Your Physio

06/07/2023

Hi friends. Spread the word if you know of anyone who may be interested.

Be a motivated physio and be a local legend for the want of a thriving practice and be valued by an appreciative public.

26/09/2022

How much do we assess Concussion? The assessment of concussion is quite stringent and thorough. It involves checking your blood flow, your neck, your vestibular oculomotor system. (eye movement and head movement with respect to dizziness and blurred vision). As physiotherapists, we assess these in order to create your own exercise program and treatment to recover as quickly and as completely as possible. We will also assess the effect diet and sleep patterns have on recovery, as well as assessing the effect concussion can have on your mental health, which research suggests is the number one cause of delayed recovery or ongoing symptoms.

Contact us for more information by calling 3425 2643 or check out CCMI on completeconcussions.com

(Image credit: Complete Concussion Management Inc.)

24/09/2022

September is Dystonia Awareness Month

Dystonia a neurological movement disorder and can cause abnormal twisting or positions in the body, muscle tremors and spasm.

To find out more visit https://dystonia.org.au/media/dystonia-awareness-month-2022/

23/09/2022

Did you know that physiotherapist's can help with vertigo and dizziness. A vestibular physiotherapist addresses problems in your vestibular system. Located in your inner ear, the vestibular system contributes to your balance and sense of spatial orientation. The system regulates eye movement and posture.

An issue in the vestibular system can cause a variety of symptoms. The most common symptom being dizziness or feeling like they have vertigo. However, dizziness can be perceived in different ways and changes from person to person. People can often describe feeling “off balance”, “lightheaded” and “room spinning”.

Common disorders of the vestibular system include vestibular neuritis, Ménière's disease, Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) and labyrinthitis. Vestibular physiotherapists can assess your symptoms and determine if they are coming from your vestibular system or elsewhere. If there is a vestibular dysfunction your physiotherapist will be able to perform the correct treatment after the thorough assessment.

If you are suffering from dizziness don’t hesitate to give our clinic a call 3425 2643 and book yourself an assessment.

22/09/2022

Did you know that “chronic pain” only officially became a diagnosis in 2019? “Chronic pain” as a diagnosis, rather than a symptom was only first recognised as a condition by the WHO in their book “International Classification of Diseases, 11 the Edition”. This broadly defines chronic pain as persistent or recurring pain that lasts more than 3 months and cannot be better explained by another condition.

Why is this important? Because it validates a person’s experience of pain. Just because a medical professional can’t find a strained muscle, ominous lump, or something funny in your blood test, it doesn’t mean that you simply
‘shouldn’t be in pain.’ It also opens up a whole new world of treatment options. For more information, book in with us by calling 3425 2643.

(Image credit: APA)

21/09/2022

If you’re a runner and you’re not incorporating resistance training into your week, you may be missing out! Whether you are a short-, middle- or long-distance runner, implementing a resistance training program could improve your running performance. The effects of resistance training are vast and include:
- Increased support around your joints
- Increased strength in your tendons
- Increased muscle strength
- Increased trunk stability
- Decreased risk of getting an overuse injury
- Improved running economy

If you would like some help setting yourself up for running success book in with us by calling 3425 2643.

Image Credit – Google images

20/09/2022

We all know what can happen if our pelvic floor support system becomes weak, it may result in incontinence, potentially prolapse or sometimes back pain. But did you know that a condition exists where the pelvic floor can become too tense and struggles to let go? It is really common and it’s called pelvic floor hypertonicity. A hypertonic pelvic floor occurs when the muscles in the pelvic floor become too tense and are unable to relax. Sometimes people don’t even know their pelvic floor is tense it can be a reflexive response to stressful events. Many people with a tense and non-relaxing pelvic floor experience pelvic health concerns such as constipation, painful s*x, urgency and pelvic pain.

A hypertonic pelvic floor may also be accompanied by tension in surrounding hip and pelvic muscles, and hamstrings. Interestingly it is common with chronic stress, trauma and mental illness and can present as low back pain, pelvic pain or abdominal pain so it can often be misdiagnosed.

