Feelgood February?

So we are into February now and I have started to get bookings to treat the 'New Year New You' injuries.  A lot of people start out on their new fitness, sport and healthy living regimes with enthusiasm and passion and come to a grinding halt in February as injury strikes!

Often injuries can be prevented by using appropriate equipment such as correct shoes for running and appropriate training methods such as a regime that includes rest days, warm ups, cool downs, stretching and a gradual progression.

Unfortunately, a balanced exercise program is not always followed and injury strikes so instead of a Feelgood February many experience a Flat February 😞.  

At this time of year the most common injuries I treat tend to be of the lower limb; hamstrings, knees, shins, calves and ankles.  Most can be resolved quickly if treatment is sought quickly and not ignored 😁.

Looking after yourself is the most important thing you can do so seeking treatment and advice is essential.  Most often than not a single sports massage treatment combined with stretching and exercise advice can put you back on track in no time at all.

So don't delay; book in today.
Call for an appointment with Nina at About Backs and Bones, Derby on 01332 553332

To find more information on some of the injuries mentioned then have a look through the blog archive on the right!

I Dare You to Care this December....about yourself!

With Christmas fast approaching one cannot help but notice an increase in people and vehicular traffic out on the streets.  Stress levels increase as people frantically search for the perfect gift and struggle to fit in Christmas plays, Christmas fairs and Christmas parties into their already busy lives.

Christmas is a time of giving and caring not just about others but ourselves.  What good are we to our loved ones if we are tired, tetchy and irritable.  We need to take care of ourselves in order to take care of those close to us.  So that is why I am daring you to take care of yourself this December!  Relieve some stress and tension and revitalise yourself with a Sports Massage.

Treat yourself to an hour Sports Massage with me at About Backs and Bones in Derby, bring a copy of this post along, and receive a Gift Voucher for a 30 minute Sports Massage with me at the same clinic to be used during January or February 2020 by either yourself or a friend.

Call me direct on 07887 744819 or the About Backs and Bones on 01332 553332 and ask for an appointment with Nina.

Unravelling the types of muscular contraction.

When a muscle contracts it generates a force.
In injury prevention we typically begin with isometric contractions; but what are they?

• Isometric contractions generate force without changing the length of the muscle.  (a)  An example is when the muscles of the hand and forearm grip an object; the joints of the hand do not move, but muscles generate sufficient force to prevent the object from being dropped.

• Isotonic contractions generate force by changing the length of the muscle and can be concentric contractions or eccentric contractions.  (b and c)

b) Concentric contractions cause muscles to shorten, thereby generating force and changing the angle of the joint. For instance, a concentric contraction of the biceps would cause the arm to bend at the elbow as the hand moves from near to the leg to close to the shoulder (a biceps curl)

c) Eccentric contractions cause muscles to elongate in response to a greater opposing force. Rather than working to pull a joint in the direction of the muscle contraction, the muscle acts to decelerate the joint at the end of a movement or otherwise control the re-positioning of a load.