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By Rachael Bird, Myotherapist Understanding Microbiomes and Their Impact on Health Microbiomes are communities of tiny organisms living in our bodies, feeding off our environment and the food we consume. I recently learned about them from a Netflix documentary called "Hack Your Health." It's an engaging watch and surprisingly informative, with little animations throughout the movie. If you have a Netflix subscription, you should certainly give this a watch! Here's a summary of what I learned after watching it.  What Are Microorganisms?
Microbiomes are made up of colonies of microorganisms that come in various types, depending on what you're exposed to and what you eat. When there's a healthy amount of microorganisms, there's quite a range of diversity. Conversely, a lack of healthy microorganisms results in little diversity, which can lead to health problems such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, ADHD, and many more. The Impact of Diet on Your Microbiome The documentary highlighted that a diet rich in vegetables can significantly increase the diversity of your microbiome. Interestingly, the good and bad microorganisms in your body will battle each other based on what you feed them. For instance, if you constantly consume sugary foods like chocolate, it will starve the good microorganisms, leaving you with fewer of them. Conversely, eating healthy foods will starve off the bad guys. Additionally, certain microorganisms thrive on fats. If you consume a diet high in fats, these fat-loving bugs will feed on the fat, influencing the composition and health of your gut microbiome. The Battle Within One of the fascinating aspects is that the more you eat sugary foods, the more you crave them. This happens because the bad microorganisms get "angry" when you try to starve them. However, if you persist in eating healthier, the baddies lose their power and cravings diminish. Real-Life Testing and Results The documentary featured microbiome and gut health testing on four people. Although some participants weren't doing as bad as they thought, the results showed a lack of microbiome diversity for most of them. This revelation led them to change their beliefs and decide to work towards better treating their bodies. Interestingly, one participant who had been consuming a blend of different fruits and vegetables saw a significant improvement in microbiome diversity due to this change in dietary behaviour. It's fascinating to know that such changes can really affect your body if you choose to make them. The documentary recommends consuming 20 to 30 different fruits and vegetables per week. Fecal Transplant Donations The documentary also touched on fecal transplant donations of microbiomes. Yes, that does pretty much mean a poo transplant! This process can improve the health of someone with bad microbiomes if the transplant is filled with healthy microorganisms. Interestingly, they also mentioned that it can transfer symptoms such as depression or hormonal acne, so its sounds like you want to be fairly picky with the donor if you were ever to try out a poo transplant yourself! Understanding how your microbiome affects your body and mind is crucial. This knowledge can be particularly useful for those struggling with IBS and other gut-related health issues. By making informed dietary choices, you can enhance your microbiome diversity, leading to better overall health. Watching "Hack Your Health" opened my eyes to the incredible impact of microbiomes. As we learn more about these tiny organisms, it's clear that taking care of them can lead to significant improvements in our health and well-being. If you haven't seen the documentary yet, I highly recommend giving it a watch. It might just change the way you think about food and health forever. When it comes to choosing the most effective type of massage, the answer depends largely on your goals. Are you looking to reduce pain, recover from an injury, or restore mobility? Or is your main focus to relax, unwind, and relieve stress? Understanding the purpose of your massage is the first step in choosing the right treatment.  Pain Management and Injury Rehabilitation: Myotherapy
If your primary goal is pain relief, injury recovery, or improving your mobility, Myotherapy is one of the most effective forms of treatment available. Unlike traditional relaxation massage, Myotherapy is a clinical therapy that focuses on assessing and treating musculoskeletal pain, dysfunction, and injuries in a highly individualised manner. What makes Myotherapy so effective is the comprehensive assessment that precedes each treatment. Myotherapists don’t just treat the symptoms of pain—they work to understand the underlying causes. Whether it's back pain, neck stiffness, or a sports injury, a Myotherapist will assess how your muscles, joints, and nerves are interacting, identifying the root cause of your discomfort. This allows them to develop a tailored treatment plan that addresses your unique needs. The Techniques Used in Myotherapy One of the reasons Myotherapy is so effective for pain relief is that it combines traditional massage techniques with evidence-based clinical practices. While traditional massage techniques, like deep tissue or Swedish massage, are useful for loosening tight muscles, Myotherapy goes beyond this. Here are some techniques a Myotherapist might use:
Relaxation and Stress Relief: Day Spa Massages If your goal is relaxation and stress reduction, however, Myotherapy may not be the best choice. For those looking to unwind in a peaceful, meditative environment, a massage at a day spa is often more appropriate. Spa treatments, such as those offered at places like Endota, focus on creating a serene experience aimed at soothing the body and mind. Day spa massages typically focus on relaxing the body, calming the mind, and releasing general muscle tension. These treatments often occur in a quiet, tranquil setting with soft lighting and calming music, offering an escape from daily stresses. If you're after a silent, meditative experience, this type of massage is perfect for you. However, it's important to note that while these treatments can help alleviate tension, they may not be sufficient for addressing underlying pain, injuries, or mobility issues. Myotherapist Training: Why It Matters One of the key reasons Myotherapy is so effective for pain management and injury rehabilitation is the level of training that Myotherapists undergo. Many Myotherapists begin their careers as Remedial Massage Therapists, where they learn essential techniques for relieving muscle tension and improving circulation. After gaining experience, many therapists go on to complete further education, obtaining an Advanced Diploma of Myotherapy or a Bachelor of Health Science (Myotherapy). This