Accidents and Trauma Happen !!!

Accidents and Trauma Happen

Accidents and trauma happen, but with a deep  soft tissue injury,  it can take in some cases, as long as a broken bone to heal.

When a client comes to our clinic, getting into the deep tissue to help with restoration and recovery is the most important thing, to help reduce the healing time and need for medication, so they can get back to their lives.

Jess had taken a rather bad fall down a flight of steps, thankfully nothing was broken, but the soft tissue damage was so great both A&E and her own GP said she would be looking at a good 3 months before getting back to normal. as a nursing assistant Jess was so upset because of the impact this would have on her job.

Steve had already been treating her brother for a back injury, he advised her to come to see Steve  in the hope that Steve could help.

He did and while having treatment with Steve Jess reduced the need for pain medication and she is off the crutches, 3 weeks into the treatment sessions and Jess was looking to start back at work.

We use the Bioneuro along with Neuromuscular Techniques to achieve a good clinical outcome.

When a client comes to our clinic, getting into the deep tissue to help with restoration and recovery is the most important thing, to help reduce the healing time and need for medication, so they can get back to their lives. Jess had taken a rather bad fall down a flight of steps, thankfully nothing was broken, but the soft tissue damage was so great both A&E and her own GP said she would be looking at a good 3 months before getting back to normal. as a nursing assistant Jess was so upset because of the impact this would have on her job.

Jess sent us some before and  after photos after her last treatment, along with this message

“Steve is incredible, I fell over a few weeks ago causing trauma to my foot and ankle and I was left on crutches, after a couple sessions Steve got the swelling down and more movement in my toes, where I could weight bare and only use one crutch. A couple more sessions and I just know I’ll finally be able to go back to work as a nursing assistant. Not only does he help people get better, he’s just a really lovely and friendly guy which makes the experience all that much better and relaxing.

I would recommend Steve to anyone!!!”

Jess sent us some before and after photos after her last treatment, along with this message “Steve is incredible, I fell over a few weeks ago causing trauma to my foot and ankle and I was left on crutches, after a couple sessions Steve got the swelling down and more movement in my toes, where I could weight bare and only use one crutch. A couple more sessions and I just know I’ll finally be able to go back to work as a nursing assistant. Not only does he help people get better, he’s just a really lovely and friendly guy which makes the experience all that much better and relaxing. I would recommend Steve to anyone!!!”
Jess had taken a rather bad fall down a flight of steps, thankfully nothing was broken, but the soft tissue damage was so great both A&E and her own GP said she would be looking at a good 3 months before getting back to normal. as a nursing assistant Jess was so upset because of the impact this would have on her job. Steve had already been treating her brother for a back injury, he advised her to come to see Steve in the hope that Steve could help. He did and while having treatment with Steve Jess reduced the need for pain medication and she is off the crutches, 3 weeks into the treatment sessions and Jess was looking to start back at work.

Why Are Our Young Football Players Still Taking So Many Painkilling Drugs ???

Own Goals can be Painful

While watching Last  Sunday’s Morning News, yet again the subject of

Footballers and the  increase taking of powerful painkilling medication was being discussed

We all know that for any team it is all about the results on the field that is important, but is it really at the cost of the long term health of your main assets, Your Team’s Players.

This is worrying, these days when we know the long term damage of Painkilling medication, yet we have some brilliant Neuromuscular therapist, Bodywork Therapist and  Non invasive and non chemical  treatments out there, why are they still using painkilling medication as a Stop Gap, injuries need to be treated,

Recovery & Rehabilitation or Over Medication

Muscles when they are Hypertonic , are more prone to injury these guys need their muscles to be more supple ,  they need treatment not masking  tape practice. Players need to be looked after , then teams will get the best out of them and less injuries.

Hearing what  Professor Dvorak said about , half of players competing at the past three World Cups routinely took non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and  that it  had become a cultural issue, part of the game.

This is what Professor Dvorak had to say  

“This is Elite footballers’ “abuse” of legal painkillers risks their health and could “potentially” have life-threatening implications ” He says some clubs prioritise success over player welfare, leading to players feeling “pressured” into taking medication to overcome minor injuries and play in important games.

While according to Former England defender Danny Mills ,”Painkillers in football have always been widespread – “and always will be, I’ve been in many dressing rooms where I’ve seen other players pressured into playing with painkillers,”

When you hear that this is what is happening to young players  that have just started their career, it is even more of a concern, children want to grow up and become Footballers, that is great news,” but do we want our children to grow up to be put in the situation that we are seeing young players going through now .”

