February Newsletter 2014 - Facebook Prize, Good Sort & Shin Pain

Message from Mandy
Weekend Warriors
February is a busy month for us with all you weekend warriors enjoying the multitude of sports events on offer in our beautiful city. Massage is powerful tool in preparing your body for sports events, and speeding up recovery post event. We recommend you use massage as a preventive to injury and to assist in maximising your results, but if you do find yourself in pain, we have pretty much seen and treated it all, so book yourself in for an individualised treatment plan.
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We are delighted to be asked to support AUTs tent at Round the Bays on Sunday 9th March. I’ll try and keep an eye for those of you competing – have fun!

Referral Rewards
Our business is built on referrals and we would love to get yours. As a thank you for your support, we’ll take $15.00 off your next treatment with us. What better way to help someone, and yourself!

Facebook Giveaway
Our Facebook site is a great way to keep up to date with available appointments, read our popular Tuesday Tips and see what the team is up to. Like Us on Facebook in February and if we reach 100 Likes we’re giving away a one hour treatment worth $95.00 to one of our Facebook supporters. If you already Like us, thanks! Spread the word by sharing our page with anyone you think may also benefit from knowing us.

Good Sort
Don’t forget to nominate a deserving recipient of 6 FREE one hour treatments with me over 2014. Send me a note outlining why they are a good candidate through info@vitalbody.co.nz or private message me on Facebook. Nominations will be accepted until Friday the 21st February 2014, and the winner selected Friday 28th February 2014.  

This Month's Topic
One of the most common injuries we see is shin pain, particularly in runners. With so many events coming up over the next couple of months involving running, we thought this was a great topic to explore. I have put together some information below on the causes of shin pain, how our treatment can help in the resolution of this painful condition and how you can help yourself to speed up the process.
Cheers
Mandy

The Vital Bits
Shin Pain
There are many contributors to shin pain, and a good practitioner will consider them all before commencing treatment. Typically in runners it’s the result of a sudden increase in training, a change of training surfaces or shoes. This can cause or highlight impaired calf muscle function, poor movement of the hip, knee, ankles joints and pronated feet.
Symptoms of shin pain commonly progresses in the following order, but it is possible to have all three signs at once:

• Inflamed calf muscles - pulling at their bony attachments at the inner part of the shin. Pain is generalised along the length of the shin, increasing with exercise and decreasing with stretching.
• Stress Fractures – the connective tissue that attaches the calf muscles to the shin bone is much stronger than the bone itself, so it simply pulls at the bone until it develops stress fractures. Pain is sharp and localised to the inner part of the shin. It’s usually constant and worse with activity.
• Compartment Syndrome – the muscles in your lower legs are individually wrapped in connective tissue, creating compartments. When calf muscles are overused they become inflamed and swell into this restricted space, putting pressure on nerves and blood vessels. Symptoms may include numbness, weakness and a loss of pulses in the lower leg.

It’s important your therapist addresses the cause of shin pain, rather than just treat the symptoms. Expect treatment to include connective tissue release, specific muscle work, home care and exercise prescription. If you are suffering from shin pain or know someone that is, share this information with them or book a session with us to get it sorted.

Vitality Tips
Caring for Shin Pain
Rest
Initial rest from aggravating activates until the pain eases. In the case of stress fractures this can take 4-8 weeks.

Ice Cupping

¾ fill a polystyrene cup with water and freeze. Peel the cup back, starting at the top, until the ice is exposed and massage your shin for about 10mins per shin, up to four times a day. Peel more of the cup away as the ice melts.

Cross Training

After working so hard to build your fitness for an event, it’s disheartening to think it may be lost. Cross training with stationary cycling or swimming is an excellent way to maintain fitness.