SSPC.Physio

18/06/2025

"Why is my joint aching so much" is a really common question we've been asked over the past few weeks, as the cold snap in Melbourne hit suddenly, and many people living with arthritic or degenerative joints notice their symptoms getting worse.

You might feel more stiffness in the morning, achy knees, or hip pain that seems to flare up when the temperature drops. Probably the most common statement we hear is “I feel it in my bones”!

Is it just a coincidence? Or is there a real link between joint pain and cold weather? Even without the research, there just seems too many people saying the same thing to put it down to chance, or an “old wives’ tale”!

Research shows that many people with osteoarthritis do feel more pain and stiffness in winter.

But why does this happen? And what can you do to manage it?

Click the link below to find out:

It’s been a really common question over the past few weeks as the cold snap in Melbourne hit suddenly, and many people living with arthritic or degenerative

26/12/2024

Christmas is always a fun time, but sometimes it can bring an unexpected gift - pain.

From tidying the house, to moving furniture, to backyard cricket games, to trying to show your kid how to perfect the riding of their new skateboard!

That’s why we stay open through the Christmas to New Year period.

If pain has paid you an unexpected visit over the past few days, call the clinic tomorrow and we’ll have a Physio ready to help you out.

29/11/2024

Foam Rolling Your ITB: Does It Actually Work?

Think rolling your ITB will ease your pain? Think again! The ITB is like a steel cable—strong, dense, and resistant to change.

Foam rolling the ITB is literally as effective as using a wooden rolling pin over steel.

Instead, focus on what works:
✅ Target your glutes and TFL.
✅ Correct your movement patterns.
✅ Address the real cause of discomfort.

Ready to ditch ineffective habits and try evidence-based solutions? Click the link to learn more in our latest blog! 💡

https://www.sspc.physio/foam-rolling-your-itb/

14/10/2024

Well done to all our patients who ran the various Melbourne Marathon events yesterday - some fantastic results are filtering in!

Also great to see a few of our staff in action - Riley who was pacer for the 3hr 50min group, Fiona in her official role for Sports Integrity Australia (making sure everyone is legal), and Tim (who was terribly sick in the lead up) completing the Chicago Marathon yesterday under enormous distress!

Well done all.

13/10/2024

Always nice to catch up with a few of the team for some social drinks and dinner. Great chats, lots of laughs, and a couple of 🥤 as well.

Great spot to relax and unwind.

08/10/2024

As we approach a new cricket season, it is imperative to be aware of the risks of back pain and bone stress injuries in junior fast bowlers.

Cricket Australia have a brilliant resource on their website that outlines bowling guidelines based on the latest research, with the aim of reducing the risk of back injuries in junior bowlers.

Bone stress injuries in young fast bowlers is an injury that requires quite a bit of time off sport, which is obviously distressing to young cricketers.

The key message in the Cricket Australia Guidelines is based around the need to be aware of bowling frequency, By adjusting the number of bowling sessions per week, we can reduce fatigue and allow time for bone and other soft tissues like muscles and tendons to heal.

These general guidelines also include allowing one easy week of bowling every 4 weeks, and scheduling a week off bowling after every 10-12 weeks of bowling.

To check out the Cricket Australia Guidelines, click the following link.

https://play.cricket.com.au/community/clubs/managing-your-club/youth-pace-bowling-guidelines

22/09/2024

Did you know the RICE acronym (Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate) was first introduced in 1978?

And despite multiple tweaks and additions, the RICE regime is still the most universally recognised and implemented management for acute sporting injuries.

Not many medical interventions have remained unchanged for 46 years, so is RICE the correct management tool for injuries!

Read about this and all the other acronyms in our latest blog, and the acronym we recommend may actually be one you’ve never heard of!

https://www.sspc.physio/the-role-of-ice-in-managing-acute-sporting-injuries/

17/09/2024

The Role Of Ice In Managing Acute Sporting Injuries

“Should I ice my injury” - This is one of the most common questions the SSPC physio’s get asked!

