Unfortunately, for many women, pain in pregnancy is common. However, contrary to what a lot of us are told, pain for pregnant women is not normal and there are many techniques, treatments and exercises available to prevent aches and pains. Why is Pain Common? The female body is amazing at adapting to the growing baby. During pregnancy, a hormone called relaxin allows the ligaments in the body and around the pelvis to relax and soften. This allows the pelvis to expand while in labour and accommodate the growing baby. This is a very important process the body goes through and can facilitat ..read more

Author: Jamie Butcher – Osteopath Why Learning to do it Properly is so Important It is something we all do thousands of times every day.  Whether we are awake or asleep, resting or active; to breathe is to be alive.  Whilst most of us don’t take much notice of our breathing, there are a few very important reasons why we should.   Improves blood flow Improves energy Supports a strong immune system Alleviates stress Let's just touch on one of the issues most people have in life and how improving your breathing can help. Stress response We’ve all been told at one time or another t ..read more

Reflect and create a new year. I'm not one for new year resolutions but I love to reflect and get clear on my intentions. But what do both of these mean? Reflecting and reviewing your year can be a powerful catalyst for change, an opportunity to review what, how and why things have happened. Intentions come from your soul, deep-rooted in your values and what is important to you. We have a handy workbook to help you work through this. See below to download. Reviewing your year Reflecting on the year that was can be hard for some, especially if it was full of things you didn't want t ..read more

Soft tissue injuries are damage to muscles, ligaments and tendons, anything in the body that’s “soft”. Injuries can include sprains, strains, tears, ruptures, corks/contusions (an injury that resulting from a single traumatic event such as rolling an ankle). ACC covers soft tissue injuries by providing subsidised treatment by acupuncturists, chiropractors, osteopaths and physiotherapists. Chronic soft tissue injuries These types of injury are the result of repetitive stress on a tissue. Commonly known as overuse injuries. See our Tendinopathy post for more details. Signs and symptoms ..read more

Foam rollers are everywhere these days: at home, the gym, your Osteopath’s office, even in the workplace. In this article, we’ll answer some of the most common questions about rollers. Are they right for you? How should you be using them and for how long? Understanding the best practices for foam rolling can be a tricky minefield with conflicting advice. Here’s a handy guide to help you get the most from your roller! Is foam rolling good for you? Using foam rollers the correct way can help increase flexibility, improve joint range-of-motion, relieve back pain, improve blood flow, and hel ..read more

What is Plantar Fasciitis? Plantar fasciitis is a unique repetitive strain injury affecting people from all walks of life: runners, walkers, even people who have to stand on hard surfaces at work especially on concrete floors.  For some, plantar fasciitis can be resolved in a matter of weeks, for others it can be one of the most stubborn and frustrating conditions out there. Part of the problem is that it is still a bit of a medical puzzle.   What are the symptoms? Most people first notice a tightness or a pulling sensation in either the arch of the foot, the heel or both ..read more

Wanaka could very well be the town with the most shoulder injuries in NZ. Here at Metamed we frequently see patients that have hurt their shoulder while partaking in one of the many outdoor activities that Wanakaites (Wanakarians?) enjoy. Mountain-biking, skiing, parasailing, you name it. The shoulder is a complex joint, made up of many small muscles (rotator cuff, NOT rotor cuff) that all have a crucial role to play. ‘Crucial’ because the joint is so mobile and has little in the way of supporting ligaments, so the muscles have to be strong to stop your arm flapping about in the wind. If o ..read more

One of the most frequent questions we get asked as Osteopaths is “do you only treat back pain?”  The answer to this is a resounding no. We treat all parts of the body, from the hands to the feet.  Anyone who has been to an osteopath will know that they assess and treat more than just the part of the body that is in pain. Osteopaths assess your posture, your gait, and other parts of your body. When it comes to injuries of the foot and ankle area, this is especially important as problems here can cause you to move differently. An example would be limping. Given time, these changes can be adopted ..read more

Osteopathic treatment for newborns and toddler is a safe, gentle and effective way to help with a range of issues that may be causing your child upset. Your baby can see an osteopath for treatment just a few days after birth – meaning almost no child is too young for treatment.  Many people think that because a newborn is so young, that surely they cannot have any muscle tension or pain! However, the childbirth process is a stressful experience for both mother and child.  As the child exits the birth canal, an extreme amount of force is placed upon him/her to fit through a narrow gap. To ..read more

These are two questions we get asked a lot and the answer depends on a few things, making it difficult to answer. Anna Burgess, Osteopath at Metamed will explain some known truths to help you make an informed decision on which is best suited for you.  The Truth About Osteopaths and Physiotherapists The best practitioner is the one that suits your needs No two practitioners, whether an osteopath or a physio will approach a problem the same way. There are often many routes to the desired destination. Sometimes the practitioner’s route will resonate with you and sometimes it won’t. So i ..read more