Uninterrupted Support During Life with Covid-19

Supercharged, Online and ready for business

A major priority for AdvanceSRM in 2021  has been to ensure the clinic can continue to deliver deliver uninterrupted high-quality client care. While the COVID-19 pandemic is straining the health system worldwide our online sytem utilisesTelehealth as a tool as a substitute for in-person visits. Telehealth has been particularly helpful in improving access to health care for clients who are particulary vulnerable to infection. Telehealth is not just virtual consultation, it is an all-encompassing way ofproviding virtual care. It is used at AdvanceSRM for assessment, monitoring, supporting and rehabilitating clients.

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Adapting To Covid-19

Supercharged and ready for business

Really pleased to announce that AdvanceSRM is still open for business during the current lockdown. A massive thankyou to everyone for their support throughout this difficult time. Whilst I have been unable to support people in-person I have really enjoyed working remotely with clients using the latest telehealth consultation technology. With a new management system in place our new way of living has led to some exciting developments for AdvanceSRM.

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What is Shockwave Therapy?

‘a clinically proven and highly effective treatment for chronic soft tissue injuries’

Shock Waves are movements of extremely high pressure (energy) caused by a force.  So for example an explosion results in tremendous energy being emitted from the source.  This energy is transmitted away from the source in all directions.

Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) is the application of Shock Waves in the treatment of soft tissue injury using machines which produce "shock waves" of a controlled magnitude.  This cutting-edge technology is used to effectively treat a wide variety of complaints including:

◾Plantar fasciitis
◾Achilles tendinopathy
◾Jumper's knee
◾Medial tibial stress syndrome
◾Osgood-schlater disease
◾Lower and upper back pain
◾Tennis elbow
◾Golfer's elbow
◾Rotator cuff tendinopathy

At the AdvanceSRM clinic RADIAL EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK WAVE THERAPY (Radial ESWT) is used to treat clients.

Radial ESWT occurs where the kinetic energy is converted into a shock wave delivered to the target tissue through the skin.  These shock waves are conveyed radially for broad treatment areas. A radial shock wave is a low energy wave which is not focused or directed towards an exact point in the body and the energy of the waves reduces as it travels through the tissues / away from the source.  

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STATIC STRETCHING. AdvanceSRM Therapies' DIY Guide to Self-Care for Runners!

‘To stretch or not to stretch?’

This really is the question! Amazingly, so many people striving to get the best out of their bodies in today's world undervalue the incredible benefits of static stretching. Unless you are a professional athlete, who is afraid of reducing the power output of your muscles, then my advice is to introduce more static stretching into your self-care routine. Why? The answer is 3-fold - 1. Static stretches are essential for the rehab of an injury such as a muscle tear, 2. They will help runners overcome and avoid chronic over-use conditions such as runner’s knee or IT band syndrome and 3. Effective static stretching will decrease the likelihood of common injuries associated with running. 

Here I want to explain why static stretching should not be missed.

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Part 2 - SELF MASSAGE. AdvanceSRM Therapies' DIY Guide to Self-Care for Runners!

Soft Tissue Release (STR)!

'The heart of healing lies in our ability to listen, to see, to perceive more than in our application of technique' - Thomas W. Myers

In the previous post, I introduced you to self-massage and the benefits of longitudinal gliding. In this post you will learn about an advanced massage technique known as, ‘soft tissue release’ and how it can be used to get the best out of your muscles.

Once mastered this technique is one of the best for releasing myofascial tension!

Soft Tissue RElease (STR)

Soft Tissue Release refers to a versatile advanced technique employed by massage therapists and other body workers to help clients overcome various types of soft tissue trauma including: overuse, injuries, postural imbalances, congenital conditions, hypertonicity, scar tissue and adhesions. Compared to other techniques, this is slightly more dynamic and involves much more active movement by the individual performing self-massage. It is performed by applying sustained pressure, to 'pin' or 'lock' the soft tissues below. As the lock is applied simultaneously muscle fibres and local fascia are stretched away from the lock by movement of a limb or joint. When training as a therapist, one of the instructors reminded me of an excellent phrase to help us from overcomplicating otherwise simple cncepts. The phrase was,

'Keep it simple stupid!'

If you bare this in mind when applying this technique you will find it relatively straight forward to perform.