Footballers have only a short career as it is they should not be spending it in pain that is masked with the use of painkillers, then end up with surgery as most do in later life.

Let’s treat the players as we should and keep them in top form, they need to have good treatment

I am not talking about wrapping them up in cotton wool. I mean good regular therapy . They need to be on the pitch playing not on the bench in pain.

Footballers have only a short career as it is they should not be spending it in pain that is masked with the use of painkillers, then end up with surgery as most do in later life

Early intervention is essential for Trauma related injury, Reduction in the need for Pain killing Drugs they only Mask Pain they do not heal 

The Bioneuro Sigma Q System works with the patients own body to help the healing process begin a lot faster , our bodies natural instinct after injury is to heal, The Bioneuro system can help deliver its effective energy direct to the injured area increasing nerve and blood supply , waking up moribund nerves regenerating nerve pathways there by accelerating recovery. 

We know Massage releases the “feel good factor” and there is a reason for that it is not all about just relaxing, massage helps release Endorphins and Dopamine, it is the physical input that the therapist applies to the patient and how it is applied that makes the difference.

Painful Calf Strain, How we at Getfitstayfit Norfolk CAN HELP YOU

Painful Calf Strain, How we at Getfitstayfit Norfolk CAN HELP YOU

Here at Getfitstayfit Norfolk, we have treated quite a few people with Strains and Sprains.

We can assure you a Calf Strain is very painful, it can keep you off work for several weeks.

We know this is a typical  Football Player Injury along with Groin Strain and Hamstring.

Calf Strain can quite often after a Thigh Strain, which in its self is extremely painful , this then can add on further injury time if it is not managed well keeping players from playing for a number of weeks 

Not everyone has that luxury, of down time to get better after such an injury, if they are playing socially for fitness and fun with friends.

They need to get back to work in a shorter time period, they also need to be back on form.

So what causes this sort of problem and how can it be fixed ?

A calf strain is an injury characterized by tearing of one or more of the calf muscles and typically causes pain in the back of the lower leg.Here at Getfitstayfit Norfolk, we have treated quite a few people with Strains and Sprains. We can assure you a Calf Strain is very painful, it can keep you off work for several weeks, now we know a certain Liverpool Football Player has now got a Calf Strain having only just got over a Thigh Strain, which in its self is extremely painful , he it seems will be unable to play for another few weeks. Not everyone has that luxury, they need to get back to work in a shorter time period, they also need to be back on form. So what causes this sort of problem and how can it be fixed. First of all what is the problem . A calf strain is an injury characterized by tearing of one or more of the calf muscles and typically causes pain in the back of the lower leg. There are 2 major muscles that are affected one of which originates from above the knee joint this is the Gastrocnemius the other of which originates from below the knee joint is the Soleus, Both muscles insert into the heel bone via the Achilles tendon, we all have probably had a twisted ankle at one time and Achilles has a lot to answer for.

First of all what is the problem ?

A calf strain is an injury characterized by tearing of one or more of the calf muscles and typically causes pain in the back of the lower leg.

There are 2 major muscles that are affected one of which originates from above the knee joint  this is the Gastrocnemius the other of which originates from below the knee joint is the Soleus, Both muscles insert into the heel bone via the Achilles tendon, we all have probably  had a twisted ankle at one time and Achilles has a lot to answer for.

What causes it ?

During contraction (Pulling of the muscle ) of the calf, tension is placed through the calf muscle. When this tension is excessive due to too much repetition or high force, the calf muscle can be torn.

There is always a background, or root cause to this problem some

of these factors can be.

There is always a background, or root cause to this problem someof these factors can be. Not warming up the muscles sufficiently Inappropriate/incorrect training Poor flexibility in the calf Bio-mechanics may be out of line causing poor foot posture Ankle joint stiffness Calf weakness Inadequate rehabilitation following a previous calf strain Decreased fitness level Fatigue due to excessive training Neural tightness (Calf muscle tightness is defined by any activity or situation in which those muscles stay contracted beyond or independent of physical exertion).

What is the outcome of a tear? 

This may be from a small partial tear, whereby there is minimal pain and minimal loss of function, to a complete rupture which may require surgical reconstruction.

Why are Strains and tears are graded  from level 1 to level 3 ?

