SPA DOCTOR treats... LIGAMENT INJURY
WE ALL know about muscles, bones and joints. But generally, while we might have heard of ligaments and tendons, few people will actually be able to tell you what they are or why we have them. That is, until they happen to injure one, which can be debilitating and painful. They can also take a jolly long time to repair.
These tough, fibrous areas of tissue attach muscle to bone, allowing movement in the case of tendons, or bone to bone, providing stability, in the case of ligaments. They are extremely strong, to a point, but can be partially broken or totally torn. Healing is slow because they have little or no blood supply.
I found out the hard way after falling during a game of tennis and landing awkwardly on my hand, bending my thumb back. An osteopath confirmed I’d damaged my ulnar collateral ligament, but not too seriously. All I could do was wait, rest, and give it time.
So I was intrigued by the tailored sports massage and shiatsu programme offered at a leading London spa, which has been reported to help speed recovery.
WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?
The ulnar collateral ligament sits on the inside of the thumb joint and is responsible for the pinching movement. Falling when skiing while holding a ski pole is a common cause, hence the name frequently given to this injury – skier’s thumb.
If the ligament is partially torn, then a splint or cast is usually worn for six weeks and after its removal a programme of exercises is used to get the thumb moving again. If it’s completely torn, an operation to repair it is needed. Luckily, my problem was at the milder end of the spectrum.
WHERE’S THE SOLUTION?
The Spa at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London.
WHAT’S THE TREATMENT?
I’m booked in for The Spa’s signature Time Ritual treatment (110 minutes, £240), which is a bespoke package tailored to my specific needs – in this case, my sore thumb. Rather surprisingly, my therapist Isaac starts off washing my feet in warm water scented with rose petals which, while a bit strange conceptually, is immediately utterly relaxing.
We then choose an aromatherapy oil from a range, which Isaac uses at times throughout the massage. It’s a full-on experience, with athletic stretches involving all the limbs. Given my problem area is a small joint in my hand, I ask if this is strictly necessary. Isaac tells me that it is, as the whole body held together by a network of thinner tissues called fascia. By loosening the whole body, benefits to an injured area are maximised.
He then focuses on the thumb – applying light pressure to the affected joint, but more pressure to the same joint in the other hand. This is the shiatsu bit – apparently, there is some kind of mirror effect.
I feel relaxed but in no less pain directly afterwards. But next day, my thumb is markedly less painful. I continue with the recommended self-massage on the opposite thumb joint and within a week to ten days I feel totally recovered.
I know there is no medical evidence for any of this, but I now can’t help feeling there is something in this ancient Japanese approach…