What is Sciatica? Sciatica is a condition that involves compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve, hence its name. This leads to sharp, aching or burning pains in the lower back that can travel down the back of the thigh and even past the knee following the path of the sciatic nerve. You may also experience neurological symptoms such as muscle weakness, numbness and other altered sensations. Research shows an incidence of 10-40% of the population will experience sciatica at…
The lumbar disc acts as a shock absorber in our lower back and as a result, is subject to trauma. 80% of us at some point in our life will suffer from low back pain. When the lumbar disc is implicated, it often bulges and pushes on nerves which elicits pain and disability. Disc injury can be categorised according to its severity by the following terminology: Bulge - A mild distortion of the disc without disruption Protrusion - A moderate…
Osgood-Schlatter disease is probably a condition you heard about growing up, whether you had it or your friends had it. Osgood-Schlatter disease is essentially an overuse injury of the knee that is common in growing children and adolescents. Repetitive activity, particularly jumping activity can cause swelling and irritation over the growth plate at the top of the shin. What are some causes of Osgood-Schlatter's disease? Osgood-Schlatter disease is caused by an imbalance of growth between the bones, muscles and Tendons. This causes the…
Another year older means another year wiser, but unfortunately, getting older also means our bodies can undergo many changes. While physical decline is normal with ageing, a lack of physical activity and exercise can further contribute to this decline. These include: reduced muscle and bone strength, reduced balance, reduced joint flexibility, reduced cardiovascular and respiratory function, and increased body fat and blood pressure. There can also be an increased susceptibility to anxiety, depression, cardiovascular disease, and stroke risk. Benefits of…
ACL ruptures have gained significant media attention of late due to the amount of time missed in sport, particularly among elite AFL, soccer and rugby players. This blog will explore what an ACL is, how it is important for knee stability as well as explore the surgical and physiotherapy treatments for them. What is an ACL? The knee joint does not have a large range of motion but instead possesses a high amount of stability to keep the joint together.…
Are you experiencing hip pain? Is it located on the outside of your hip? Is there pain when lying on that side? Or do you experience pain when standing on one leg? You may be experiencing greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS). GTPS is the umbrella term to describe pain on the outside of the hip. This can be caused by tendon irritation of the gluteal muscles or inflammation of the bursa around the hip. Why does hip pain occur? Hip pain…
Medial impingement syndrome develops due to the formation of a bony spur on the talar bone; and is characterized by a limited range of motion and pain when performing specific movements. The spur causes compression when the ankle is dorsi-flexed (backward bending of your foot). The syndrome typically develops due to longstanding instability of the medial ankle, stress fractures of the foot, or repeated injury such as ankle sprains. Ankle impingement is commonly seen in running and jumping sports such as…
Have you ever come home from a long day of working on the tools or at your desk and noticed that the outer part of your elbow is quite sore? If this is something you experience regularly, you may be experiencing a condition known as tennis elbow. But how can I have tennis elbow if I don't play tennis? The name derives from the condition's prevalence among people who play tennis, but it can affect anyone. It's usually caused by…
Rehabilitation from injuries can be a long-term process. For certain conditions, factors such as pain, strength, range of motion, reduced aerobic fitness and other medical conditions can hinder your progressions in rehab with your physiotherapist. If this situation sounds similar for you, then you may be an ideal candidate for trying hydrotherapy! What is Hydrotherapy? Hydrotherapy is basically a water-based therapeutic exercise program that is conducted under the supervision of a physiotherapist. The physiology and physics behind hydrotherapy can offer…
Running is a fantastic way to get your blood pumping and let off a bit of steam. It can be a great way to get some alone time if you're always surrounded by work colleagues or young children, or it can be a fun way to fit in a work out whilst spreading your social butterfly wings with a group of like minded exercisers. Whilst it is important to move your body, the question is are you guilty of doing…