Mount Osteopaths & Mount Pilates

Integrative Health Clinic & Pilates Studio in Mt Maunganui

Articles

Osteopathy and Babies

by

Osteopathy is commonly used as a holistic approach to recovery from birth for both mum and baby. While it’s easy to imagine how a mother may need healing after giving birth, it’s important to remember that it can be quite a journey for your baby as well. It’s not unusual for the very physical act of birth to leave it’s mark on your baby whether it has changed the shape of your baby’s head or made them favour turning their head one way. Less obvious strains in the shoulders, body, abdomen and limbs may affect your baby’s comfort or the function of their body such as their digestion or the ability to latch during feeding.

Mothers commonly turn to an osteopath to find solutions to irritability, colic and reflux, flat head, difficulty turning baby’s head, and suckling and latching problems. Osteopathy isn’t necessarily a cure for these conditions, but when there is physical strain or tightness, especially through the neck and back, osteopathic treatment can reduce baby’s discomfort, significantly reducing irritability and prolonged crying.

Osteopathy uses gentle techniques to remove the tension in the tissues that may be causing discomfort. It is never too early to bring your baby in for treatment – the longer a physical strain is ignored, the more compensatory physical adaptions your baby may make, often leading to further physical difficulties and a longer treatment process in the long run.


Here at Mount Osteopaths Natasha is our in house baby whisperer. She has a wealth of experience treating babies and children and always treats little ones with the utmost care, sensitivity and love. She will often take a comprehensive history, examine how your baby’s joints move and examine the cranial bones of the skull. Treatment and examination will involve gentle movement and massage-type techniques – keeping baby happy is a top priority. 

The benefits of Pilates for Surfers

by

HOW PILATES CAN HELP YOU IN THE WAVES:

Pilates is becoming a popular workout and alternative training regime for surfers worldwide. Pilates is well known for its ability to assist in building flexibility, strength and endurance, aiding in injury prevention, improving pelvic and spinal alignment and helping our breathing.

So how can Pilates improve your performance on the waves?

1. Build strength: Surfing requires immense muscular strength, particularly in the upper body. However, the repetitive movements of swimming and paddling out can create imbalances and weaknesses in other parts of the body. Practicing pilates will allow you to focus on core stability and control, strengthening deeper stabilising muscles, allowing you to engage in the waves with more strength and power.

2. Improve flexibility: As a surfer, dynamic flexibility and ease of movement is truly important to not only surf with some style, but to stay injury free as well! Surfing frequently can result in tight, restricted muscles, in particular tight fascia muscles. This can lead to postural changes and create a cycle of symptoms, pain, and faulty movement patterns. So how can Pilates help this? Pilates includes a range of different muscle stretches which at the same time help to strengthen them too. By following these specifically designed techniques they ultimately help create optimum joint function and increase the amount of nutrient-dense blood that reaches tissue all over the body. This ensures muscle tissue resistance is reduced during exercise; thus assisting with a reduction in damage to muscle tissue. So flexibility goes hand in hand with improving performance, strength, balance and also for a quick recovery time and preventing injury.

3. Improve your balance: Balance is a fundamental skill that is needed for a great surf performance and reformer Pilates is a great controlled resistance form of exercise which is a sure fire way to drastically help this! The slow transitions between controlled movements in Pilates engages and stretches key muscle groups, whilst strengthening your core and thus improving your overall balance and stability. It’s actually been used time and time again as a successful way to improve balance amongst the elderly too, so it can definitely help you on your board!

4. Improve agility: Regular pilates practice can improve spatial awareness, coordination and reflexes. These benefits will no doubt increase your mobility and agility in and out of the surf. The waves are an unpredictable environment which requires the ability to make decisions fast – a balanced foundation of supple muscles and strength is vital for this.

5. Build endurance: The strenuous nature of surfing paired with an environment that provides extra resistance, often leads to fatigue. Pilates can strengthen your ability to focus and improve your concentration. Your pilates practice will teach you to “work smarter, not harder” allowing you to move more efficiently in the water, increasing your endurance and allowing you to stay out in the surf for longer periods of time!

So let’s look at incredible example of how Pilates helped sporting legend and Ironman, Kendrick Louis.

‘Louis incorporates at least three pilates classes into his weekly training schedule. As a result, he said his performance on the ironman circuit had improved tenfold.’

