Not only does the team at Balance deliver trigger point therapy but we also educate our clients about TrP therapy and how they can do it themselves using Trigger Point Performance kits and individual products.

The more we do it the better the results our clients can achieve for themselves and gain independence with the tools we recommend.

Here is just one comment directed at the TPT page on Facebook:

“Your Ultimate 6 kit helped get me through Boston [Marathon]. Sciatic pains for 2 weeks before. Ran pain free. Thank you!”

Having been at the TPT HQ in Austin Texas a couple of weeks back I have been able to pass on some additional teaching points to Kellie and Trevor (the Balance sports massage team) and Jason Progl (movement, strength and conditioning coach) so they can educate even more effectively the benefits to be had by their clients inducing trigger point release on themselves.

Trigger Point Performance HQ, Austin, Texas

To see the Trigger Point Performance Products online CLICK this underlined link TPT Kits.

for more info contact Jonathan Lewis via our contact page, Twitter, or feel free to look me up on facebook.

Balance Performance #Running Clinic info: http://bit.ly/cp1Oe5 our expertise goes beyond high quality rehab and the Alter-G, we do PBs too!

We have long catered for runners – from novice marathoners to elite and professional runners – but we have refocussed some of our existing services and changed the structure some to better cater for a runners requirements. Early feedback is very positive.

We hope London’s runners, triathletes and recreational marathoners will see that Balance is a place to get expert advice on getting personal bests not just high quality rehabilitation.

Click here for the Running Clinic page

BBC Science Reporter Victoria Gill’s article is linked to below:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8483401.stm

It describes research that came to the obvious conclusion that if you give a human the chance to take the path of least resistance they will take it, even if the consequences are a down turn in long term efficiency. Well thats my interpretation, but to be true to the article here is the opening paragraph:

Wearing cushioned running shoes may have changed the way in which many of us run, new research suggests.

Using slow-motion footage, scientists have discovered that experienced barefoot runners land very differently from runners who wear shoes.

The researchers showed that runners who have trained barefoot tend to strike the ground with their forefoot or mid-foot, rather than their heel.

At Balance we often talk about taking a long term perspective and discourage our clients from looking for the short term quick fix  (whether to be pain free without concern for recurrence, getting fit, getting strong, losing weight, making money etc) but as with all aspects of life its a lot more complicated when you think it through. So once you have read this article dont throw your trainers in the bin and hit Battersea Park for a barefoot 10k using the pose running technique – at least not straight away. There are several more possibilities avaialable to you.

Have a read and if you’d like to share your opinion or ask ours  get in contact with one of the team Paula (author of Running Repairs ), Mick Habgood (podiatrist and running orthotic specialist), Raph (an experienced physio in international athletics and many a “minimal shoe” runner), Frances (triathlon specialist and G-trainer expert) or Sian (currently researching MBT footwear at clinics across London). You can also contact Jonathan (the blog writer) who will happily discuss evolution, sociology, the weakening of human kind and how to prevent it! Send an email by clicking this highlighted link: Contact Page

Mick and Paula will be adding their comments here soon.

Just read a well balanced article from the New York Times on self-massage products. The journalist has consulted a number of sources including sports massage consumers, foam roller users, a triathlon coach, an Ironman triathlete and chiropractor, author of “Self-Massage for Athletes” Rich Poley, and the founder and creator of Trigger Point Performance Therapy products Cassidy Phillips.

The article is based around the following: “Devices for self-massage have become more common as more people compete in endurance sports and, more recently, as the recession has made professional rubdowns look prohibitively expensive. Trainers usually recommend a massage every week or every other week for people who are training for a marathon or triathlon, but the costs do add up: according to the American Massage Therapy Association, the average price of a massage is $63 an hour.”

The article’s quote from TPT founder Cassidy Phillips puts self massage and going to see a professional masseur in the context of oral hygiene. “You brush away some plaque yourself,” he said, “but you still go to the dentist for a thorough cleaning.”

