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Posted by philipwoodphysio in General on August 12th, 2021
Adhesive capsulitis, more commonly known as a ‘frozen shoulder’, is a painful condition that is characterised by stiffness and a loss of motion in the shoulder. What causes frozen shoulder, what can you do about it and how can you stop it from happening in the first place? Let’s take a look!
The tissue that surrounds the shoulder joint and holds it together is called the capsule – when this becomes inflamed, this band of tissue becomes stiff, which restricts the movement of the shoulder.
There is no clear cause of frozen shoulder, however hormonal imbalances, diabetes or a weakened immune system can make you more susceptible to joint inflammation. Long periods of inactivity following injury, illness or surgery also increase the chance of a stiff shoulder joint.
If you develop adhesive capsulitis, you are likely to experience symptoms in three stages across a period of approximately 1-3 years.
Initially, the shoulder will be intensely painful, and any movement will cause pain. At this stage, movement begins to become limited. The discomfort often leads to avoiding moving the shoulder, which further increases the stiffness. When the shoulder is at its most stiff, pain may reduce somewhat, but movement becomes more difficult. Once the shoulder begins to “thaw”, the range of motion then improves.
Many people say that the pain is worse at night and can keep them awake.
Physiotherapy is the most common treatment for a frozen shoulder. A physio will help you to stretch your shoulder joint to recover the range of motion and will teach you a program of gentle exercises to do at home.
While you’re waiting for your physio appointment, putting an ice pack on the shoulder for 15 minutes, several times a day, can help to reduce the pain.
The following people are at greater risk of developing adhesive capsulitis:
As immobility is a major cause of a frozen shoulder, if you suffer an injury or illness that will keep you out of action for a while, speak to a physiotherapist about exercises that you can do safely to keep your shoulder moving.
If you’re experiencing pain or loss of motion in your shoulder, give us a call on 9838 3030 or email catwood@bigpond.net.au and we’ll talk to you about how we can help.
Posted by philipwoodphysio in General on July 23rd, 2021
As a valued patient or carer, we would like to personally update you on COVID information as it relates to Philip Wood Physiotherapy.
Firstly, we are continuing to closely monitor all available information provided by the NSW Health Department. In addition to this advice, our professional body seeks clarification directly from the Chief Allied Health Officer for NSW. We are using this information, and its regular updates to inform the management strategies we develop to prioritise the safety of our patients and employees.
Our landlords at the Leisure Centre closed the building in June and consequently, we are not permitted to operate at this location.
Our practice at Riverstone remains open. Given the rate of spread of the Delta COVID variant and the affect the virus is having on our community, we have implemented strict safeguard measures to enhance the protection of our staff and patients.
Whilst not a NSW Health requirement, we would also like you to let you know that all physiotherapists at Philip Wood Physiotherapy are fully immunised and undertake regular COVID tests.
We thank you very much for your understanding during this difficult time.
Philip Wood Physiotherapy
20 July 2020
Posted by philipwoodphysio in General on July 22nd, 2021
Let’s face it, they’re into everything, all the time, and you will never have enough eyes in your head to keep them out of mischief.
Since your child getting injured is an inevitability, we’ve put together a list of the most common ways they might manage it, and what you can do about it.
Rolling, twisting or turning an ankle in an awkward way can stretch or tear the ligaments. This can be extremely painful, and can cause tenderness, swelling and bruising. Since ligaments are responsible for stabilising the joints, a sprain can also inhibit their range of motion and cause them to be unsteady on their foot.
Painkillers and rest might be enough to allow the ankle to recover on its own, but they might need a proper evaluation to check how badly it has been sprained and whether further treatment is necessary. Your child might also benefit from a brace or supportive footwear while the ankle is recovering.
To lessen the chances of a sprained ankle occurring, make sure your child is wearing well-fitting shoes and the appropriate footwear for the activity. Encourage them to warm up before playing sport and caution them to be careful if running or jumping on uneven surfaces (if they’ll listen – good luck!).
Sometimes known as “jumper’s knee” or “runner’s knee”, patello-femoral joint syndrome is pain in the front of the knee and around the kneecap usually caused by overuse of the knee joint or a blow or fall on the kneecap. Since kids spend a lot of time running, jumping, falling over and bashing into things, this can be a common occurrence.