Read on to find out the steps to performing soft tissue release successfully!

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Part 1 - SELF MASSAGE. AdvanceSRM Therapies' DIY Guide to Self-Care for Runners!

Self Massage - Longitudinal Gliding!

Being able to support your physical wellbeing to improve the movement, mobility and glide of soft tissues of the body is essential for healthy running. Freedom from adhesions, restrictions or tightness will ensure that the muscles, tendons, ligaments and surrounding soft tissue structures are able The to move the body in a functionally optimal way.

Although AdvanceSRM clients may learn upto 6 main self-massage techniques to get the most out of their body's here you will be introduced to the benefits of two of the main self-massage techniques that are thoroughly recommended for keep muscles healthy and strong.

A Vital Technique that all Runners NEed to Learn to do correctly - Longitudinal Gliding

Longitudinal Gliding

Longitudinal gliding provides you with a great way of assessing and treating the soft tissues you are looking to massage. A classic technique this can be applied both superficially or deep and is generally applied to tissues in the direction of the blood flow towards the heart. For example, when working on the leg the stroke must always be performed upwards in the direction of the hip. The reason for this is down to the fact that blood is pumped to the body from the heart via arteries and gets carried back to the heart via veins, which have specialised non-return valves along their lengths, preventing the back flow of blood. Longitudinal strokes in the direction of the heart ensures that the pressure applied is not working against the flow of blood in the veins, which could result in damage to the valves. 

Read on to know the benefits of this tehnique!

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Repair, Recover, Reinforce - AdvanceSRM Therapies' DIY Guide to Self-Care for Runners!

AdvanceSRM Therapies’ DIY guide to self-care for runners.

The wheels of The Clanfield Challenge 2019 Bus have started to turn once again and we are on a journey to make this the best ever. This is the first of a series of  posts, by Dr. John Hughes (Founder of Advance Soft Tissue and Remedial Massage Therapies), which will introduce to all interested the BEST ways for insulating the body against INJURY as they prepare for The Clanfield Challenge 2019, and aim to be in peak condition for the main event on May 19th Next Year!

Repair, Recover, Reinforce - Self-Care for Runners!

By design we are meant to move. In early childhood, nearly every one of us had an innate desire to move, to challenge and to strengthen the plethora of muscles and joints that made it possible for us to explore the world around us, whether that be wrestling with a sibling, scoring a goal or running crazily around the playground at school. Our bodies were HEALTHY. We moved free from wear and tear, free from restriction; both flexible and agile, we were so much more daring with the way we challenged ourselves. We were encouraged to push ourselves, to move more and in doing so, to have fun. Whether it was performing somersaults from the arm of the sofa, or enjoying the climbing, twirling, skipping or jumping, these were things we would all do, and if you cast your mind back to remember in all likelihood you did this with little effort, without hesitation and WITHOUT PAIN.

As adults, many of us still have the desire to move and many of us have turned to running to give us the natural buzz the body craves. Whether we run to compete, to keep fit and healthy or to destress ourselves following a tough day at work, running is the purest form of exercise and like walking it is something we were born to do! 

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Clinical Soft Tissue Therapy - More Than Just a Massage!

How we can make a difference together!

Soft Tissue Therapy is More Than Just Massage

Find out how your next treatment at AdvanceSRM could be used to SUPPORT someone coping with a problem that could be helped before 2019 is upon us.

The BIG GIVEAWAY worth £225 & the PAY it FORWARD GIFT worth £25 are a way of saying thank you to every single person who uses AdvanceSRM to get the best out of their body; whether this be to shake off injury, overcome surgery or manage a serious condition. 

More than just a GOOD SPORTS, DEEP TISSUE or SWEDISH MASSAGE, SOFT TISSUE THERAPYuses a clinical approach and enables practitioners to assess, treat and give remedial advice to clients.  Using your PAY it FORWARD voucher redeemable upon your next treatment, you could help make a massive difference to life of someone who you know who would benefit from treatments on offer.

PLEASE checkout some of the serious conditions that are currently being treated at the clinic (or during home visits for those who are unable to attend due to the severity of their illness). 

Find out more conditions helped in Video below!

Do you know someone who may be affected by the same or similar issues? 

