Fear bending to put on shoes?
Constantly being fearful of bending is not a great way to live. Did you know that soft tissue therapy can help ease the tension in the muscles so they are less likely to spasm?
The unfortunate part of this is, for many it only provides a short term solution.
Why is it only short term?
If you've been living with back pain for a long time, your body will have changed to help you avoid the painful positions. Your body will have learnt new ways of moving resulting in muscular imbalances, so a simple soft tissue release will only provide you with short term relief.
To avoid reoccurence of your spasms, you will need to restore the balance in your muscles and learn healthy movements. Resestablishing your core engagement and developing awareness of how you are moving and standing are key. I've had clients who I've treated complain of continued back ache straight after their treatment, however as soon as they engage their core muscles, they say the pain goes.
Did you know that muscle groups can switch off when you have an injury?
Core engagement should come naturally, however, if you have had a sore back for a long time, your core muscles will likely have switched off. Did you know muscle groups switch off when you have an injury? This happens to protect the injured area. It’s a good thing! It stops you from making movements that will cause further injury. The problem is it doesn't always switch back on again once your injury has recovered and that's when long term problems arise.
So how do you switch muscles back on?
For some, this will be like learning how to drive, You have to start at the beginning - thinking through every movement you make. Others may have good muscle memory, so it’s easier…like getting back on a bike after having not ridden one for years.
If I engage my core now, why does my back still spasm?
Because you have developed muscular imbalances. You will have tension in areas that shouldn’t be tight, so your muscles no longer work in the order they are designed. This could be because they don’t have the capacity or because they have become inhibited.
Soft Tissue Therapy helps create the balance meaning your muscles redevelop the capacity to stretch and contract as they are needed or become accessible because their partner muscle has relaxed. This makes going on to reengage your core muscles much easier.
What is Soft Tissue Therapy (STT)?
Is it massage? Yes and no. STT covers everything that involves manipulating your muscles, tendons and ligaments. Massage is just one of those techniques.
I use a number of different techniques, including massage, neuromuscular stretching, Soft tissue release, EMMETT Technique amongst others. Each play their own role.
If you have back pain and you’re fed up of not being able to put your shoes or socks on without spasm or pain, then it’s time we discussed how I can help you move forward.
Book your complimentary call to find out how you could soon be back to putting your socks on with ease.