If your child has patello-femoral joint syndrome, it’s likely their knee will hurt when they bend it to jump, climb stairs or squat down. If they’re sitting with their knee bent for a long time, like at the cinema, this may also cause pain. Some children might also report cracking or popping sounds in their knee.
The RICER treatment method (rest, ice, compression, elevation, referral) and anti-inflammatory painkillers should relieve the worst of the discomfort. We can also advise you on shoe inserts to stabilise their foot, and sports massage will help to relieve some of the strain on the muscles. There are also several exercises we can show them to reduce the likelihood of the problem happening again.
At the top of the shinbone is a growth plate – a soft area of cartilage that allows the bone to grow. During a growth spurt, when the muscles, bones and tendons are growing at different rates, the tendon that connects the shinbone to the kneecap can pull on the growth plate at the top of the shinbone. Sport and repetitive movements further stretch this tendon. This causes swelling and irritation, known as Osgood Schlatter Disease (OSD).
OSD can happen in one or both knees, and causes severe pain – particularly when running, jumping, going upstairs or walking up hills.
Thankfully, OSD will go away when your child stops growing. Until then, they can continue to do all their normal activities as long as they rest if the pain becomes severe and the pain subsides after a day of rest. If it doesn’t subside after 24 hours of rest, they’ll need to be checked out. We can help provide some protective equipment and footwear to minimise the strain on their knees, and a stretching and warm-up/cool-down routine for sports activities.
You know how kids are always darting about all over the place? Well sudden changes of direction, abrupt stops, pivots and landing awkwardly after a jump can all cause damage to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which helps to connect the thigh bone to the shin bone.
The pain of an ACL sprain is severe, and even the hardiest kid won’t be able to carry on running around. ACL damage causes rapid swelling and a loss of range of motion. It often causes the knee to feel unstable, like it is giving way when they walk, and your child might hear a loud “pop” when the ligament tears.
If you think your child might have an ACL sprain, get it checked out as soon as possible. It’s important to figure out how severe the damage is to determine what treatment is needed. If you have a particularly sporty child, we can also teach them some important exercises to strengthen their muscles and make sure their technique is correct to avoid ACL sprains occurring in the first place.
If you have any concerns about your little whirlwind, give us a call on 9838 3030 or email philipwoodphysitherapy@gmail.com and we can help reduce some of the damage!
Posted by philipwoodphysio in General on June 23rd, 2021
Growing pains aren’t quite the myth you’ve been led to believe. The rapid growth of your child’s bones, combined with the fact that children are often extremely physically active, can lead to a painful heel injury known as Sever’s disease.
Despite the name, it isn’t an illness and is usually something that will go away once your child is fully grown. But in the meantime, it can cause serious pain and distress. So, what is it and what can you do about it?
To enable a child’s bones to grow, there are several growth plates around the body – these are areas of soft cartilage that allow the bones to add length and width. Once a child has stopped growing, these growth plates harden into solid bone.
As well as being located at the ends of several long bones, like the femur, radius and ulna, one growth plate is located in the heel, and is the attachment point for the Achilles tendon.
During a growth spurt, the heel bones grow rapidly – and the heel is actually one of the first bones to reach adult size. Often, the muscles and tendons can’t grow fast enough to keep up, which causes them to be stretched. If your child does a lot of running and jumping – either through sports, or simply being a kid – this can further strain the tendons, and sometimes pull on the Achilles tendon, which can add extra stress. All of this causes pain and inflammation which, in 1912, was named by James Warren Sever as Sever’s disease.
The issue is most common in boys, but it can also affect girls. Children are most likely to experience problems during a growth spurt – for girls this is usually between the ages of 8 and 13, whereas in boys it is usually between the ages of 10 and 15.
Children with Sever’s disease will usually experience:
The pain will usually be worse during exercise, and better after rest.
The good news is, Sever’s disease usually goes away completely once a child has stopped growing. The bad news is that can take a long time.
Rest is often the best treatment, and your child may need to cut down on physical activity for a while. When they are able to return to their activities, they’ll need to build up gradually.
You can also give your child appropriate painkillers (chat to us if unsure) to relieve some of the discomfort, and ice packs can help with the swelling.
