Sound waves  pass through the skin cause a vibration locally, this vibration or cavitation which can cause a deep heating however no sensation of heat will normally be felt. The muscle or tissue will generally feel less painful, muscle tissue feels softer and relaxed. 

Ultrasound has been shown to cause increased tissue relaxation, increased local blood flow, and scar tissue breakdown. The increase in local blood flow can be used to help reduce local swelling, chronic inflammation, some studies it to promote bone fracture healing rates. 

In clinic I have used ultrasound for sprain type injuries, twisted ankle, sprained wrist, muscle strains etc where for the first week or so the injury is too painful for manual therapy so gentle ultrasound and acupuncture work really well together alleviate pain, inflammation, discomfort and improved healing times - especially useful for team sports like rugby, football etc 

Ultrasound for 'RSI' or repetitive strain injury can be sports related or even an overloading workplace injury. This type of inflammatory injury responds well to gentle ultrasound which has a deep effect on tendons and ligaments allowing a more normal range of joint motion and function. 

This type of RSI type injury responds very well to ultrasound by the reduction of local inflammation and pain, it can also be used in conjunction with acupuncture and has been shown to work as a long term solution.

Ultrasound, sports massage, gentle manipulation and acupuncture do work very well together and will assist with speeding up the recovery and rehabilitation of an injury.

Find out more about how ultrasound treatments, sports massage can help you with RSI, tendon ruptures, ligament strains and muscle sprains, arthritis, posture and joint pain, click below.

I have used Sports and remedial massage to help very delicate people with fragile bone conditions, little old ladies to rugby players, body builders, marathon runners and Olympians. It is very necessary however to adapt each sessions to suit each person and their individual needs. 

Sports massage is becoming commonly known as 'brutal massage', it has largely got this fame from some therapists who believe unless the client leaves the couch 'beaten up' then they have not given a good massage!

In my clinics and home visits in the Oxford and Bicester area I see a wide range of people who benefit from both deep tissue massage, often too a light touch relaxed and targeted stretching can have a big impact too on mobility and function without the pain!

Sports an remedial massage begins with a full assessment which looks at the whole body and then a treatment plan is agreed which may include massage, stretches and remedial exercise and postural recommendations.

Professional practitioners can be found in your area at the Institute of Sport and remedial massage practitioners:  Find a therapist at the 'ISRM' 
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I can help you in Oxford and Bicester with Sports, deep tissue massage and acupuncture, marathon training and nutrition plan, Postural assessment, gait analysis and custom Orthotics.

The pictures below demonstrate the cyclists pronated foot can cause overuse injuries, knee pain, foot pain and lower back pain and loss of power and bio-mechanical efficiency.
When the foot is over pronated the bones of the foot are naturally unlocked and rely on ligament and muscle strength for stability, therefore putting a greater load on the the calf muscles which will fatigue early and lead to trigger points and chronic tendinitis etc.  

The signs to look for are a flattened arch, Achilles tendon not vertical, knees moving left to right when cycling or hip drop are a indication that you could benefit from a formthotic shoe insert which are a custom orthotic insole.Click to: Find out more about how Orthics and gait analysis can help your cycling help you remain injury free.

Acupuncture is particularly good for management ligament injuries like sprained ankles, torn or ruptures because this type of connective tissue has no direct blood supply and responds well to acupuncture by increasing blood supply and nutrients bathing the area in everything the body needs to heal well quicker. 

Chinese style acupuncture work on the meridians lines, there are various points specified on the body which will help with chronic headaches and migraines which are often associated with stress.   

Acupuncture should not hurt if done correctly however you should feel some sensation and this is just blocked energy or 'Chi' moving. 

All needles in my clinic are sterilized and single use only, there are a few situations in which acupuncture in not appropriate: if you have a pacemaker etc. In clinic a full assessment will be carried out to be sure its OK for you.
​Find out more about acupuncture

Trigger points are small areas of dysfunctional muscle fibre which are in a state of chronic spasm, they are often caused by muscle fatigue overuse syndromes and related to bad posture. they are commonly the  source of joint pain, shoulder, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle. Often trigger points are mistaken for arthritis, tendinitis, bursitis, or ligament injury. These areas are painful to touch and trigger radiating pain into other areas of the body.
​Shoulder trigger points for example will radiate into the neck ear and behind the eye and can be the root cause of headaches and migraines etc.
Lower back and disk pain can be the result of chronic trigger points in the quadratus lumborus which can lead to disk compression and sciatic pain.
 
The area of a trigger point will have a higher PH level and contain a build up of acidic metabolic waste and will send neurological pain signals to the brain which will then try to avoid contraction and further irritation of that area leading to muscle weakness and the cause of postural and functional imbalances.  

Apart from causing radiating pain, these areas of localised chronic muscle fibre contractions put a compression or loading force on joints - a tight and weakened  muscle equals a tight joint leading to bad posture and adverse muscle compensation patterns.
If left untreated  this can lead to uneven wear patterns on the cartilage of joints and be a cause arthritic conditions, it is also thought trigger points can be the start of fibromyalgia.

Rubbing the skin in these painful areas won't work, deep tissue massage and pressures, trigger point therapy and acupuncture will help in the treatment of these painful points. 
Depending on the length of time you have had trigger points will determine the length of time needed to treat them.

Trigger points respond well to Ultrasound therapy and remedial massage treatments including muscle strength exercises which will assist in rehabilitation and recovery of the affected muscle fibres.

In the assessment it will be important to find the source of muscle fatigue, this could be from general postural issues and be related to work, repetitive movements etc. Postural changes will have occurred and it is vital to address these or trigger point pain will return.