  • Grade 1 Tear: ) A small number of fibres are torn resulting in some pain, but still allowing full function. Rest is needed.
  • Grade 2 Tear: ) A significant number of fibres are torn with a moderate loss of function.(Most calf strains tend to be in the Grade 2 Level)
  • Grade 3 Tear: ) All muscle fibres are ruptured resulting in major loss of function. Very painful and can take a while to come back from this.

 

 

Grade 1 Tear: ) A small number of fibres are torn resulting in some pain, but still allowing full function. Rest is needed. Grade 2 Tear: ) A significant number of fibres are torn with a moderate loss of function.(Most calf strains tend to be in the Grade 2 Level) Grade 3 Tear: ) All muscle fibres are ruptured resulting in major loss of function. Very painful and can take a while to come back from th

So what can be done, to help people who may have done this sort of damage ?

If it is a Grade 3 tear then surgery is the only real answer, but help with pre opp is of real benefit and will aid towards post opp rehabilitation.

Keeping the rest of the muscles supple makes the surgery easier, less chance  of Muscle imbalances, will keep your

Bio-mechanics in line, aiding with flexibility.

Grade 2 tear, this is all about promoting healing and the sooner it can be dealt with the better early intervention, rest and elevation as much as possible, initially ICE is your friend.

This is where we can help greatly with the cutting edge equipment The  Bioneuro Sigma Q, we can help with the promotion of healing long before, other manual methods of intervention, therefore cutting down healing time and the  need for Pharmaceutical  intervention,  this also applies to a Grade 1 tear. Have a look at Johns testimony to see how we helped him after his Strain.

 Getting people back to fitness is what we do,

Sprained,Painful Swollen Ankle, John Came To Getfitstayfit Norfolk For Help

Swollen Ankle

Most of us at some time have twisted, or Sprained our Ankle in our lives.

Then ended up with our leg raised, ice around the ankle , then hobbling around for a couple of weeks, It is not pleasant, when it first happens it is that sick feeling and the worry that it may be broken, the pain can be that intense, then the relief when, A&E say.

 

“It’s only a Sprain ” then the realisation that you are still in a lot of pain, you have to hobble around and you have to rest it for weeks.

“It’s only a Sprain ” then the realisation that you are still in a lot of pain, you have to hobble around and you have to rest it for weeks.

John did this very thing to his ankle and he did not do anything by half.

Twisting his ankle when he missed his footing down a rabbit hole, was not the ending he had expected after a morning of flying his kite, he ended up in A&E to be told that 4 weeks off work or more was likely to be the consequence of his accident, time that John could ill afford, he then decided to come and see Steve Kirby  here at Getfitstayfit Norfolk for help to get back to recovery a lot sooner.  Have a look at his testimonial.

Ski Injury Recovery And Rehabilitation In Norwich

Ski Injury Recovery And Rehabilitation In Norwich

 I  was reminded by one of my clients that it was, Skiing time.

With all the rain we have had and the mildness of the weather it had not occurred to me,

but now with  I feel it is time to talk to folks about Skiing Injuries

like any other sporting injury they can vary, but lets face it  broken arms legs  seem to be the usual suspects, as for your muscle’s, strains and sprains are very prominent , lets not forget you are in cold conditions, so if muscles don’t have time to warm up they will pull and more than likely  to tear.

Although sometimes disasters happen like  the incident that has affected   Michael Schumacher,  these are rare these days and we are thankful he is in a stable condition, also  the German Chancellor Angela Merkel has injured her pelvis on a cross-country skiing trip during her Christmas vacation although she is still working, but  is now having to cancel some of her engagements.

 

Although sometimes disasters happen like the incident that has affected Michael Schumacher, these are rare these days and we are thankful he is in a stable condition, also the German Chancellor Angela Merkel has injured her pelvis on a cross-country skiing trip during her Christmas vacation although she is still working, but is now having to cancel some of her engagements.

I deal with recovery and rehabilitation of injuries, Sprains, Strains and recovery after all broken bones are  a regular occurrence and in all my years in business, I have had to deal with quite a few, dealing with them using Neuromuscular Injury Techniques, massage on the and with The Bioneuro Therapy System Sigma Q (ΣQ®) 

We all know that prevention is  better that cure and preparation is always better, unless you are to prepared to fail.

It is the same with suppleness and conditioning , if you have regular massage, you muscles are more supple and flexible therefore they will allow you to become more flexible, less prone to injury, no matter what sport or exercise you do.

Ice, snow are unstable surfaces, so it is more important that you counteract that with stability in your body.

