Increasingly athletes are being seen with bright coloured tape on their bodies, this is kinesiology tape. It is a light elastic tape that can be used for helping with musculoskeletal problems which can arise from overuse injuries, muscle strains or spasms, and swelling. Properties that make the tape appealing to athletes is its elasticity in that it moves with the body, so athletes feel very comfortable with it on.

Kinesiology tape is not a new concept and therapists have been using it for several years however its benefits to sports people are only now being fully appreciated. A big step has been the ability for athletes to buy the tape and apply it themselves; this is where kinesiology tape comes into its own. Unless you are fortunate enough to be a professional athlete it’s unlikely you have access to a sports physio 24/7, so the tape allows you to take control and manage the problem yourself.

The elastic nature of the tape allows it to be applied over and around muscles, ligaments and tendons in order to provide lightweight and comfortable support in order to prevent injury and speed recovery or healing.  It can provide mechanical support for joints such as the knee or the ankle and alleviate stress on connective tissue, it can also provide feedback to the nervous system to facilitate or inhibit muscle function.

As a therapist I have seen the benefits of using the tape for several years however I am now delighted to see the tape more widely available as its true power lies in its ability to empower the athlete to take control of their problem and continue to perform.

KT Tape have launched a new Synthetic Kinesiology tape that we have been using for the last few weeks. The feedback from our physios and clients has been over overwhelmingly positive. This quote from one of our clients says it all:

“This tape is a billion times better. Still got the same tape on that you applied. Shower with it, sleep with it and any type of clothing rubbing on it, lifting or any of it coming loose!! Its amazing!! 

Both Physios and clients alike have found that the tape is easy to apply it sticks really well and it supports the body better. While it is a little more expensive than ordinary KT Tape the early results show its worth it.

If you want to buy the tape but are unsure of how to apply it call us on 020 7627 2308 and ask to speak to Scott who will be happy to apply the tape for you and show you how to use it.

CrossCore® and Mad Dogg Athletics announce strategic alliance to bring Rotational Bodyweight Training to the UK fitness Industry. CrossCore® Europe has just launched the new CrossCore® Rotational Bodyweight Training (RBT) and European Education Programme. The RBT programme is a 1-Day, 6-hour course worth 6 Continued Education Credits through ISSA and has been designed for personal trainers, gym instructors, sports or strength and conditioning coaches, physiotherapists and other healthcare and fitness professionals.

Sports rehabilitation and physiotherapy specialists Balance Performance in London are the main UK distributors of the CrossCore® Rotational Bodyweight Training Systems™. They are working in conjunction with Crosscore® Europe’s Head Trainers Rannoch Donald and Andy McKenzie to deliver the Training and Education Programme (TEP) to teach rotational bodyweight training across the UK, Ireland and to develop it further across Europe, Middle East and North Africa.

WHEN: Launch event for the media on Wednesday 25th April at 12.00-1.30pm and 1.45-3.30pm

WHERE: Lomax Chelsea, Lomax Bespoke Health Ltd., 293 Fulham Road, London, SW10 9PZ

MORE INFORMATION: http://www.lomaxpt.com

TO ATTEND THE EVENT: Contact Scott Morris 07760414944, scott@balancephysio.com
MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Contact Henman Communications on 07810 448782 / rph@henmancom.com

For the full press release please click on the link below.

CrossCore UK Education Press Release

Dr Lucy Goldby has written a fantastic article on the Alter G treadmill (G-Trainer) that has appeared on Run Britain’s website. Run Britain is the largest online group for road running in the UK.

Balance has now had their Alter-G for over three years and firmly believe that a tool is only as good as the knowledge of those who use it. In the three years that Balance has had the Alter-G our team of therapists have accumulated hours of time using the G-trainer with clients from a huge range of disciplines, levels and with differing problems. From clients with hip replacements, club runners wanting to run faster to premiership footballers getting over a knock the Balance team have seen it all.

If you want to use the Alter-G at Balance and haven’t used it before you will automatically have a session with one of our expert therapists on how to use it to maximise your rehab and or performance to achieve your goals.

To read Lucy’s fantastic article please follow the link: http://runbritain.com/little-runbritain/157/

For more information on using the G-Trainer (commonly referred to as “Alter-G”) or to book a free session at Balance call 0207 627 2308

Sports injury and orthopaedic rehab at Balance Performance Physiotherapy

If you’re unfortunate enough to suffer an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) rupture as Lucas Leiva did last week – the Brazil international will miss the rest of the season having injured his left knee during Tuesday’s Carling Cup quarter-final victory at Chelsea – as a professional footballer reconstructive surgery is essential to return to the game.

