Spondylosis is a degenerative condition of the spine. It is also known as spinal osteoarthritis. There are two common types of spondylosis: Cervical, which affects the neck, and lumbar, which affects the lower back.

Causes

According to experts, spondylosis is mainly caused by aging. When a person gets older, they tend to exert their bones and cartilages more with every movement, and this causes wear and tear. When this happens, the cushioning in the spinal discs decreases and the bones develop spurs. This results in pain.

Risk Factors

There are a lot of factors that could put someone at risk for this degenerative disease and these include the following:

• Diet
• History of injury
• History of spinal surgery
• Mental health problems
• Smoking
• Sedentary work

Symptoms

Pain in the affected part is one of the most common symptoms of both cervical and lumbar spondylosis. However, the symptom could extend to other areas of the body. It tends to be more severe at the beginning and the end of the day. Other symptoms include numbness, tenderness in the area, tingling, and feelings of weakness.

Spondylosis symptoms develop over time. In some cases, however, symptoms occur all of a sudden. It is recommended to have this condition treated as early as possible because if these symptoms remain untreated, it could result in certain complications such as chronic pain and muscle function loss.

Treatment

While some patients prefer to treat spondylosis with conventional medicine, others prefer chiropractic treatment as this option does not need medications or surgery. Chiropractic treatment restores spinal joint mobility which helps reduce pain as well as improving your overall health.

Chiropractic treatment has a range of methods including spinal adjustment, heat or cold therapy, lifestyle modification, and ultrasound. Most people, as they get older, suffer from spondylosis and this is one of the main conditions we treat at our chiropractic clinics in Chester and North Wales.

What is Active Release Technique?

Active Release Technique (ART) was developed by Dr. P. Michael Leahy and is a soft tissue management technique. Some of his patients presented symptoms relating to changes in their soft tissues. Most of all Dr Leahy observed that he could affect change by using his hands . In addition, he was able to resolve his patients’ problems by noticing how the muscles and ligaments, the nerves and tendons, and fascia all respond to different techniques.

Active Release Technique is a massage technique based on the soft tissues and movement.  Furthermore it can effectively treat the muscles and ligaments, tendons and fascia, including the nerves.

Active Release Technique treats many common problems caused by muscle overuse. These problems include:

• Back pain
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Headaches
• Knee problems
• Neck pain
• Plantar fasciitis
• Sciatica
• Shin splints
• Shoulder pain
• Tennis elbow

How does muscle overuse happen?

Muscles that are overused and other soft tissues tend to change in three different ways: such as when acute conditions like pulls and tears occur or when there is a build up of microtrauma (small tears of the muscle tissues). Also when these tissues do not get adequate oxygen supply (tissue hypoxia).

Over a period of time these factors result in scar tissue production in the area affected. This build up of scar tissue will tighten all the other tissues therefore restricting their free movement. The muscles become shorter and weaker and will eventually result in nerve entrapment and tendonitis. This will cause the patient to experience a decreased range of motion, additional pain and reduced muscle strength. So if nerve entrapment occurs, the patient is most likely to experience weakness, numbness, and tingling.

How is ART treatment carried out?

Active Release Therapy is carried out by an ART therapist using their hands to assess the tightness, texture, and movement of the muscles including the ligaments, tendons, fascia, and nerves. The affected tissues can be treated by using a combination of specific muscle movements as well as applying specific and direct pressures. An example of this may be when a chiropractor presses into the muscle at the top of the patients arm whilst gently moving the arm at the same time. 

Introduction
Standard Massage Techniques
Deep Tissue Massage/Remedial Massage
Sports Massage
Trigger Point Therapy
Active Release Technique (ART)
Myofascial Release
Positional Release (Strain Counterstrain)
Visceral Manipulation

What is Myofascial Release?

Myofascial release is a massage technique that is carried out to treat recurring pain resulting from injuries. It has been used for over a hundred years and is proven to be effective. It is a hands-on therapy that can greatly improve the condition of the fascia. The goals of this massage technique are to re-establish proper posture and to loosen up the myofascia and the muscle. It releases tightness throughout the body and relieves pain.

