Category: Pain Relief

Benefits of Myofascial Release

15/5/2025

By Rachael Bird, Myotherapist

Myofascial release is a therapeutic technique that focuses on the manipulation of fascia, the connective tissue that surrounds and supports muscles throughout the body. This practice has gained popularity in recent years due to its potential benefits for various physical and physiological conditions.

Here are some of the key benefits of myofascial release:

Pain Relief:
One of the primary benefits of myofascial release is its ability to alleviate pain. By targeting specific trigger points and releasing tension within the fascia, it can help reduce discomfort associated with muscle knots, tension, and chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome.

Improved Flexibility and Range of Motion:
Myofascial release can enhance flexibility and mobility. When fascia becomes tight or restricted, it can limit the range of motion in the muscles and joints. By releasing these restrictions, individuals often experience improved movement and greater flexibility.

Enhanced Athletic Performance:
Athletes and fitness enthusiasts often turn to myofascial release to optimize their performance. This technique can reduce the risk of injury, improve muscle function, and increase the efficiency of movement, which can be particularly beneficial for those engaged in sports and physical activities.

Stress Reduction:
Myofascial release is not just physical but also has a mental component. As the technique promotes relaxation and reduces muscle tension, it can have a calming effect on the nervous system. This can help individuals manage stress, alleviate anxiety, and promote a sense of overall well-being.

Postural Improvement:
Poor posture is a common issue, often caused by imbalances in the fascial system. Myofascial release can help correct these imbalances, leading to improved posture and reduced strain on the spine and other joints. This, in turn, can help prevent or alleviate conditions like chronic back pain and headaches.

Faster Recovery from Injuries:
For those recovering from injuries or surgery, myofascial release can aid in the healing process. It can reduce scar tissue formation, promote blood flow to the injured area, and enhance tissue regeneration, which accelerates recovery and rehabilitation.

Headache and Migraine Relief:
Myofascial release applied to the neck and upper back muscles can be particularly effective in reducing tension headaches and migraines, which are often triggered by muscle tightness and trigger points in the upper body.

Reduction of Adhesions:
Myofascial release can break down adhesions, which are areas of scar tissue that can form between layers of fascia and muscles. These adhesions can limit muscle function and cause pain, and myofascial release can help alleviate these issues.

Enhanced Circulation:
The gentle pressure and stretching involved in myofascial release can improve blood and lymphatic circulation. Better circulation can help deliver essential nutrients and oxygen to muscles, reducing inflammation and promoting overall tissue health.

Improved Sleep Quality:
Many individuals report that myofascial release helps them achieve better sleep quality. Reduced muscle tension and pain relief can lead to more restful and rejuvenating sleep.

In conclusion, myofascial release offers a wide range of benefits for individuals looking to enhance their physical well-being and overall quality of life.
Whether seeking relief from chronic pain, improving athletic performance, or simply looking to reduce stress and tension, myofascial release can be a valuable complementary therapy when administered by a trained and skilled practitioner.

Book an appointment with one of our amazing practitioners to feel the full benefits of myofascial release!

How Can Magnesium Help My Body In Recovery And Pain Relief?

3/4/2025

By Rachael Bird, Myotherapist

Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in various bodily functions, including muscle function and relaxation. It can contribute to recovery and pain relief in several ways.

Magnesium aids in:

Muscle Relaxation: Magnesium helps muscles relax by regulating the balance of calcium and magnesium within muscle cells. This can reduce muscle cramps, spasms, and tension, which are often associated with pain and discomfort.

Inflammation Reduction: Magnesium may have anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation can contribute to pain and delay the healing process. By reducing inflammation, magnesium can help alleviate pain and promote faster recovery.

Nerve Function: Magnesium is important for nerve function, and it can help calm overexcited nerves that may contribute to pain. Proper nerve function is essential for transmitting signals and managing pain sensations.

Energy Production: Magnesium is a co-factor in the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the body's primary source of energy. Adequate magnesium levels can help improve energy production, which is crucial for recovery after physical activity and injury.

Blood Flow: Magnesium supports healthy blood circulation. Improved circulation can aid in the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to injured tissues, helping the body recover more quickly.

Stress Reduction: Stress can contribute to pain and hinder the body's recovery process. Magnesium can help regulate the body's stress response, potentially reducing stress-related pain.

Bone Health: Magnesium is important for bone health and can contribute to the repair of bone tissue. If your pain is related to bone injuries or conditions like osteoporosis, magnesium can play a role in recovery.

It's important to note that while magnesium can be beneficial for recovery and pain relief, it's not a standalone solution. You should maintain a balanced diet that includes magnesium-rich foods such as leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. You can also consider magnesium supplements under the guidance of a healthcare professional if you have a magnesium deficiency. However, it's essential not to exceed recommended daily doses as excessive magnesium intake can have adverse effects.

If you are experiencing chronic or severe pain, or if your pain is the result of an injury, it's advisable to book an appointment with your Myotherapist to help with a personalised treatment plan for pain management and recovery. Magnesium supplementation should be part of a broader approach to recovery and pain management and should be spoken with a healthcare professional before taking.