If you’re not a pro but the injury results in your knee continuing to irregularly give way, an operation to reconstruct the ACL is really your only option, especially if you aspire to have an active lifestyle. At Balance of course we actively encourage you to ask for more and expect more from yourself. However whether pro athlete or not the operation is only effective if followed with quality rehabilitation executed with discipline and patience. Ensure your rehab guides you far enough down the road for you to achieve a complete recovery, give you absolute confidence to return to your sport and has provided you with resilience to future injury (either to the same knee or another structure that becomes vulnerable due to inadequate rehab). Of course there is no such thing as invulnerability in a human but to reiterate – you should be asking more of yourself and more of your physio or sports therapist. Do not pull up short!

Hamstring grafts are the grafts of choice these days but patella tendon grafts can also be used and do well.

Here’s the kind of schedule you’d expect going into rehab post operatively, which is initially quite straightforward:

Weeks 1-4 focussed on range of movement.

Return to sport at 5-6 months and contact sport soon afterwards.

This timeline is dependant on the quality of rehab, the individuals discipline and motivation, their unique circumstances and complications.

Most surgeons would like to see their work relatively protected for 9 months post op.

Balance got world class judo player Winnie Gordon competing in European champs at 5.5 months but that is rare. He went in to surgery on with a good level of preinjury knee strength which gave him a useful functional reserve.

Like every injury ones success is dependent on quality of training, movement, control and motivation.

At Balance we use tools that provide results, consequently we have a vast array of “toys” to work on specific weaknesses identified in our clients. There are some tools that we use over and over again, equipment that makes rehab more effective for a variety of reasons. one such reason is the ability to introduce something as early within the rehab process as possible to familiarise a client with the tool and also because we use equipment that is scalable – it can be used with more or less intensity depending on the stage of development a client has achieved.

For example Trigger Point Performance Therapy (TPT) and Alter-G partial weight bearing treadmill are used at very early stages in ACL rehab, CrossCore180 and kettlebells arent far behind. We make use of all of our available space: in Clapham and Fulham we have 1,000s of square feet of space to utilise and matted areas for essential ground work.

When an individual has focussed on prevention (prehab) prior to their current injury (remember there is no such thing as invulnerable) their subsequent recovery is much faster. Such prehab involves a mindful approach to movement skills, joint mobility, intelligent recovery following practice/training/competition: sports massage, self massage (Trigger Point Performance Therapy), hydration and nutrition, good quality sleep, stress management (mental and emotional).

As for Lucas, he and Liverpool are now considering when last season’s player of the year should undergo surgery.

The team at Balance are exceptionally experienced at treating ski and winter sports injuries. Not only do several members of the team ski but all are experienced in treating Orthopaedic injuries. So if you have hurt your knee and ruptured your ACL or torn your mensicus then we can help. Or you may simply want to know what exercises you do to strengthen you legs before go, book a session with one of our experienced personal trainers.

Ski boot or board shoes not fitting well? Come and see our Sports and Orthopaedic Podiatrist Mick Habgood to get your ski boots perfectly fitted.

Balance Performance has worked alongside Pilates Sanctuary for 5 years now, its been a great relationship as they fully understand our concept of movement, function, performance and recovery. They guide the clients we refer to their equipment and mat studio within our site in Clapham to adopt improved active lifestyles based on a strong foundation of core and movement control. Alice and Agur are teachers of the highest calibre. See their latest news below:

Hello from everyone at Pilates Sanctuary,

As some of you may already know, Pilates Sanctuary is 5 this November and we would like to express our thanks to you for being one of our clients. Whether you are someone who has been with us since day one or if you have recently joined us, we would love you to help us celebrate this occasion.

Please join us on Friday 25 November between 6pm-8pm at the Pilates Sanctuary studio, Balance Physiotherapy, 113-115 Gauden Road, SW4 6LE. So that we have some idea of numbers, please would you email us on info@pilatessanctuary.co.uk by Monday 21 November if you are able to join us for these celebrations. It would be lovely to see you there!

Pilates Assessment

Agur and Alice went to a fantastic workshop led by Warrick McNeill,a physiotherapist and Pilates Foundation teacher, who belongs to an organisation called Performance Stability (www.performance-stability.com). We learnt how to use the Pilates Movement and Performance Screen; a series of tests which provide formal assessment tools and enables pilates teachers to see potential areas of injury. The results of the test are input into the Matrix software which then produces a detailed report highlighting the participant’s areas of strength and weakness . This is going to be very useful for anyone who wants to address any recurring problems, deepen their understanding of their own body and improve their performance in Pilates and other activities.

If you are interested in the assessment please speak to Alice or Agur directly either in class or contact us on alice@pilatessanctuary.co.uk 07881 953843 or on agur@pilatessanctuary.co.uk 07824901063.

Pilates Sanctuary Teachers

In other Pilates Sanctuary news, we said goodbye to Anja who is focusing on her work in North London and we welcome Rosalie who some of you have already met. Rosalie is a fantastic teacher and those of you working with her already, will have enjoyed her knowledge and experience of Pilates.