The answer is not simple, but in our latest blog Anthony delves into the science behind using ice (or cryotherapy as it is medically referred to), and reveals some recent research that suggests ice might not be doing what we think it is doing. Some of this research is also making us consider whether ice may at times be inhibiting healing, rather than promoting it!

Nearly everyone is familiar with the acronym RICE – Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate – and it is still the most commonly used intervention for acute sporting injuries - but should it be?

Take a read and find out why the thinking around Ice is changing.

https://www.sspc.physio/the-role-of-ice-in-managing-acute-sporting-injuries/

20/08/2024

🦵✨ Think surgery is the only way to relieve knee pain? Think again! Many Australians are told they need surgery for osteoarthritis, but new guidelines suggest a different approach.

By focusing on regular exercise and weight management, you can ease your pain and improve mobility—without going under the knife. 💪

Don’t let fear of movement hold you back. Discover how staying active can actually strengthen your joints and keep you moving for years to come.

Wondering if surgery is your only option? Book a consultation with us today and explore non-surgical treatments that can make a world of difference. 🏋️‍♀️🏃‍♂️

25/07/2024

There are many changes that happen to our body as we get older, and one of the natural changes as we age is a loss of muscle mass and strength.

From the age of 30, this loss occurs slowly, but it accelerates quite a bit from the age of 50 and beyond. Some sources say we can lose as much as 10-15% muscle size and strength every year after the age of 50, especially in physically inactive people.

Sarcopenia refers to this loss of muscle mass, strength, and function, especially in the older
population.

But there’s so much that can be done to help combat the process of sarcopenia, so keep an eye out for our soon to be released blog and podcast which go into detail on the topic of sarcopenia, and provide some great tips on what you can do to keep your body strong!

12/07/2024

Young Athletes: High Loads & Sports Specialisation Does Not Guarantee Future Stardom!

The seemingly endless drive for young kids to be in "talent identification" or "special selection" programs, as well as the opportunities to play at representative and state/national level, can often result in physical (pain and injury) and mental (burn out, loss of enjoyment) issues in this age demographic.

And despite the obvious thought that early talent identification might enhance the chances of success, research suggests that early specialisation in sports doesn't guarantee long-term success. Instead, a balanced approach with diverse activities fosters better development and enduring enjoyment of sports.

The statistics on just how many elite adult athletes have been elite at junior levels, is really surprising. Click the link below to read the latest blog by SSPC physio Anthony Lance, detailing why we should be wary of the amount and intensity of sport that our young kids do, and why early sport specialisation isn't producing the super senior athletes we expect it would.

https://www.sspc.physio/young-athletes-high-loads-and-sport-specialisation-does-not-guarantee-future-stardom/

12/05/2024

The latest Perform Prevent Recover podcast has been released and we welcome David Munro, an expert physiotherapist with a wealth of experience in concussion management across a variety of sports, but with a focus on community level sport and Australian Rules Football.

David's wealth of knowledge is obvious as we discuss the days of limited recognition through to today's understanding of considering concussion as a mild traumatic brain injuries. The complexity of managing these injuries is balanced with a simple focus on providing adequate care to concussed athletes.

Many topics are covered including:

*recognizing and responding to concussions in high-pressure sports environments.

*using readily available tools such as the Concussion Recognition Tool 6, and the crucial role these tools play in ensuring the safety of our players.

*the challenges of diagnosing and managing younger athletes.

* the gradual reintroduction of athletes to their sport post-concussion, detailing the Graduated Return To Sport guidelines and protocols that prioritize the athlete's long-term well-being.

*where helmets fit in to concussion risk reduction

*the relationship between concussion and mental health

*the sobering topic of athletes facing consecutive concussions and the potential need for long recovery periods in certain cases.

This episode isn't just about the immediate steps post-concussion, but about a holistic view of athlete health, from the moment of impact to the long-term implications on their lives and careers.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone at any level of sport, even if just a parent, observer, or volunteer.

https://performpreventrecover.podbean.com/e/episode-31-concussion-the-delicate-art-of-concussion-assessment-management-in-community-and-junior-sport/