Vlad completed his Bachelor of Physiotherapy in 1998 and has worked in private practice since. He currently owns and operates Mawson Lakes Physio Optimum in Adelaide. His clinical interests include migraine prevention and management, shoulder injuries/rehabilitation and sports performance. He also has a strong interest in both gym and water-based training.
Strengthening & Stretching
Our bodies do more work throughout the day than we realise, and without the proper care, it can lead to stiff muscles, poor posture, or even back pain. A good stretching routine can improve muscle flexibility, reduce stiffness, and increase strength. It can also help prevent future back injuries by strengthening the muscles and reducing their risk of straining.
There are two types of stretches – static and dynamic. Static stretches involve holding the position briefly, while dynamic plays are performed while moving the muscles through a range of motion. Both are useful and can be combined with other treatments to achieve the desired outcome.
In the past, many people would stretch before exercise to prepare their muscles for workouts, but this practice has been proven to do more harm than good. Performing a warm-up activity like jogging or riding an exercise bike for a few minutes before stretching will increase blood flow to the muscles, making them more pliable and amenable to change.
Regular stretching can help alleviate back pain, but it is essential not to overdo it or push the muscles beyond their limits. It is also recommended to avoid bouncing stretches, as this can damage the ligaments and tendons.
The team at Mawson Lakes Physio has extensive experience providing therapeutic exercises and is a provider of Medibank health insurance. They use the latest treatments and techniques to deliver the best possible results. They offer various services, including hydrotherapy at the Parafield Gardens Swim Centre. Contact them to schedule an appointment. They are dedicated to helping their patients live longer, happier lives through better physical health and mobility.
Manual Therapy
Physiotherapy therapists use manual therapy (or manipulative therapy) to help the body move and function properly. They are trained to move the body’s joints and soft tissues using their hands in various techniques, including joint mobilisation, gentle tissue manipulation/massage, active movement patterns, muscle energy technique, passive movements to end range and myofascial release (deep massage).
Often the best way to treat tight muscles is to relax them by soft tissue mobilisation or massage manually. For example, a standard hip pain treatment is manually loosening the power from your spine/pelvis to your thigh, called the hip flexor. This muscle can become extremely tight due to sitting for long periods, leading to back pain and hip pain. This muscle is effortlessly relaxed with manual soft tissue mobilisation/massage.
While massage and physical therapists manipulate muscles and joints, only a physical therapist has advanced education and training to use hands-on manual therapy. A physical therapist can safely and effectively perform this treatment to improve mobility, reduce pain and swelling, increase strength at the site of injury and educate patients on preventing future injuries.
In addition to the techniques above, Physio Physique Mawson Lakes physio also uses several other technologies. These include MailChimp Marketing and Wix. The company is currently hiring for various positions, and you can learn more about them on their Careers page.
Dry Needling
Dry needling is a form of muscle trigger point therapy that involves inserting a fine needle into your muscles. The needles stimulate the muscle by stimulating the underlying nerve fibres. It results in a twitch response and increases blood flow. As a result, the knots relax, and the surrounding tissue is improved.
During the treatment session, patients may experience muscle cramping near the needles insertion point. It is normal and will resolve in minutes after the treatment. Sometimes, a patient can feel slight bruising after the dry needling session, which is also expected.
A physical therapist trained in dry needling can determine where your knots are and treat them effectively. It is an excellent alternative to pain medications and surgery. Knotted muscles (trigger points) can affect many areas of your body and are associated with neck pain, temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ), back problems, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic headaches, and more.