‘In April, Louis won his maiden ironman crown with victory in Perth. He claimed Manly’s first Australian ironman title and also recently won the North Wollongong round, the world ocean man title and helped Australia to victory at the World Surf Lifesaving Championships in Adelaide.’

“It (pilates) is one of those things that you don’t know how good it is until you actually do it,” he said.

How Pilates can help improve your running technique.

by

Why Pilates?

Have you found when you google search running tips, one of the first things you see is that you’ve got to work on your posture?

Well for a runner, posture is one of the key ingredients to success! Good posture is very dependent on a strong core, and this is where Pilates comes in. Pilates is amazing for  supporting and strengthening the muscles of your torso, hips, shoulders and pelvis. By focusing on improving your core it can eventually lead to a huge positive difference in your posture, technique, balance and stability. It enables you to focus on where your head and neck are in relation to the spine and pelvis, on down through the legs and toes. This all adds up to more efficient movement and overall better running technique. 

Pilates exercises also create a stronger, more flexible spine and core, and also promotes faster recovery from strains or injuries.

Performance Benefits

A stronger and more stable core helps a runner:

  • Run more efficiently uphill with a stabilized musculature
  • Run more efficiently downhill with a stronger and more balanced sciatic area
  • Experience less tightening of the neck, head and shoulders
  • Increase oxygenation and stamina with a diaphragm that is able to fully expand
  • Focus on proper movement with better kinaesthetic awareness
  • Decrease fatigue because of less strain on the body
  • Shave seconds off your times because you move more efficiently
  • Run without pain!

If you’re looking to improve your running technique you should definitely consider joining us for some reformer Pilates sessions, you won’t regret it!

Pilates and the Immune System

by

Pilates: Can it really help our immune system?

● The lymphatic system, which allows the body to dispose of toxins, waste and other unwanted materials, relies on movements and muscle contractions to circulate. Full body movements, such as pilates exercises, are important to continue to allow the lymphatic system to flow efficiently.

● Lymph and waste products are collected in nodes all over the body, but in some areas, such as the feet, groin, armpits and neck, it becomes harder for the system to drain effectively. Pilates
is productive in assisting the flow, acting as a ‘pumping station’. Elevated footwork, short spine exercises, and rolling your spine are just a few effective movements that help to assist the lymph to flow.

● Rhythmic pilates movements stimulate lymph flow as well as blood flow. Blood flow is vital in ensuring the body’s cells are receiving enough oxygen to function effectively and fight infection.

● In a world where shallow breathing is normal, pilates teaches us the importance of deep inhalation. Deep breath “supplies the blood stream with vitally necessary life giving oxygen…and stimulates all muscles into greater activity” (Pilates & Miller, 1945). (1)

● Pilates can also be used as an important tool in coping psychologically. The emphasis on breathing and mindful movement calms the mind and reduces stress. There is strong evidence to suggest that stress impairs immunity. (2)

● Sleep quality is notably improved following a pilates session. Adequate sleep allows the body’s cells to regenerate and have more strength to fight off infection.

● Evidence suggests that 2 pilates sessions per week, paired with a healthy diet and sleep routine, you are able to help your body to remain fighting fit! (3)

1 Pilates, J. H. & Miller, W.J. (1945). Return to life through contrology, Bodymind Publishing Inc.
2 McLeod, S. (1970). Stress illness and the immune system. Retrieved from
https://www.simplypsychology.org/stress-immune.html
3 The Mayo Clinic. (2019). Pilates for beginners: explore the core. Retrieved from
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/pilates-for-beginners/art-20047673

Virtual Pilates Sessions

by

Due to the recent Alert levels that have been implemented we have decided to follow government guidelines and temporarily close our Pilates Studio doors. With this said however, we will not be cancelling Pilates sessions! Exercise and health is so crucial at this moment in time, we believe it is vital to be able offer to you the possibility to maintain some normality and routine when it comes partaking in your Pilates exercise regime.

As a result we are going to moving to online Pilates classes! This live stream class will be brought to you by Leyla through the video calling app Zoom.

If you do wish to join us for Virtual Pilates Sessions you can book online using the usual booking system.

So what can you expect?

