Dr.Tahir Physiotherapist

31/07/2025

"I am delighted to share my positive experience as an external examiner for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Midwest institute Islamabad.
The program commitment to excellence in education, state-of-the-art infrastructure.
As an external examiner, I had the opportunity to assessments, student work, and I was pleased to see the high standards of academic rigor and clinical competence.

30/06/2025

Defence Hockey Academy Lahore: A Dream, A Reality, A Shutting Chapter
By Tahir Amin Rana, Toronto, Canada

What started as a dream to bring back Pakistan's national sport, hockey, quickly turned into a mission. Unfortunately, this mission now faces an early end. This is the story of Defence Hockey Academy Lahore, once a symbol of hope, established at the Manzoor-ul-Hasan Hockey Stadium, also known as DHA Arena.

The modern stadium was built on Aziz Bhatti Road, Lahore, through a partnership between Defence Housing Authority (DHA) Lahore and Pakistan Army (4 Corps). It was officially opened in November 2022 by the then Chief of Army Staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa. The aim was not just to promote sports but to restore the lost glory of Pakistan hockey.

This academy was founded on a groundbreaking idea: to offer grassroots-level hockey training with top-notch facilities, following the successful approaches of neighboring countries. Scouts searched all over Pakistan, trials were held, and the best young players were chosen.

Designed like the Pakistan Military Academy, DHA Hockey Academy provided:

- Full boarding and lodging
- Free quality education
- Monthly stipend of PKR 15,000
- Professional coaching
- Free medical facilities
- Career opportunities

From February 2024 to March 2025, this academy achieved impressive results:

- 5 players selected for the National Junior Camp in Karachi
- 2 players chosen for the Islamabad National Camp
- 2 players represented Pakistan in international matches against Germany and Oman
- Several players joined WAPDA and Army hockey teams
- And most notably, 3 players — Ali Hamza, Ali Hanzala, and Muhammad Yaseen — were selected for the Pakistan U-18 team and left to represent the country at the Asia Cup in Dezhou, China, from July 3 to 13, 2025

Yet, despite this undeniable success, the academy was shut down just one year and two months after it began.

The hockey community claims that the closure is due to jealous individuals and anti-hockey forces who couldn't stand to see a national success story thrive. They view this act as a betrayal — a serious setback for the revival of the national sport.

Olympians, international players, and hockey fans across Pakistan have shared their disappointment over the decision. They all agree:

“Had this academy continued for even 2 to 3 more years, it would have produced a new generation of players for the national Junior and Senior teams.”

They have earnestly appealed to the Honorable Army Chief Field Marshal General Asim Munir, GHQ Rawalpindi:

- Immediately restore the academy
- Recall the enrolled players
- Resume the training process with the same vision and standards

Pakistan hockey has a proud past, a challenging present, and its future relies on initiatives like this.

Hockey enthusiasts and Olympians express gratitude once again to DHA, the Pakistan Army, and 4 Corps, sending a hopeful message:

“Reviving our national sport is a national duty. The lights of the DHA Hockey Academy must shine again, as institutions like these can truly rebuild the future of Pakistan hockey.”

23/03/2025

The Lasègue test, or Straight Leg Raise Test (SLR), is one of the most commonly used maneuvers in clinical evaluation of sciatica pain and lumbar radicolopathy. This test is based on the tension of the sciatic nerve and its peripheral branches (tibial nerve and peroneal nerve), providing a clear indication of possible compression at the level of the lombosacral nerve roots.

How is the test performed ?

The patient is in superior position. Therapist passively lifts the extended lower limb while keeping the extended knee. The angle of elevation is between 40° and 50°, because at this stage the sciatic nerve enters maximum tension. If the patient reports pain radiated along the sciatic nerve course, the test is positive and suggests possible compression or root irritation.

Awareness test: foot reflexion

To increase the specifics of the test, the clinician may add a passive dissipation of the foot. This gesture causes a further stretching of the sciatic nerve, intensifying the pain in case of nerve irritation.

Why is it important ?

If dorsiflexion increases pain, the likelihood of lumbar radicolopathy increases. Instead, if the pain remains unchanged or is located only at the lumbar level, it could be a musculoskeletal or myofascial dysfunction (for example, piriform syndrome or better sciatic-pelvic functional neuropathy*).

What does the Lasègue test say to us?

Pain between 30° and 70° elevation → possible lumbar disc hernia compressing the root of L4-L5 or L5-S1.

Pain above 70° → less likely root involvement; could be ischiocrural muscle tension.

Pain that reduces by flexion of the knee → probable involvement of the sciatic nerve and not other muscle structures.

Link with the lumbar root diseases

As shown in the image, a protrusion or herniated disc between L4 and L5 can compress the L5 nerve root, causing pain radiated down the course of the sciatic nerve to the foot.

Common symptoms associated with L5 radicolopathy

Lower back pain radiating down the lateral face of the thigh and leg.
Alterations of the sensitivity in the back of the foot.

If instead the hernia involves L5-S1, the pain radiates down the back of the thigh and leg up to the lateral margin of the foot.

Is Lasègue's test enough for diagnosis?

Nope! Lasègue’s test is an indicator of radical suffering, but alone is not enough to make a diagnosis. It must be associated with other neurological tests (reflexes, muscle strength, dermatomeric sensitivity assessment) and, if necessary, confirmed with imaging (lumbar RM).

Conclusion

The Lasègue test is a fundamental tool in the assessment of lumbosciatalgic pain, allowing to differentiate between a problem of nerve origin and musculoskeletal dysfunction. However, it should always be interpreted in a broader clinical context to avoid misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.

05/03/2025

24/01/2025

Strength and resistance training is Important for Health .

18/01/2025

Insha Allah

18/01/2025

Great Motivation .

10/01/2025

19/12/2024

Sports # # .