Susan Martin Soft Tissue Therapy

Burns are one of the most common household injuries and are often caused by scalding from hot liquids, chemicals, flames (including matches and candles) and sunburn.
Doctors usually label burns by how deeply your skin has been damaged. First, Second and Third “degrees” are the most well-known measure.
First degree burns only affect the outer layer of the skin (Epidermis). A mild sunburn would be a good example. Your skin may be red and painful, but no blistering so long-term damage is rare. These are usually treated at home with first aid and heal within a few days.
With a Second degree burn, your Dermis will be damaged as well as the outer Epidermis layer. Your skin will be red, swollen and painful. You will have blisters that may pop and release fluid so the wound will be wet and weepy. Medical attention may be necessary to properly dress the wound and monitor healing. Scarring is possible as the wound heals.
A Third degree burn involves serious damage. Both skin layers will be destroyed. Pain is unlikely as the nerves are also damaged. Emergency medical attention will be required and skin grafting may be necessary to avoid problems caused by the extensive scarring. This level of burns can take several months to heal.
Burn scars can often result in large areas of restricted skin which may affect range of motion, particularly around joints. ScarWork™ treatments start with light touch, sweeping movements to stimulate the upper layers of the tissue and help encourage improvement. As these soften, the underlying layers can be treated until the required outcome is achieved.
Please get in touch if you have any questions.

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Once again I will be supporting the athletes at this year's Reading Triathlon on 13th September.

When pain strikes, particularly in the LOWER BACK, it is all too easy to reach for some tablets or visit the doctor. However, there are a number of tried and tested alternative methods to deal with this problem.
Here are a few things you might like to try first:
1. Release some Endorphins – these are hormones produced by your body that block pain signals, alleviate anxiety and reduce stress. They are released by doing some aerobic exercise, having a massage or trying some meditation.
2. Get enough sleep – The body recovers whilst we sleep. Although pain can make it difficult to sleep well, lack of sleep will also make the pain worse. To break this cycle, try to find the most comfortable position and use pillows to keep a good alignment in your spine whilst you rest. Your ear, shoulder and hips should be in a straight line.
3. Strengthen your core muscles – These support your spine and are not used much during our modern, sedentary lifestyle. You need to exercise them using specific movements as often as you can fit into your daily life. Try a Pilates class to get you started.
4. Soothe pain with hot or cold therapy – Cold packs reduce inflammation and can numb the pain whilst heat pads improve blood flow and relaxation. Always place a barrier between the pad and your skin. A tea towel is a good idea.
5. Find activities that make you happy – Doing something that you enjoy, particularly with friends, can reduce stress, release endorphins and make the pain more tolerable.
6. Stretch your Hamstrings daily – Tight muscles at the back of your thighs will pull on your pelvis and cause tightness in the lower back. Keeping this area stretched and flexible will help with any pain in the area. Stretch carefully and keep it pain free. Little and often is best.
If you have any questions or need some advice, please get in touch.

Ligaments are a connective tissue made from collagen fibres and they attach bone to bone at joints. Ligaments help to stabilise the joint and can become damaged if the joint is forced beyond its’ usual range of motion. An example of a commonly damaged ligament is the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) of the knee. Sprains of this ligament occur most frequently in sports involving pivoting and twisting. e.g. football, basketball, netball, downhill skiing.
Muscle fatigue, sudden start or increase in exercise and insufficient warm up before training can all increase the risk of ligament sprain.
In non - sporty people ankle sprains are more common when stepping off the kerb awkwardly or walking on uneven ground. High heeled shoes increase these risks.
Sprains are usually classified in three grades or levels. Level 1 is where a small number of fibres are torn and Level 3 is a complete rupture. In all cases, the P.R.I.C.E. (Protect, Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevate) protocol should be followed for the first few days until swelling and pain is reduced. As the sprain heals, gentle stretching, Soft tissue therapy and rehabilitation exercises should ensure that the ligament heals in a strong and effective manner. Treatment for a level 3 rupture may involve immobilisation for a few weeks and even surgery to repair or reconstruct the ligament.

Your skin type can affect several things, such as visible signs of ageing, likelihood of developing acne, resistance to UV rays, and the rate at which scars heal. On the Fitzpatrick Scale, skin types are grouped by your genetic predisposition to melanin, which is the chemical that provides pigmentation in skin. Dermatologists look at this scale to determine risk factors for anything from sunburn and skin cancer to scarring risks and hyperpigmentation. Darker skin tends to be thicker with a lower Ph and increased risk of abnormal scarring. Lighter skins are more at risk of burning. All skin types can scar.
If you have any questions or need some advice about your scars, please get in touch.