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Soft Tissue Therapy – Helping You Get the Most Out of Your Body!

Soft Tissue Therapy - A Few Words of Wisdom!

The body will become better at whatever you do, or DON'T DO. If you don't move, your body will make you better at not moving. If you move your body it will allow more movement! - Ido Portal

More than just Massage! Soft Tissue Therapy is changing lives and helping people from all walks of life to get the most out of their body.

Mel Cash is the founder of the Institute of Soft Tissue Therapists and is both a pioneer and leader of the profession.  Below is a summary of his thoughts regarding the importance of this exciting new therapy, which is much is so much more than a therapeutic massage.

As a newly emerging therapy, soft tissue therapy involves the assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of pain, minor & chronic injuries, chronic and acute tension affecting the soft tissues of the body.  It also helps people improve flexibility, strength and physical wellness. All this has the additional benefit of improving your mental well-being too. 

A NATURAL REMEDY

'Any human being who has an ache or pain will instinctively give it a rub (self-massage). In fact, try not rubbing it! It is impossible not to. Similarly, if you feel stiff you will naturally and instinctively stretch the area. Again it is impossible not to! If you have an injury you know instinctively...........'

Read more regarding 'A Natural Remedy' by clicking here.

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AdvanceSRM Is Making A Massive Difference Beyond Clinic Walls!

Over £5000 pounds raised and counting......

From the moment I embarked on a career in the amazing world of soft tissue and remedial massage therapy, I've wanted to build AdvanceSRM into something that would have a positive impact on the lives of others, which was not limited to the four walls of the clinic. With this in mind I decided to take an ethical approach to building my business and within the first few months of trading I managed to help raise over £250 for charity. My story was covered by a few local newspapers including The News, The Clanfield Post and About My Area. In the latter publicaiton, Corporate fundraiser and Communications Manager, Claire Mayne from Langstone Technology Park provided a humbling statement to the reporter where she said "John's support for the Wear It Pink event at Langstone helped us smash our target and raise over £450. Feedback from the day was so positive that we decided to offer John the opportunity of a regular onsite clinic. People lead extremely busy lives, so having a workplace therapist is a real to boost to employee wellbeing; and gives occupational health an additional service when discussing absence management and return to work plans with business leaders."

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Clanfield Challenge 2017 - How the Benefits of Pre and Post Event Massage Makes an Incredible Difference!

Why the Benefits of Pre and Post Event Massage Makes an Incredible Difference Performance & Recovery!

2017 has seen a number of AdvanceSRM clients overcome some serious injuries, operations and pain to finish some of UK's most challenging events, including the Brighton and London Marathons. For anyone that has completed such an incredible feat they will likely have experiened strong feelings of euphoria, exhilaration, exhaustion and most definitley some degree of muscular pain. It would be great if this particular aspect could be avoided completely however muscular pain is a given for anyone that undertakes such an experience

See below for full article and the video!

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Lower back pain - What your PT fails to demonstrate when they tell you to roll on a tennis ball. Get this right & the benefits can be long lasting.

Lower back pain caused by sacroiliac joint dysfunction can strike anyone and does not discriminate.

Sacroiliac joint pain is experienced by upto 25% of all individuals that go to their doctors for help with pain in the lower back. . . . . . . . . . .Why should you be concerned? 

See below for full article and the video!

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Are your 'SHINS' also up for a C25K Challenge?

Are your 'SHINS' also up for a C25K Challenge?  

Too many people undertake a couch to 5K ( C25K) programme and within weeks find that they are in pieces and the likely reason for them giving up on such a brilliant way to get fit is because, like many things in life such a programme isn't a perfect fit and might be too aggressive for them.

This does not mean they should give up, what this actually means is that many people need to go through a period of toughening-up of the soft-tissues before being able to run discomfort free. Especially, if the couch is the only exercise the legs have seen in recent years. 

Check out the full blog!

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You Need To Be Stretching! Here I Explain Why.

Neither of these guys represent the type of stretching I'm talking about.

THIS TYPE OF STRETCHING HOWEVER, IS MORE LIKE IT WHEN IT COMES TO US MERE MORTALS. IN THIS BLOG I WANT TO EXPLAIN WHY STATIC STRETCHING COULD HELP YOU WITH LONG TERM INJURY PREVENTION.

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