How Long Til I Feel Good After Seeing A Myotherapist?

2/10/2023

By Rachael Bird, Myotherapist

The time it takes for your body to start feeling better after seeing a myotherapist can vary depending on several factors, including the nature and severity of your condition or discomfort, the specific techniques used by the myotherapist, and your individual response to treatment. Here are some general considerations:

Immediate Relief: Some people experience immediate relief and feel better right after a myotherapy session. This can be especially true for pain caused by muscle tension because we can use techniques that relieve the tension quickly and make an immediate change to the sensation. Something to be mindful of is that this type of muscle discomfort can be from habitual behaviours like sitting in one position for too long, repetitive movements, training hard in the gym, frequent use of things that strain those areas like carrying a bag over one shoulder or carrying a baby on your hip. Although you might walk out feeling great immediately, know that if your pain builds up due to your daily activities and routines, you may tense up again quickly if you’re not doing anything to regularly unwind that tension.
Gradual Improvement: For ongoing pain conditions or fresh injuries, we generally expect to see a gradual progression as you follow your treatment plan. Pain that has been with you for a long time is likely to need a series of treatments as well as commitment to your home care plan. Similarly, fresh injuries like a rolled ankle or sprained facet joint are going to feel painful while your body is healing the acute tissue damage, but your Myotherapist will be creating you a treatment plan that aims to reduce discomfort and guide you through the steps you need to take to strengthen and recover.
Post-Treatment Effects: It's common to experience some soreness or discomfort in the hours or days following a myotherapy session, especially if deep tissue work was performed. This is typically a normal part of the healing process and should subside within a few days. We often see people feeling a little tender the following day, but then feeling the benefits the day after that!
Individual Variation: Each person's body responds differently to myotherapy. Some individuals may respond quickly and feel better within a day or two, while others may require more time. Some people have excellent responses to specific treatment techniques, like dry needling, cupping or MET, and other people can find those same techniques either don’t work for them or are less effective than other techniques. Our therapists aim to find the most effective treatment type for your body to give you the best outcomes possible!
Home Care: Your myotherapist will create a treatment plan that includes things for you to do at home to recover quicker - this includes exercises, stretches, or lifestyle changes to complement the treatment. Adhering to these recommendations can help speed up your recovery and maintain the benefits of the therapy, especially if you are being treated for an injury that involves damage.
Follow-Up Sessions: Consistency in attending follow-up sessions as recommended by your myotherapist can contribute to more sustained improvements in your overall well-being and returning to your full strength, stability and level of physical comfort.

Ultimately, it's essential to communicate openly with your myotherapist about your progress and any concerns you may have. If you’ve tried a new treatment technique but you don’t feel like its worked as well for you, let us know so we can give you other options. If you haven’t been as diligent with your home exercises, also let us know - not so we can grumble at you, but so we can help you understand why its important to do the home care prescriptions we give you, and so we can alter the program if you’re not doing it because its too hard (or not hard enough and you’re bored!)

How Myotherapy Helps Relieve Pain

19/6/2023

By Rachael Bird, Myotherapist

Myotherapy is a type of physical therapy that focuses on the assessment, treatment, and management of musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. This means your favourite Myotherapist primarily targets soft tissues, such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia, to alleviate your pain and improve overall function.

We have a variety of advanced techniques that can be used to calm down painful areas, reduce strain on injured muscles and joints, activate weak muscles and rebuild strength and stability. Our treatments include hands on massage and myofascial techniques; dry needling; cupping; MET (muscle energy technique); joint mobilisations; stretching; taping; prescribing exercises to restore muscle balance and strength; providing education and home care advice on how to give your body the best opportunity at recovering.

Myotherapists are goal oriented healthcare professionals - that means that we carefully plan our treatment for your pain based on the outcomes we want to help you achieve. We can help you in the following way
Pain Reduction:

Myotherapy techniques, including massage, trigger point therapy, and stretching, can help reduce pain associated with muscle tension, “knots”, and trigger points.
By releasing muscle tension and improving blood flow, myotherapy can alleviate discomfort and promote relaxation.
Calming the nervous system allows for pain processes to reduce.

Improved Range of Motion:

Addressing muscular restrictions and adhesions allows your body to move more freely.
Increased range of motion can lead to improved functional abilities and reduced pain during movement.
Movement of our joints is how these joints stay healthy and well lubricated - as they say, motion is lotion!

Muscle Relaxation:

Tight and tired muscles can lead to spasms, cramps and painful movements.
Allowing muscles to relax can provide relief from conditions like tension headaches and muscle strains.

Enhanced Circulation:

Myotherapy techniques stimulate blood flow to the treated areas, which can aid in the healing process by delivering oxygen and nutrients to muscles and tissues.
Improved circulation can also help flush out metabolic waste products from muscles, including assisting with recovery after big physical exertions like going to the gym or playing sport.

