🏅 Client Spotlight: Linda Ashmore — Ironman Inspiration 

We’re incredibly proud to celebrate 79-year-old Ironman triathlete, Linda Ashmore, who has just completed Ironman Portugal and qualified for the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, next October! 

Linda has been working closely with Boris at Ocean Therapy to maintain strength, mobility, and soft tissue health through a demanding training schedule. Her determination, discipline, and positive mindset are a true inspiration to all of us — proof that age is no limit to what the human body can achieve with the right care and preparation. 

🏃‍♂️ Functional Movement Assessments with Boris 
Many people come to us because something hurts — but the pain is rarely the real problem. Pain is often just a symptom of how your body has been compensating for an imbalance or restriction somewhere else. 

A Functional Movement Assessment with Boris looks deeper — assessing how your entire body moves as a unit. This helps uncover the root cause of pain and pinpoint the weak links that can lead to repeated injury or discomfort. 
Once identified, Boris designs a personalised corrective exercise and rehab plan focused on rebuilding your foundation through: 
• Strength – to support and protect joints 
• Stability – to maintain control through movement 
• Flexibility – to restore natural range of motion 
• Mobility – to keep you fluid and functional 
• Core strength – to provide balance and power for every movement 

When you put all these elements together, your body starts to work as it should — balanced, coordinated, and pain-free. 
Soft tissue treatment is an essential part of the recovery process, but movement retraining and strengthening are what keep those results lasting. 

🗓️ Book your assessment at reception or online today. 

Understanding De Quervain's Tenosynovitis: When Your Thumb Cries for Help

The Condition That's More Common Than You Think

Have you ever experienced sharp pain at the base of your thumb when picking up your coffee cup, texting, or lifting your child? You might be dealing with De Quervain's tenosynovitis—a painful condition that affects the tendons on the thumb side of your wrist. This November, we're diving deep into this common yet often misunderstood condition and exploring how ocean and aquatic therapy can provide much-needed relief.

What Exactly Is De Quervain's Tenosynovitis?

De Quervain's tenosynovitis (pronounced dih-kwer-VAIN ten-oh-sine-oh-VIE-tis) occurs when the tendons connecting your thumb to your wrist become inflamed and irritated. These rope like structures pass through a small tunnel at the base of your thumb, and when chronic overuse causes them to swell and thicken, every simple movement becomes a challenge.

Recognizing the Signs - The tell tale symptoms include:

• Pain near the base of your thumb that may radiate into your forearm

• Swelling and tenderness on the thumb side of your wrist

• Difficulty grasping or pinching objects

• A "sticking" or "stop-and-go" sensation when moving your thumb

• Increased pain when turning your wrist, making a fist, or gripping anything

Who's at Risk?

While De Quervain's can affect anyone, certain groups face higher risk:

New Parents: The repetitive motion of lifting babies using thumbs as leverage is a leading cause—so common that it's sometimes called "mommy thumb" or "baby wrist."

Women aged 30-50: This demographic experiences the condition more frequently, particularly during or after pregnancy due to hormonal changes and fluid retention.

Repetitive Motion Workers: Gardeners, office workers who type extensively, musicians, and athletes who play racket sports or golf are particularly vulnerable.

Pain Management Without Medication

Why not consider having Electro acupuncture to help with tennis elbow or the debilitating symptoms of De Quervain’s. During this procedure we use a slight current attached to the needles which are places on the motor points of the affected muscles. This encourages these tight contracted muscles to relax and re lengthen , therefore reducing the tension and in turn the pain.

Patients will feel different sensations to this technique mostly  ‘tingling’ or ‘tapping’ and after 15 mins or so most say the area feels so much looser and relaxed allowing us to stretch the now lengthened muscles and strengthen them.

In the following video we can see a patient receiving E stim to their arm and thumb ( they also had tennis elbow symptoms)and wrist area which we have been using regularly to deactivate the tension points, relax the muscles and allow them to continue with their work with reduced pain.

(Please note our patient kindly gave us permission to use this video)

Exercise Recommendations for Recovery

1.Wrist Rotations: Slowly rotate your wrist in circles underwater, using the water's resistance to rebuild strength

2.Thumb Opposition: Touch your thumb to each fingertip while submerged, utilizing the water's support

3.Gentle Grip Exercises: Squeeze and release a soft water-resistant ball or foam object

4.Wrist Flexion and Extension: Gently bend your wrist up and down

Important Note: Always consult with a healthcare provider or certified therapist before beginning any exercise program, especially if you're experiencing acute pain.

Prevention: Protecting Your Thumbs for the Long Haul

Once you've recovered, protect yourself from recurrence by:

• Taking regular breaks during repetitive hand activities

• Maintaining proper ergonomics at work

• Strengthening your forearm and wrist muscles

• Using larger handles on tools and utensils to reduce thumb strain• Practicing proper lifting techniques, especially when caring for children

When to Seek Professional Help

If you experience persistent thumb or wrist pain that doesn't improve with rest, ice, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications within a few days, it's time to consult a healthcare provider. Early intervention can prevent the condition from becoming chronic and may help you avoid more invasive treatments like cortisone injections or surgery.

The Ocean Therapy Advantage

At Ocean Therapy, we understand that healing is more than just treating symptoms—it's about restoring your quality of life.

Whether you're a new parent struggling with baby-induced thumb pain, an office worker dealing with repetitive strain, or anyone experiencing the frustration of De Quervain's tenosynovitis, our specialized rehabilitation programs can help you find relief while building strength for lasting recovery.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment recommendations specific to your condition.

💡 Quick Tip: Recovery Matters

  Your recovery is just as important as your workout. 
Try these simple steps this month: 
• 10 minutes of gentle stretching & Mobility or foam rolling after activity 
• Warm baths with magnesium salts 
• Prioritise hydration and good sleep 
Consistency is key — your body will thank you for it! 

🌅 Stay Connected 
Follow us on social media for monthly movement tips, clinic updates, and inspiration from our amazing Weymouth community. 

📍 OceanTherapy Soft Tissue Injury Clinic, Weymouth, Dorset  📞 01305 831726