Rosalie Pastrana suffered from backache while growing up due to Scoliosis. She tried many different exercise programmes. In 1997, after completing a Degree in Advertising and PR in Spain, she moved to London in the hope that she would find a solution to her constant pain. She came across the Pilates Method while practicing Yoga in London. Within a short space of time, her back pain became more manageable. The sense of balance and wellbeing she felt encouraged her to study and develop this body movement discipline in depth.
She completed the British Wheel of Yoga Foundation Course with Barbara Joseph, going on to qualify as a Matwork and Equipment Pilates Foundation Teacher® with Anoushka Boone at Pilates in Motion.

Rosalie is committed to continuous professional development. She regularly attends Pilates and Anatomy workshops so that she can enhance both her teaching and personal practice.

Gift Vouchers

We are pleased to be able to offer Gift Vouchers for Christmas or other occasions. You can choose if you’d like to give someone some private or group sessions in the studio: a single private session is £55, a block of 5 private sessions is £250. A single group class is £24 and a block of 5 group classes is £110. Whether you are introducing someone to pilates or you want to give someone a gift they currently enjoy, we are sure you will agree, a pilates gift voucher will be well received.

The Balance team of Martina, Keith and Scott were at it again at this weekends Virgin London Triathlon working closely with KT Tape Europe to help the athletes with advice and taping any problems that they may have. The Balance team are becoming old hands having helped athletes at the 2011 Virgin London Marathon and 2011 Edinburgh marathon. KT Tape is the best kinesiology tape as far as the Balance team is concerned which is why we are hosting KT Tape education courses at Balance from September the 7th onwards to train other physios, osteopaths, sports therapists and chiropractors on how to use it and share their expertise. The courses will then be appearing throughout the UK.

The in-depth and highly practical courses will be over two days and cost £279. It will consist of an introduction to kinesiology tape before moving deeper into more advanced uses and taping techniques.

To book online follow the link below or to find out more speak to Scott Morris at Balance on: 020 76272308.

http://www.shop.balancephysio.com/collections/services/education-workshops

MOVE is the brainchild of some of London’s most dynamic movers and shakers in the field of Natural Movement.  MOVE is a two hour mixed movement session, born from the desire have a regular Natural Movement group in the heart of the city.

MOVE will not only push you physically but mentally as the highly fertile minds of the coaches continue to find ever more immaginative ways to MOVE,  with the emphasis on play and having fun it is open to all ages (16+) and abilities. The MOVE team are all exceptionally gifted and experienced athletes and coaches in the field of Natural Movement check out some of their backgrounds:

DARRYL EDWARDS: http://www.TheFitnessExplorer.com/
ROLLO MAHON: http://www.corenergy.co.uk/
CEDRIC HENAUX: http://runningengineer.com/runningengineer-testimonial-iron-man-cedric-henaux/
NAEEM AKRAM: http://runningengineer.com/
JONATHAN LEWIS: Strength & Conditioning Director at Balance Performance Physiotherapy

MOVE meets at Balance Performance Physiotherapy on the first Sunday of every month at 10am, next session is on Sunday 3rd of July. You can pre-pay by following the link below or pay £25 cash on the day. 

http://runningengineer.com/services/natural-movement-community-london/

Or add yourself to the event on facebook or request an invite from Naeem at naeem@runningengineer.com:  http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=191267770913787

This fascinating course is aimed at anyone who wants to use Trigger Point Therapy in their professional capacity. You might be a Physiotherapist, Osteopath, Chiropractor, Sports Therapist, Massage Therapist, Personal Trainer, Sports Coach or even an Athlete. If you work with people who want to perform better, recover faster and prevent injuries from occuring then this course should be on your radar.

It is being taken by Jonathan Lewis (above) who is not only the Uk’s sole Trigger Point Therapy Master Trainer but also a formidable knowledge on rehabilitation and training methods to ensure that individuals develop not only agility, speed or strength but resilience which is key to the concept of Trigger Point Therapy, so you are guaranteed an afternoon of the highest quality teaching

It comprises of 4.5 hours of CPD and runs from 1pm-6pm on Friday the 17th of June. Places are obviously limited so book soon to avoid disappointment, course fees are £145. To book and reserve your place call Balance on 020 76272308

POSE Running workshop on Sunday May 22 at Balance.

Balance Performance Physiotherapy is delighted to announce that Naeem Akram the “Running Engineer” is going to be back at Balance next Sunday to host another of his exceptional POSE running workshops. POSE is the only method in the world scientifically proven to reduce knee impact by 50%, used worldwide by CrossFit. Naeem is not only a well respected authority on this technique but also a great speaker and teacher, we would thoroughly recommend this course to anyone who enjoys running but wants to train in confidence and reduce the stress on their body and reduce injuries.

To book and pay please follow the link directly to Naeem’s website http://runningengineer.com/