Suddenly, the image in the mirror changes. One side of the face stops responding, the smile becomes asymmetrical and the eye may not close completely. Facial paralysis often comes on unexpectedly and raises immediate questions: “Will I recover? How long will it take?” In most cases, the evolution is favourable, especially when there is...
Pain: a complex and multifactorial experience Pain goes beyond a simple symptom. It is a complex experience that involves the interaction of physical, emotional and cognitive factors, activating not only the nervous system and the body's tissues, but also the individual's mental state, thus reflecting its multifactorial nature (Melzack...
Pregnancy brings with it significant changes to a woman's body. Hormones make the ligaments more flexible and the connective tissue more elastic, allowing for a greater range of movement in the joints. Although this greater flexibility may seem advantageous, in practice it increases the risk of overload, especially in the spine, which becomes one of the most affected areas...
Low back pain is one of the most frequent complaints in the adult population, affecting millions of people around the world. For a long time, absolute rest was the main recommendation for relieving this type of problem. However, it is now known that prolonged inactivity can have significant negative consequences, such as: weakening of the muscles...
Chronic pain doesn't always originate where it is felt. In many cases, it results from a complex interaction between neurophysiological mechanisms, persistent inflammatory processes and the activity of the vagus nerve. These three elements are closely interlinked, and understanding this relationship is fundamental for a more informed clinical approach to persistent pain and...
Physical exercise, when framed appropriately for the individual context, is recognised as a relevant physiological stimulus with an impact on multiple systems in the body. Scientific research has explored the relationship between movement, metabolism and the immune system, suggesting that regular physical activity can influence adaptive processes associated with homeostasis, inflammation...
At Integrativa we believe that movement is one of the most effective ways to recover health, prevent pain and regain confidence in your body. Matwork Clinical Pilates is a practice carried out on the floor, but with an essential difference: each session is adapted to the needs of each person and led by physiotherapists specialised in...
Spending long hours at the computer is associated with an increased risk of back pain and other musculoskeletal complaints. In predominantly sedentary professions, such as technology, office or administrative jobs, posture and prolonged static positions play an important role in physical health, productivity and daily well-being....
Melatonin is a central hormone in the regulation of the sleep-wake cycle and plays an important role in the overall physiological balance. It is associated with the organisation of the circadian rhythm, the quality of sleep and various adaptive processes in the body. Although it is commonly known as the “sleep hormone”, its regulation depends to a large extent on...
When areas of tension appear in the body, the most common impulse is to lengthen or “stretch” the muscles in an attempt to relieve the discomfort. This automatic response is deeply rooted in the perception that muscle stiffness alone is the problem. However, from a clinical point of view, this association is not always correct....
