Aches and stiffness become common for many people as the
colder days of autumn soon to be followed by the winter season envelopes
Winnipeg. Many people rush to get their yard work done before the snow hits and
this, too, can cause strain on your joints and muscles. Once the snow comes
we're out there with our shovels, cleaning sidewalks and driveways - and often
with strenuous impact on our bodies. As 2014
rapidly draws to a close, Academy
Massage would like to remind our valued clients that you may still have
unused private insurance coverage and that now might be the perfect time to
take advantage of these benefits. Whether for therapy for an existing physical
condition or to get your muscles ready and in shape for the long winter ahead -
or maybe just to treat yourself to the relaxation professional massage can
provide, we encourage you to fill out the year with a visit to our office.
The hip flexors are a group of
muscles at the front of the hip that attach from the lower spine and upper
pelvis to the groin and upper thighs. Their function is to allow you to lift
your knees and bend at the waist. The hip flexors are also responsible for
keeping your hips and lumbar region strong, as well as allowing for flexibility
and maintaining proper alignment. Located deep in the abdominal cavity, they
are some of the strongest muscles in the body yet a network we generally take
for granted - until through strain or injury we tear one or more of the hip
flexor muscles.
Hip flexor strains can occur if
the muscles are overdeveloped, tight, stiff or short and are exposed to a swift,
sudden contraction. Some indicators that a problem has developed include: stiff
legs, lower back pain, immobility, swelling, bruising, and - although rare - muscle
spasms. In addition, you might suffer from poor balance and problems with your
posture. Walking or even standing for prolonged periods can also prove
difficult and your gait may be accompanied by a limp.
There are three grades of hip
flexor strains, ranging from small fiber tearing (where there is pain but full activity
function is not compromised) to significant (resulting in a moderate loss of
function) to severe, where all the muscle fibers are damaged (causing a major
loss of function). The pain is characterized by a sudden sharp ache in the
front of the hip or groin at the time of the injury which can cause an immediate
cessation to your activity. Or it is not uncommon for pain and stiffness to become
evident until after a period of rest, especially upon waking in the morning.
Because these muscles can become
sore and strained from overuse due to exercise and any repeated physical activity,
athletes are most prone to hip flexor strain, particularly runners or martial
artists. But hip flexor strain is also common among those who spend long
periods in a sedentary environment, such as sitting for continuous hours at a
computer or office work station. Without regular stretching and activity this
can lead to a shortening and tightening of your hip flexors. The correct physical therapy is imperative
to speed up the healing process as well as decrease the likelihood of a
recurrence in the future. The licensed therapists at Academy Massage are qualified to treat hip flexor strain. Our massage therapy will help alleviate your soreness. This involves a technique where we stretch
your hip flexors manually and release tissues in your lower back, inner and
outer thighs and quadriceps. Our massage session is intended to reset your
tissues and muscles to a normal state in addition to helping increase
circulation which aids in a faster recovery. We may recommend corrective at-home
exercises to increase your mobility and prevent further pain, but we discuss
the suitability and degree of this procedure with our clients based on each
individual case.
At Academy Massage we encourage mobility and employ the latest methods
to keep our valued clients on their feet.
