Back To Your Roots Therapy and Wellness Clinic Hythe

This one needs some sound for context.🔊

You don’t often see Simon slowed down.

When one of the toughest men I know walks in struggling with knee pain, you know it’s something worth taking seriously.

Following a full assessment and clinical testing, the signs pointed towards an injury involving the right medial collateral ligament (MCL). The knee was also carrying significant swelling.

Best case: an MCL strain.
Worst case: an MCL tear.

Without imaging, it’s impossible to know for certain, so at this stage that remains a working assessment rather than a confirmed diagnosis.

Treatment today focused on reducing pain and improving movement using:
• Soft tissue therapy
• Mobility and stretching
• Cupping (which Simon wasn’t expecting!)

By the end of the session, his symptoms had settled considerably, the knee was much less sensitive, and movement had improved.

This is only part of today’s treatment. We also worked on his posterior shoulder, which will feature in another video.

Recovery is a process, not a race. Simon will be back in a couple of weeks so we can reassess the knee and continue progressing his rehabilitation.

Thanks for trusting me, Simon. Looking forward to getting you back doing what you do best.

ManualTherapy Hythe Southampton

Hannah has been struggling with migraines, neck tension and TMJ symptoms — and these can often overlap.

Tight muscles around the neck, shoulders and jaw can increase tension and restrict comfortable movement. The jaw and upper neck are closely connected, so when one area is irritated, the other can often feel it too.

In this video, I’m gently adjusting Hannah’s neck.

So what is the cracking sound?

It isn’t bones cracking or rubbing together. It’s a quick change in pressure inside the joint, which can create that familiar popping sound.

The aim of the adjustment isn’t simply to make a noise.

It’s to help restore comfortable joint movement, reduce stiffness and calm down some of the muscular guarding around the area. For some people, improving movement and reducing tension through the neck and jaw region can help ease symptoms associated with neck tension, TMJ problems and some types of headache.

But I don’t just crack a neck and send someone home.

My treatment protocol can include:

• Massage and soft tissue work
• Acupuncture
• Joint manipulation and mobilisation
• Working through the neck, shoulders and jaw as one connected area

The goal is simple: reduce tension, improve movement and help the body feel better.

Every patient is assessed individually, and neck manipulation isn’t suitable or necessary for everyone.

What to do directly after an injury?

🔥 ICE OR HEAT? STOP GUESSING. 🔥

One of the most common questions I get asked is:

“Should I use ice or heat?”

The answer depends on what stage of the injury you’re in.

❄️ ICE
✅ Helps reduce pain.
✅ Helps control excessive swelling.
✅ Best for recent injuries that are hot, swollen and inflamed.

🔥 HEAT
✅ Increases blood flow.
✅ Brings oxygen and nutrients to the tissues.
✅ Relaxes tight muscles.
✅ Improves movement and flexibility.

⚠️ Remember: Inflammation isn’t always the enemy. It’s your body’s natural healing response. The aim isn’t to stop it—it’s to manage it.

Getting this wrong can leave you sore for longer than necessary.

If you’re not sure whether to use ice or heat, send me a message and I’ll point you in the right direction.

📍 Back To Your Roots Injury Therapy – Hythe

Don’t just mask the pain. Find the cause.

IceOrHeat Recovery ManualTherapy Hythe BackToYourRoots