You’ll receive a link to download the Zoom App and at your scheduled Pilates class time we will call you and ask you to join the Pilates group. Once everyone has joined the group, we will take you through a specially crafted mat Pilates routine for you at home. With the availability of the user friendly Zoom App, we can watch over you during your routine and will therefore be able to guide you safely, provide tips and corrections to your techniques throughout the entire practice. When you sign up, let us know what props your might have at home – theraband, ball, foam roller, block. We’ll make sure to challenge you just like on the reformers so that you get a similar strength and conditioning based routine in the comfort and safety of your home instead.

Virtual Osteopathy Consultations

by

Due to the recent Alert levels that have been implemented we have decided to follow government guidelines and temporarily close our Clinic doors. With this said however, we will not be cancelling our consultations!

We understand pain and injury do not take a rest and as a result of this, we believe more than ever it is vital to be able offer to you the possibility of maintaining some normality and routine when it comes your health and well-being care. So we are going to be offering Online Consultations!

What to expect from your online consultation

You’ll receive a link to the Zoom app with a personalised meeting code via email. At your scheduled appointment time we will call you using this secure program. We will take a case history and do a visual examination of your movements. We will then discuss and practice a set of self management techniques with you. These will include exercises, stretches, self-massage techniques and individualised ways to manage your stress-levels, sleep and any other health concerns. Following the consultation we will email out a summary of what was discussed and a link to our professional exercise app PhysiApp with a personalised programme of videos that you can follow.

If you have any questions about how this appointment works please email us at info@mountosteopaths.co.nz

Osteopathy and Headaches

by

Headaches can come in many different types and so often they are considered “something you just have to put up with.” Some people are lucky enough to rarely suffer from them, whereas others can find that they impact their daily life constantly. Most people seek headache relief through over-the-counter pain medication, however this only provides a temporary form of relief without addressing the underlying causes of the problem.

Osteopaths regularly treat headaches in both adults and children and are incredibly skilled when it comes to assessing types of headaches and the most suitable course of treatment. Often it goes underestimated how much structural problems in the neck and upper back can be the hidden cause of unexplained headaches! This is why Osteopathy has proven a timeless path to take when looking into treating headaches. Not only can an Osteopath, diagnose what you are suffering with, but they can help relieve pain in the head and neck by utilising techniques such as soft tissue massage and gentle manipulation of the spine and joints.

Diagnosing the headaches/migraines

Osteopaths are incredibly skilled at diagnosing the type of headache or migraine you are experiencing. They will ask many questions, some of which you may think irrelevant but this is necessary for both your safety as a patient and for the osteopath to decide the correct route of treatment.

You are likely to be asked, when it started, location of pain, if there is a daily pattern, what kind of pain and how severe, duration of the headache, is it seconds, hours, days, is there a trigger or does a particular movement aggravate it, do you have visual changes or any fever, sore throat or a stiff neck. The reason they will ask so many questions is because headaches often have more than one cause—physical, psychological, and pharmacological – and each requires treatment. Osteopaths take into consideration all facets and help you to increase your awareness of aggravating factors so that you can make appropriate changes.

Treatment

Osteopaths use a holistic approach to treating pain. They may use many techniques to help ease headaches, from manipulation of the neck and upper spine joints to gentle soft tissue massage, cranial therapy, dry needling /trigger point therapy and acupuncture. Rehabilitation suggestions and advice also may be provided to address common triggers such as poor posture, stress, workplace ergonomics, nutrition, exercise and lifestyle in order to move more towards preventing future recurrence.

So can we help?

In general it has been proven countless times, that Osteopathy is a great road to take when it comes to treating headaches and migraines. It is so frustrating to hear that people suffer from headaches and never seek any care! Especially when it impacts on their quality of life! There is now good evidence that the most common form of headaches respond well to osteopathy treatment, so if you or somebody else you know suffer from headaches come in and see us. WE CAN HELP.

Osteopathic Treatments

by

Joint Articulation

Articulation: Joints and structures being moved passively through their range of pain free movements.

This technique aids the body’s natural lubricating system to embalm the joint which increases range of motion and decreases pain. It is a technique that involves repeatedly taking a restricted joint into and out of its barrier to reduce a restriction. 

Articulation has successfully been proven to relieve pain and increase range of motion in joints.

Manipulation

Manipulation is a type of manual therapy that combines moving and jolting joints, massage, exercise, and physical therapy. It’s designed to relieve pressure on joints, reduce inflammation, and improve nerve function. It’s often used to treat back, neck, shoulder, and headache pain.

