbeing, by relieving muscular and structural pain, reducing muscular tension, improving your circulation, and relieving accumulated stress in your body. We strongly recommend that anyone seeking a massage treatment observe the following guidelines.
1. Safe Environment?
Never visit a massage therapist in their home, or in an isolated environment, or have them come to your home, unless you are very sure about them.
2. Are They Qualified?
Ask what their qualifications are, and where they studied. If you have any doubts at all, ask to see their diploma or certificate, which should be on display or easily accessible by them.
3. Are They Registered?
Ask if they are registered with a professional Association, and if their treatments are claimable from health funds. Do not deal with a therapist that isn’t registered with an appropriate professional Association!
4. Are They Professional?
You will need to provide your relevant personal information (such as your full name, date of birth, and contact details), particulars of what you are seeking a massage for, the history of your condition, and any other relevant health information. (For you to be able to claim from your health fund, the therapist must carry out a thorough consultation and assessment prior to your massage, and keep detailed records of your treatment.)
5. Professional Premises?
Do the premises look clean and the staff appear professional in speaking with you? Medibank Private will only allow claims for massage treatments carried out in a ‘clinical’ setting, and not a ‘retail’ setting, such as beauty, relaxation or recreation premises. Are the rooms purpose-built with sound reduction to avoid conversations being overheard, or do they just use curtains? How does their website look? Does it have detailed information about each therapist?
If you are looking for a therapeutic massage rather than a relaxation massage, please also ask the following.
6. Experience as a Therapist?
Find out how long they have been practicing. It is also worthwhile asking how long they have been working at their current clinic.
7. Experience with Your Condition?
Don’t be afraid to ask this question. Is this an area that they specialise in, or is it something they rarely treat?
It is good to also check
8. If You are Not Happy?
What will happen if you are not happy with your treatment or results that you obtain? (A highly reputable clinic will provide a refund if you are not satisfied with their work.)
9. Clinic or Home?
There is no selection process for a therapist working from their home, or renting a space in another business. A reputable clinic will be very careful about the quality of the therapists that work from their premises. Also, a clinic will normally be able to keep providing treatments for you if your regular therapist is sick or on holidays. And a professional clinic will usually offer Hicaps services, so that you can claim from your health fund on the spot.
Finally, if you are not happy with anything, please complain to the owner, or speak to the therapist’s Association.
As we mentioned earlier, correctly performed massage treatments can make an enormous difference to your health and the quality of your life. Not only that, they can leave you feeling great!
At Centenary Natural Therapies Clinic, we guarantee to have the best therapists in Brisbane- if you think you have had a better massage anywhere else, we will give you your money back! We have chosen the best possible remedial massage therapists, carefully selected for their skills, knowledge and experience. Each of them is fully qualified, has around 15 years experience, and is a member of a professional Association. If you want to quickly and effectively sort out your muscle stiffness or pain, please book in to see us soon.
Valued at $120, your Assessment will help to uncover:
All this will be fully explained to you, and you can ask as many questions as you like. That way we can be sure to give you all of the right information, understanding and advice you need. Terms and conditions: This is a free, no obligation offer.