Escape Pain with Heritage Physiotherapy & Co

What is ESCAPE-Pain?

ESCAPE-Pain, short for Enabling Self-management and Coping with Arthritic Pain through Exercise, is an evidence-based rehabilitation program designed to help individuals with chronic joint pain, particularly from osteoarthritis, manage their symptoms more effectively. The program integrates education and exercise, providing participants with the tools and knowledge they need to take control of their condition.

The Core Components

The ESCAPE-Pain program typically runs over six weeks, with sessions held twice a week. Each session combines two key components:

1. Exercise: Tailored to individual abilities, the exercise component focuses on improving strength, balance, and overall physical function. It’s designed to be accessible and effective, helping participants build confidence in their movements and reduce pain.
2. Education: Knowledge is power, and the educational part of the program covers a range of topics, including the nature of chronic joint pain, the benefits of physical activity, pain management strategies, and the importance of staying active. Participants also share experiences and support each other, fostering a sense of community.

Benefits of ESCAPE-Pain

Research has shown that ESCAPE-Pain offers significant benefits for participants:

• Reduced Pain: Regular exercise and better pain management techniques lead to noticeable reductions in pain levels.
• Improved Mobility: Participants often experience enhanced mobility and a greater ability to perform daily activities.
• Enhanced Mental Well-being: The social aspect and the sense of achievement from managing their condition can improve mental health and combat feelings of isolation and depression.

Personal Stories

One of the most powerful aspects of ESCAPE-Pain is the personal stories of transformation. For example, Jane, a participant, found that after completing the program, she could walk her dog again without discomfort, which greatly improved her quality of life. Stories like Jane’s highlight the real-world impact and effectiveness of the program. Find out more at ESCAPE-pain.

Hands on physiotherapy session

What does the ‘Hands on’ Physiotherapy session involve?

Heritage Physiotherapy & Co deliver the highest quality assessment and treatment for a variety of conditions. The founder, Nikki is man experienced clinician in the treatment of osteoarthritis and was heavily involved in the provision of ESCAPE pain when working in the NHS. Nikki now combined her knowledge of OA and the ESCAPE programme to form the ultimate treatment experience. The ‘Hands On’ part of the programme offers you a change to talk about your symptoms and not feel rushed. You then receive hands on treatment, massage, soft tissue work and other holistic treatments to help manage your symptoms. Please see information below*

Benefits of Massage Therapy for Osteoarthritis

Massage therapy can offer several benefits for individuals with osteoarthritis: Massage therapy involves manipulating the soft tissues of the body, such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This manipulation can be achieved through various techniques, including kneading, pressing, and stretching. Massage therapy aims to enhance circulation, reduce muscle tension, and promote overall well-being.

• Pain Reduction: Massage can help reduce pain by increasing blood flow to the affected area and promoting the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers.
• Improved Joint Function: By easing muscle tension and increasing flexibility, massage therapy can help improve joint function and range of motion.
• Enhanced Circulation: Massage can improve circulation, which helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to the affected tissues, promoting healing and reducing inflammation.
• Reduced Muscle Stiffness: Regular massage can help reduce muscle stiffness, making it easier to move and perform daily activities.
• Stress Relief: The relaxation and stress relief provided by massage therapy can improve mental well-being and help individuals cope with the emotional challenges of living with a chronic condition like OA.

Types of Massage Therapy for OA

Different types of massage therapy can be beneficial for individuals with osteoarthritis, including:

• Swedish Massage: This gentle, relaxing massage technique involves long, flowing strokes and kneading to promote relaxation and improve circulation.
• Deep Tissue Massage: This technique focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue and can help relieve chronic pain and muscle tension.
• Myofascial Release: This technique involves applying gentle pressure to the connective tissue (fascia) to relieve pain and improve mobility.
• Trigger Point Therapy: This technique targets specific points of muscle tension (trigger points) to relieve pain and improve function.

Personal Experiences

Many individuals with osteoarthritis have reported positive experiences with massage therapy. For instance, Mary, a 58-year-old teacher, found that regular massage sessions helped reduce her knee pain and improved her ability to participate in her favorite activities, such as gardening and walking.

While massage therapy is not a cure for osteoarthritis, it can be a valuable part of a comprehensive treatment plan. By reducing pain, improving joint function, and promoting relaxation, massage therapy along with other Hands on therapises can help individuals with osteoarthritis manage their symptoms and enhance their quality of life.

Ultrasound Therapy for Osteoarthritis

How Ultrasound Therapy Works

Ultrasound therapy involves using an ultrasound machine to produce high-frequency sound waves that penetrate deep into the tissues. These sound waves create tiny vibrations that can reach muscles, tendons, and ligaments1. The vibrations can be delivered as continuous waves, which generate heat, or as pulsed waves, which do not.

Benefits of Ultrasound Therapy for Osteoarthritis

Ultrasound therapy can offer several benefits for individuals with osteoarthritis:

1. Pain Reduction: Ultrasound therapy can help reduce pain by increasing blood flow to the affected area and promoting the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers.
2. Improved Mobility: By reducing pain and stiffness, ultrasound therapy can help improve joint mobility and function.
3. Enhanced Healing: The deep heating and cavitation effects of ultrasound therapy can speed up the healing process and improve tissue elasticity.
4. Reduced Inflammation: Ultrasound therapy can help reduce inflammation by improving circulation and promoting the removal of toxins from the body.
5. Relaxation and Stress Relief: The relaxing nature of ultrasound therapy can help reduce stress and improve overall well-being, which is important for managing chronic conditions like OA

While ultrasound therapy may not be a cure for osteoarthritis, it can be a valuable part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

Cupping Therapy for Osteoarthritis: An Ancient Practice with Modern Benefits gained popularity in modern times.

What is Cupping Therapy?

Cupping therapy involves placing special cups on the skin to create suction. This suction draws blood to the surface, promoting healing and relieving pain1.

Dry Cupping: This method uses suction alone to create a vacuum inside the cups. It is commonly used for pain relief and relaxation.

How Does Cupping Therapy Help with Osteoarthritis?

Cupping therapy can offer several benefits for individuals with osteoarthritis:

• Pain Relief: The suction created by the cups can help reduce pain by increasing blood flow to the affected area and promoting the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers.
• Reduced Inflammation: Cupping can help reduce inflammation by improving circulation and promoting the removal of toxins from the body.
• Improved Mobility: By reducing pain and stiffness, cupping therapy can help improve joint mobility and function.
• Relaxation and Stress Relief: The relaxing nature of cupping therapy can help reduce stress and improve overall well-being, which is important for managing chronic conditions like OA..

Acupuncture

Mechanisms of Action

• Endorphin Release: Inserting needles triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers.
• Cortisol Production: Acupuncture may induce the production of cortisol, a hormone that helps control inflammation.
• Improved Circulation: Acupuncture can enhance blood flow to the affected area, promoting healing and reducing inflammation.
• Conclusion

*Please Note: Not all Hands on treatment is clinically indicated for all patients. An in dept medical history is taken prior to treatment and your physiotherapist will discuss with you the safest and most effective approaches moving forwards. ESACPE pain with Heritage Physiotherapy & Co stresses the importance of consistent paces and progressive exercise, combined with hands on treatment for the best programme outcome.

Your physiotherapist will discuss treatment options with you and make a safe and effective plan moving forwards.