As a Myotherapist and Remedial Massage Therapist, I really enjoy treating a wide range of conditions, but there are a few areas that I’m particularly passionate about.
One of the things I enjoy most about my work is being able to look beyond the area where someone feels pain and consider how different parts of the body work together.
The place where you feel pain is not always the place where the problem starts, and understanding why comes down to something called the kinetic chain.
What is the kinetic chain?
The kinetic chain is a simple way of describing how the joints and muscles of the lower limb work together as one connected system. When you run, jump or squat, force travels up through the foot, ankle, knee and hip in sequence. Each link in the chain shares the load, and each one depends on the links above and below it doing their job.
One of my main interests is sports-related injuries and lower limb conditions, particularly looking at how the foot, ankle, knee and hip all work together as part of the body’s kinetic chain.
When one link affects another
I find it really interesting how an issue in one area can sometimes influence movement and function elsewhere. For example, changes around the foot or ankle can affect how the knee and hip move during activities such as running, jumping, squatting and changing direction.
A common example is an old ankle strain. If the ankle has lost some of its normal movement, the body can make up for it elsewhere, and the knee is often the joint that takes on the extra work. Something similar can happen in the other direction. How the hip controls the leg during running or landing can influence the position and loading of the knee below it.
This is why assessing only the sore spot can miss part of the picture. Treating the area where you feel pain matters, but so does looking along the chain for anything that may be contributing to it. For runners, this whole-of-chain approach is exactly what our running assessment is built around.
Who I work with
I particularly enjoy working with runners, gym-goers and field-sport athletes. Whether someone is managing an existing injury, dealing with an ongoing niggle or simply looking to improve their movement and performance, I enjoy helping them understand what may be contributing to their symptoms.
I find it rewarding to support people through recovery, help them move more comfortably and confidently, and ultimately get them back to the activities they enjoy.
What to expect in a myotherapy session
A session usually starts with a conversation about your history, your training and what you have noticed. From there we look at how you move, not just the area that hurts, before moving into hands-on treatment. You will also leave with practical advice you can use between sessions, because what you do day to day matters just as much as what happens on the treatment table.
Myotherapy at Complete works alongside our physiotherapy team, so if your assessment suggests you would benefit from input from one of our physiotherapists as well, that referral happens easily within the clinic.
Why I enjoy this work
What I enjoy most about myotherapy is being able to combine hands-on treatment with an understanding of movement and the demands people place on their bodies.
Ultimately, my goal is to help people reduce pain and muscle tension, improve movement and get back to doing the things they enjoy, whether that’s running, training, playing sport or simply getting through the day more comfortably.
Book an appointment
If you are dealing with a lower limb injury or a niggle that keeps coming back, you can book a myotherapy appointment with Giacomo online.
Bookings are required for all appointments.