Here are some of the Common injuries, and how it may be possible to  avoid them.

 Skier’s thumb. ( A nice name for also known as Gamekeepers Thumb)

This is a  upper extremity injury, affecting  the stabilizing ligaments on the sides of the thumb joints – usually the inside or ulnar collateral ligament (UCL).

How does it happen

It often occurs when a skier falls and they do not release the ski pole, causing over-bending and stressing of the thumb. The first thing is the pain, you will feel it, do not ignore this it is a  signal to see a Doctor or therapist , It could be a  partial tear of the ligament, possibly treated with a splint; a Therapist would be able to advise you because if it is a complete tear it will need surgery, you will need to see a therapist for rehabilitation work after surgery to get you back on track.

Tips on prevention of this injury

Your reaction is to hold on to the Ski pole, Don’t you have to let go of your ski poles the moment you fall. There are certain poles because of the type of handles,  as a beginner you should avoid talk to the Ski shop advisers for information on this to help decrease risk

Knee injuries

As I said the main problem,  40% of all skiing injuries, are  either ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) or MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament) sprains or tears of these ligament and muscle groups,  being the most common.

How does it happen

Knee injuries  usually occur  as the result of the something Skiers call the  Snow Plough Position, ( Imagine you are doing a squat with your knees to far forward, past your toes, your body is not stable and the most extreme point is your knees), so when a skier is falling  in this position  they will hit the knee joint with excessive force. Another injury  caused to the knees, can be because of  Skis crossing or stance widening too far . Again, we may be looking at splinting   as it may resolve the injury, but again there is a possibility of more ruptures occurring,  you may  require surgery. Therapy will defiantly be needed after this and the sooner the better, early intervention, will defiantly speed up recovery.

Tip on prevention of this injury

The best prevention  here is pre-conditioning of your quads, Massage and the correct sort of workout building steadily, should help considerably.  Proper maintenances is so important. Avoid an overly-wide stance, and if you do start to fall, don’t resist, go with it. ( one other tip is why not go to a Jujitsu class and ask for a few lessons  in learning how to fall you will be in a safe environment with guys who specialise in that sort of teaching )

Head injury

As with any head injury it is a must that you get it checked out Straight away DO NOT leave it under any circumstances.

Tip on prevention of this injury

I will pull no punches here. These  can be fatal when skiing at high speeds. So it is important that helmets are worn  they are vital protection, you may find your self in a situation  of travelling down the slope 2-3 times faster than the recommended range, for even the best helmet protection, so if your new to the sport please stay in  the designated areas advised and listen to your instructors.

There is no if’s or maybes about this one, You should always wear a helmet,  you should also monitor your speed to stay within a safe zones. Also, be aware of others around you and your surroundings, use your common sense to avoid collisions, remember you are on a slope of a mountain,  there will be people above you so  look uphill as well as down, and give way when you need to as they may not be able too , Always  follow directions on the signs it could well save your life.

Neck and Shoulder Injury

These can occur from a sudden fall, damage may be to the Clavicle or Scapular  also injury to the Humerus because of impact due to the fall, these injuries seem to be more prevalent with Snowboarders, than Skiers.  In this case it may be a hospital trip to put things back in order, you may also have damage to muscle groups from the Trapezius, Rotator Cuff muscles, to Rhomboids if these muscles are tight, this can be the case especially if you are in a sedentary  working environment  and not use to a rigorous activity, then these muscles are suddenly having to do a lot of stretching  and work.

Tip on prevention of this injury

Try to stay flexible with shoulder and neck muscles, lots of exercises you can do keep supple, massage can be essential for these muscles, as we do seem to not use them as much as we should. When you feel tired, relax these muscles and a hot soak in the bath or a session in a steam room can always be good for them.

If you are New to skiing some quick tips to help:

1. Don’t overdo it, trying to impress your friends, we all need to start out somewhere and if you want to continue with the sport do it sensibly . Start out on easier terrain,  improve your skills gradually take your time enjoy it, you are not in a race you are on a steep learning curve . Before you even start on the real thing , get in shape prepare those muscles, have  proper training, try a dry slope.

2. There is a  skier’s “code of conduct” – these are common-sense rules, you will see them posted on the slopes, don’t ignore them, They are for your benefit, your  protection, and for  the safety and of others, don’t become and injury statistic.

3. We have not mentioned the Ski lifts .You must  Pay attention to them and others when getting on and off the lift, this can be a prime time for injury, and you don’t want that, on your first time out.

