How This Ancient Herb Supports Modern Athleticism. Previously I wrote a summary about several spices that are useful for athletes in training and recovery. If you haven't read about Smart Spices, you can click to read it here. This post adds an update to that list, but not with a spice - with a powerhouse bulb. Garlic is botanically classified as a bulb, not a root vegetable. It belongs to the Allium genus (along with onions, shallots, leeks, and chives). Specifically, garl

(with Scientific References) As a graduate of the University of Melbourne in Science, I studied Human Metabolism and Nutrition. Long hours in the Medical Library piqued my interest in smart spices for recovery from exercise as I raced 200m and 400m track. It's time to update what we know about them. Here goes with some of the best. Smart spices for recovery 1. Cinnamon (Ceylon preferred) • Enhances insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake — shown to reduce fasting blood glucos

In elite sport and clinical practice alike, there’s a growing recognition that injury risk isn’t simply about contact, luck, or even range of motion and strength—it’s about movement competency. Functional Movement Screening (FMS) emerged as a key tool to assess how well someone moves, providing valuable insight into injury risk, rehabilitation readiness, and long-term resilience. You can learn all about the FMS in the level 1 online course here, or as included in the entire F

If you're dealing with joint stiffness, muscle aches, or just feeling like your body isn't moving the way it used to, you might be...

Introduction When clients say they feel “instantly calmer” around certain practitioners, or that “something shifted” in the room before any touch occurred, it’s tempting to dismiss it as placebo or imagination. But science tells another story. What Is Coherence? Coherence refers to an optimal state of synchronization and order between body systems—especially between the heart, brain, and breath. In a coherent state: - Heart rate variability (HRV) becomes smooth and sine-like

Manual therapy mechanisms are often described in terms of tissue stretch, muscle release, or fascial glide. But beneath these mechanical layers lies a subtler world — one where bioelectricity in therapy and energy interactions shape healing outcomes in ways most clinicians never consider. In this article, I continue on from the intro and parts 1, 2 and 3 to dive deep into the healing touch mechanisms behind capacitor-induced superficial charge, deep grounding charge, and elec

Collagen in fascia can generate electrical charge under mechanical strain. This article reviews the published science, its possible relevance to hands-on therapy, and what remains uncertain.

Skip straight to the online webinar now! If you’ve ever wondered how to get ahead in the competitive world of sports physiotherapy,...

Continuing from part 1 and the introduction post. When we think of healing touch, we often imagine mechanical effects—stretching fascia, moving lymph, or warming tissues. But there’s a subtler, deeper layer at play: a molecular communication system built into the very surface of our cells - it's called mechanotransduction manual therapy. That system is driven by integrins, the unsung heroes of mechanotransduction. What Are integrins and what is mechanotransduction manual ther

Part 1 of this series Introduction Have you ever felt a gentle warmth radiating from a practitioner’s hands during treatment? Or noticed a calming heat when someone offers comforting touch? This sensation is more than just psychological. Science shows that human touch emits far-infrared radiation (FIR)—and this subtle energy carries powerful physiological effects.In fact, hands emit FIR wavelengths around 9–10 micrometers, matching the thermal radiation of human skin (Kim et

There are at least 5 processes occurring when a hand touches another body with the attention and intention to influence. Five. That I've found so far. That science can explain. That I've observed happening in some ways clinically. But, heck, the energy healing has been going on a lot longer than science could explain it. Jesus - ever heard of him? The laying of hands. Reiki - the universal life force. Qi Gong healing. Shamanic healing. Shaktipat. Sufi healing. Native America

Hamstring injuries are among the most common—and commonly misunderstood—sports injuries. But did you know that athletes with multiple movement deficits are 17 times more likely to suffer time-loss injuries? (Lehr, ME, 2013). In this post, we explore the top hamstring injury risk factors—including one you might be overlooking: the opposite side of the body.

Explore a structured, evidence-based approach to returning AFL footballers from hamstring injuries. This framework emphasizes protecting the athlete from reinjury, correcting contributing risk factors, and developing the strength, speed, and capacity needed to perform at elite level. Designed for sports physiotherapists and rehab professionals working with high-performance athletes Greg Dea Sports Physiotherapist August 17th 2022 The following provides an extended visual

Think inflammation only comes from strength training? Learn why long endurance rides cause systemic inflammation — even without eccentric muscle damage — and how to support cycling recovery through practical strategies

A Physiotherapist’s Perspective on Medications, Pain, and the Glymphatic System By Greg Dea | Clinical Sports Physiotherapist | Educator in Functional Fluid Flow The Brain Has a Plumbing System—And It Matters for Physio Many of our clients present with pain, impaired mobility, poor motor control, and sometimes a foggy mind or unexplained fatigue. We assess their movement, provide manual therapy, guide their training—and sometimes scratch our heads wondering why change is so s

Vertebral Rotation as Revealed by Static Palpation In manual therapy and osteopathic assessment, subtle segmental rotations are often identified via palpation—especially when informed hands detect tension or asymmetry along posterior elements. But what underlies these rotations? Is the vertebra truly the culprit, or is it adapting to something deeper? Q1: What structure is dystonic to facilitate a segmental rotation? Posterior elastic tissue? Anterior elastic tissue? This que

In manual and somatic therapies, it’s not just what we do—it’s the state we’re in when we do it. That’s the power of coherence. Coherence refers to the harmonious alignment between our physiological systems—especially the brain, heart, and nervous system. In therapeutic settings, coherence enhances presence, sensitivity, and client outcomes. When a practitioner enters a calm, regulated state, the client often follows. Shared breathing rhythms, softening tissue, or spontaneous

In the realm of athletic performance, a one-size-fits-all approach often falls short. My recent four-part series, "Regional...

Refining palpatory awareness begins with deep listening—through your hands. The Cranial Pulse Awareness Exercise is a foundational practice for any practitioner seeking to heighten their touch sensitivity and therapeutic presence. This gentle, introspective method helps you attune to subtle rhythms in the body, particularly the craniosacral rhythm. ✨ Purpose To establish a state of quiet receptivity and enhance your tactile listening skills. 🧘 Setup Choose a quiet space. Be

Introduction In manual therapy, some of the most profound shifts happen not with force, but with flow. Subtle cues—an involuntary sigh, a gurgle in the abdomen, or a twitch of the limbs—often tell a more powerful story than any structural misalignment. These are the signs that the body has shifted into a parasympathetic state. And when it does, fluid moves. Muscles release. Pain subsides. Function returns. Welcome to the world of Functional Fluid Flow—an approach that integra