Bodhi Movement

28/07/2026

Feeling a little stiff or crunchy at the moment? We're here to help - get in touch!

T: 01690 359081

27/07/2026

Dry Needling at Bodhi Movement

Combining dry needling with sports massage is one of the most effective dual-therapy approaches in sports medicine. While both target soft tissue, they work at different structural depths and use completely different mechanisms to achieve relief.

When paired together, they create a synergistic effect that speeds up recovery and improves joint mobility far better than either treatment alone.

Dry Needling (Precision / Deep Tissue): Hands and thumbs can only press so far through superficial tissue layers. Dry needling uses ultra-thin monofilament needles to reach deep, stubborn myofascial trigger points (knots) that manual pressure can't isolate without causing extreme surface discomfort.

Sports Massage (Broad / Superficial to Mid-Depth): Massage excels at working across larger muscle bellies, warming up broad tissue zones, breaking down surface-level adhesions, and flushing out metabolic waste across an entire muscle group.

Why the combo works: The needle deactivates the deep "core" of the knot, while the massage smooths out and flushes the surrounding tissue.

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26/07/2026

Ever heard of Dry Needling and wondered what it actually is (and if it hurts)?

What is it?
Dry needling is one of the techniques we use here at Bodhi Movement to relieve stubborn muscle pain. Very thin, solid filament needles are inserted directly into myofascial trigger points — what most people call "muscle knots."

Why is it called "dry"?
Because there’s no medication or fluid being injected. The needle itself is the treatment tool.

How does it actually work?
- Releases tension: When the needle enters a tight trigger point, it often triggers a tiny muscle twitch (a local twitch response). This relaxes the guarded muscle fiber.
- Boosts blood flow: Piercing the tissue stimulates micro-circulation, bringing oxygen and nutrients to help the area heal.
- Interrupts pain signals: It helps reset how your nervous system perceives pain in that spot.

Is it the same as Acupuncture?
Nope! While both use similar thin needles, the philosophy differs: Acupuncture is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine, focusing on energy flow (Qi) along meridians, whereas Dry Needling is rooted in Western medical science, targeting anatomical muscle tissue, nerves, and trigger points.

Does it hurt?
Most people feel a brief ache or a quick twitch when the needle hits the knot, followed by a sensation of deep release. You might feel a bit sore for 24–48 hours after — similar to a tough workout!

16/07/2026

13/07/2026

Why IASTM?

If you've ever wondered why we use tools instead of just using our hands for treatment on you, it’s not just for show. Here is exactly why IASTM (Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilisation) supports traditional deep tissue massage and hands-on therapy:

- Microscopic Detection (The "Stethoscope" Effect)
Human fingers are great, but specialised tools are incredibly sensitive conductive instruments. When a tool glides over unhealthy, scarred, or gritty tissue, the steel amplifies the vibration right into the our hands as we're treating you. It helps us pinpoint the exact restriction with a level of accuracy fingers just can't match.

- Deeper, Safer Pressure
To break up stubborn scar tissue or chronic adhesions (like plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis), you need targeted force. Tools allow us to apply localised pressure directly into the problem area without bruising or damaging surrounding healthy tissue—plus, it saves the our thumbs from burning out!

- Faster Results, Shorter Sessions
Because the beveled edges of the tools isolate the restriction so efficiently, an IASTM treatment only takes about 3 to 10 minutes per area. You get the same therapeutic benefit—and often better tissue release—in a fraction of the time, so we can spend more quality time on you in a single treatment session.

- It Reboots the Healing Process
Unlike general massage which just relaxes muscles, IASTM creates controlled micro-trauma. This essentially "tricks" your brain into restarting the healing process for old, chronic injuries that have plateaued, sending fresh blood flow and collagen-building blocks directly to the zone.

Want to know more? Get in touch or ask us at your next treatment session!

12/07/2026

Ever heard of IASTM? It’s basically a high-tech "reset button" for tight muscles and chronic injuries.

IASTM stands for Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilisation - It’s a technique where we use specialised tools to scrape and glide over your skin.