Myofascial release technique is used to relax the deep tissue of the body and restore the health of the fascia. It is very effective in providing long term relief to the patient.

What is Myofascia?

The myofascia is a dense tissue that covers and enfolds the muscles and bones in the whole body from the head to the toes. The fascia or the outer covering is tough and flexible if it is in a healthy state.  This outer covering presents a web-like appearance when it’s examined under a microscope.  Any damage to an area of the myofascia can greatly affect remote parts of the body even years after the damage has occurred.

The myofascia, if healthy, is relaxed, supple, and flexible. It can stretch and/or move without limitations which also helps to maintain proper posture and good range of motion. It keeps the muscles strong and protects the body from injuries and stress.

When a person experiences inflammation or any physical trauma such as whiplash, the myofascia loses its flexibility and as a result becomes stuck and hardened. It could cause tension and restriction in motion throughout the body. Other factors such as surgery and poor posture can also affect the myofascia over time. Sitting in one position for too long can also result in myofascial pain.

Damage to the myofascia can result in the following problems:

• hronic neck and back pain
• Decreased flexibility
• Difficulty breathing
• Headaches
• Muscle aches
• Muscle spasms
• Numbness
• Pins-and-needles sensation
• Poor posture
• Recurrent injuries
• Sciatica

What can a patient expect from a Myofascial Release treatment?

Myofascial release treatments usually last from 15 minutes to more than an hour. Depending on the patient’s condition, the pressure may range from mild, gentle pressure to deep. This technique is perfectly safe; however, there are instances where the patient may feel a very light, burning sensation on the skin. This is normal and will pass quickly.

Myofascial Release can effectively treat rigid fascial tissue by re-organizing and releasing it, making it more relaxed, flexible, and soft. Myofascial release helps restore and maintain the movement and health of the tissue. It enables the body to move without pain.  

Introduction
Standard Massage Techniques
Deep Tissue Massage/Remedial Massage
Sports Massage
Trigger Point Therapy
Active Release Technique (ART)
Myofascial Release
Positional Release (Strain Counterstrain)
Visceral Manipulation

What is Visceral Manipulation?

Visceral manipulation is a massage technique developed by Jean-Pierre Barral, a French osteopath. He wanted to know the connection between the internal organs of the body and the musculoskeletal system, and how one affects the other. This hands-on therapy works on many parts of the body though more specifically on the internal organs or the visceral system.

According to Jean-Pierre Barral, “We must catch the rhythm of the tissue; each person has their own special rhythm. We must feel first and think after – otherwise we are lost!”

Each organ in the body is surrounded by a kind of connective tissue called the fascia. In a normal state of health, the organs should be able to move in their own physiological motion. Moreover, if there is a restriction in the fascia then it can affect the fascia that surrounds other areas too. The fascia needs to be flexible for the organs to move properly.

There are a number of factors that can affect the fascia and the organs, including infections, injuries, surgeries, and physical and emotional trauma.

We often use visceral manipulation at our clinics in Chester and St Asaph, North Wales.

How Does Visceral Manipulation Work?

This is a non-invasive, gentle massage therapy done by a trained practitioner. It is a collection of different techniques and rhythmic motions with its main goal being to improve the function, tone, and mobility of the viscera. It can also be used to restore flexibility to the fascia.

Visceral manipulation is a very effective way to heal numerous conditions including those caused by accidents, surgeries, and trauma. It can be particularly useful for digestive problems as well as tension headaches, and other physical pain. Furthermore it helps to alleviate and relieve any irregular tension points around the body.

While more recent injuries heal faster using visceral manipulation there are others such as older traumas may require further sessions before any improvement is noticed.

Introduction
Standard Massage Techniques
Deep Tissue Massage/Remedial Massage
Sports Massage
Trigger Point Therapy
Active Release Technique (ART)
Myofascial Release
Positional Release (Strain Counterstrain)
Visceral Manipulation