There are several ways a physiotherapist can help:
Then it’s just a case of waiting for them to grow up. But trust us when we say, that will happen before you know it!
If your child is experiencing heel pain, we’re here to help! Just give us a call on 9838 3030 or email catwood@bigpond.net.au and we’ll see what we can do.
Posted by philipwoodphysio in General on June 17th, 2021
We all hear that we should be drinking more water… but why? Experts recommend you should drink at least two litres each day, but the optimum amount is closer to three litres for women and four litres for men. Evidence also suggests that sipping that water gradually throughout the day rather than drinking irregularly is better for you. That might seem like a lot of effort, but it really is worth it. Here are six reasons why keeping your glass (more than) half-full is good for you.
Water is essential for ensuring that oxygen travels around the body, and also keeps your muscles energised. On the other hand, dehydration forces your heart to work harder to try to get that vital oxygen to all your tissues, and that makes you feel fatigued.
Even mild dehydration results in reduced muscle strength, power and stamina. So if you want to be on top of your game, you need to drink up.
Many studies have shown that, when we don’t drink enough, we lose the ability to focus, our reactions slow down, and our short-term memory is impaired. We also experience lower moods.
Your brain is mostly water, so keeping hydrated will help it to function at its best. Drinking water also reduces our levels of cortisol — the hormone that produces stress — meaning that we feel more relaxed.
Water speeds up your metabolism so that you burn calories more quickly — great if you’re trying to lose weight. Since our bodies often mistake being thirsty for being hungry, if you stay hydrated then you’re less likely to feel the need to snack. Water also helps to reduce fluid retention, as your body doesn’t hold on to as much if it’s getting enough, and regular hydration helps flush away the water in your system.
More water in your body means plumped up skin cells, improving your skin tone and smoothing wrinkles. Water also removes toxins and impurities from the skin, and increases blood flow, leading to a clearer, brighter complexion.
Water is vital for the performance of your digestive system and getting rid of waste from the body. Dehydration can lead to constipation, acid reflux, heartburn and stomach ulcers.
Need advice on keeping your body healthy and sticking to healthy habits? Call us on 9838 3030 or email philipwoodphysiotherapy@gmail.com and we’ll help guide you on living your best life.
Posted by philipwoodphysio in General on May 31st, 2021
The vascular system, also known as your circulatory system, delivers oxygen and nutrients to all the cells in the body. If it is not functioning properly, a wide range of problems can develop, so it is vital to take care of it as best you can.
Your vascular system is made up of the heart and blood vessels, which send vital elements around the body whilst removing waste products.
The vascular system consists of the following:
Without the vital work of your vascular system, you couldn’t survive. Every tissue in your body needs the life-giving blood delivered by your vascular system to do its job – even nerves need a constant supply of blood to maintain function. So, if something goes wrong with your vascular system, things go wrong everywhere.
There are numerous conditions associated with vascular system dysfunction, including several heart conditions, high blood pressure, vasculitis, varicose veins, blood clots and stroke.
These are some of the best ways to keep your vascular system happy and healthy:
Eating a diet that is high in cholesterol or fatty foods and living a sedentary lifestyle can lead to a build-up of plaque inside the arteries, which reduces the amount of blood that can flow through them! This means that organs and tissues will not receive enough of the nutrients they need, so eating well and getting regular exercise is a must!
If you want to talk more about looking after your vascular system, call us on 9838 3030 or email PhilipWoodPhysiotherapy@gmail.com and we’ll do our best to answer any questions you have.
Posted by philipwoodphysio in General on May 31st, 2021
The main problem with Knee Pain is that it very quickly interferes with the correct function of the surrounding, supporting muscles. It’s a cycle – pain in the knee (from whatever source) -> muscles surrounding the knee become inhibited and not activated as they should -> muscles quickly become weak from disuse -> reduced support for the knee -> more strain on the knee structures -> more pain.
Most people that come to see us have Googled their symptoms and many have a good idea of what might be going wrong. The problem with using ‘Dr Google’ is the ‘one size fits all’ approach. It is imperative to find out the main contributions to the specific pain cycle for each individual, to be able to devise an effective program of advice, corrective exercises and therapy.
