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.

Balance is delighted to announce that we now have a Computrainer. Bring your bike down to Balance hook it up to the trainer and ride up the Alpe d’Huez!

The Ford Ironman World Championships in Hawaii provided fantastic results for CompuTrainer pro riders. For the second year in a row 8 of computrainer trained athletes made it into the top 10 (5 women and 3 men). Even more exciting was the fact that 3 of those ladies made it into the Top 4 – Mirinda Carfrae (2nd), Leanda Cave (3rd) and Rachel Joyce (4th).
Pete Jacobs from Austaralia is quoted to say:

“On the Computrainer, Your legs don’t get a break. It’s not like doing four hours on the road. You are not getting a break and you are doing constant wattage and when I feel good I pop the wattage up and when I feel lousy I just cruise but I’m still getting really good cadence and muscle memory. Much more than on the road. ”

Take your indoor bike training to a new level with the CompuTrainer – a state-of-the-art indoor bicycle training technology that improves cycling performance while keeping the indoor rider challenged and happy. The CompuTrainer is the leading electronic bicycle ergometer for maximum performance improvement, testing, and enjoyable indoor training.

Benefits of the CompuTrainer:

Increases your cycling power by 20 to 30% and your speed by 2 to 4 MPH. Whatever your starting point, you’ll improve significantly.

It sets the industry standard for accuracy (± 2.5%), power (1500 watts), quality, and service lifetime (10+ years).
Exclusive performance features like SpinScan™ electronic pedal stroke analysis and Adjustable Aerodynamic Drag Factor are unique to CompuTrainer.

Call Balance on 020 7627 2308 to inquire about using the Computrainer.

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.

Balance Performance Physiotherapy is now in Fulham SW6. Several members of our strong team are working from Fulham including our Clinical Director Graham Anderson and founding members Dr Lucy Goldby and Jonathan Lewis.

Our practice in Fulham is a large studio based in Fitrooms Gym on North End Road. It is easily accessible from Fulham Broadway, Earls Court and West Brompton tube and overground stations. It is also easily accessible if you are coming from Hammersmith, Shepherds Bush or West Kensington.

We have a fantastic studio which is a great space to move in. We also have access to the whole gym so it is a fantastic venue to complete your rehabilitation in.

To book into our Fulham practice call: 020 7627 2308

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/

Yesterday at Balance. Jonathan taught the second “Ultimate 6″ 4.5 hour workshop in the UK for Trigger Point Performance.

After the success of Edinburgh a few weeks ago another small group of quality professionals learnt not just the highly effective techniques that provide maximum returns when using the TP tools (TP massage ball, TP footballer and TP quadballer) but the ethos of Cassidy Phillips company which is so closely aligned with that of Balance Performance. Empowering people to take care of their own health.

The group yesterday, who I hope will demonstrate their knowledge and pass their test to become certified by TPP to go on to the Ultimate 6 provider network, consisted of personal trainers, strength and conditioning coaches and Balance team soft tissue specialist and osteopathic undergraduate Trevor Speller.

There will be many workshops to come so keep a look out for dates on the facebook, twitter and news pages of balance. We are passionate and determined to see more professionals being able to teach individuals and classes in the community at large these simple often life-altering techniques.

For greater understanding of what Trigger Point Performance Therapy is about go to the main website of TP Therapy or contact jonathan @ balancephysio.com and ask for the contact details of a provider near you in Scotland, Wales or England.

Unlock your body, release your strength!

Balance Performance is all about providing sustainable solutions and empowering our London centre clients, website customers and workshop students to take care of themselves; and if they are coaches then we want them to take care of themselves AND pass on the knowledge to their clients.

Improving recovery following performance (physical training, competition, modern life in general), maximising regeneration (physical strengthening and adaptation), and increasing resilience to prevent injury and open the path for further development requires a greater awareness and perception of your body. Attention to movement with control, precision, accuracy and fluidity is essential to gaining this understanding.

We teach and encourage movement at every level, our strength and conditioning coaches put great emphasis on mobility and movement as well as strength, endurance and fitness. In the Balance team we also have 2 forward thinking and innovative movement coaches – Julien Diaz and Jason Progl – who structured what they have been doing for many years and created the Lissom technique: http://www.lissomtechnique.com.

Julien and Jason can work with you here in Clapham SW4 and in Fulham SW6 (FitRooms) as of mid-June 2011.

The video below is of a great mover called Ido Portal who we hope will be back in the UK from Israel teaching again soon – follow news on that workshop on the Simple Strength website as Rannoch Donald is organising it. http://simplestrength.com

Now enjoy this, its beautiful!