The practical therapist

I have been working as a therapist for ten years in an office focussing on orthopedics, surgery and sport physiotherapy. I am dealing with patients suffering from pain and limited movement ability, reducing their capacity and quality of life, on a daily basis.

In my therapy I am concentrating on reducing and resolving these symptoms. However, the circumstances of everyday life are making this endeavour more difficult. In real life the patient visits twice a week for a twenty minute therapy session. The remaining time s/he is on his/her own. It is therefore vital to actively engage the patient in the therapy and to give him/her home exercises to do in their own time.

The patient at home

The most important criteria for independent exercise include comprehensive exercises that can be easily applied. I have experienced it many times that the exercises were not done because they were too complicated and their proper execution could not be remembered. Or the right utensils were missing to do the exercises at home. This does not only cause frustration, but does not help to improve the condition. Another experience is that people are training their strength and stretching intensively on a daily basis, among other things, but without success. In this case the problem lies in the fact that the exercises are not targeted. Doing a lot does not always help a lot.

What is the origin of the pain?

Wrong posture, overload or a lack of physical activity can lead to hardened and adhered fascia tissue. Fascia, or connective tissue, surround all our muscles, bones and organs like a spiderweb. They are critical for power transmission and coordination.

If the elasticity of the fascia* is reduced by adhesion, movement is limited and pain is caused. This can lead to additional triggerpoints. Myofascial triggerpoints* are points within a tense muscle bundle of a skeletal muscle or of a fascia. These are characterized by pressure pain and referred pain. (Source:
*More sources below

What is effective treatment?

Self Myofascial Release (SMR) is highly suitable to achieve the highest possible effect in a short time. Using this method, everyone, whether s/he is an athlete or a couch potato, gains the opportunity and the knowledge to treat him/herself and release him/herself from pain.

Here those areas are specifically targeted that are responsible for the problem. These are the specific pain locations, as well as remote areas that are functionally connected to the problem. The treatment should be as targeted to specific points as possible.

Especially on the shoulder and back area the foam roller for example has its limitations. It is difficult to reach these areas independently and to apply sufficient pressure. The stimulus has to reach a certain threshold to be effective.

It is important to understand that in order to release the original pain, additional pain has to first be triggered. The treatment can therefore be relatively uncomfortable. But it is this stimulus that the body reacts to by decreasing the tone. This provides the fascia tissue with improved movability again, thereby reducing the symptoms.

The Backrelease is always ready

The Backrelease offers the possibility to effectively treat oneself at any time. The application is easy and easily comprehensive. Thanks to the long handle it is possible to reach areas of the back that are normally almost inaccessible, without any problem.

The different attachments allow an increase in intensity without the need to apply more strength. The work of the therapist can therefore be perfectly complemented by the Backrelease and continued at home. As the self massage device can be easily disassembled, it can be taken along on any trip or journey. It therefore invalidates any excuses to not continue therapy.

No matter when or where. Your therapist is always with you.

Laura, a physiotherapist for ten years