advanced training equips them with a deeper understanding of the musculoskeletal system and the clinical skills needed to assess and treat complex conditions. It also allows them to integrate clinical techniques like dry needling, joint mobilisation, and rehabilitation exercises into their practice. This additional education and experience make Myotherapists uniquely qualified to treat pain, injuries, and mobility issues. Choosing the Right Treatment for You Ultimately, the most effective type of massage depends on what you're hoping to achieve. If you're looking for pain relief, injury recovery, or improved mobility, Myotherapy provides a targeted, evidence-based approach that addresses the underlying causes of your discomfort. By combining clinical techniques with hands-on therapy, Myotherapy can help you manage pain, recover from injuries, and improve your overall function. On the other hand, if your goal is to relax and de-stress, a massage at a day spa is the better choice. Spa treatments provide a calming, meditative experience designed to soothe the mind and body, offering a peaceful break from the pressures of daily life. Our therapists are all highly qualified Myotherapists with experience in injury rehabilitation and pain management. We are here for you 7 days a week to support you through treatment of painful conditions - you can book online with any of our therapists. While our team technically can provide a relaxation style treatment, this is not our primary focus, and we can recommend many day spa and beauty therapy locations nearby who can better accomodate for a relaxing, enjoyable spa treatment. By Megan Cornish, Myotherapist With breakdancings recent debut in the olympics, and the current trending entry from Australia in the 2024 Paris Olympics (I think we know which one I’m referencing), I can’t think of a better time to talk about just how physically demanding this sport truly is and the level of skill required to not only execute this style of dance well, but to not injure yourself while you do it!  So why is breakdancing an olympic sport now? Can’t anyone just hit the floor and bust out a move? Well no - although breakdancing has a creative and improvisational nature it also encompasses a wide range of technique and skill when it comes to control, balance, strength and flexibility just to name a few. Even if we analyse common breakdancing moves like freezes, flips and headspins we can clearly see the physical load on the dancer's body, in particular their upper body and joints such as their neck, shoulders and wrists. Which brings me to the essence of this blog which is discussing common injuries break dancers may experience and the ways in which Myotherapy can assist in the recovery process.
Given that this style involves a lot of floor work that requires quick shifts of weight and load transfer through the upper body the chances of sustaining an overuse injury or impact injury (from a possible awkward landing here and there) are pretty high, with the most common affected body part being the wrist. Some symptoms of a wrist repetitive strain injury can include one or more of the following:
Some other regions specific to breakdance that pain can potentially arise in are neck/ spine, shoulders, elbows and knees which is not a surprise when you look at the crazy moves these dancers are pulling off so effortlessly! Now that we have identified some common areas and physical conditions a dancer of this style may experience at some point in their dance life, let's talk a bit about Myotherapy and its place in supporting breakdancers in their craft. Myotherapy is a form of physical therapy using manual techniques to influence and treat soft tissue such as muscle, ligaments, tendons and support overall joint health and function. As myotherapists we are qualified and experienced in the treatment of a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions/ injuries and are also able to assist in their rehabilitation management and recovery. We work with a variety of different people from all walks of life which includes anyone from more of a sedentary lifestyle to high level performing athletes Who am I? I am a certified Myotherapist and Dancer of over a decade of experience. I have assisted dancers of a range of different styles with a variety of different injuries and musculoskeletal conditions to help my fellow dancers get back to doing what they love quickly. If you break dance professionally, if you like to bust a move in the privacy of your own home or anything in between, and if Myotherapy sounds like something you might need .. pop and lock your way into Simple Wellness Myotherapy today or give us a call on (03) 8204 0970! We can’t wait to see you! You'll find us at Shop 12B/150 Kelletts Rd, Rowville VIC 3178. Back pain is a common issue that many people experience, but it can be difficult to determine when it’s just a minor issue and when it requires immediate attention. Understanding the type of pain, the mechanism behind it, and recognising red flags are key in identifying whether your back pain might be more serious. Here’s how to tell when to seek urgent medical help and when myotherapy might be the right solution for your discomfort.  Types of Back Pain
Back pain can vary widely in intensity, location, and quality. Understanding the characteristics of your pain can help you assess whether it’s something that may resolve with time or requires more urgent care:
Mechanism of the Pain: Why Did It Start? The onset of your back pain can provide important clues to its seriousness:
Red Flags That Require Immediate Attention Certain symptoms, known as "red flags," indicate the need for immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the following, it’s essential to consult a doctor as soon as possible:
How Can Myotherapy Help? For many types of back pain, especially those not associated with these red flags, myotherapy can be an effective, non-invasive treatment option. Myotherapists use a combination of techniques to alleviate pain, improve mobility, and address the root cause of your discomfort. Some common methods include:
Back pain can be alarming, but not all pain is cause for immediate concern. By understanding the type of pain you're experiencing, its onset, and being mindful of red flags, you can better assess whether your back pain is serious. For many cases of back pain, myotherapy provides a safe and effective treatment to reduce pain, improve mobility, and support long-term recovery. However, if you notice any red flags, consult with a doctor immediately to rule out serious conditions. If you are free of red flags, its likely that our team of excellent Myotherapists can help with a strategy for your back pain. Book online to consult with one of our experts. |
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