Knee Pain can come from the knee joints, the surrounding muscles, tendons or ligaments but it can also come from further afield – the hip joint or the lower back for instance. It can be due to many factors: your biomechanics, how you are standing, walking and moving, or as a result of that injury you had a while back that you thought had gone away. It’s your unique history that makes you different from everyone else.
We generally recommend further investigations only in those cases where our questioning or examination show up instability or other abnormality; where there has not been the progress we expected, or there has been significant trauma that was not investigated fully at the time. In these instances, we can liaise with the patient’s GP to recommend the tests that we think are necessary or can advise further referral to Consultants through the NHS. We also work with a wide network of trusted, Knee Consultants, Sports Doctors and Rheumatologists and so we can help choose the most suitable Specialist if further referral becomes necessary.
A knee support or brace can help in the early stages after an injury when the pain is severe and you need to walk or stand for periods of time. However, it does not train muscles or address the causative factors and does not help you other than giving some support. It cannot be used instead of treatment and if used for too long can encourage the muscles around the knee to weaken further as they have less work to do. Careful assessment and treatment of your knee is the key to changing and improving your symptoms.
In early stages, use the PRICE method – Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation.
Once the initial pain is under control, it is generally advisable to try and move the knee as normally as possible. If you have been given some exercises or have some stretches, it is fine to start them now. The important thing to remember is that any exercises themselves should not be painful – if they are, they contribute to the pain cycle outlined at the beginning of this article. Returning to exercise should be gradual, bearing in mind that running especially, loads the joints with more than double body weight, so it is best not to commence your return to exercise with a run. Walking and cycling are lower impact activities that can be helpful to build back up function and strength.
If the pain persists beyond 7-10 days in spite of you trying to do all the right things, then you might need to book in to see us for an assessment and specific programme to get you back to your sport or activity.
As mentioned earlier, physiotherapy treatment for knee pain will very much depend on what the physiotherapist finds during the initial assessment. If, for instance, the problem relates to muscle imbalances around the knee, maybe through a sudden increase in running – treatment will be directed at stretching some tissues while strengthening others. If however, the primary problem is further away, treatment might include joint mobilisations for the spine, hip, knee or ankle. Massage and other soft tissue techniques can be used and acupuncture or dry needling is often very helpful for knee problems especially in cases of osteoarthritis. If the knee is being over-loaded, possibly though poor biomechanics, a prescription might include shoe orthotics or altered running style. Taping techniques can be helpful in some cases, in a diagnostic as well as treatment capacity by off-loading specific structures or improving muscle activation. Core strengthening exercises are often prescribed to offload pressure on the knee and other lower limb structures.
The intensity and loading of any exercises, very much depend on the capabilities of the structure, the stage of the healing cycle along with the patient’s requirements and preferences. Yet again, there is no size fits all – an elite athlete will be following quite a different rehab programme to a sedentary office-worker, even though both might have what seems like a similar knee pain. Some clients like a lot of exercises and others want a pared-down list of the basics that they can focus on. Together, we work out a programme that will be effective, feasible and attainable. Exercise software has also greatly improved the patient experience – we can email you your programme so that you have a photo or video reminder.
Finally, the response to treatment is very individual and this is where the tailored approach is invaluable. As physiotherapists, we expect to see changes relatively quickly – either a decrease in pain, and/or an increase in function. The treatment is adapted all the time, from that first meeting to ensure that progress is maintained. The aim is to correct the underlying factors to allow the body to heal and then support and facilitate this process with the right rehabilitation programme to get the client to where they need to be.
Posted by philipwoodphysio in General on May 23rd, 2021
There are a lot of myths out there about physiotherapy. Whilst some of them might give us a chuckle, others might be putting people off from getting vital treatment that will enable them to live fuller lives. So, we wanted to set the record straight and let you know what physiotherapy is really all about.
Some people think that physiotherapists are for athletes or people who are seriously into their sports and fitness. This isn’t true at all.
Fact: We can help people who play sports or exercise regularly, whatever their level, either to recover from an injury or to stay on top of their game. But we also see patients who aren’t sporty at all. In fact, the majority of our patients aren’t athletes! Anyone who has muscles, joints and tissues can benefit from physiotherapy – and that’s, well, everyone!
