5 SmartMoves - Pink Pilates and Massage Charity Day, No Pain, No Gain?, Mental Massage
Pink Pilates and Massage Charity Day
Saturday July 10th we will hold our first Pink Pilates and Massage Day. All funds will go to a charity very close to our hearts - The McGrath Foundation – an organisation that provides support for women undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
· Wear your most flamboyant shades of Pink
· Get active and have fun
· Bring your friends
· For classes - Existing group exercise clients credits will be donated. New clients make a $20 donation to participate.
For massage – Standard rates apply and will be directly donated to The McGrath Foundation
Bookings can be made online through our website as per usual but for Saturday the 10th of July or you can call us on 96967044.
“Traditional” Physio v Physio-led Group Exercise
Physios are versatile people, we can use a number of tools to help you move and feel better. We understand though, that everyone is different, will respond to different methods and approaches.
The model of “Traditional” Physiotherapist is generally something along the lines of:
· Assessment – find out what the problem is and why it may have occurred
· Treatment – may involve treatments to reduce immediate pain and exercise prescription to improve pain and function.
· Education – understanding what may contribute to a problem and take measures to best manage a condition
· Planning – includes timeframes for recovery and progression of treatment.
The evidence tells us that the most valuable tool in managing pain and musculoskeletal conditions is exercise.
This can be a barrier for some for the following reasons:
· Time
· Motivation
· Not sure if doing exercise properly
· Pain with exercise
· Routine
· Pushing too hard
· Not pushing harder enough
Physio led group exercise enables you to address these barriers by:
· Finding suitable times and committing to them with appointments
· Having a highly qualified professional guide you in technique, training load and amount.
· Regular discussion on pain and injury management throughout the process.
Whatever approach you may take, we will see some good results if you stick to a plan. Your SmartMoves physio will help you decide which option is the best for you.
Change your beliefs, Change your pain.
As we begin to understand back pain more and more, there are some overriding themes that seem to underpin successful management.
The most important theme is that of CHANGE.
Changing your beliefs
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Changing the way you move
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Changing your strength
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Changing your pain
The most effective way to elicit this change is through EXPERIENCE.
That is why there is a limit to how effective massage or advice can be. Because you MUST experience how a different approach can cause a different outcome before you can form a habit and make the change more permanent.
This is a process that starts with you making some small changes under the guidance of your physio, experiencing how these changes improve your state, then applying further change.
Massage for your Mind
We all know massage is a great way to help us relax and reduce tension in our muscles, but did you know that it also has a huge impact on our mental health?
Whether you know someone who has had a mental health issue, or you have experienced a difficult time yourself, we are becoming very aware that mental health issues can affect anyone at any time. With 1 in 5 Australians having experienced a mental health issue in their lifetime, it is no wonder why our society is becoming more aware.
Massage provides deep relaxation which then in return decreases the effects of stress in our body and mind. During this relaxation stage our bodies produce natural antidepressants or our ‘happy hormones’, serotonin and dopamine. As the happy hormones are released into the body this immediately improves our mood, reduces stress, anxiety and has a positive effect on symptoms relating to depression and mental health issues. It has been noted that immediately following a massage session, and over a course of treatment, massage can significantly alter the biochemistry of our bodies.
One of the great things about massage therapy for help with mental health concerns, is that it is a low-risk option for people to turn to. It is a beautiful and gentle way to feel connected with our bodies and enjoy the happy hormones at their best!
If you haven’t added massage therapy to your mental health toolkit yet, give it a go today!!
No Pain, No Gain?
Well kind of…
Pain is going to be a normal part of someone living with with chronic pain’s life. The level of it is what is important. We shouldn’t avoid pain at all but at the same time if the pain is to great during or after exercise it creates a negative feedback loop. Your brain interprets the pain as being damaging even though almost all of the time it isn’t. The right level of exercise convinces you otherwise and if you can then progress your level, amazing things can be achieved.