Ease and Flow Physiotherapy and Myofascial Release
Physiotherapy and Myofascial Release Birmingham
Ease and Flow Physiotherapy and Myofascial Release
Easing you towards better health
About Me
My name is Kath Kelly and I am a musculoskeletal Physiotherapist also offering Myofascial Release.
I have been a physiotherapist for over 30 years, working both in the UK and Australia. I focus on treating musculoskeletal problems, ie joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, scars and soft tissue in general.
I also use Myofascial release, which is a manual therapy, suitable for all ages and safe to use in pregnancy. I have found it particularly helpful in chronic conditions but it is also excellent when managing acute injuries too. Please visit my 'About Me' page to read more.
Please note that this is only a guide but examples of some conditions I may be able to help you with are:
Chronic pain problems, including fibromyalgia, M.E / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Stiff and / or painful joints including frozen shoulder, arthritis
Neck and back pain
Sacro iliac (S.I.) joint pain and Pubic symphysis dysfunction
Headaches and migraines
Shin splints
Scar management
Osgood Schlatters disease
Post surgery physiotherapy, eg Knee replacement, breast cancer surgery
Sprains and strains
Referred nerve pain; sciatica
Cording / axillary web syndrome
Plantar fasciitis
Tennis elbow and rotator cuff injuries
Muscle pain and tightness
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Sports injuries
Tendon problems
Post fracture rehabilitation
Assistance post Bells Palsy
Facial pain
If you are unsure if your symptoms can be helped please contact me - I am happy to discuss your problem and give advice.
What is Myofascial Release?
Myofascial release is a gentle manual technique.
Sustained gentle pressure is applied directly to the body to allow the fascia to elongate naturally. Restrictions in one part of the body may contribute to symptoms locally or further afield where other tissues are taking the strain. The term "release" is really a misnomer. Scarring or adhesions are not "broken" but the technique can assist these areas to become more pliable.
Myofascial Release (MFR) is a holistic hands on technique, which most people find relaxing. It is suitable for all ages and in pregnancy.
What is fascia?
'Myo' means muscle and 'fascia' (pronounced fash-uh) means band. Fascia is a connective tissue: it is a 3 dimensional web which connects every part of our body and, when healthy, cushions, protects, stabilises and supports it. Fascia is probably most easily recognised as the tougher, shiny whitish tissue in a piece of meat. In this instance it serves to surround and seperate the individual muscles to allow them to glide smoothly over each other and also provide a protective route through which nerves and blood and lymphatic vessels can pass.
But fascia comes in different forms depending on the ratio of it's components: elastin, collagen and the ground substance. Collagen is a fibrous protein which provides strength and stability. Elastin, as the name suggests, is an elastic fibre, allowing the fascia to stretch to the full length of the collagen fibre but then springing back into shape while the collagen aims to prevent the fascia from being overstretched. The ground substance is a viscous gel and is the substances in which the collagen and elastin, (plus the cells that make these 2 proteins) are embedded. It is 60-70% water and lubricates the fibres within it, allowing them to glide over each other. It also allows nutrients, oxygen, hormones, etc to pass through it. Therefore if the ground substance is not healthy it will not be able to do it's jobs properly and effect the health of the cells within it.
This YouTube clip of views of living fascia gives an excellent explanation.
The fascial system is ever changing, reacting to the demands our life experiences place on it. Injury and scars, inflammation, repeated stresses will all effect the fascia's pliability, sometimes causing adhesions. This tension and restriction can exert excessive pressures within the body resulting in all kinds of symptoms. MFR may help to restore comfort to the body.
What symptoms may occur?
The most common symptom is pain, usually over muscles and joints. However, as fascia is found throughout the body other areas can also be effected.
When fascia is injured the fibres shorten and become twisted like a corkscrew. It becomes more solid and starts to stick to surrounding structures. Over time this tightness spreads through the system creating abnormal strain on joints and causing them to become abnormally compressed or pulled out of normal alignment. This in turn may effect how that joint or joints and that part of the body can function. So, for example, a joint might become stiff or painful; breathing may be effected if the ribs can't move freely or the ribcage is distorted slightly. The pelvis might become "misaligned" leading to altered curves of the spine. Neural, vascular and lymphatic structures can become compressed or trapped in these adhesions and restrictions contributing to neurological, ischaemic or lymphatic issues. Organs may be put under altered pressures causing problems with, for eg, digestive or reproductive systems.
We cannot go throughout life without having some kind of injury to the fascia. Once restrictions are there the body cannot absorb and disperse the forces from further trauma as efficiently as it used to. Symptoms are then felt when the body reaches a point when it is findiing it difficult to compensate for those changes. This may be a reason why pain might come on "without any cause" - it's actually a result of an accumulation of previous injuries. Flexibility and spontaneity of movement reduces, setting up the body for more trauma, pain and limitation of movement. It is hard work living with a biomechanically inefficient body so activities become more of an effort and fatigue can set in as more energy is required to do things.
Contact & location
Contact me directly on 07597 264 841. If I am unable to answer your call, please leave a message or text me and I will phone you back as soon as possible. I do not answer the phone when I am with a client.