We’ve heard people say that they don’t think they should see a physio because they don’t have a specific injury that they’re aware of, they just have pain or discomfort that has been gradually building, but they think the lack of any big event that started it means they’ll be wasting our time. That isn’t the case.
Fact: If your pain is still there after two weeks, it probably isn’t going to go away by itself. You don’t have to have experienced a specific injury to need physiotherapy – general wear and tear over time, or more subtle issues that build up without you noticing can cause damage that needs to be treated. Ignoring it can often mean it just gets worse and could lead to more serious problems down the line.
Furthermore, your pain could be caused by lifestyle factors or issues with your activity technique. A physiotherapist can help you identify changes or tools that can help you avoid aggravating or repeating any issues.
A lot of people put off or avoid seeing a physio because they’re worried the treatment will be painful. We’re not going to lie, there might be some discomfort, especially if you’ve got a serious issue that needs to be dealt with. But in the long run, leaving your problem untreated is likely to be a lot more painful!
Fact: Many people say physiotherapy treatment was a more comfortable experience than they expected. We try to make your appointment as pain-free as possible, and we will increase your activity levels when your body is ready. Plus, if treatment means saying goodbye to your current issue and associated pain, then any short-lived discomfort during your treatment will seem totally worth it.
Your physiotherapy treatment is likely to involve some form of exercise to help with strength, flexibility, and mobility. But that’s only part of what we do.
Fact: Physiotherapy involves a wide range of techniques, including manual therapy, massage, activity modification, weight management, lifestyle advice, training plans and, yes, exercise. What form and combination of treatments we recommend for you will depend on your particular issue and individual requirements.
A lot of people are nervous about coming to see a physio because they think they’ll have to take their clothes off. Don’t worry, we’ve seen it all before, but we probably won’t need to see yours anyway.
Fact: To determine the best way to treat you, we will almost certainly need to examine the affected area. So, if that is somewhere normally hidden by your clothes, then you may need to remove some items. However, you can make this a lot easier by wearing clothing that naturally exposes that area or is easy to pull aside. We recommend wearing loose-fitting clothes to an appointment anyway because that will make it easier for you to do any exercises or stretches.
If the area is impossible to look at without removing some clothes, then we can always cover you with towels if you feel more comfortable. If you’re worried about having to undress at an appointment, just let us know, and we can discuss it and find an appropriate solution to keep you feeling comfortable.
Don’t let myths and misconceptions prevent you from getting the treatment you need. If you have any questions or concerns about physiotherapy, just give us a call on 9838 3030 or email catwood@bigpond.net.au and we can give you the facts.
Posted by philipwoodphysio in General on April 25th, 2021
Want to look after your body like a physio? Whether you’re currently having treatment and want to complement that work, or you just want to keep yourself in the best possible condition, here are five ways that you can proactively take care of yourself from the comfort of your own home.
Stretching a particular muscle or muscle group improves elasticity and allows you to use the muscle more effectively to build strength. Stretches are therefore very important for increasing your control, range of motion and flexibility. If you are exercising, make sure you stretch before and after to reduce your risk of injury and improve your recovery time.
If you’ve developed stiff or tight muscles from exercising, using a foam roller can reduce soreness, release tightness or tension and decrease your recovery time. They can also be used to increase your core stability. You will need to hold your body above the roller, then slowly lower the area you want to target onto the roller. You can then roll gently backwards and forwards. It should cause mild discomfort, but don’t push it so far that it causes real pain as this could lead to injury.
Water plays a pretty important role in your body, enabling you to regulate your body temperature, lubricating your joints, assisting your kidneys to remove toxins, and delivering nutrients to cells to give you energy. Drinking enough water is vital, especially before, during and after exercise.
These small spikey balls can help relieve trigger points, which are hyperirritable nodules (little knots) in muscles that can occur all over the body. They can be caused by injury, over-exercising, poor posture or joint problems. Pressing the ball into the area and making small movements with it helps to release the trigger point, and the spikes stimulate your circulation. Like foam rollers, it’s important not to push too hard on these areas, so take it easy and book an appointment with us if you suspect you need a helping (physio) hand!
What you eat has a huge impact on the wellbeing and performance of your body. A clean diet, one that avoids processed foods or those high in sugars or additives, is great for taking care of your physical health. For example, proteins support the building of bone, muscle and connective tissue; vitamin-rich fruit and vegetables support cell function; and omega-3 fatty acids help take care of your joints. When was the last time you took a good look at your weekly food intake to ensure you’re giving yourself a balanced meal each day? (Maybe now is the perfect time!)