The wonderful news is, once it’s identified as the cause of your concerns there a lots of very effective treatment options that can help.

If you think your pain might be pelvic or abdominal in nature, check in with your GP and/or book in with our women’s health physiotherapist by calling 3425 2643.

(Image source Australian Physiotherapy Association)

https://www.continence.org.au/news/hypertonic-pelvic-floor

19/09/2022

The last 5 years have seen a surge in traditionally mens competition sports catering for women's teams too, which is great to see. We all love it, BUT! Such a move has provided unforeseen problems. In over 30 years of treating ACL injuries, clients may have heard me quote that I have seen more ACL’s from netball than all the footy codes combined. We originally thought this was because of the one step rule. NRLW and WAFL may have changed our thinking, as the rate of ACL injuries in these outweigh that of the men…by a long way.

Consequently, there is a scamper to research
- why this is the case.
- is it a strength issue?
- it a technique issue?
- OR, is it a genetic issue?

The current research is skewing towards genetic risk. The obvious thinking revolves around the fact a female’s pelvis is anatomically wider to allow for child-bearing. This means the mechanical angle of the knee is generally different from that of a male. Whether or not this is significant in ACL injury will take years to find out, and to find a solution. In the meantime, specific training techniques can’t hurt.
Talk to us about how we can help. Call 3425 2643.

16/09/2022

Did you know that 48% of Australians over the age of the 50 suffer with Osteoarthritis. It is the most common chronic condition of joints in the human body. Osteoarthritis is a progressive disorder of the joints caused by gradual loss of cartilage. This can cause the development of bony spurs and cysts at the margin of the Joints

Research shows that exercise can help your Osteoarthritis by:
- Improving joint stability
- Increased joint range of motion
- Strengthening muscles
- Decreasing pain and muscle tension surrounding the joint
- Improving cartilage matrix content for those at risk
- Preventing commonly associated chronic diseases

Exercise has also been shown to help prevent the onset of osteoarthritis along with healthy weight management, sport injury prevention programs and identifying high risk activities that involve kneeling or lifting.

We can help you to prevent osteoarthritis, relieve the symptoms and prolong the need for a total knee replacement with a modified exercise program. Call us on 342502643 to book an appointment.

15/09/2022

‘Chronic Pain’ is a term that we hear a lot , but what does it mean? It’s actually become a diagnosis in its own right, not just a symptom! WHO defines chronic pain as pain that lasts for more than 3 months, that cannot be explained with a better diagnosis. It can come from multiple sources within your body, and so accurate diagnosis of chronic pain is very important in recovery. Chronic pain becoming a diagnosis in its own right only happened in 2019, and so there are a lot of people, including medical professionals, who don’t appreciate the impact it makes on people’s lives - they think it’s a symptom, not a problem. Chronic pain can be extremely debilitating to the point of it becoming someone’s world. Check out this article by the BBC that explains it well and come and see us if you need help navigating your pain journey.

Specialists warn the NHS is not set up to deal with such complex conditions.

14/09/2022

Are you a netball player? If so, you should look into the Netball KNEE program - an injury prevention program designed by Netball Australia to prevent knee and ankle injuries. The intention of this program is to keep you playing netball without getting an injury. Chantel, one of our physios, is a Netball Australia Endorsed Provider of the KNEE program. If you would like more information or help to get started, please get in touch on 3425 2643.