4.You have to take breaks. I know in the  excitement you will want spend your Ski time challenging yourself . Injury rates do increase with fatigue, when you are tired you are not focused, pace your self , rest when you feel you need to take it sensibly and steady  , as with any  exercise you will need to stay hydrated so you still need to drink plenty of water.

5. Learn to take the fall; Don’t fight it , as I have already stated  fighting it is how ligaments get torn and damaged. Your bottom can is your best friend  If you can, sit down to break the momentum Also this will naturally bring you down into a foetal shape. Tucking every thing in. Less area to damage.

6.  Take lesson from a professional, that is what they are there for, to improve your technique you skill and to help you avoid any bad habits , don’t take short-cuts , they will not do you any favours .

If you do sustain an injury

You should see the doctor, don’t be a hero, whenever you sustain any type of injury. Skiing injuries  should always be evaluated to avoid the possibility of long term damage, most can usually be treated without operative intervention and can be stabilized  and treated  by a therapist  with excellent results.

Before you venture out on the slopes, get in shape!

Skiing  will put heavy demand on some major muscle groups, so lets get them prepared. I will say this again regular massage is a preventative  measurement as well as a recovery and rehabilitation measure.

Quadriceps are the main muscle group used for skiing; they maintain your stance and protect your  knees. You need to get them in shape, try squats and remember  your knees should not go over your toes.

Glutes & Hamstrings: These allow you to  flex, forward into the leaning position needed for  downhill skiing, it  requires great strength and a lot of work  from your hamstrings and glutes.

Thighs: Your  inner thighs keep the skis together, while outer thighs are the main  provider of stability and steering.

Calf muscles the Gastrocnemius and the Soleus.  keep you upright over your bent knees. These are your power house you need to strengthen them.

Abs and Back:  When Skiing you need to be in the proper flexed, bent position but this will put stress on your back. You need to  strengthen your core stability to prevent spinal injury.

Arms: You need to be able to  push-off with power and stability, so work on the  shoulder joints,  biceps and triceps need to be  part of your  preparation routine.

Look at the whole package and work it out with your trainer, don’t miss out the massage it is a must to keep all those muscles in top working order. 

 

 

Plantar Fasciitis , Plantar Fasciosis.or Capsulitis.Getfitstayfit Norfolk Asks Which Is It ?

Plantar Fasciitis , Plantar Fasciosis or Capsulitis

You may have heard of Plantar Fasciitis,  it is Painful, but you may not have realised that there is also Plantar Fasciosis or Capsulitis they are all different,

The main differences being  that with Plantar Fasciitis there is inflammatory swelling in the area  around  the connective tissue or ligament on the sole (bottom surface) of the foot.

This is a common condition and if treated immediately it may not degenerate.  The plantar fascia is a thick fibrous band of connective tissue originating on the bottom surface of the calcaneus (heel bone) and extending along the sole of the foot towards the toes.

The best treatment is R.I.C.E. As the swelling goes down , then and only then can you start on stretching the area again some of the exercise’s  include a Tennis or golf ball and rolling it under the foot from the toes to the heel, massage of the area is very useful, but remember with out treatment and care it will degenerate, to become a long term injury. So take care rest when it is needed, keep on top of it, or it will beat you. What causes it, now here is the problem if you are a runner, or dancer the bad news is, it is often caused by overuse of the plantar fascia, increases in activities, weight or age.

This is a common condition and if treated immediately it may not degenerate. The plantar fascia is a thick fibrous band of connective tissue originating on the bottom surface of the calcaneus (heel bone) and extending along the sole of the foot towards the toes.You may have heard of Plantar Fasciitis, it is Painful, but you may not have realised that there is also Plantar Fasciosis or Capsulitis they are all different, The main differences being that with Plantar Fascitis there is inflammatory swelling in the area around the connective tissue or ligament on the sole (bottom surface) of the foot. This is a common condition and if treated immediately it may not degenerate. The plantar fascia is a thick fibrous band of connective tissue originating on the bottom surface of the calcaneus (heel bone) and extending along the sole of the foot towards the toes. The best treatment is R.I.C.E. As the swelling goes down , then and only then can you start on stretching the area again some of the exercise’s include a Tennis or golf ball and rolling it under the foot from the toes to the heel, massage of the area is very useful, but remember with out treatment and care it will degenerate, to become a long term injury. So take care rest when it is needed, keep on top of it, or it will beat you. What causes it, now here is the problem if you are a runner, or dancer the bad news is, it is often caused by overuse of the plantar fascia, increases in activities, weight or age.

