massage

Physiotherapy – The holistic healing method

by with No Comment Physiotherapy

Head, shoulders, knees and toes: physiotherapy is used for numerous illnesses, injuries and functional disorders and makes an important contribution to the healing process. Especially when it comes to healing procedures for rehabilitation, for example after an accident or a stroke, physiotherapy is indispensable. However, it can also be used preventively to avoid physical limitations or pain. The different areas of application of physiotherapy make an important contribution to the amplitude of movement and functionality of the musculoskeletal system, and help to restore or maintain mobility.

What is physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy is mainly understood as the so-called movement therapy. It is a useful alternative or supplement to surgery or drug treatment. Physiotherapeutic applications can be carried out actively or passively. In active therapy, the patient’s independently performed movements are used to prevent or cure complaints. In passive therapy, this is done through treatment by a trained therapist.

What are the areas of application of physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy is mainly used for prophylaxis, therapy and rehabilitation. For the prevention of dysfunctions or injuries, for example, occupational malpositions can be counteracted with physiotherapy. Physiotherapy also helps to accelerate the healing process of orthopedic diseases and thus improves the quality of life. In addition, physiotherapy treatments are used for rehabilitation after prolonged illnesses or after accidents.

What effect does physiotherapy have on the body?

  • Support of metabolism and blood circulation
  • Pain relief or even relief from pain
  • Increase of physical fitness, coordination and mobility
  • Restoration and strengthening of mobility

Known tools in physiotherapy

 

Massage

Massage can be used to relieve all forms of tension in the muscles. Using special massage techniques, pain is reduced while blood circulation and metabolism are stimulated.

Lymphatic drainage

Lymphatic drainage uses special massages of the lymphatic system to activate the lymphatic vessels and reduce swelling or water retention. The healing process is accelerated, the tissue can be better supplied with blood and mobility is restored.

Manual therapy

Manual therapy remedies functional disorders of the musculoskeletal system, such as restrictions in mobility or pain during movement. Mobility can be restored with targeted mobilization as well as stretching exercises to relieve pressure.

Yours Michael Boettcher

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Stretching – lengthen your muscles

by with No Comment Personal Training ENPhysiotherapyRegeneration EN

Stretching exercises maintain the flexibility of muscles and the mobility of joints, which is a prerequisite for a healthy musculoskeletal system. Stretching can also improve training performance, relieve tension and reduce stress.

An indispensable part of professional sports

That’s why stretching exercises are a must in professional sports. If the sport requires particularly explosive movements or flexibility, stretching afterwards is indispensable. It increases flexibility, reduces muscle shortening and has a positive effect on performance. Stretching should be done for at least five minutes after each fitness session to promote recovery. One-sided movement patterns and incorrect posture can also be corrected through stretching exercises.

Effects on the musculoskeletal system

In the long term, stretching primarily improves the mobility of joints and surrounding structures. Tendons and ligaments are strengthened, and muscular imbalances are corrected in the short term by lengthening shortened muscles, thus reducing tension in the muscle. Additionally, it can reduce stress and restore circulation.

In the field of physical therapy, stretching is used to reduce muscular imbalances and correct problems caused by muscle shortening, as well as speed recovery from injuries.

Stretching correctly

However, to avoid injury, some important rules should be followed when stretching:

  • Stretch dynamically before the fitness session, as the muscles are not yet warmed up and thus injuries can easily occur.
  • The movements should be performed slowly and in a controlled manner
  • It is better to do static stretches after the training session.
  • Do not forget to breathe
  • The pain should be sustainable at all times
  • Always stretch on a non-slip surface

Static and dynamic stretching

Static stretching involves trying to pull the muscle to be stretched as far as possible and holding this position for 20-30 seconds. Static stretching should never be done before a workout, as it can reduce performance and lead to injury. Static stretching exercises are also not recommended if muscle soreness is noticeable.

Dynamic stretching exercises, on the other hand, consist of gentle movements that could also be described as springy. The muscle is stretched for a few seconds, but can always contract again. This form of stretching promotes blood circulation and thus also the oxygen supply to the muscle and is therefore particularly suitable as a warm-up before the fitness session.

If you want to improve mobility and promote health through regular stretching, you should be patient in your approach. The muscles need a few attempts to stretch properly, so it’s better not to rush things.

Your Michael Boettcher

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Pain in the knees from running

by with No Comment ChiropracticPersonal Training ENPhysiotherapyRegeneration EN
Many of our customers complain about knee pain while running. They often describe the pain as dull around the knee joint or as a twinge at the kneecap. Most often, the pain occurs during running or immediately following exercise. Clients often try stretching exercises or using a fascia roller to loosen the surrounding muscles and get rid of the pain that way. Unfortunately, the pain can be persistent and, in the worst cases, force them to take a longer break.