How it works:
- Finds the knots: The tools act like a stethoscope, helping us feel microscopic "grittiness" or scar tissue under your skin.
- Restarts the healing: By applying targeted pressure, it creates micro-trauma that signals your body to send fresh blood and nutrients to the area.
- Melts the pain: It overrides pain signals to your brain, giving you instant relief and a massive boost in flexibility.

It is an absolute game-changer for stubborn issues like plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, runner’s knee, or stiff necks.

The catch? It’s not a magic wand on its own. The real superpower of IASTM is using that sudden, pain-free window of movement to stretch, strengthen, and reload the muscle properly!

10/07/2026

You just got a remedial massage... now what?

If you’ve ever walked out of a treatment feeling like a brand-new human, only to wake up tight again the next day, you might be missing the golden rules of post-massage care.
Because remedial massage actively manipulates deep tissues to release chronic tension and repair soft-tissue injuries, your body needs a little extra love to lock in those adjustments.

Here is how to make the absolute most of your session:
1. Hydrate immediately: The first 2–3 hours - Drink plenty of water right after your session. Massage circulates blood and lymph, and staying hydrated helps your kidneys process and flush out metabolic waste released from tight muscles.

2. Take a warm Epsom salt bath: That evening - The magnesium in Epsom salts absorbs through the skin, helping to soothe any residual muscle soreness and keep the tissue soft and pliable.

3. Skip the heavy workout: For 24 hours - Your muscles have just been working hard under deep pressure. Give them a day to rest and adapt. Stick to gentle walks or light, restorative stretching instead of heavy lifting or intense cardio.

4. Listen to the soreness: Next 48 hours - It is completely normal to feel a bit tender— almost like you did a tough workout — for 24 to 48 hours. Let it rest, breathe through it, and avoid deep, aggressive stretching while the tissue heals.

Pro-Tip: Consistency is everything. While one session can break the cycle of acute pain, scheduling regular maintenance keeps your posture aligned and prevents tightness from building back up.

05/07/2026

What is remedial massage?

At its core, remedial massage is a clinical, objective-based soft tissue therapy designed to treat specific muscular pain, injuries, or dysfunction.

Unlike a relaxation or Swedish massage—where the goal is general stress relief and pampering—a remedial massage is results-driven. Your Bodhi Movement therapist’s job is to figure out why you are hurting, trace the pain back to the root cause, and use targeted physical techniques to help your body heal.

How it Works:
- The Clinical Approach
If you book a standard relaxation massage, you lie down and the therapist immediately starts working. A remedial massage session at Bodhi looks much more like a physiotherapy appointment:
- Assessment: The Bodhi therapist will test your range of motion, check your posture, look for biomechanical imbalances, and physically feel the muscles to locate knots, tension, or scar tissue.
- Targeted Treatment: They will isolate the specific muscles, tendons, or ligaments causing the issue. If you have lower back pain, for example, they might spend the whole hour working on your tight hip flexors and glutes because those muscles are pulling your pelvis out of alignment.
- Rehabilitation: Your Bodhi therapist will often give you "homework"—specific stretches or strengthening exercises to prevent the pain from coming back.

03/07/2026

We're excited for this week's Bodhi Fitness workshop where we're all about Yoga for healthy back and hips.

Can't join us for this workshop? Why not try the "two-for-one" stretch that targets both tight outer hips and a stiff lower back simultaneously - the Supine Figure-4 Stretch (also known as Reclined Pigeon).
Because you do this while lying flat on your back, your spine stays fully supported and safe, preventing you from rounding or straining your lower back like many seated stretches do.

How to Do It Right:
1. Get into position:
Lie flat on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor, about hip-width apart. Let your upper body completely relax.
2. Cross your ankle: Forming the '4'.
Take your right ankle and cross it over your left thigh, just below the knee. Flex your right foot (pull your toes back toward your shin)—this locks your ankle muscle structure and safely protects your knee joint.
3. Lift and thread: Adding the stretch. Lift your left foot off the floor. Thread your right arm through the "window" your legs have made, and wrap your left hand around the back of your left thigh (or over your shin if you are flexible). Interlace your fingers.
4. Hold and breathe: 30 to 60 seconds.
Gently pull your left thigh toward your chest while keeping your head and shoulders relaxed flat on the mat. You will feel a deep release in your right outer hip, glute, and low back.
Hold for a few deep breaths, then slowly release and swap sides.

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