We often hear the terms Over and Under pronation, particularly with respect to running and running shoes, but what do these terms mean? And why are they important?
OVER pronation means that your foot excessively rolls in when you land upon it. Your first and second toes take most of the weight. Your shoes will be more worn on the inner edge of the sole. This is common if you have flat feet or falling arches and can lead to Plantar Fasciitis, Runners knee and Achilles tendon problems. It is usually corrected through getting the correct footwear and strengthening exercises for the foot, quads and hips.
UNDER pronation or excess Supination is the opposite. Your fourth and fifth toes take most of your weight. It is much less common than Overpronation and is usually caused by high arches and an inflexible ankle. Your shoes will be more worn on the outer edge of the sole. This means less shock absorption upon landing and can lead to injuries including ITB syndrome, stress fractures and ankle sprains. It can be helped by getting the correct footwear and strength training in the hips and Glutes to help stabilize the lower legs.
If you are regularly getting injured and suspect you may over or under pronate then it is best to get checked out by a gait analysis specialist before buying the correct shoes and following a recommended rehab program.

This is a great infographic showing the parts of our body that should be stable and those that should be flexible.
If those that need to be flexible are stiff or weak then the stable parts need to do extra work and, then, problems can start to show.
Unfortunately, because the body is so adaptable, most of the time, the dysfunction of the mobile structure will go unnoticed until the neighbouring stable structure is compromised.
Therefore, if you have ongoing issues with a specific part of your body, take a look at the movement capability and strength in the surrounding areas.
If you need any help or advice, please get in touch.

It’s just about impossible for an active child to avoid cuts and grazes whilst out and about playing. Often, some basic first aid and a kiss from Mum is all that’s needed, but sometimes, cuts go deeper and have the potential to scar.
All skin, regardless of age, heals in the same way but young skin heals much more quickly and easily. This helps when trying to lessen the possibility of scarring. However, it is important to treat the wound quickly so it doesn’t get infected.
Whilst the wound is actively bleeding, you need to apply direct pressure with a clean cloth over the cut. Once bleeding stops, wash the wound gently with soap and water. You could also soak the wound in the bath. This will prevent dirt from getting trapped under the skin. After cleaning, place some antibacterial ointment on the wound to keep it moist. Cover the area with a bandage or plaster until it heals.
Cuts that are deep and/or large may need stitches or steri-strips to help them close properly. Please seek medical advice if you think that your first aid is not going to be enough.
Studies have shown that a healthy diet with plenty of Vitamin C will help with wound healing.
Once the wound has healed and the scar is maturing, protect it from the sun with clothing or high SPF sunscreen. Scars will need extra sun protection for life.
Gentle massage around and over the scar can help with the healing process and encourage the scars to soften and flatten. The child can do this themselves or a parent can help. This massage should be pain free, you are not breaking down the scar, just encouraging the body to build the most effective mend.

Frozen shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis) is a condition where pain and stiffness develop in the joint to such an extent that the patient finds it difficult to move their arm. This pain and stiffness usually starts gradually, worsens over time and often resolves itself. However, this can take many months. It is usually diagnosed by your doctor or physiotherapist.
The bones, ligaments and tendons that make up your shoulder joint are encased in a capsule of connective tissue. Frozen shoulder occurs when this capsule thickens and tightens around the shoulder joint, restricting its movement.
Often there is no obvious cause, although it's more likely to occur in the following people:
Aged over 40,
Female,
Those with prolonged, restricted mobility caused by surgery, broken arm, stroke etc,
Those with Diabetes, Parkinson’s or Thyroid issues.
Most frozen shoulder treatment involves controlling the pain and encouraging as much movement in the joint as possible. You will usually be given some exercises to do which can help. Regular massage therapy is very beneficial in this treatment as it increases the blood circulation to the injured region and also reduces the formation of scar tissue. Heat therapy is also very helpful and can be applied before or after a massage. Frozen shoulders often get better on their own within 12 to 18 months.
If you suspect that a frozen shoulder is developing, please seek medical advice.

Caring for others is often a valuable and essential part of our lives. Looking after children, family members with extra needs or elderly parents can all take its’ toll on our physical and mental wellbeing. However much you love and value the person you are caring for, the sheer amount of extra work involved can cause aches, pains and worries in your own body.
We are unlikely to get specialist training for the caring role we have taken on and asking your body to move in new ways, that it is not used to, can result in muscle tensions and soreness.
These tensions can be soothed away with a regular, relaxing massage along with some advice about how to move more effectively during your day-to-day life. Self-care will improve your ability to look after your loved ones so, please, get in touch if you want to discuss how I can help you and your family.