Ease and Flow Physiotherapy is based within "The Natural Health Centre" in the south of Birmingham, on Kings Norton Green. It is about 10 - 15 mins walk from Kings Norton railway station (Cotteridge). The Green is serviced by the number 18, 19, 45, 46 and 49 buses; the numbers 11 and 47 stop in Cotteridge.
Fees & availability
Physiotherapy:
Initial consultation - up to 55 mins £55.00
Assessment for complex issue / multiple sites - up to 85 mins £75.00
Standard follow up appointment - up to 30 mins £38.00
Extended follow up appointment - up to 55 mins £50.00
Myofascial Release:
Initial consultation - up to 85 mins £75.00
Follow up appointment - up to 55 mins £50.00
Extended follow up treatment - up to 85 mins £75.00
An additional fee may be charged for some pieces of equipment.
Please note that keeping records of your care is a legal requirement. Note taking is an integral part of the assessment and treatment process. I may make notes, at times, during your appointment and at least 5 minutes is set aside at the end of your appointment time to complete your notes.
Opening Hours
Monday, Friday: 8.45am - abt 4.30 / 5pm
Tuesday: 9.15am - 5.30pm
Closed weekends.
Frequently asked questions
At your first appointment I will make an initial assessment of the problem for which you are attending. I ask questions about your problem, such as how and when it started, your current symtoms and what makes them better and worse. I also need to get some background information, ask about your general health and what medication, if any, you take.
I will then do a physical assessment which will involve examining the problem area(s), looking at your posture and performing special tests. To do an accurate assessment I need to be able to see the area concerned so please be prepared to remove some clothing.
There will be time for questions and to discuss treatment options or whether physiotherpy is the appropriate treatment for you. If physio is an appropriate option, and I can provide that appropriate physiotherapy, then some form of treatment will be provided.
Sometimes it can take a while to get to the bottom of things which is why extra time is allowed for this assessment. If you have multiple sites that you would like treating, or your problem is longstanding, I recommend you book the longer assessment for your initial assessment since 55 minutes is insufficient time to look at more than one area.
An assessment for Myofascial Release (MFR) is 85 minutes.
This is difficult to say as it will depend on a number of factors such as what the problem is, how long you have it and how much you are prepared to do self treatment. Everyone is unique so it will also depend on how you respond to treatment. I will be able to give an estimate after your initial physiotherapy assessment. It is harder to estimate the number of MFR sessions.
Please wear something loose that allows the area concerned, and it's surrounds, to be easily exposed (within reason). For example if you have a problem with the elbow I need to see the whole of both arms. Be prepared to undress to your underwear in some instances, particulalry if you are attending for MFR as it is usually more effective if done directly on skin. I would suggest bringing some loose, stretchy shorts to change into if you are attending regarding any part of your leg or lower back area. Ladies, please no racer back bras or all-in-one gym tops if you are seeing me for MFR or re your shoulder, neck or upper back area.
It is very difficult to do MFR if the skin is slippy, so please do not apply any lotions or creams, etc immediately before attending if you are having this treatment.
Currently I am accepting payment by BACS or cash only.
It is not a problem if you change your mind over having treatments with me, or if you realise that you are unable to make an appointment, but please contact me as soon as possible to cancel your appointment since the clinic operates a 24 hour cancellation policy: if you do not give 24 hours notice to change or cancel your appointment you will be charged the full amount. The same applies if you fail to attend an appointment.
If I am able to fill the appointment slot then a fee will not apply.
I will try to accommodate clients who arrive late but this is not always possible. Late attendance results in treatment being limited, or the appointment may be cancelled since there is insufficient time to provide a safe or effective treatment.
It is best to contact me if you are unsure whether it would be appropriate for you to attend or not.
Please do not attend if you have: a sore throat; a raised temperature; are sneezing or have a runny nose (unless you are certain it is only hayfever); a new cough; diarrhea.
Never attend if you are contagious - this is just being considerate of your therapist and other clients. I do not want to catch your bugs and I have to consider other clients who are more vulnerable to infections. Also, if your body is trying to fight off an infection, certain hands on treatment techniques, particularly MFR, can make you feel worse.
If you attend unwell I will send you home.
There is a small step at the entrance of the clinic so it should be accessible to someone being pushed by a carer in a transit wheelchair, as long as the carer can manage a curb, or someone who uses a self-propelled wheelchair and can also manage a curb. However the main part of the clinic is Victorian so manoeuvrability is not ideal, but there are a number of ground floor rooms. There is no disabled toilet in the clinic.
Please call me if you interested in attending but have any concerns about your ability to access the clinic or treatment in general. If I can't help you I will be able to signpost you to possible alternatives.
Please note that the treatment couches do have a weight limit, so please discuss this with me if your weight is 39 stone /250kg.
Please do not hesitate to call me if you have any questions, there will be no obligation to book an appointment. I would prefer you to gather information to make a decision and find a practitioner with whom you feel comfortable. Contact me directly on the phone number on the homepage - I will most likely be with a client so leave a message and I will return the call as soon as possible.