Susan Martin Soft Tissue Therapy

Today is the start of the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) Drowning Prevention Week.

https://www.rlss.org.uk/

This annual information campaign aims to provide everyone with the skills and knowledge to make the right decisions about water safety.

As a keen swimmer and qualified swim teacher I am fully aware of the joy and benefits provided by "messing about" in or on the water. Unfortunately, too many people in the U.K. lose their lives each year because of their lack of knowledge, confidence and competence in this area.

This summer, please make sure that you address this lack of knowledge and make a real effort to educate the whole family about how to stay safe. The RLSS website has a mass of information and this graphic gives some simple water safety tips.

The Men's Football World Cup has started this week after most of the players have finished their domestic seasons. In organised, elite sports, such as these, the teams will all have access to Soft Tissue Therapy as part of their medical/Physio support.
This hands-on therapy can help to prevent injury and speed up recovery. Why shouldn't you use the same strategy?

If you have just finished your season and struggled to stay match fit, please consider using regular massage as part of your training plan for next year. I offer a generous discount to my regular clients, so please get in touch if you want to chat about how I can help.

FAQs Number 2 -

Who can Scarwork™ help?

Anyone who has a scar from an accident or surgery could benefit from this therapy.
Our bodies have an amazing ability to heal but sometimes the process does not go smoothly and the end result is not an ideal repair. As the wound heals, different layers of tissue can get stuck together in the process and form a scar that’s causing you discomfort or restricting your movement. It could be sensitive, stuck down or lumpy. Even with a scar that looks neat and tidy on the surface, there could be problems underneath.

Your body will adapt to these restrictions over time so treatment for the scar is usually incorporated with other Soft Tissue Therapy to benefit the whole person.
Please get in touch if you want to discuss how treatment may help you.

Flip Flops may be your choice of footwear during hot, summer days but whilst they are great by the poolside, long term use of these types of shoes can have a serious impact on your feet and leg health. Let me explain:

1. Flip flops have little or no support in the sole. This means you are practically walking barefoot and are liable to pick up cuts, grazes and other minor injuries.

2. Gripping with your feet to keep flip flops on causes a lot of tension and pressure through your toes, arches and lower legs. This can cause conditions such as plantar fasciitis, calf strain and shin splints. It will also affect your stride length and posture which could lead to other issues further up your legs and back.

3. The “floppy” nature of flip flops means that they are unstable, especially on uneven or soft ground and can be a serious trip hazard. Ankle sprains are common with this type of shoe.

4. As our feet sweat, the toe post and straps of these shoes will often rub and cause blisters.

Never run, jump or drive in Flip Flops. The lack of support and protection makes these activities particularly dangerous. If you want minimalist footwear on a hot day there are plenty of alternatives that provide a moulded, supportive sole and straps to keep the shoe attached to your feet.

Please keep Flip Flops for short walks to the poolside or beach.

Do you have the best Dad, Step - Dad or Grandad in the world?

If so, why not treat them to a relaxing and beneficial massage for Fathers day on 21st June? I offer Gift Vouchers that cover all my treatments - Soft Tissue Therapy, Sports Massage and Scarwork™ from £35.

My vouchers have NO expiry date so can be redeemed whenever they need me.
Please get in touch for more information.

FAQ No 1 -

What is Scarwork™ Therapy?

Your scars can tell the story of your life but sometimes they are constant reminders -especially if they are tight or uncomfortable and affect how your body moves.

ScarWork™ is a gentle, non invasive therapy working to release the tension in the scar and surrounding tissue. Scar tissue can become softer and more pliable allowing the body to function in a more natural way. Results are usually permanent and a few short sessions can make all the difference.

Please get in contact if you want to discuss how I can help.

It's National Volunteer Week this week, so here is a little bit about the charity that I support:

I started volunteering for My Cancer My Choices in January 2022. This charity has a number of treatment points in Berkshire and I work out of our main hub in Charvil.
For over ten years this charity has been offering complimentary therapies to anyone going through their cancer treatment in this area. Therapies include Oncology massage, Scar massage, Reflexology and Acupuncture. All provided for free in an comfortable and supportive environment.

If you are looking for a charity to support in any fundraising event, this is a good one.
If you are a therapist who could volunteer some time to help us, please get in touch.

You will all have heard by now that sitting for long periods of time is bad for your health and if you have an office job you may already feel the effects of not moving enough.
Why does sitting hurt our backs, though, and what can we do about it?
Our bodies are designed to move. Muscles, connective tissues, bones and spinal discs all need regular deliveries of blood, oxygen and nutrients. These deliveries can only be made if blood and fluids are being pumped around the body. Movement makes the body pump.
If we sit for long periods of time, our back, hip and leg muscles do not need to work. They become lazy and weak leading to abnormal tilts in the pelvis. All these factors can lead to poor posture and increased stresses in your lower back.
How can we help to fix this? The main way is to move more -
1. Take regular micro breaks every half hour or so and a larger active break at lunch time,
2. Stretch and hydrate during these breaks,
3. Stay active outside of work hours to strengthen your muscles,
4. Watch your posture, both seated and standing,
5. Make sure your office desk and chair are set up to suit you,
6. Regularly de-stress through socializing, massage, meditation, journaling etc.
If you need any help or advice about getting more movement into your life or want to find out how massage might help you to relax, please get in touch.

Deep or wide cuts from accidents and all surgical incisions will usually require “Stitches” in order to close the wound and help with the healing process.
Sutures are the name given to the threads used to stitch together these wounds and surgical incisions. Evidence shows that the ancient Egyptians and Syrians used this method of closure as early as 2,000BC and we still do it in much the same way now.
Several types of suture are used for closing wounds or tying blood vessels and the material is chosen based on the location and nature of the wound.
Sutures deep within the wound allow it to heal faster preventing a wide scar in the tissues whilst sutures in the skin can help to provide a neater cosmetic appearance.
Often absorbable or dissolving sutures are used internally. The time taken for such sutures to get absorbed will depend on the type of material, size of the suture, condition and the location of the injured tissue, and the overall health of the patient.
Most skin stitches are non-absorbable and need removing after the wound has healed.
If you need any help or advice about your scarring after surgery or an accident, please get in touch.