Want a more personalised plan for your physical wellbeing? Give us a call on 9838 3030 or email philipwoodphysiotherapy@gmail.com and let’s have a chat about approaches to support your particular needs.
Posted by philipwoodphysio in General on April 21st, 2021
If your new year’s resolution was to take up running, or to step up your existing exercise routine, you might have found yourself developing pain in your foot. It’s tempting to dismiss it as just a normal side effect of your new regime, but it could actually be a fracture. No, it’s probably not a completely broken bone, but a stress fracture – a small crack or severe bruising within the bone that, if left untreated, could cause you some serious problems.
Unlike other types of fracture, stress fractures don’t involve an actual snap in the bone and are not caused by trauma. Instead, a stress fracture is where a tiny crack develops over time.
Stress fractures are usually caused by overuse or repetitive actions. Suddenly changing your exercise routine by taking up a new activity, or substantially increasing the intensity of your workout can also lead to stress fractures.
You have five metatarsal bones in each foot, which run from the base of your toes back towards the body. They connect the toes to the tarsal bones in the middle part of your foot. The metatarsus are some of the most commonly fractured bones in the body due to the amount of repeated pressure they absorb in activities like running, walking and jumping.
Regular, repetitive motions in the foot are the most common causes of metatarsal stress fractures, making runners particularly susceptible. If you have recently taken up running or are trying to run too far too soon, you are at an even greater risk of developing a stress fracture.
Other sports, such as basketball, tennis, gymnastics and dance, that put a great deal of repeated pressure on the foot are also common causes. Whatever sport you are taking part in, you should always ensure you have the correct footwear and that it fits properly – as poor footwear increases the chances you will over-stress your metatarsals.
Stress fractures can also occur as a result of a different injury entirely! For example, if you sustain damage to an ankle, knee or hip and don’t seek treatment, you may end up overloading your foot on that side to compensate for the pain elsewhere.
Osteoporosis, vitamin D deficiency and certain foot problems can also lead to metatarsal stress fractures.
If you do develop a stress fracture in your metatarsal you will likely experience pain in your foot that will be worse during activity but will lessen when you rest.
You might also notice swelling at the top of your foot, and it may be tender to touch. There could also be some bruising or redness around the area. Some people will have balance problems or an uneven gait.
If left untreated, stress fractures can develop into a complete break or lead to chronic conditions.
If you suspect you have a metatarsal stress fracture, you must rest your foot. You can apply ice to ease the pain and elevate your foot to reduce swelling. Avoid tight or heeled shoes. Then make an appointment with us here at Philip Wood Physiotherapy.
We will look at any immediate interventions that will help the healing process, such as wearing a moon boot for a short period to de-load and allow the bone to repair itself. Then we might suggest footwear modifications or advise on your exercise routine changes to prevent the issue worsening or recurring.
If the stress fracture was caused by a previous injury, this will need to be addressed as well.
If you’re experiencing pain in your foot, or any unexplained pains following a change in your exercise routine, give us a call on 9838 3030 or email philipwoodphysiotherapy@gmail.com so we can check out what’s going on.
Posted by philipwoodphysio in General on March 29th, 2021
Have you ever been told that carrying a heavy backpack on one shoulder or sleeping on one side can warp your spine? This isn’t necessarily the case (although carrying heavy backpacks certainly doesn’t do your back any good). There is, however, a condition called ‘scoliosis’ that can lead to the spine becoming unnaturally curved. It is usually first identified in childhood or adolescence, but can affect people of any age.
Scoliosis is a condition that causes the spine to curve sideways and to rotate. It can be caused by other conditions, such as cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy, or by issues elsewhere in the body, but the cause of most cases of scoliosis is unknown. In fact, around 80% of cases have no identifiable cause.
There are two main categories of scoliosis:
Structural scoliosis is where there is a physical curve to the spine.
Functional scoliosis is where the spine appears to be curved, but this is a result of an irregularity elsewhere in the body, such as different leg lengths.
Structural scoliosis is permanent, although symptoms can be reduced. Functional scoliosis, on the other hand, can often be resolved.
