Pressure Point Therapy Workshop for Cherie Hearts @ Upper Thomson

Conducted a cosy workshop on Pressure Point Therapy for the staff at Cherie Hearts Childcare Centre @ Upper Thomson.

This was my second workshop with them and every bit as enjoyable as the first time. The teachers were enthusiastic and hands-on during the workshop. They were taught about how everyday posture such as sitting for long hours were detrimental to their musculoskeletal health, especially in today's society where effects of prolonged smartphones and tablets usage are affecting our posture.

The teachers were taught how to perform basic pressure point massage and when to do it, so that they can relieve the pain on their own or help their love ones. They were also given a chance to massage each other on common muscles that can cause aches and pains.

Introducing the concepts of pressure points to the teachers

A short but rewarding hour-long session was concluded looking at their thankful and beaming faces.

Till the next time.

Dry Needling

I've been wanting to learn dry needling for some time as I found the concept interesting and wanted to find out the difference between TCM acupuncture and dry needling. The opportunity came and I attended a dry needling course over 2 days in June.

The 2 educators from UK were very knowledgeable and funny; we had a great time learning and debating new/old theories. There were a total of 30 students and they varied from various backgrounds (physios, chiropractors, personal trainers, osteopaths) and nationalities (Irish, British, Singaporeans, Taiwanese, Filipinos).

Basically the idea I have gotten from this course is that TCM acupuncture worked along the meridian lines and aimed to get the qi flowing through the body to help the body heal and balance itself. Contrast this with dry needling, which aims to provoke a localised response in the individual muscles, where inserted needles induce a LTR (local twitch response) to release hormones that have analgesic effect to suppress pain as well as increase blood flow and allow for the removal of metabolic waste.

Needling the peroneals and tibialis anterior to relief pain for injuries like shin splints

Needling the quadriceps for injuries that cause pain to the knee

Lower back issues are so common aren't they?
Dry needling to release erector spinae and quadratus lumborum

Many thanks to David (tallest guy) for bringing in the speakers from UK,
Jimmy (left) and Giles (Jason Statham lookalike) for being funny and engaging educators.