The long term condition Plantar Fasciosis . The suffix “osis” implies a pathology of chronic degeneration this is  without inflammation. Since tendons and ligaments  do not contain blood vessels they do not actually become inflamed. Instead, injury to the tendon is usually the result of an accumulation over time of microscopic tears at the cellular level. Well folk this is still not looking good if you are a runner or dancer as these microscopic tears  need time to heal, we all know how dedicated runners are to there sport, but if not treated and time taken to rest , then running may no longer be an option. Better to rest when you need should, than to have to give up all together.

We don’t want this to happen, Prevention is the best way to go with this problem, first your feet are your best friends you need them never mind Stand by me this is a case of Stand on them and you need to be able to with out pain.

How do we know we have it

First of all there is , the pain, usually felt on the underside of the heel and is often most intense with the first steps of the day not a  great way to start the morning . Another symptom is that the sufferer has difficulty bending the foot so that the toes are brought toward putting on shoes the shin (decreased dorsiflextionof the ankle ). Also a symptom commonly recognized among sufferers of plantar fasciitis is an increased probability of knee pain, this is very presented among  runners

 

Capsulitis. 

This is pain that is  Sometimes felt in the  ball-of-foot it is  mistakenly assumed to be derived from plantar fasciitis, But this is a dull pain or numbness in the metatarsal region of the foot  and unlikely to be the plantar fascia inflamed and  more likely to be the  metatarsalgia, also called Capsulitis.  This is an inflamed flexor digitorum brevis muscle

Some of the Problems/ Injuries that occur Insertion Tendonitis This is an inflammation at the point where the Achilles tendon inserts into the heel bone. When you have this problem you will have tenderness directly over the insertion of the Achilles tendon, which is commonly associated with calcium formation, or a bone spur forming just above the insertion point. You may also suffer a Retrocalcaneal bursitis; this is caused by movement-related irritation of the Retrocalcaneal bursa, the fluid-filled cushioning sac between the heel bone and the Achilles tendon. The bursa can become inflamed or thickened and stick to the tendon, because of overuse or repetitive loading. You will feel pain when squeezing the tendon itself or the space just in front of the tendon.

Looking after your feet. It is Essential.

If your a runner at some point your will get the urge to try for one of the Big Ones you will want the medal , so preparation is of the utmost importance. Having looked after a quite a number of runners at events including the London Marathon, I have seen some injuries cause by the wrong shoes from  gait to knee injuries, lower back problems and  messed up feet, a lot of these injuries could have been prevented by the right footwear, we recommend and advise our clients  to go to a good Sports shop, that know what they are talking about . The reasons why you need a certain shoe, from the shape to  the type of material  structure of the shoe. As Sports Injury  Therapist I don’t sell shoes, but I do have a very good relationship with  some Sports shops so I asked for advice  on your behalf from a very reputable company this is what Neil of Sportlink Running-Fitness Specialists  had to say.

” My main warning would be to just be very careful who you buy from online i.e. always buy from a running specialist!!

I have been in this trade for 25 years and have seen so many changes during that time. I know the industry inside out having also worked with a number of manufactures as well.

There are lots of processes that shoes have to go through during the manufacturing of a quality shoe i.e. moulding, temperatures, time, etc, etc and this is just for the midsole. However and as with all industries some times there are one or two problems whereby product is not finished correctly and end up being sold via the grey market to wholesalers in bulk i.e. grade two and even grade three product.

Looking after your feet. It is Essential. If your a runner at some point your will get the urge to try for one of the Big Ones you will want the medal , so preparation is of the utmost importance. Having looked after a quite a number of runners at events including the London Marathon, I have seen some injuries cause by the wrong shoes from gait to knee injuries, lower back problems and messed up feet, a lot of these injuries could have been prevented by the right footwear, we recommend and advise our clients to go to a good Sports shop, that know what they are talking about . The reasons why you need a certain shoe, from the shape to the type of material structure of the shoe. As Sports Injury Therapist I don’t sell shoes, but I do have a very good relationship with some Sports shops so I asked for advice on your behalf from a very reputable company this is what Neil of Sportlink Running-Fitness Specialists had to say .

Any good running specialist would not touch this product with a barge pole!!

We certainly will not, but do see it several times when customers come back to us with a pair of supposed top quality shoes that have broken down very quickly due to soft midsoles or the customer is injured due to the midsoles being too hard.