Most cases of scoliosis are mild, and it may take a while to notice it at all. However, the more severe the curve, the more of an impact it will have on your life. Some cases can continue to worsen over time. In severe instances, the amount of space within the chest can be reduced, affecting lung function and restricting the heart’s ability to pump effectively. The curve of the spine can also impact other areas of the body, causing pain or muscle spasms elsewhere.
Mild cases of scoliosis cause little or no pain, but there are other signs that you can look out for. The most common symptoms of scoliosis are:
In more severe cases, you may experience:
Cases of scoliosis are often first spotted when a friend or family member notices that the person’s clothes are hanging unevenly, or that their spine appears curved when they see them changing or in swimming clothes.
Most scoliosis patients will be identified as children or teenagers – commonly during growth spurts around the time of puberty. However, some cases of scoliosis may go undiagnosed well into adulthood, and some adults will develop degenerative scoliosis as they age.
Around 90% of instances of scoliosis are considered mild, and these are often thought to not need treatment as they cause little or no pain. However, even mild curvature of the spine can lead to other issues, such as:
Therefore, it’s always worth looking into what treatment options are available if and when scoliosis is first noticed.
In some instances, particularly those of children, it may be necessary to wear a back brace to prevent the curvature from worsening.
Physiotherapists will then focus on developing an exercise routine to strengthen your muscles, increase your mobility and develop core stabilisation. Massage and hydrotherapy can also help to reduce pain and discomfort.
In severe cases, surgery may be required, but this is becoming much less common practice due to advances in early detection programs and bracing treatments. Surgery is always a last resort if all other forms of therapy have not proven effective.
Contact us on 9838 3030 or email catwood@bigpond.net.au for a spine check to assess any issues you might be experiencing.
Posted by philipwoodphysio in General on March 15th, 2021
Overuse injuries occur when a particular part of the body is subjected to repeated demand over a long period of time. Activity that involves using the same motions over and over – particularly if these are ramped up too quickly, performed for extended periods or made using an incorrect or unsafe technique – can cause tissue damage.
Below are some of the most common overuse injuries in different types of body tissue.
A stress fracture is a small crack in otherwise normal bone that occurs when the bone has been subject to repeated impact. Stress fractures are most common in weight-bearing bones, such as the shin or foot.
Often seen in runners, stress fractures can be a result of a sudden change in physical activity or increasing training without enough rest or recovery time in between sessions.
To avoid stress fractures, follow a sensible training program that increases your activity gradually and allows plenty of rest time (ask a physiotherapist for advice if you’re unsure). You can also look after the health of your bones by eating a diet high in calcium and Vitamin D.
Tendonitis is irritation or inflammation of a tendon, caused by repetitive actions in that area. Activities like gardening, painting, cleaning, throwing a ball and playing tennis can cause tendonitis.
To reduce your risk of tendonitis, try to build up your activity levels gradually rather than doing too much too soon. Take regular breaks and limit the amount of force you use in your actions.
Blisters form to protect the skin and can be caused by repeated friction from rubbing or pressure. If you have ever had a pair of shoes that didn’t fit well or were stiff in certain places, you might have experienced a friction blister where they rubbed your foot or ankle.
To avoid blisters forming, protect your skin from friction where possible (for example, by wearing socks, or wearing gloves if you are using tools that rub your hands).
If you do develop a blister, keep it clean and dry and try to leave it alone as much as possible. Resist the temptation to pop it.
Overstretching or tearing a muscle, by overusing it or using poor technique, can result in pain, inflammation and limited movement. Any muscle can be strained in this way, but it is most common in the lower back, neck, shoulder and hamstring.
To reduce your risk of straining a muscle, warm up and cool down properly before and after exercise and get professional advice to ensure you’re using the correct technique. Poor posture can also strain your muscles, so consider the way you are sitting and standing, especially for long periods of time.
Physiotherapists don’t just help you recover from injury – we also try to prevent you getting them in the first place. If you think you might be at risk from overuse injuries, give us a call on 9838 3030 and we’ll discuss whether there are steps you can take to protect your body. Proactive care may seem unnecessary at times, but it is the most pain-free (and affordable) way to manage injuries before they make themselves apparent.