Here’s the article:  http://bit.ly/8lUYu2
click for the Self-massage and Trigger Point range from Balance.

Ultimate 6 package - part of Balance's range of self-massage products

Saturday 21st November – 10am and 2pm

The World Record Club is looking for members to run their fastest miles on the G-trainer treadmill.

There are several categories to challenge yourself within:

• Mens 85% bodyweight
• Womens 85% bodyweight
• Mens 75% bodyweight
• Womens 85%
• plus Mens and Womens Masters Categories

If you havent run on this revolutionary piece of technology you can have a try out for free with us on Saturday and then if you are up for it take the challenge.

Its very simple…zip in, we’ll start it up, you run…fast…you say faster (you can say slower too of course!!)

• Discounts for G-trainer running sessions of 50% which means £12.50 for 30 minutes or £17.50 for 60 minutes

Apart from being healthy competition the benefits to running speed and overall performance are significant.

Thats why Manchester United bought one in the same week that Balance did.

There have been new year resolutions set early within the Balance team.

Two members of the Balance sports injury team – Frances Lynn and Paula Coates, have recently started their base training for individual endeavours in 2010.
With professional support from Pat Leahey at Provo2 (www.provo2.com) both girls have undergone metabolic testing and cycling power testing to tailor their individual training needs. Paula and Fran will be regularly updating this blog to keep you up to speed with their progresses.

Fran, one of our triathlon and cycling specialist physios, has entered an Ironman distance triathlon in Roth, Germany in July 2010. This has been voted in the top 10 best Triathlons in the world by 220 magazine. It is sadly now fully entered, but for more info on the race see www.challenge-roth.com.

Paula will be travelling further afield to the beautiful landscape of Cape Town, South Africa to compete in the Cape Argus Pick n Pay cycle tour. The 109km race claims to be the largest timed cycle race in the world. This can still be entered, for details see www.cycletour.co.za

Sunday 8th November, Fran says:

“Sorry for the delay in updating my progress, but I have been busy…training!  I am well into my 16-week base training plan that Pat has planned for me using the results of my metabolic tests done in September.  It is going well but has taken a lot of juggling to get most of my sessions in.  I find using my heart rate monitor really useful.  It makes me realise the mistakes I made in the past when training for my Olympic distance tri’s and even when I used to row.   The intensity of my sessions are much lower now, and as a result I am less tired following a session and experience fewer cravings or sugar lows throughout the day.

I am most pleased with my cycling training.  I am now up to 4hrs on my long ride, with a 1hour power interval session, and a 2 and half hour recovery ride.   I have had my road bike set up expertly done by Julian @ CYCLEFIT.  After some adjustments and a need to reduce my handlebar reach I have also invested in some new cycling shoes that I can fit my orthotics into (have a dodgy left big toe), they are great and make such a difference to my ongoing left pelvic pain I have had since pregnancy.  I have also supplemented my strength training with the help of CJ, and I have now started an intial 4 week kettlebell strengthening phase.

Part of my motivation for doing an Ironman triathlon next year is to give me a focus for my training and fitness.  I found it hard to routinely make time for myself after having my son 13 months ago, I felt weak, overweight (7kg and 5% bodyfat overweight at the 12 month mark) and lacking energy.  I now feel that I have a great structure of work, family, friends and training that is really coming together.  I am doing much more physical activity than 3 months ago, but week by week I am definitely feeling more vibrant and alert and importantly to me, stronger.  I will get my metabolic tests, cycle power tests and body statistics updated at the end of the month, and I am confident that I will have lost body fat and hopefully my VO2 max will have improved as well.  My running speed has certainly improved.  My mile PB at 75% bodyweight on the G-trainer has dropped from 5min23sec to 5min 11sec, I am gunning for the 5minute barrier at the next WRC Mile Challenge meet on 21st November.

