7th - 13th Spetember 2020

At least one in three people are diagnosed with cancer, and successfully completing treatment is often just their first step in an arduous journey back to health. That’s why My Physio in Timaru is supporting New Zealand’s pioneering cancer rehabilitation organisation PINC & STEEL in its launch of the world’s first Cancer Rehabilitation Awareness Week, 7-13th September, 2020.

“The impact of cancer on a person’s daily life is immediate and striking,” says PINC & STEEL Chief Executive Lou James (MNZM). “Often it’s only the survivors and their loved ones who know the real physical and emotional toll and ongoing difficulties cancer treatment can bring.”

“Cancer rehabilitation can have a major influence on ‘quality’ of life, both during and after treatment. The trouble is people don’t know that there is help available and the benefits it can bring to their daily life,” says Pam Allan, physiotherapist at My Physio which provides PINC & STEEL’s revolutionary cancer rehabilitation programs. 

Ms James agrees. “Historically the advice to cancer patients was to rest and avoid activity. We now know this advice may be harmful to patients, and every person with cancer would benefit from cancer rehab support to ensure they are physically active,” she explains. “There is very strong evidence to show people affected by cancer who participate in exercise experience fewer and less severe side effects from treatments. They also have a lower relative risk of cancer recurring.” 

July 2020

Did you know as part of our Cancer Rehabilitation services, we offer Next Steps?

NEXT STEPS is a group exercise program for men and women who have finished their main cancer treatment and want to take the next steps on their road to recovery. The Program combines the best pilates, yoga and cardiovascular exercises for a workout that is specifically designed to help rebuild strength, flexibility and stamina.

The Program runs for one hour per week for ten weeks and is specifically designed to help people affected by cancer. It is suitable after any type of cancer surgery or treatment and accommodates all ages, fitness levels and mobility. Weekly take-home resources and exercise handouts are included. 

What the programme will do for you?

• Improved strength and mobility
• Increase energy levels
• Strengthen core muscles and improve posture
• Reclaim body confidence and control
• Reduce treatment related side effects
• Improve stamina and fitness
• Improve breathing and reduce stress
• Help you integrate regular exercise into your life
• Allow you to laugh, relax and have fun
• Connect with other people on a similar journey to you

June 2020

Did you know that time pressures, financial pressures, complex social interactions with families, change, resilience  and expectations from others and ourselves, ALL impact on our stress levels and this has a direct relationship with breathing. 

We do need a small amount of stress to function well, but we often don’t find the right balance. With increased stress, the autonomic nervous system moves from parasympathetic (calm) to sympathetic (fight or flight). This causes our heart beat to increase and our breathing gets shallower and faster, it’s all part of the fight or flight reaction. 

We take for granted breathing but little do we know how huge the physiological effects are of poor breathing. They creep up on us and are difficult to put a finger on!!

7 May 2020

A new term of myphysio classes have just begun and with the COVID pandemic we have moved online!

This was very successful towards the end of Term 1 so we are continuing it, most likely well beyond the pandemic! And… with it being online it opens up our very popular classes up to more people.

We have a range of classes that we teach, our foundation class being the Pilates class, followed by a stePilates class and finally a Piloga class, you get the theme, it all started with Pilates and then we blended some other disciplines in.

 

Our Pilates classes are a range of mainly mat-based exercises based on the work of Joseph Pilates. Predominantly working on the core stabilising muscles of the trunk, it incorporates smooth, controlled floor exercises. Our exercises combined with our breathing method ensures you are working at submaximal loading and maintaining control so that you are protecting and supporting the pelvic floor and other potential herniations. A stronger deep abdominal core means that you will have better muscle efficiencies and movements.

Jan 2020

A new year of myphysio classes are just around the corner. Term 1 starts January 27th and ends April 9th 2020. For more info on the classes and fees CLICK HERE for more info.

 

Our Pilates classes are a range of mainly mat-based exercises based on the work of Joseph Pilates. Predominantly working on the core stabilising muscles of the trunk, it incorporates smooth, controlled floor exercises. Our exercises combined with our breathing method ensures you are working at submaximal loading and maintaining control so that you are protecting and supporting the pelvic floor and other potential herniations. A stronger deep abdominal core means that you will have better muscle efficiencies and movements.

Pilates is ideal for improving overall well-being, injury rehabilitation and prevention, and is suited to augment gym or sports fitness programmes, it takes time and commitment. It would be classed as resistance training rather than cardiovascular training.

Our stePilates class has emerged from us doing the Pinc NEXT STEPS programme. The class combines the best pilates, yoga and cardiovascular exercises for a workout that is specifically designed to help with strength, flexibility and stamina.

A new year is just around the corner and with the new year comes new classes of Pilates at MyPhysio. Term 1 starts January 29th and ends April 13th 2018. For more info on the classes and fees CLICK HERE for more info.

Selective functional movement Screen & Functional movement screen (SFMS & FMS)

Gray Cook, FMS;

"Do you know the number one risk factor for injury? Yep, previous injury—too many individuals are cleared for activity before they are free from the vital signs that demonstrate lack of competency—resulting from poor adaptation, previous injury or poor environmental choices. Current systems are not working."

SFMA and FMS are a powerful paradigm shift in exercise and rehabilitation.

Are you in pain? Do you always get injured? 

Maybe your pain area isn't your main problem, what is the cause not source of your pain?

"The SFMA is the movement based diagnostic system, designed to clinically assess 7 fundamental movement patterns in those with known musculoskeletal pain. The assessment provides an efficient method to systematically find the cause of symptoms, not just the source, by logically breaking down dysfunctional patterns and diagnosing their root cause as either a mobility problem or a stability/motor control problem.

This systematic process allows clinicians to clearly match their intervention to the main problem of the patient. This model efficiently integrates the concepts of altered motor control, the neurodevelopmental perspective, and regional interdependence into musculoskeletal practice." FMS

"We use the SFMA to shorten the rest of our exam so we don’t have to do all that ROM testing. It’s like a bull’s-eye on what we need to focus on." FMS

Endorsement of FMS;

“When it comes to identifying the root cause of any movement dysfunction or painful pattern, there is no one better than Gray Cook. His Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA) is the most thorough but simple method to help you pinpoint your clients' primary dysfunctions. We have been using the SFMA at Titleist with all our players for the past year, and the results are unbelievable.”

Dr. Greg Rose - Co-Founder of the Titleist Performance Institute

It’s that time of year again when pressures start to pile on. Time pressures, financial pressures, complex social interactions with families and friends and the expectations from others and ourselves.
We do need a small amount of stress to function well, but we often don’t find the right balance. With increased stress, the autonomic nervous system moves from parasympathetic (calm) to sympathetic (fight or flight). This causes our heart beat to increase and our breathing gets shallower and faster, it’s all part of the fight or flight reaction. Symptoms of stress can include: Palpitations, dizziness, indigestion or heartburn, tension headaches, aching muscles, trembling or eye twitches, Diarrhoea, frequent urination, insomnia, tiredness or impotence. Severe stress can lead to panic attacks, chest pains, phobias and fears of being seriously ill.

Cancer Rehabilitation

Cancer is a major health issue for New Zealanders. One in three New Zealanders will have some experience of cancer, either personally or through a relative or friend. With earlier cancer diagnosis, new and improved treatments, survival rates are higher than ever. But, with little or no rehabilitation support, patients are often faced with downward spiralling cycle of illness, treatment and deconditioning. Patients fear of losing independence and progressively debilitating disease is among the most distressing concerns of this patient group. Functional decline fosters a sense of helplessness and vulnerability.