Manipulation can be used to treat everyone from infants to the elderly, people of every age and just about any condition can get this form of treatment.

Massage

‘Osteopathic massage is a holistic whole body, soft-tissue focused form of massage that incorporates both osteopathic and stretching techniques, which indirectly work to promote overall wellbeing and healthy join positioning.’

‘Osteopathic massage aims to free up restrictions or stiffness within muscles and joints to not only improve the body’s movement and posture but also blood flow, venous (veins) system, lymphatic drainage, and nerve conduction. Osteo massage may help boost the body’s vitality and energy levels, immune system responses, and ability to fight disease.’

Cranial Sacral Therapy

This therapy is a form of bodywork that aims to ease tension using a gentle, noninvasive touch.

During a cranial session, our Osteopath’s will apply gentle pressure on the head, neck, and back to help relieve stress and pain.  The idea is that the manipulation of the bones in the skull, spine and pelvis, help the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in the central nervous system which removes blockages and helps our body to heal. 

The pressure during this therapy is so soft, it feels more like a light massage rather than an intense medical treatment. It’s used to treat an extensive range of problems in both children and adults, the main ones include anxiety, IBS, back pain, neck pain, headaches, sleep problems and much more.

Cupping Therapy

‘Cupping therapy is based around the principle that suction from the cups draws the skin up and mobilises blood and energy around the body, encouraging the body’s natural healing process.’  

Cupping involves the skin and muscles being pulled into the cup, rather than compressed – much like a reverse massage or reverse pressure on the body. This causes increased blood flow to the affected area, which in turn helps to nourish and deliver oxygen to the tissues and encourages the healing process with the therapeutic aim of removing congestion and pain.

Cupping is often used to treat neck/back pain, sporting injuries such as Tennis Elbow, muscular pain and alleviating stress and anxiety.

Soon we will be offering..

Western Medical Acupuncture

Western medical acupuncture is a therapeutic modality involving the insertion of fine needles; it is an adaptation of Chinese acupuncture using current knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology, and the principles of evidence based medicine. 
Western Acupuncture is used by practitioners to achieve pain relief via the stimulation of the nervous system, such as the brain and spinal cord to produce the body’s own pain relieving neuro-chemicals, such as endorphins for pain relief; melatonin to promote sleep and serotonin to promote well being. These neuro-chemicals assist the body’s healing process and offer pain relief as a precursor for other manual or manipulative therapy or home exercise programme.

Can Pilates help my Golf Swing?

by

Golfers of all ages and levels have one thing in common – they want to play better golf by hitting the ball further, with more accuracy and more consistency. And like many sportspeople, golfers need to be able to move freely to play well. After all, it only takes one small change to have a big effect on the result. So, can Pilates help give you a better golf swing? We think so, and here’s how.

Whether twisting the body on a drive, squatting down to measure a putt or leaning over to pick up a ball, golfers constantly torquing their bodies. Golf also requires repeating the same essential movements. As a result some muscles become overused and others weaken, causing an imbalance.
For a golfer, muscle imbalances can affect the legs, hips, arms, shoulders, and the lower back. It can also affect your game, particularly for those over the age of 50. Your drives may be shorter and less accurate, your stamina may decrease, and the potential for debilitating strains, pulls and tears becomes much higher.

How can Reformer Pilates help your golf game?
Pilates is based on movement from the centre of the body, as are most shots in golf. It promotes good use of the centre of the body, also known as the core (the trunk, shoulder girdles and pelvis). Pilates can also improve hip rotation, range of motion in the shoulders, and back flexibility and stability – all leading to more powerful and accurate golf shots. It is a full body exercise program that works all muscles and is easy on the joints. The end result is a flexible, symmetrically muscled body that is strengthened from the inside out.

Performance Benefits

  • Attain an optimal backswing and follow-through with increased range of motion in shoulders
  • Get more distance and power because of added hip and torso flexibility
  • Have a stronger and bigger hip turn for greater power through rotation
  • Create a smoother and more powerful swing due to evenly conditioned back muscles
  • Maximize balance and alignment while rotating
  • Decrease fatigue because of less strain on the body
  • Hold a body position long enough to play through a shot
  • Play without pain!

For any golfers, Pilates is an essential training tool that keeps the body in balance and actually improves performance.