Andrew Perry Sports Massage Therapy

Hello! I hope you’re having a wonderful bank holiday Monday.

Many of my wonderful clients are over 60 and as I am rapidly approaching 60 myself, one thing I am beginning to ask my clients is; if you fall over, can you get up again? This doesn’t just apply to older people though. If you have an injury, are overweight or generally out of shape; it doesn’t matter how old you are, you could be in trouble if you can’t get up.

If you are alone and you can’t get up, you may find yourself in real trouble rather quickly. You may need the toilet, you may start to experience pain and if you are down long enough you may even become dehydrated and hungry. It is not uncommon, especially amongst the elderly, to die because of falling and not being able to get up. If if you are found eventually, there are other complications such as rhabdomylosis which could continue to severely affect you once you are back on your feet.

It is therefore important to try getting down on the floor and seeing if you can get back up (obviously, only do this in the presence of someone who can help you up if you need help). If you can great, but don’t just leave it at that. You may benefit longer term by practicing getting up regularly to make sure that you remain safe. If you can’t get up, it is worth seeking professional help from a trainer or therapist who can help you get into shape so that you can get yourself up. If you really can’t manage this then it is time to consider panic buttons etc. so that you can get help quickly.

Please, make a plan so that having a fall doesn’t cost you your life.

In my next post I will discuss what you should do if you find someone on the floor.

Andrew x

I started writing this post a few weeks ago and then abandoned it because I didn’t want to come across as too negative. However, I have just seen a similar post on the MLD-UK page so I decided to try again.

If you are in need of MLD for clinical reasons (surgery, lymphoedema, swelling, cancer etc.) then here are 5 things that your MLD practitioner should NOT be doing. If they do any of the following you need to leave immediately and find a new therapist;

1. Wear gloves. MLD is a skin on skin therapy. As soon as your therapist dons a pair of surgical gloves to carry out MLD, it is time to leave. The only exception is if they are helping with a dressing or an infected wound or using a deep oscillation device.
2. Use oil. Correctly administered MLD does NOT require any oil or other massage medium. This can be especially worrying if you have just had surgery as you will have wounds. The use of oil is a major infection risk.
3. Use lots of pressure. If your MLD hurts or feels uncomfortable; end the consultation immediately as they may be doing more harm than good.
4. Doesn’t carry out a thorough assessment including taking a medical history and assessing general health, skin and current medications etc.
5. They do not advise on compression, movement, breathing and lifestyle. A qualified MLD therapist will provide a comprehensive holistic approach to managing your condition long term. They shouldn’t just give you a treatment without discussions about long term goals.

If in doubt about who to choose, check out the MLD-UK website and the British Lymphology Society website to see if your therapist is registered. If they are, you can be certain that they have achieved a high level of training and experience.

Andrew x

I am taking a short break next week. I will be closed on Tuesday 25th, Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th August. I will be back in clinic at 6pm on Friday 28th as normal.

Andrew 🌞

I treat lots of people using Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) following their cosmetic procedures but did you know that MLD can also be very helpful following joint replacement surgery.

Swelling is a key component of the recovery phase following any surgery. The potential issue (and I have seen this a few times following knee replacement in particular) is that if the swelling persists for 3 months or more, it becomes a chronic condition and consequently, more difficult to treat.

MLD following joint replacement can help to reduce the swelling which in turn reduces discomfort, decreases healing time which can lead to a more complete recovery. Mobility can be improved quicker and more effectively.

If you or someone you know is waiting for joint surgery of any kind, a course of MLD after the operation could make a huge difference to your recovery.

Visit my website for more information or call me on 07748 292662 to discuss your options.

Andrew x

I am really excited to announce that my new website is now live!

There may be a few glitches and I have already noticed a few bits that need to be rewritten so please bear with us whilst the site is gradually optimised over the coming weeks.

Please do go and have a look (address in heading), I hope you like it!

Thank you to Debra Wales of Girl Friday Web Design for building the site for me and thank you again in advance for all of the support that I know I am bound to require. I cannot recommend Debra enough to those who are looking for web design services.

Andrew x

I will be open as usual (1pm - 9:30pm) on August Bank Holiday Monday (August 31st).

Andrew x

Another great review from a wonderful client. Thank you 😁

Andrew x

Whilst building my forthcoming new website, I have needed to change some of my services as they have evolved somewhat over the last few years and are continuing to do so.

My sports massage initial consultation and follow up appointments have remained the same as has scar therapy. The main change is that I subdividing Manual Lymphatic Drainage into two options; Lymphoedema Management and Post Operative Recovery.

I have made this change as both options are distinctly different from one another in terms of the services provided.

Post Operative Recovery is now a fully developed service offering MLD, Scar Therapy and more specific advice on compression garments, side effects of the surgery and skincare etc. It also includes discounted pricing on scar therapy alone for up-to 2 years after discharge.

Lymphoedema Management is an evolving service which currently includes MLD for chronic lymphoedema and post cancer patients. At the end of this year it will expand to include the full chronic lymphoedema package including compression and bandaging etc.

Whichever service you are interested in, I am always more than happy to discuss your requirements before you book.

Andrew x

I am really excited. Really really excited! Why? Because my new website is coming together very nicely. I spent quite a chunk of last weekend writing about post operative manual lymphatic drainage and a compiling a FAQ’s page.

After several meetings with various web designers I finally settled on Debbie Wales from Girl Friday Web-design who is well underway with building the site and it is looking fabulous.

I look forward to announcing that the site has gone live, hopefully within the next few weeks.

Andrew x

Another fantastic review for which I am very grateful.

Andrew x