Prevention of Further Injury:

By identifying and addressing imbalances, muscle weaknesses, or postural issues, myotherapists can help prevent future musculoskeletal injuries.
It promotes better body awareness and encourages patients to adopt healthier movement patterns.

Stress Reduction:

Myotherapy sessions often involve relaxation techniques and therapeutic touch, which can reduce stress and promote a sense of well-being.
Lower stress levels can contribute to a reduction in musculoskeletal pain, as stress can exacerbate tension and discomfort.

Rehabilitation Support:

Myotherapy is a brilliant option for recovering from injuries or for pre and post surgical care
Its often used in conjunction with other rehabilitation methods, such as physiotherapy or chiropractic care, to complement treatment plans for injuries and chronic conditions.
It can aid in the recovery process and help you regain functional independence.

Customised Treatment:

Myotherapists assess each patient individually and tailor treatment plans to address their specific musculoskeletal issues.
This personalized approach ensures that the therapy is targeted and effective.

Education and Self-Care:

Myotherapists can provide education on your pain or injury to help you understand what is happening within your body and what typical healing processes need to occur for you to feel better.
What you do outside of the treatment room is just as important as the things your Myotherapist does for you within the treatment room - we’ll explain more to you about lifestyle factors, ergonomics and exercises to empower you to take an active role in managing your pain and preventing future issues.

If you're experiencing pain and need some expert assistance, book a time with one of our Myotherapists for a consultation and assessment. We’ll provide a treatment that is specific to your goals and help you get back on track.

It’s Ok To Use Pain Relievers When You’re In Pain. Here's Why.

6/8/2019

If you have pain, there’s a good chance you’ve used or been prescribed pain relievers. There is a lot of stigma around the use of pain relievers because of issues such as addiction or long-term health effects.
In my opinion, it’s ok to use pain relievers if you are experiencing pain, as long as its not the only pain relief strategy you're using - I like to see that you know why you have pain, and that you're making changes to any of the factors you can to reduce ongoing pain in conjunction with taking medication. Pain relievers can play an important part in injury recovery and pain management, particularly for those who experience chronic pain.

What are pain relievers, and what do they do?
Pain relievers are any form of medication that do exactly what the name says – relieve pain.
Different pain relievers work on different parts of the body to produce different pain-relieving effects. Some pain relievers such as ibuprofen stop damaged cells from producing inflammatory compounds, which can slow down the pain message. Others, like paracetamol, work directly on the brain to reduce how your brain perceives the danger signals.
You’ll often see pain relievers referred to as ‘pain-killers’. I avoid this term, because ‘painkiller’ implies that it totally and permanently eliminates your pain. But pain-relievers are a tool that reduce pain for a period of time. They can’t ‘fix’ your pain, but they can make you feel better for a little while, so you can continue to actively work on recovery through rehabilitation and treatment.

Pain relievers are part of your treatment plan
You can get all of the massage and myotherapy treatments, but sometimes, pain strikes when you aren’t able to book in a session. That is where pain relievers can come into play.
Often, pain relief is needed to allow you to get to sleep and stay asleep for at least a few hours. Sleep is when the body does its most healing, so good sleep is critical to long-term pain reduction. Research has also found that sleep deprivation can make you more sensitive to pain.
So if pain is keeping you awake, using pain relief may be the better option, rather than ‘toughing it out’ and lying awake.
The only thing I don’t recommend is relying on pain relievers as your only method of pain relief. Pain relievers by nature are temporary – they don’t fix the root cause.
Whether your pain is caused by physical damage, a sensitised nervous system, inflammation or something else, the only ‘fix’ is a plan that addresses the underlying issue. If you’ve experienced pain for longer than a week or two, it’s time to seek professional help.

If you’re using pain relievers long-term, speak to your GP
Pain relievers, like any other kind of medication, can have long-term health consequences and side effects. Even over the counter medications can be problematic long-term – that’s why they put oodles of warnings inside!
If you are needing to use pain relievers for more than a few weeks and it hasn’t been prescribed by your GP, make an appointment. They might be able to recommend a more effective prescription for your specific type of pain or offer you the safest option if you do require long term medication. At the very least, they know you are taking it and can monitor you, so they can spot any side effects in the early stages.

If you don't have a regular GP, come and meet Dr Wajib Dib at Together Medical on Ferntree Gully Rd in Knoxfield. Our treatment room is inside the Together Medical practice, and Dr Dib is a fully Bulk Billed GP with an interest in musculoskeletal health.

You can also ask for advice on medications from the Pharmacist at Knoxfield Pharmacy. We have a staircase with direct access into the pharmacy from our clinic reception.

Massage and myotherapy can play a supportive role in the healing journey if you’re experiencing chronic pain. At Simple Wellness Myotherapy, chronic pain is our passion. To book in an appointment, head to our booking page here.

Benefits of Myofascial Release

How Can Magnesium Help My Body In Recovery And Pain Relief?

How Long Til I Feel Good After Seeing A Myotherapist?

How Myotherapy Helps Relieve Pain

It’s Ok To Use Pain Relievers When You’re In Pain. Here's Why.

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