#physiotherapy

Dry Needling Dublin 6

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At Archview Physiotherapy our chartered physiotherapists are expertly trained in dry needling for the treatment of muscle problems & headaches. Dry needling can be used for the treatment of painful conditions and sports injuries.

What? Dry Needling is an effective deep muscle release therapy which relaxes knots in muscle tissue that can cause muscle pain, dysfunction, weakness and tightness. Dry needling involves gently inserting a sterile single use Acupuncture needle directly into muscle trigger points. Dry needling helps the muscle relax.

Where do you get Trigger Points and Myofascial Pain? Anywhere! Common causes of persistent headache are muscles around the shoulders and neck. Trigger points that build up due to poor posture and long periods of sitting at a desk are a very common cause of shoulder pain. Trigger points and myofascial pain in the spine can cause back pain, while in the buttock it can cause hip and leg pain.

What does it feel like? Generally, the needle insertion is not felt, the local twitch response may provoke a very brief somewhat painful response. The “twitch” resets the muscle and nerve supply, increasing the blood flow to the area which helps to relax the muscle. This is the first step to breaking the pain cycle and releasing tight trigger points.

Side effects/ Effectiveness? After dry needling treatment, the area that is treated will feel much softer and relaxed and the person will feel looser. Post-treatment some discomfort may be felt in the area and referral zone lasting anywhere between 1-48 hours. Once this has subsided there should be an improvement in symptoms. You may be advised to use heat over the sore area and may need to modify exercise for a day afterwards. Multiple sessions may be necessary to resolve the symptoms fully.

What can be treated with Dry Needling?

  • Back and neck pain, including postural problems and tension
  • Headaches
  • Neck
  • Shoulder & Arm pain (frozen shoulder, impingements, tennis or golfer’s elbow)
  • Carpal Tunnel
  • Pelvic girdle pain
  • Gluteal & Leg pain (Sciatica)
  • Hamstring strains
  • Knee & Shin pain
  • Calf tightness & Cramps
  • Repetitive Strain Injuries

Contraindications? There are very few reasons why a person is not suitable for dry needling, these include obesity and pregnancy. If you are taking anticoagulant medicines (eg. Warfarin) or if you have skin infections near the trigger points, then needling shouldn’t be used. 

Additional benefits! Frequently people find it can also result in better energy levels, appetite and sleep, along with an enhanced sense of overall well-being.

Archview Physiotherapy and Massage Therapy Clinic, Dublin 6 and Dublin 14. Experts in the field of Pain and Sports Injury. Locations: Ranelagh and Dundrum, Dublin. Ph: 01 4913228 Email: [email protected]

 

Foam Rolling Exercises….Everybody’s Favourite Frenemy

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Do you have tight muscles, suffer from injuries and muscular imbalances, feel stressed or experience tension in your body…then foam rolling is for you!!

WHAT?

Foam rollers are shaped like pool noodles and made from dense foam. They are often used to help massage and stretch sore muscles. Multiple types of foam rollers are available, with different sizes, firmness and colour.

WHY?                                                                                                                                    

Using a foam roller helps to stretch muscles and tendons, and breaks down soft tissue adhesions and scar tissue. Foam rollers work by using the body’s natural response to pressure. You use your body weight and support some of your weight elsewhere, using your arms, adding more pressure as the muscles relax. By using body weight you can perform a self-massage or myofascial release, breaking up trigger points, soothing tight fascia, while increasing blood flow and circulation to the soft tissues. On very tight spots, applying constant pressure may be better than rolling back and forth. By slowing rolling over areas of your body you can break up scar tissue, help speed up the recovery process and really stretch the muscle fascia.

HOW?                                                                                                                                  

When you are exercising you can roll over the entire body when warming up to stimulate the body and increase blood flow. After your workout go slowly and hold the roller in spots for longer while practising deep breathing. Foam rolling can be incorporated to intensify your normal workout, strengthen core muscles and challenge stability and balance.

WHEN?                                                                                                                  

ANYTIME! Foam rolling is both a recovery and preparatory tool. It’s a way to smooth or iron out connective tissue and tight muscles. Foam rolling increases circulation so the connective tissue and muscle are getting more oxygen and water than if you just stretched. You should foam roll, then lightly stretch those muscles and begin your exercise. This will give your muscles more flexibility and help your tight muscles release. If you are new to foam rolling take it easy with the pressure and gradually build up to deeper pressure.

At Archview Physiotherapy we use foam rolling as part of our overall physiotherapy approach when required. If you think could benefit from a foam rolling programme or want to learn new foam rolling techniques for your problem areas contact Archview Physiotherapy Pain and Sports Injury Clinic on 01 4913228/01 2963490 or at [email protected] for an appointment.

Are You Suffering With A Golf Injury?

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Don’t let your pain hinder your golf game!! Golf injuries affect 15-20% of golfers annually, with backs, elbows, shoulders, and wrists the most common areas. Recreational golfers sustain more golf injuries than professionals and the rate of injury increases with advancing age. If you are carrying a golf injury or have a problem that it is aggravated when you play you may need to be assessed at Archview Physiotherapy Clinic by a Chartered Physiotherapist.

The Most Common Golf Injuries

Low Back Pain: The lower back is the most commonly and frequently injured area of the body in golfers. The golf swing requires flexibility and rotation in the back. Back pain can me due to many different factors and can appear as pain in the lower back, muscle stiffness, spasms, or pain radiating down into the leg.

Golfer’s Elbow/Tennis Elbow: Pain, tenderness and inflammation on the outside (Tennis Elbow) or the inside (Golfers Elbow) of the upper arm near the elbow. Tennis Elbow is at least four times more likely to occur than Golfers Elbow. Overuse during excessive practice or decreased forearm muscle strength can be part of the cause of these injuries.

Shoulder Pain: Shoulder or upper arm pain can catch at various phases of the golf swing, at night time, or with overhead activities. Rotator cuff tendinitis, tearing or impingement in the rotator cuff, AC joint arthritis, and joint instability can all lead to shoulder pain. Additionally shoulder soft tissues can become aggravated with repetition. Older golfers may have pain due to bursitis or rotator cuff injuries with reduced circulation to the shoulder muscles. In younger golfers joint laxity or a high-velocity swing can cause micro-trauma to the rotator cuff.

Knee Pain: Knee pain, clicking, swelling of the knee aggravated by twisting, squatting, and walking can present in golfers. This can be caused by any of numerous underlying issues involving the meniscus or cartilage, knee osteoarthritis, or kneecap pain.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Golfers may experience numbness and tingling of the fingers (especially at night), decreased grip strength and clumsiness. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a repetitive stress injury that occurs in the nerves of the hands.

De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis: This causes pain, swelling, and tenderness in the wrist near the base of the thumb and due to inflammation in the tendons that control the thumb. Typically pain can present in the left wrist at the top of the backswing.

Fractured Hamate Bone: Pain and tenderness in left palm, numbness in ring and little finger can be due to a fracture of the hamate.This is a small bone on the little finger side of the wrist. If like many golfers you grip the club by putting the butt-end of the club right up against the hook of the hamate during the swing a fracture can develop.

Trigger Finger: Trigger finger can cause a finger to lock up and I can become stuck in a bent position. Your finger may straighten with a snap like a trigger being pulled and released. This is caused when the area through which the finger tendons run is damaged.  Repetitive gripping actions used in golf increase the risk of developing this injury.

If you think you are suffering from any of the above injuries or want to learn how to avoid injuring yourself while playing golf contact Archview Physiotherapy Pain and Sports Injury Clinic on 01 4913228/01 2963490 or at [email protected] for an appointment.

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