Fascial Manipulation, Oakwell Health, Cheltenham Cotswolds

Fascial Manipulation is a manual soft tissue therapy technique that has been developed over the last 35 years through collaboration with the anatomy departments of the René Descartes University, Paris, and the University of Padova in Italy, which have carried out extensive research into the anatomy and physiology of fascia. It is important to identify the cause of pain, tracing back to the specific point on the fascia which is the origin of the abnormal tension, rather than simply treating the painful area. The fascia is very extensive and so it would be difficult and inappropriate to work over the entire area. The identification of precise points or key areas can make treatment much more effective. Fascial Manipulation identifies a specific, localised and abnormal area of the fascia, and through the appropriate manipulation of this precise part of the fascia, movement can be restored and pain reduced. This technique allows therapists to work at a distance from the actual site of pain, which is often inflamed. Compensatory tension may also extend along a sequence of muscles and other soft tissues which could be involved in the referral of pain along a limb or to another area of the body.

Fascial Manipulation has been successfully used to treat:

headaches and migraines
back pain and neck pain
muscle pain

joint pain
bursitis and tendonitis

tooth ache and sinus pain
chronic pain following injury and surgery

Sports and Remedial Massage

The efficient and controlled manipulation of the body’s muscles and connective tissues. It is one of the oldest forms of therapy and is highly effective in treating both acute and chronic conditions of the body’s soft tissues, and can have therapeutic effects on the joints and nerves of the body. Differing from Swedish massage, sports massage treatments are applied at a deeper level and with firmer pressure inducing greater stimulation of the body’s major systems. It can be used to help relax tired and sore muscles, break down scar tissue, muscle adhesions and knots, or re-educate posture. For the athlete, it also enhances performance and promotes recovery from competition, training and injury. The treatment includes a thorough assessment of joint and muscle movements and a comprehensive range of stretching and strength exercises. This can aid in the rehabilitation of affected problem areas between treatments and for your long-term health and well-being. We’ve all suffered at some point from headaches, stress, sore muscles, sports and general injuries (old and new). Despite its name, sports massage can benefit everyone. It doesn’t matter whether you sit at a desk all day, play with the children at home, work in the garden or at the building site, or whether you play sport competitively at any level, sports massage is for you.

Fascial Manipulation

This is a manual therapy method that has been developed over the last 40 years in collaboration with the Anatomy Faculties of the René Descartes University, Paris, France, and the University of Padova in Italy. This manual therapy technique identifies a limited or painful movement with a specific localised area of the fascia. Once a limited or painful movement is identified, a specific point on the fascia is implicated and, through the appropriate manipulation of this precise part of the fascia, pain can be reduced and movement restored.

Myofascial Release

A specialised physical and manual therapy used for the effective treatment and rehabilitation of soft tissue and fascial tension and restrictions. The MFR technique is very different to that of massaging muscles, tendons and the ligaments of the body. The MFR therapist not only takes in to consideration what they see in the assessment but works directly with what they feel and sense from palpating and treating the body. Therapists are taught to feel and stretch slowly into the fascial network. The fascia cannot be forced as it will naturally resist that force in return. Therefore the MFR therapist provides a sustained, gentle, pressure for several minutes allowing the fascia to elongate naturally and return to its normal resting length, restoring health and providing results that are functional and long-lasting.

Kinesio Taping®

A definitive rehabilitative taping technique that is designed to facilitate the body’s natural healing process, providing long-term support and stability to muscles and joints without restricting the body’s natural range of movement, prolonging the benefits of manual therapy treatments. Kinesio Tex Tape has been proven to have positive physiological effects on the skin, lymphatic and circulatory system, fascia, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints. Kinesio Taping has been shown to increase the strength and improve the timing of underactive muscles, reduce the tension of over active muscles, and take the stress of over loaded muscles. It can be used in conjunction with a multitude of other treatments and modalities and is effective during the rehabilitative and chronic phases on an injury as well as being used as a preventative measure. Latex-free and wearable for days at a time, Kinesio® Tex Tape is safe and effective for everybody and can contribute to the successful treatment of a variety of conditions, including sports injuries and pain from occupational and postural problems.

Trigger Point Therapy

When stressed or injured, muscles often form trigger points, which are areas of muscle locked into a contraction, which cause pain and tightness. When our muscles develop trigger points, we experience pain, stiffness and tension, limited movement and a general loss of normal function, even pins and needles. As a trigger point is an area of muscle which is locked into a contraction, the treatment is simply to unlock the area of excessive contraction. This can be achieved by applying pressure to the trigger point and increasing the pressure as the trigger point “releases” and softens, accompanied by a slow, controlled movement of the affected area by the patient which imparts a strong local stretch to the Trigger Point.