We can tell straight away just by feel and sometimes from the codes inside the tongue. Anything more than 25% off trade is basically old stock which has to be cleared, but after a maximum of two years oxidation of the EVA foam is likely to have taken place or as already stated the product could be faulty. At Sportlink as I am sure at The Runners Centre and Pilch as well, you can be sure that you will always be sold product of the highest quality. Running shoes are the most important piece of kit you will buy, so always be 100% sure before buying

Getfitstayfit Norfolk & The Runners at The Braydeston 5K Fun Run 2013

Getfitstayfit Norfolk & The Runners at The Braydeston 5K Fun Run 2013

The morning of the 8th September 2013 was a beautiful morning, we at Getfitstayfit Norfolk had been looking forward to the day.

It was the day of  The Braydeston 5K Fun Run , this is an even organised by Kirk Wilson in aid of Cancer Research, we are happy to be one of the sponsors , working at the run with Pre & Post Massage, we had quite a few people take up the offer of both.

Some great people, also good meeting up with members of The Norwich Road Runners folks if you are looking for a running club to join have a word with these guys you won’t go far wrong. The whole thing was  well organised and a pleasure to be part of and yes a great cause, but still fun.

Some great people, also good meeting up with members of The Norwich Road Runners folks if you are looking for a running club to join have a word with these guys you won’t go far wrong. The whole thing was well organised and a pleasure to be part of and yes a great cause, but still fun.

Give your Achilles Tendon a Bit of a Lift? Part 2

Further Problems/ Injuries that occur Paratenonitis is an acute Achilles injury causing inflammation usually due to overuse, affecting the Tendon Sheath or Paratendo “In really acute cases, the tendon can be a sausage shape, because of the severity of the swelling. This is a common one for runners especially after a long run. They may also feel stiffness and discomfort at the beginning of the run, but as you guys always seem to try to push through the discomfort. a word of warning “This will typically aggravated the injury, when you need to relieve it by rest please do so If left untreated, Paratenonitis will progress to the point that any running becomes extremely difficult.”

Further Problems/ Injuries that occur 

Paratenonitis is an acute Achilles injury causing inflammation usually due to overuse, affecting the Tendon Sheath or Paratendo “In really acute cases, the tendon can be a sausage shape, because of the severity of the swelling. This is a common one for runners especially after a long run. They may also feel stiffness and discomfort at the beginning of the run, but as you guys always seem to try to push through the discomfort. a word of warning  “This will typically aggravated the injury, when you need to relieve it by rest please do so If left untreated, Paratenonitis will progress to the point that any running becomes extremely difficult.”

The area approximately two inches above the Calcaneus attachment is most susceptible. In this area, the Achilles tendon does not have good blood supply or cell activity, so injury can be slow to heal. The tendon receives nutrients from the tendon sheath or Paratendon. When an injury occurs to the tendon, cells from surrounding structures migrate into the tendon to assist in repair. Some of these cells come from blood vessels that enter the tendon to provide direct blood flow to increase healing. With the blood vessels you also get nerve fibres’.

It is believed, that these nerve fibres are the cause of the pain. So while it is healing it will cause you a lot more pain, some say “It is like having an Arrow in your heel” Not very fair but unlike Achilles painful fate, you’re not going to die from it and there are things you can do to help yourself, but recovery from an sever Achilles tendon injury can take anything up to 12 or even 16 months, a long time if you are a runner that is why I always say “Early Intervention is better than long recovery time’s”

So what is Tendinosis? Well the point is most pain within the Achilles tendon, may be classified as Tendinosis. This may be because it involves tendon degeneration, whether it has inflammation or not. In addition, the tendon may become weakened and lose its structure. Aging plays it own part in this process, repetitive injury, or a minor trauma, through occupation or sports. Whatever the reason, “Without proper treatment and healing time, of the area Tendinosis will eventually progress to partial or complete ruptures, if you continue to put high pressure on them, that are physically demanding.

So what is Tendinosis?

Well the point is most pain within the Achilles tendon, may be classified as Tendinosis.

This may be because it involves tendon degeneration, whether it has inflammation or not. In addition, the tendon may become weakened and lose its structure. Aging plays it own part in this process, repetitive injury, or a minor trauma, through occupation or sports. Whatever  the reason, “Without proper treatment and healing time, of the area  Tendinosis will eventually progress to partial or complete ruptures, if you continue to put high pressure on them, that are  physically demanding.

