Pain Explained
Pain, whether acute/injury-related or chronic, is often what brings someone to an osteopath. In my practice, I’ve learned a lot about the deeper into the roots of pain and how patients can successfully stay pain free.
When Can an Osteopath Help?
Interview with Matthew Stevens, Body & Soul’s Osteopath and Medical Massage Specialist B&S: Can you explain a bit about what an osteopath does? M.S: Osteopathy is a form of manual medicine that focuses on total body health and the musculoskeletal system (joints, spine and muscles). Treatment aims to help the body’s nervous, circulatory and lymphatic systems to function better for optimal wellness. An osteopath treats pain and injury, but can also provide...
Medical Massage v. Relaxing Massage
There are many spas and health centers in Shanghai offering relaxing massages, which in skilled hands can provide relief from the stresses and strains of daily life and a chance to pamper yourself and unwind. Apart from feeling great, a good relaxing massage have many health benefits which shouldn’t be underestimated, such as relieving minor aches and strains and giving the body a bit of much needed care. A relaxing...
Preventing Injuries at the Gym
Yoga is a great practice for body and mind. However, it is important to listen to your body when practicing yoga and to focus on your own incremental progress, rather than competing against others. Yoga should not be painful, and any feelings of pain should be avoided. It seems there are many yoga classes popping up in Shanghai and it is difficult for instructors to focus on individuals in classes...
Introducing Matthew Stevens, Medical Massage Therapist and Chronic Injury Specialist
I lived and worked in New Zealand for several years. After that, I was pondering a move home, but my interest in martial arts took me to Japan.I spent three years there training and competing in mixed martial arts and continuing my work with many contacts I met through the gyms where I trained. I worked with a number of athletes there and back home in the U.K. Working alongside many...
Spring Foot Health: Put Your Best Foot Forward
The colder weather is quickly becoming a distant memory. As the warmer months kick in, we find ourselves coming out of our self-induced winter cocoons to partake in the fun and socialising that comes with Shanghai’s summer. With a change of season comes a change in the types of problems that podiatrists see on a regular basis. Following are a few of the common ones, with some easy pointers to...
Chiropractic Care in Shanghai
Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a branch of osteopathic cranial work, popularized by John Upledger D.O.. The cranial concept was first developed by an osteopath called William Garner Sutherland in the early 20th century. Since Sutherland, there have been many practitioners like Upledger who have further developed the theory and other branches of the practice. Who needs a chiropractor? A typical patient of mine works 10 hours/day and may sit in a car...
Addressing Back Pain
Some things you can do every day to keep muscles balanced and avoid the likelihood of pain: • Plan some exercise into every day. Do what you enjoy to stay motivated. You don’t necessarily have to go to the gym. Consider walking, riding a bike to work, or taking classes such as yoga or dance. • Move around as much as possible when you’re at the office. Take short breaks to stand...
The Relationship between Dental Issues and Osteopathy
The musculoskeletal system of the body works to keep the eyes horizontally aligned; the head is key in converging with body posture to maintain this alignment. A misalignment in the jaw can cause posture dysfunction and numerous resulting symptoms. If the jaw is misaligned, jaw muscles have to work harder, thus getting fatigued. This in turn can lead to headaches, eye or sinus pain, pain in the neck, shoulder and...
FAQs about Lymphatic Drainage
What is lymphatic drainage? Manual lymphatic drainage is a type of gentle, targeted massage used to encourage drainage of the lymphatic system, which carries waste products away from the tissues and back toward the heart. It is a highly effective treatment for chronic edema (swelling). What causes lymphedema (AKA edema)? The lymphatic system is an important part of our circulatory system, processing large amounts of body fluid and filtering waste products, bacteria and...