Causes of knee pain

The most common reason for knee pain is overuse of the lower leg extensor muscle quadriceps. If the muscle is used too frequently, so-called trigger points develop. These are small nodules in the muscle that have poor blood supply and cause a characteristic pain pattern. If there is overuse of the quadriceps, the pain tends to feel dull and is located around the knee. If the fascia is stuck or tight, the pain tends to be located on the sides of the knee or just below the kneecap (patellar tendinitis). In both varieties, the pain occurs during and after running.

Our holistic approach

Our strategy for this situation is first to lower the tension in the muscles by dry needling and massage. This is done by working on the fascia with a special tool to loosen it up and release any adhesions. With special tests we can determine if the connection between the nerve and the muscle is working properly. If this connection is inactive, the muscle will be overloaded or misloaded again and the discomfort will return even after the therapy is finished.

Functional Movement Screen

Once we have the local discomfort under control, we do a Functional Movement Screen and look at the patient’s overall movement amplitude. This gives us the opportunity to identify and target further faulty movement patterns. Through corrective exercises at home, discomfort and thus pain can be prevented in the future. Yours Michael Boettcher
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It all starts with mobility

by with No Comment Personal Training ENPhysiotherapy

Were you ever in the situation where you have back pain, visit your doctor and he tells you that you should work on the stability and strength in your back? The statement, however, only represents one side of the medal. A significant factor that can cause back pain is lack of mobility.

But what exactly do doctors, physiotherapists and sports scientists mean when they talk about mobility? In their Handbook of Training Theory (Hoffmann, 1993), Martin, D., Carl, K. & Lehnertz, K. wrote “Mobility is the ability to perform movements in a random and targeted manner with the required or optimal range of movement of the joints involved”.

In order for the musculoskeletal system to work properly, there must therefore be a minimum degree of mobility. Restrictions in mobility, on the other hand, lead to faulty signals to the central nervous system. This, in turn, affects stability and causes tension in the muscles.

Restricted mobility can have local effects or have an effect elsewhere. An example: If mobility is restricted in the ankle joint, this can lead to instability in the neck and associated tension.

In the anamnesis before treatment begins, we at American PT first try to find out whether it is a stability or mobility problem. Using the fascial roller and the fascial ball, we first release the tension in the muscle chains and then work on mobility with corrective exercises. These treatments not only help with tension, but also have a long-term effect on posture, movement sequences and energy.

If you have any questions about mobility or would like to make an appointment, please call us!

Yours Michael Boettcher

Krankengymnastic am Gerät

Medical rehabilitation training – effective and gentle on the joints

by with No Comment ChiropracticPhysiotherapyRegeneration EN

What is medical rehabilitation training?

Medical rehabilitation training is generally used after injuries and operations to restore mobility and treat diseased areas of the musculoskeletal system. Targeted training units are used to improve strength, mobility and endurance in the long term. The specially developed medical build-up training for therapeutic purposes is considered part of rehabilitation treatment and is often accompanied by a doctor.

For whom is medical rehabilitation training recommended?

In general, medical rehabilitation training is prescribed by a doctor after an injury or operation on the musculoskeletal system. However, it can also be used for persistent pain in the joints or back. The physiotherapist draws up an individual training plan tailored to the problem area and person. Medical rehabilitation training is also suitable for the prevention of painful muscle tension and resulting damage to the spine.

What is trained in medical rehabilitation training?

Depending on the type of training, medical rehabilitation training trains balance, coordination and posture, strength, flexibility, speed or endurance. The essential components of the medical rehabilitation training are: mobilisation and mobility training, strength and stabilization training, coordination training, endurance and cardiovascular training.

What equipment is used for medical rehabilitation training?

The medical rehabilitation training uses training equipment that is easy on the joints and yet highly effective, while putting optimal strain on the muscles and joints. Additionally, computer-controlled training devices such as the Power Plate or EMS allow a targeted training of the deep muscles and can be used, for example, for muscle building before an operation.

In our practice for physiotherapy we offer medical rehabilitation training for therapeutic purposes. Do you have any questions or would you like to arrange an appointment? Call us, we will be happy to assist you!

Yours Michael Boettcher

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Dry needling – treating pain with needles

by with No Comment ChiropracticDry Needling ENPhysiotherapy

In our private practice for physiotherapy, we use healing techniques to bring your body into balance in a natural way and free you from pain. Today we would like to introduce the application of Dry Needling to you.

