Spring has sprung and with it some pleasant arrivals. In addition to welcoming a number of new staff at Backfocus we would firstly like to congratulate Mel, Mike and Jason and their families on some arrivals of their own.

Mel, our Myotherapist, has given birth to a beautiful baby girl, Amelie and Mike Allen, a director of Backfocus, has a bouncing baby boy, Caolan. More good news has followed with the announcement that Jason, our Myotherapist at Collins Street and Woodend, and his wife are pregnant with their first child.

As for additions to the Backfocus family, we give a warm welcome to Physiotherapists Emma-Jane and Laura who have joined the Collins Street Clinic. This is well timed as the Collins Street office is undergoing a major refurbishment that will provide an additional two treatment rooms.

Two new Myotherapists, Carlin and Erin, have also joined the Backfocus team and will be standing in for Mel at the Diamond Creek, Sunbury and Hurstbridge clinics in addition to expanding services at the Backfocus Mill Park, Coburg and Flemington clinics.

This spring edition will deal with post injury management, along with fitness levels and their relation to good health, plus an article outlining the benefits of Myotherapy.

I’ve just injured myself – what should I do?

As Physiotherapists, we hear all too often the question “What should I have done following my injury?”. In almost all circumstances, immediate appropriate action in treating an injury can reduce the recovery time and allow the injury to heal better. The best way to remember what to do following an injury is via the acronym R.I.C.E.

The letters in the acronym stand for the following –

R – Rest

Following the injury, DO NOT keep using the injured body part, this will only lead to further damage and prolonged recovery time. This is especially important with your back – if it hurts and you keep using it, you could turn a relatively minor problem into a very serious one that may keep you out of action for several months.

I – Ice

Apply Ice. This helps to restrict the blood flow to the area, and hence reduce bleeding that may occur in the injured area (internally). The application of ice should be done as soon as possible, and can continue for up to 48 -72 hours, and when swelling is severe, may continue for a number of days after the injury. Ice should also be applied to injured areas that are perhaps thought of as less conventional – such as the neck after whiplash.

C- Compression

Compressing the area affected by injury is usually done by applying a compression sock, or tubigrip. By compressing the area, swelling is generally kept under control, or reduced. As swelling in the injured area is a major source of pain, as well as being a contributor to prolonged healing times, reduced swelling is crucial in allowing optimal healing following an injury.

E- Elevation

By elevating the injured limb above the level of the heart, swelling is encouraged by gravity to drain away from the affected area. Elevation can be as simple as raising the arm above the head (if the arm is the injured limb!).

There are also elements that one should avoid when they have an injury – these include –

• - Heat
• - Alcohol
• - Massage
• - and Resistance work (i.e. lifting, activity or weights involving the injured area).

Hence, in following this advice, the injury can usually be reduced in magnitude, and healing times can be improved. This advice however is not exhaustive, and it is important to remember that in many cases each individual injury can be different. Always remember that the best management is to consult your Physiotherapist, to ensure the most appropriate information is given.

Author: Andrew Roma - Associate Physiotherapist

Senior Physiotherapist at Backfocus’ Sunbury and Coburg Clinics.

The “Healthy” Weight Debate

The popular media has recently been hailing the introduction of “plus size” models to the catwalk at recent fashion weeks, which has, yet again, sparked a debate over what constitutes “healthy” body size.

A variety of measures are used to determine if someone is of a healthy size or not. For example body weight is most commonly used, and then converted to a BMI (Body Mass Index) which gives a weight:height ratio. Commonly, a BMI between 20 and 25 is considered healthy, although this gives no indication as to the proportion of lean mass (LM, muscle, bones and organs) vs Fat mass (FM, fatty tissue) a person is carrying - two people can be the same height, and same BMI but look significantly different in terms of their appearance as their bone structure, muscle mass and fat mass volumes will all be different.

As an Exercise Physiologist, many clients are referred to me for “weight” management, with goals such as “lose 10kg in 3 months.” While weight and girth measures can be a great way to keep track of progress, it is actually more important that a client is (or becomes!) fit and healthy.

Recent research shows that if a “fat” person has a moderate level of fitness, they are better protected against significant problems such as hypertension, heart attack and stroke compared to a “skinny” person who is unfit. Likewise, if a person is carrying a little extra FM but has a high volume of LM, they will be in a better position health-wise than the person whose weight or BMI is ideal, but their LM is low compared to their FM.

Obviously, the person who is of ideal weight with a good level of fitness is in the best position health-wise, but it is important to remember that the numbers on the scales don’t define who you are, or whether you can do exercise. The most important message is to try to be physically active every day in any way that you can for at least 30 minutes to ensure you develop and then maintain your fitness.

With summer coming up quickly, if you feel you need some help getting started with becoming more active, book in to see our Exercise Physiologist at our Sunbury, Epping, Mill Park, Diamond Creek or Hurstbridge clinics to see what exercise options are available and most suitable for you, no matter your age, weight or fitness levels!.

Author: Gemma Houston, MAAESS, AEP, M.App.Sci (Ex Rehab)

Accredited Exercise Physiologist with the Australian Association for Exercise & Sports Science. Exercise Physiologist at Backfocus’ Epping, Sunbury, Mill Park, Hurstbridge and Diamond Creek Clinics.

WHAT IS MYOTHERAPY?

Myotherapy is a holistic approach to the treatment of musculoskeletal dysfunction and associated pain.

Myotherapists use a range of soft tissue and massage therapies to assist in the reduction of muscle tension and pain. A major component of Myotherapy treatment is directed towards muscle contracture which may be caused by trauma, ageing, overload or misuse of muscles arising from occupational, sporting and recreational activities. Complementing soft tissue skills, Myotherapists have also been extensively educated and trained in the use of Dry Needling, Corrective Exercises, Muscle Energy Releasing Techniques and Trigger Point Release. Depending upon your condition each of these treatment options could provide significant benefits in returning you to a healthy pain free state.

Myotherapy can have significant benefits in other systemic disorders which can cause muscle and soft tissue pain including chronic fatigue, chronic pain syndromes, post viral conditions, fibromyalgia and other conditions which involve chronic pain in which treatment is directed to improving quality of life rather than resolving the underlying condition.

Some other conditions that benefit from Myotherapy include:

• - Back, Neck and Shoulder pain
• - Headaches/Migraines
• - Sporting Injuries, as well as helping with Sport training/preparation
• - Chronic Muscle Tension and Pain
• - Sciatica
• - Tendonitis

Backfocus Myotherapists work closely with our Physiotherapists and Exercise Physiologists to provide the best possible outcomes for clients both in a return to pain free capacity, but also provide the knowledge and skills to enable the patient to manage their symptoms. So if you are looking for relief from that nagging muscle pain, or simply need an extra boost with your training, make an appointment to see one of our Backfocus Myotherapists today and find out how they can help you get your body back on track.

Author: Jason Quigley B Health Sc (Myotherapy)

Myotherapist at Backfocus’ Collins Street and Woodend clinics.

Thank you for your continued support of Backfocus Physiotherapy, where we continue to strive to provide excellence in musculoskeletal physiotherapy. We look forward to seeing you in our Summer edition of Infocus.