Please let me know if there are other mum’s out there with sporting challenges for next year, whether its triathlon, marathon or anything that is a challenge to you.  Myself and the Balance team would love to hear about all of your plans.  Happy training!  Fran”

Wednesday 9th December, Fran says:

‘ I have my re-test tomorrow with Pat Leahey for my running VO2 max… a little nervous, I think my VO2 max will be better because I feel so much fitter than I did 3 months ago.  I don’t think I will have met my weight loss target of 7kg though, but have definitely lost some weight and feel stronger.  I have been carrying an injury for the past 3 weeks, because it has been my neck it has limited me in pretty much all 3 disciplines.  Have been working on core and flexibility but little else.  Back running and cycling this week a little edgy, but feels good to get the endorphines flowing again.  Lets see how it goes in the morning….’

For some time we have sold Trigger Point Performance’s (TPT) “Quadballer” as it is a highly effective tool for removing the tension so many of our clients display in their quads, hip flexors, ITB (iliotibial band), hamstrings and low back. The quadballer allows you to roll through all of these areas whilst keeping your hands free and is used in positions that allow you to breathe, relax and focus on your intention (to become supple, pliable and extensible).

It is a great adjunct to sports massage and as part of your injury prevention regime or rehabilitation following sports injuries or surgery. More than a few of the professional tennis players we worked with at the Wimbledon Grand Slam this year took quadballers off our hands after they experienced it – also because of its size and portability.

For an independent review of the quadballer click here http://tinyurl.com/quadballer-review

Despite it’s superiority many of our clients have wanted cheaper alternatives so would go for foam rollers (we stock 15cm x 90cm foam rollers especially for upper back mobility and core work) but now TPT have saved us by producing the Grid.

It offers the effectiveness, size and portability of the Quadroller and we are offering it at a lower cost than our foam roller.

This is a summary of the Grids properties:

“Green” technology – Constructed with less foam than traditional foam rollers – Designed to withstand constant, heavy, and repeated use without breaking down – Built from EVA foam

Variable zones of density (they call them “the Matrix & Distrodensity™ Zones”!!) to allow for targeted massage with 3 areas described as “flat and wide; narrow firm and rigid; and targeted and precise” and allow for a more realistic massage experience.

As with foam roller producers TPT describe “Core body workout versatility” to “achieve a comprehensive core body workout”. I believe there are better approaches to producing trunk strength and control but it obviously gives some options.

Anyway we are pleased because the Grid now gives an extra option for our clients whether long distance runners, endurance athletes, yoga or kettlebell practitioners or anyone else who needs to work on their suppleness and recover from high training loads.

- Quadballer for a more intense and prolonged effect.
- Foam roller softer on lower limb but useful for upper back mobility and self-massage
- The Grid – economical version of quadballer but highly effective and also with 1 year warranty.

Climb in to the G-trainer Pro treadmill at Balance and discover gravity assisted speed- Sat August 8th 2009.

Climb in and experience why the G-trainer provides the ultimate Speed interval training session

WORLD RECORD CLUB
Gravity Assisted Speed

Presents:

Summer Speed Taster Session
* Experience NASA engineered technology
* Enhance leg speed through over-speed running
* Gain that extra edge this summer season
* Rehabilitate faster- run with reduced bodyweight

Saturday 8th August 10.00am at Balance Performance Physiotherapy,
113 Gauden Rd, London, SW4 6LE.

Entry £5.

To register interest and for more info please email:

frances @ balancephysio.com

Full registration for the G-Trainer Speed World Record Club and details regarding the forthcoming World Record Club Championships will be available on the day.

Contact Frances on 020 7627 2308 about the World Record Club and the 1 mile challenge. Only £5 but you need to book.