Dry Needling is a form of trigger point therapy in which mainly myofascial points and fasciae are treated. Similar to Chinese acupuncture, Dry Needling uses sterile acupuncture needles to address trigger points in the muscle or musculoskeletal system to release tension and relieve pain. There are two forms of dry needling: intramuscular stimulation (IMS) and superficial dry needling.

In intramuscular stimulation, a sterile needle is inserted directly into the trigger point. This process initially triggers a tension reaction in the muscle, which is often perceived as beneficial. By placing the needles in the myofascial trigger point, the oxygen supply is stimulated and the blood flow in the affected muscle groups is improved. If the tense area shows inflammation or adhesions, these are inhibited by the dry needling application or disappear completely.

In the superficial treatment of pain in the musculoskeletal system, the dry needle is placed diagonally above the trigger point with a puncture depth of 3-4 mm under the skin. This is where the central nervous system comes into play. The superficial puncture triggers various mechanisms in the brain and spinal cord that contribute to pain relief and healing of the affected area.

Which Dry Needling technique is the right one for you depends on many factors, which we will clarify in advance in an anamnesis consultation.

 

Yours Michael Boettcher

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Massage – using pressure against pain

by with No Comment OsteopathyPhysiotherapyRegeneration EN

Many of our patients come to our practice with muscle tension and pain resulting from it. Massages can help in this case. It is not without reason that massages are among the oldest known therapeutic treatments: The pressure on or rubbing over the tense area influences the tense condition of the muscles and fasciae, promotes blood circulation and relieves pain.

In our practice for physiotherapy we offer the following massage techniques:

  • Traditional massage: relaxes muscles, improves blood circulation, stimulates metabolism, relieves pain, improves posture and helps restore physical balance
  • Leg massage for runners: Improves performance and efficiency, prevents fatigue injuries, increases running speed, reduces muscle soreness after the run and accelerates recovery time and regeneration
  • Fascial massage: loosens the fasciae (connective tissue) so that the body is not pulled into a bad posture, reduces pulling and radiating pain, improves mobility, reduces muscle tension, positively influences the musculoskeletal system
  • Lymphatic drainage: Helps to remove swelling and water retention, improves mobility by reducing joint swelling, reduces recurrent spinal blockages, activates the autonomic nervous system, promotes regeneration

Conclusion: Massages can be helpful for a variety of muscle or joint pains and in the best case are performed by a trained physiotherapist. With the help of these techniques we can free you from pain, treat or prevent injuries and correct your posture – for a life full of mobility and without pain.

Yours Michael Boettcher

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Chiropractic – Healing through adjustment

by with No Comment Chiropractic

Chiropractic is an alternative medical treatment method in which joint blockages are released with special techniques. The aim is to find and eliminate functional disorders of the musculoskeletal system in order to relieve pain and restore normal mobility. A positive side effect of the treatment is that the pressure on the nerve tracts is reduced, thereby activating the body’s self-healing powers. In our practice we offer various chiropractic treatments and would like to give you a brief overview of them today.

What does chiropractic mean?

The term chiropractic is composed of the Greek words “chiero” for hand and “practice” for action. This method of treatment was invented in the 19th century by Daniel David Palmer, who argued that various illnesses were caused by a malposition of the vertebral joints and could therefore be cured by a targeted correction of the malposition.

What does the chiropractor do?

First I look at your medical history and examine you thoroughly to determine the origin of the dysfunction. I particularly pay attention to your spine. Pain and blockages are often caused by the malposition of one vertebral body in relation to the adjacent vertebrae. These malpositions can be caused by incorrect posture, lack of movement and accidents. If muscles or tendons are affected, we can stretch them specifically or make them more flexible again with massages.

What is done during a chiropractic application?

Once the medical history is complete, we can begin treatment. There are several possible applications. During the adjustment, I guide your affected joints or vertebral bodies into a certain position with special handles and without much effort. A loud cracking sound is often audible during this process. In order to free you from this pain permanently, this procedure has to be repeated in several sessions. Mobilisation improves the mobility of your joints by moving the joint parts against each other and stretching them in different directions. Through stretching exercises and relaxation techniques, we can lengthen the surrounding muscles so that they can adapt well to the new position of the joint.

What happens after the treatment?

Once the blockages have been completely released, the stability of your musculoskeletal system is affected. With joint-protective exercises from the physiotherapeutic program, we stabilize your spine and prevent future imbalances. The combination of chiropractic application and subsequent muscle building enables you to live permanently pain-free and feel fit and agile again.

Are you interested in a treatment by a qualified chiropractor? Give us a call!