Mr A, a gentleman in his early 50s, visited with Achilles heel soreness. This was caused as a result of a football incident, but it was also preventing him from running. Mr A was assessed with a range of movement and special tests and his dysfunctions were identified. He was then treated with massage, including including trigger point therapy, ( TPT), soft tissue therapy (STR) and muscle energy techniques, (METs). Mobilisation exercises and stretches were also offered to Mr A to help in his recovery.

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Mr A kindly sent this testimonial by mail a few days post treatment:

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Having picked up an injury with regards to my Left Achilles approximately 6 weeks ago through playing 5 a side football, I made an appointment with Vicky Cobb of The Firm last Tuesday 10th December at 7pm. I gained her contact details from information on Poole Athletic Club FB page, of which I am a member of.

Vicky gave me her expert professional advice and massaged and manipulated the said area, along with my left calf muscle. During the hour consultation she also showed me exercises to carry out showing examples whilst I was there and also to carry out whilst at home. These will and are most definitely helping my recovery with regards to my strain and hopefully I will be back up and running in the foreseeable future.

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I will have no hesitation in recommending Vicky to anybody that has aches and strains that need expert to assist.

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The Firm says:

Thank you so much for choosing us. We're so glad the treatment has been so effective and wish you the very best in your recovery. We hope you're up and running again soon!

Mrs B, a lady in her 30s, came in with an old (over one year) injury to her calf, tightness in upper legs and a sore hip from a fall. Although these injuries were not preventing her from her activities, they were an annoying pain.

After assessing Mrs B with a range of movement and special tests, massage was applied to her lower and upper legs and also the smaller glute muscles nearer the hip. Techniques included, soft tissue therapy ( STR), trigger point therapy ( TPT) and also muscle energy techniques ( METs). Mrs B was also offered a range of stretches to help with tightness.

A few days later, Mrs B messaged to say:

Hi Vicky, Legs have been a bit looser, didn’t do much running last week but the runs I did my legs remained strong. Trying to be good and do the stretches, and will continue with these as do think the legs are in need of it, still tight in the glute area.

The Firm replies:

Thank you Mrs B for coming in. We’re glad that the legs are feeling better. After an injury, such as one to the hip, further treatment can sometimes be required and we hope you choose us if you decide to do that. Glad to hear that you are stretching as this is so important to maintain the flexibility of muscles!

Mrs C, a lady in her 40s, came in with a sore neck. This injury was as a result of a fall and subsequent blow to the back of the neck. We can neither confirm nor deny the addition of gin into the equation. Mrs C was finding it uncomfortable throughout the day, and also when moving at night and getting up in the morning. In addition, her neck area was seizing up and going into spasm with very little warning. Mrs C reported that it could reach pain levels of 10/10 at its worse. Range of movement and special tests revealed very little mobility in the neck and shoulder area and so a neck and shoulder massage was applied. Several trigger points were located and dealt with, and muscle energy techniques to the neck muscles meant an immediate improved range of movement and discomfort levels for Mrs C. The next week, Mrs C reported that she had had the first nights of unbroken sleep since the accident, due to the reduction in pain in the neck area. She is also planning to book back in to stop any recurrence. The Firm says: Thank you so much for choosing to come to us. We are so very glad that you have enjoyed such an immediate positive outcome after your injury. After such a sensitive injury, further massage may be needed to stabilise and maintain the area. Please do come back if this problem reoccurs!

Mrs D, a lady in her early 50s, came in with pain either side of her knee. Knees can be a bit tricky as they may be painful for many reasons, such as issues with the ankle or hip joints, not to mention several possible causes, such as ligament sprain and bursae involved at the actual knee joint.

Upon careful assessment and palpation, it was found that she had pain near her Pes Anserine or Sergeant bursa on her knee and also discomfort in her lateral collateral ligament. This ligament helps keep the knee stable and from moving outward.

Although these conditions cannot be mended or ‘cured’ by sports massage, massage is effective in maintaining the surrounding muscles. These muscles are then able to work more efficiently and so strengthen and allow them to support these weakened structures. This was Mrs D’s aim as she has entered into a marathon this spring and was returning to running. No small feat!

During treatment, amongst other techniques, Mrs D had Trigger point therapy to her quadriceps and hamstrings to eliminate neuromuscular trouble spots. She also had soft tissue release to her calves and muscles near her shin. This was to eliminate adhesions. We finished with METs or stretching to the quadriceps to help improve her range of stretch in this area.