Running shoes get a thumbs down from various critics (taken a little of context to be fair). Mick Habgood, podiatrist, and running orthotic specialist offers an alternative view in response:

This is the original article published in the Daily Mail:
http://tinyurl.com/cerpyu

Asics running shoes and a very barefoot at Balance

Here is the alternate view from Mick:

Companies like those mentioned seem to create their idea of the ultimate shoe with the perfect foot in mind – A foot that is neither flat nor high arch, functionally stable throughout foot strike and not hypermobile through propulsion. Do we really need a battery powered cushioning unit that adapts after each strike? Do we really need a shoe with a midsole that looks like and mimics the plantar fascia? In reality, probably not. But we are trapped between marketing geniuses and companies that need to continue developing new concepts or they are at risk of becoming the next ‘has been’.

The principles of barefoot running are fairly sound and I’ll be the first to admit that if we never had shoes, I probably wouldn’t be doing what I do. The reality is that we have become accustomed to wearing footwear, our intrinsic muscles and ligaments have become weaker and yes, we have become more susceptible to injuries. But this doesn’t mean we should throw away our favourite running shoes, as an immediate change to running the same distances barefoot, will most likely end with in injury at a statistical rate much higher than any of those mentioned in the article.

The first trick to minimising running injuries is choosing the right shoe for you, and this is where the battle can either be won or lost. A shoe can have all the features in the world but if it’s not right for you, it will probably do more harm than good. For the consumer, purchasing the running shoe that best fits your requirements is a confusing process. Footwear companies tend to categorise their numerous running shoes as either ‘Cushioning’, ‘Structured Cushioning’, ‘Motion Control’ or as part of the newest group, the ‘Guidance’ shoe. The best practice would be to get your foot mechanics and running style assessed by your sports / biomechanical Podiatrist. However, if this is not a viable option, having your running shoes fitted by well-trained staff at a specialist running shop is imperative.

The development of barefoot running shoes has quite possibly made the footwear industry stand up and question the effectiveness of their own products. However, it’s important to keep in mind that some of these brands have been associated with the more fashion conscious runner in the past. Is this development their way of making a comeback statement to the running footwear industry?

At the end of the day, barefoot running is a good concept but adapt wisely as it’s not for everyone. The average runner is a weekend warrior who beats the pavement hard and heavy. Choose the most appropriate running shoe based on its specifications, not looks and if you are unsure, seek the answers from your running specialist.

If you want to share your views or let us know what you think, as well as emailing us you can join us on facebook – http://tinyurl.com/balance-on-facebook or Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/BalancePhysio.com

orthotics and improved mechanics allow for more intense training and preparation for running

I read this blog yesterday whilst searching to see who else was talking about the G-trainer and marathon training. I came across this Addicted to Running Blog:

One pointless podiatrist appointment then another more fruitful one!

If you’ve been reading this blog for some time you’ll know that I’ve been wearing custom made orthotics for pretty much the whole of the year. Last week I went to see a new podiatrist as I’ve still been getting a really bad blister on the arch of my left foot. This time I decided to see a podiatrist at a running track in Ashford, as I figured that I would get the best service and advice as a runner from someone based at a running track. This was a mistake!

http://addictedtorunning.co.uk/running-running-orthotics/one-pointless-podiatrist-appointment-then-another-more-fruitful-one#more-166

I thought it was a great post, we know it is often a frustrating path that is followed following an injury or episode of pain, even if you have a good team of professionals to work with.

Clients need to be upfront and forthcoming with the therapist they are working with to get the most out of the experience and make an optimal recovery. If your professional is not fully aware of your feelings it is difficult to make the subtle adjustments that may be needed or renew your confidence and focus. It may just require simple modifications or an explanation of the process to take you from frustrated to progressing.

I believe that guiding injury recovery is as much an artful process as it is an exercise in evidence based science so feedback, both good and bad is essential.

As for the podiatry (the subject of the original blog) it has made a massive difference to us that Mick came in and demanded a grinder to make adjustments to the orthotics he produces (eliminates the frustrating waiting times).