(Image credit – Netball Australia)

13/09/2022

Did you know that women's health physiotherapy appointments do not always involve internal assessment/treatment, in fact often they don’t need to. Additionally, even if internal examination was indicated to inform diagnosis or assist with treatment, you are always given the option to say no. It is always your choice and there are other options a physiotherapist can pursue to assess and diagnose. So please don’t feel afraid to book. You are safe and in good hands. If you would like more information on women’s health physiotherapy here are three good sources:

https://choose.physio/your-lifestage/motherhood/women%E2%80%99s-health

https://www.continence.org.au/news/what-expect-when-seeing-womens-pelvic-healthcontinence-physiotherapist

https://www.hcf.com.au/health-agenda/health-care/treatments-and-procedures/womens-health-physio

12/09/2022

The syndesmosis injury (high ankle sprain)

Gotta love the way things we have been seeing for 30 years, gradually become ‘fad’ or ‘dreaded’ injuries. Realistically, this has all come about from our improvement in diagnostic techniques like MRI and our understanding of mechanisms of injury. We all know about spraining an ankle. It’s an everyday occurrence and probably the most common sporting injury. So, when is an ankle sprain not just an ankle sprain?

Looking at the picture above, a standard lateral ankle sprain involves one or more of the talofibular and calcaneofibular ligaments.
The high ankle sprain is a tear of one or more of the tibiofibular ligaments and the interosseous membrane (the syndesmosis). The pain is similar, the presentation, mechanism of injury and treatment are not. Confused? Don’t be! We are able to diagnose and ensure referral to the right people if required.

Book in with any of our highly skilled sports and musculoskeletal physiotherapists by calling 3425 2643.

10/09/2022

According to the “WHO 2020 guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour”, adults should undertake at least 150-300 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic activity and 2 or more days of strengthening activities per week. The guidelines also state that some physical activity is better than doing none. So, make sure you get out and do some activity this weekend like going for a walk, riding one of the local bike tracks or visiting a national park.
If you would like assistance with designing an exercise program, please contact us on 3425 2643.

For more information on the WHO 2020 guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour”, visit

The WHO Guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour provide evidence-based public health recommendations for children, adolescents, adults and older adults on the amount of physical activity (frequency, intensity and duration) required to offer significant health benefits and mitigate he...

09/09/2022

The dreaded frozen shoulder. I am sure most of you would have heard of it or know someone that has had it. It is also known as ‘Adhesive Capsulitis’ and is characterised as inflammation and tightening of the joint capsule. It has three phases – freezing, frozen and thawing. Each present with a different array of symptoms.
Unfortunately, a frozen shoulder comes on without any trauma or previous shoulder injury and is more prevalent in 40-60 year old females. Diagnosis is often made through ruling out other conditions first and MRI scans. Physiotherapists are trained to identify the characteristics of a frozen shoulder and help with making a definitive diagnosis.

The recovery process can take up to 18 – 24 months. Luckily physiotherapy can help speed the recovery with a targeted treatment and exercise program. Call us if you need help to identify and treat the cause of your shoulder pain.

Image credit https://www.choosept.com/guide/physical-therapy-guide-frozen-shoulder-adhesive-capsulitis

09/09/2022

08/09/2022

Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a phenomenon that can occur after you have lost a body part - this could be anything from a part of your finger to an entire leg. The limb is gone, but the pain is very real! This usually starts quite soon after surgery, and the time it lasts is different for everyone, but most cases improve within the first six months. This pain occurs due to signals in your brain and spinal cord not recognising that the limb is gone. If you are a recent amputee and would like more information on treatment of PLP and reclaiming your mobility, come in and have a chat with us! You can also check out the amputee-coalition.org

Image Credit: https://unsplash.com/photos/4w0XkDe2Ee8

07/09/2022

Are your weak gluteal muscles responsible for your knee and ankle pain? Did you know that your gluteal muscles are arguably the biggest, most powerful muscles in your body. Collectively, these muscles are responsible for most movements around your hips. If there is a weakness or altered motor control around your gluteal muscles, we often see changes in not only hip mechanics, but it also has a flow on effect on how your knees and ankles move. There is high quality evidence to suggest that hip strengthening improves your movement mechanics which have a direct impact on your knees and ankles. If you would like assistance with managing any lower limb concerns, please contact us on 3425 2643.

(Image credit – Google images)