Within a week Mrs D was up and jogging 13.5 miles and did not need a repeat treatment. She reported a small amount of pain on starting so using heat (you can get as a pack or spray) was recommended to warm up and mobilise, and also ice to eliminate inflammation post run.

The Firm says:

Thank you for choosing us. We are so very pleased for your progress. The very best of luck with your marathon!!

Mrs E, a lady in her early 30s, came in with painful right hip flexors and tight calves. She is training for a half marathon this spring but was finding it difficult to train as when she stepped up her distance, her legs became sore and stiff. At times she was struggling to walk. Upon careful questioning, testing and palpation, it was found that she actually also had tight adductor muscles, ( the ones that draw the leg across the body- movement like getting into a car) but had not realised.

Mrs E needed massage to both leg, with attention to the adductors on the right. During treatment, a band of tight tissue with trigger points was found on her adductors and treated. These eased straight away in the session. Mrs E was given some specific stretches and exercises for her recovery and training.

Mrs E said,

“I am currently training for a half marathon and came to vicky as I knew there were certain problem areas in my legs however was unsure of origin and exact location to where to focus stretches etc. Vicky was very quick to identify the problem areas, almost immediately, and was VERY thorough when working through the tightness identifying certain trigger points to focus on. She gave very useful advice as to how to engage my glutes to stop my legs taking on a lot of the strain and gave some great stretches to aid recovery. I will certainly be returning for regular MOTs!”

The Firm replies,

Thank you for choosing us. We are so glad you have had such a positive experience and look forward to seeing you for maintenance massages. The very best of luck with your half marathon training!

Mrs F, a lady in her early 40s, came in wanting a maintenance massage on her lower legs, as she is taking part in an Iron Man triathlon in New Zealand this spring. Many clients who are training come in for a maintenance massage approximately once a month, to prevent any tightness, knots or trigger points from accumulating, so that their muscles and soft tissues can work at optimal levels.

During the massage, a range of treatments were carried out, including trigger point therapy in order to minimise neuromuscular hot spots, soft tissue release to iron out adhesions and METs to allow muscles more range of stretch.

Feedback from Mrs F

“Hi Vicky, thanks for following up. I've just completed my first run in 2 weeks (due to mild lurgy) and I feel amazing! I'm about to do a nice 'yoga for runners' session to stretch out.

No calf niggles, which i think is due to the fab massage rather than fortnight rest - so thanks for that!

Still trying to get --- to find some time to come see you too. I'll prompt him tonight.”

The Firm replies,

Good luck with the Iron Man – looking forward to seeing you afterwards and hearing all about it!

Mr and Mrs G, a couple in their 60s came in with back pain. Mr G had had a bad back since his 20s. Mrs G had lower back pain and was building back up to jogging after some time out. Both were given full back massages, with treatments including, soft tissue release, trigger point therapy, connective tissue therapy and METs.

Mrs G was given stretches and exercises for her hip flexors and glutes, which can cause lower back pain if dysfunctional.

Feedback from Mrs G

“Hi Vicky

We both thoroughly enjoyed the massages last week.

I have been doing all the exercises you recommended and really trying at the flutes one and can now do each side independently

*** was very impressed with his massage and it appears to have helped his issues enormously.

We will be in contact to arrange another session……

Many thanks again”

The Firm replies:

It was so lovely to meet you both. Thank you for choosing us. I’m glad that you have had such a positive response to treatment and keep up the good work on the exercises and stretches. It will be so worth it!

Mrs H, a lady in her early 40s, came in with an old inversion ankle sprain (where the foot twists towards the body). She had first injured her ankle in summer 2018, then repeated the ankle sprain again in summer 2019. After recovery, she was trying to get back to running but was finding this painful and so was cycling to keep fit.

Upon testing, observations and palpation, Mrs H was found to have fibrous tissue built up around her CFL or Calcaneofibular ligament. This ligament is found on the outside of the ankle, towards the back of the heel and is one of the ligaments commonly sprained in an inversion injury.

During massage, Deep Frictions were applied to this ligament. Deep frictions help break down fibrous tissue. This therapy can be a little uncomfortable and icing is offered afterwards. In addition, trigger points were found and treated on the opposing muscles.

Feedback from Mrs H

“Thank you Vicky. I think you definitely help and I think that I would like to see you again if that’s ok? I’m going to see how it goes in the next couple of weeks.”

The Firm replies:

Thank you for your feedback. Its great to hear that you’re improving. Looking forwards to working with you again soon.