What Can You Do To Help or Prevent Achilles Problems?

 

Let’s start with the obvious

Preventive exercises aimed at strengthening the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles,

This means,  repetitions of slowly raising and lowering the body while standing on the affected leg, (Calf Raises)   using the opposite arm to assist balance and support if necessary, starting with the heel in a hyperextended position. (Hyperextension is typically achieved by balancing the forefoot on the edge of a step, a thick book, or a barbell weight. so that the point of the heel is a couple of inches below the forefoot. You don’t have to wait till there is a problem to do this exercise use it in your regular stretches,

Don’t take on too much too fast, slowly Increase the intensity and the difficulty of an exercise and running program do not put strain on your Achilles.

An ultimate must here !

Always Use appropriate footwear. The more arch support, the less strain there is on the heel and associated muscles. Wearing heel pads to reduce the strain on the tendon, and remember, if you start to show signs that there is a problem occurring.

Don’t leave it and hope it goes away, you can’t run it off, and it won’t just go away.

Use Standard RICE Treatment with Icecold compression therapy then please seek help. Early intervention can save you from lots of problems later.

 If you have an injury and need more advice give us a call, but please don’t leave it.

A few weeks rest or less, from running is better than 12 months or not ever again. 

 

Give your Achilles Tendon a Bit of a Lift? Part 1

Achilles Tendon

He may have died in the Greek Trojan wars, this tendon is named after him, it is the thickest and strongest tendon in the body, but  to  to many a Runner it is synonymous to injury and be the cause of pain, most  know it as The Achilles Tendon. or the Calcaneal Tendon or the Tendo Calcaneus.

Over the years I have found myself treating many, Achilles Tendon Injures some, after surgery, but I am happy to see more people, getting treatment before the situation has deteriorated to the point that only option is that of surgery, I hope this information may help some of the runners to avoid.

Problems that Occur with the Achilles Tendon.

The Achilles is the tendinous extension of 2 muscles in the lower leg: gastrocnemius and soleus. It also serves to attach the plantaris, gastrocnemius (calf) and soleus muscles to the calcaneus (heel) bone, In humans, the tendon passes the  posterior of the leg to the ankle It is about 15 centimetres (6 in) long, and begins near the middle of the calf.

 The Achilles’ muscle reflex tests the integrity of the spinal root.  The tendon can receive a load stress 3.9 times body weight during walking and 7.7 times body weight when running. (Think about  that on your next run)  Achilles tendon ruptures are most likely to occur in sports requiring, sudden eccentric stretching, such as sprinting, also long runs pounding the pavement will do the job just as well.

Some of the Problems/ Injuries that occur Insertion Tendonitis This is an inflammation at the point where the Achilles tendon inserts into the heel bone. When you have this problem you will have tenderness directly over the insertion of the Achilles tendon, which is commonly associated with calcium formation, or a bone spur forming just above the insertion point. You may also suffer a Retrocalcaneal bursitis; this is caused by movement-related irritation of the Retrocalcaneal bursa, the fluid-filled cushioning sac between the heel bone and the Achilles tendon. The bursa can become inflamed or thickened and stick to the tendon, because of overuse or repetitive loading. You will feel pain when squeezing the tendon itself or the space just in front of the tendon.

Some of the Problems/ Injuries that occur

Insertion Tendonitis This is an inflammation at the point where the Achilles tendon inserts into the heel bone. When you have this problem you will have tenderness directly over the insertion of the Achilles tendon, which is commonly associated with calcium formation, or a bone spur forming just above the insertion point. You may also suffer a Retrocalcaneal bursitis; this is caused by movement-related irritation of the Retrocalcaneal bursa, the fluid-filled cushioning sac between the heel bone and the Achilles tendon. The bursa can become inflamed or thickened and stick to the tendon, because of overuse or repetitive loading. You will feel pain when squeezing the tendon itself or the space just in front of the tendon.

I know that retrocalcaneal bursitis are  associated with Rheumatoid arthritis ,but in most occurrences in athletes, only  one side is involved so may  not be associated with a “Systemic disease ” Please get this checked by your GP if you have any doubts”.

Tendonitis also involves pain in front of the Achilles tendon and a bony enlargement of the heel bone, known as Haglund’s deformity, which is referred to as a ‘pump bump.’ “Most cases of Haglund’s deformity will occur in ladies who wear high-heeled shoes, but runners are also prone to this sort of injury.