Have you experienced pain that lasts a very long time and never seems to get better despite taking medication for it? Maybe your pain has even worsened over time and you’ve had to increase your dosage? Current research on the effects of prolonged exposure to medication for chronic pain now highlights many issues around why taking prescribed opioid drugs is likely to be making your pain worse. ‘Opioids’ are depressant medications which slow down the activity of the central ner

The idea of starting exercise can often be overwhelming. You might find yourself questioning where on earth you start, what you need to do, and how can you possibly fit this into your already busy lifestyle? We have a few top tips for helping you get the ball rolling and start reaping the benefits of regular exercise. Set small achievable goals While you might think getting up at 5 a.m. every day of the week to burn through a grueling workout is the fastest way to get in rout

Education is power, so let’s bust a few myths about back pain and how you should be managing it! BED REST: “I need to rest to let my back heal.” MYTH! Not moving your spine is possibly one of the worst things you could do. Our spines are designed to move, so when we have pain, they respond best to staying as active as possible! AVOID LIFTING: “I’m not allowed to lift anymore since hurting my back.” NEGATIVE! While it may be necessary to reduce lifting loads in the earlier sta

Lower back pain (LBP) is one of the biggest reasons for people to visit their Doctor or Physio, especially as we age. Many people become quite fearful of back pain and rush to their Doctors asking to have scans done to see what’s going on in there. However, studies show that MRI findings (including disc degeneration, disc bulges and disc protrusions) do not always correlate with a person’s pain experience. In the image above, statistics show the prevalence of structural chang

Research shows that exercise has amazing psychological benefits which help to maintain and enhance good mental health. Regular exercise can alleviate stress, reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, and help with recovery from mental health issues. Feel-Good Hormones Exercise releases important hormones – endorphins and serotonin – which are the “feel-good” chemicals in the brain that produce feelings of happiness and euphoria. They also help to improve mood, reduce feeling

Muscle “tightness” is a common problem which affects many people. Regardless of its cause, it can reduce joint range of motion overtime which may indirectly affect physical performance or increase the risk of injury. Stretching is a well-known intervention, frequently used by athletes or people involved in rehabilitation or fitness programs, which is used to reduce and/or prevent muscles from becoming tight. Despite the fact many of us engage in regular exercise, we often do

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is a common cause of vertigo, best described as a false sensation of spinning. BPPV is sudden in onset, and usually only lasts in brief spells. It is typically triggered by movements of the head or certain head positions. BPPV is a mechanical problem in the middle ear. It occurs when some of the calcium carbonate crystals (otoconia) that are normally embedded in gel in the inner ear become dislodged and migrate into one or more of t

Kinetic Link Training (KLT) is a functional strength training program aimed at improving functional capacity. That is, the ability to perform both simple and complex daily tasks, work-related or sport-specific movements with ease, efficiency, strength and control. KLT resistance training is fully biomechanically balanced and addresses all the components necessary to succeed in any activity or performance. The focus is on training and performing natural human movements under l

Muscle strain injuries can be graded into four categories based on the extent of damage to the muscle fibers. According to research by Mueller-Wohlfahrt H-W, et al. Br J Sports Med (2013), the four categories are as follows: Type 1 and Type 2 muscle injuries are “Functional Muscle Injuries,” meaning they are symptomatic without actual tissue damage. Type 3 and Type 4 are “Structural Muscle Injuries” that involve damage to the actual muscle fibers. Type 1: Over-exertion relat

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is the term used to describe pain in the front of the knee, generally around the knee cap (patella). It is most common in females and young adults, especially those who play sport, and may be referred to as “runner’s knee” or “jumper’s knee.” The main causes of PFPS include vigorous or repetitive physical activity, a recent change in load (e.g. increasing running distances suddenly), abnormal tracking of the patella and muscle imbalances of

The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) of the knee is located within the joint capsule, originating from the femur (thigh bone) and attaching onto the tibia (shin bone). Functionally it is one of the most important structures within the knee joint as it is crucial for providing stability during weight-bearing. The term ‘anterior’ highlights the primary role of the ACL, which is to prevent forward movement of the tibia in relation to the femur. It is also important for stabilisi

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that causes a breakdown in the cartilage protecting the ends of our bones. It is the most common form of arthritis, predominantly affecting older adults, and is more prevalent in women compared to men. OA may affect any joint in the body but is usually found in weight-bearing joints such as knees, hips and lower backs, or in the smaller joints of our hands. Cartilage is a thick, smooth form of connective tissue designed to p

The outer (or lateral) aspect of the elbow is a very common site of pain, particularly in people of working age, between 30 to 60 years old. It has been commonly termed ‘Tennis Elbow’ however this diagnosis is not accurate as it is often seen more in people who do not actually play tennis. As the pain is considered to be the result of chronic overuse and overload on the wrist extensor tendons, the more correct term used to describe the condition is ‘Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy

An explanation of ‘Osgood-Schlatter Lesion’ and how to address it. Knee pain, especially anteriorly, is a common complaint of the younger athletic population. Many girls and boys in their early adolescent years may suffer from pain just below their knees, particularly if they are highly active and participate in regular sport. If this is the case, they may be experiencing symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter Lesion (OSL) which is an osteochondritis (inflammation) that occurs at the g

The term ‘calf muscle’ is collective for a group of three muscles in the lower leg – Gastrocnemius, Soleus and Plantaris – all of which share a joint Achilles tendon that inserts onto the heel bone (calcaneus). Calf muscle strains are usually the result of a sudden acceleration force or eccentric overstretch, i.e. when a sportsperson lunges forward when playing tennis, or runs onto a kerb and the heel drops suddenly. They predominantly occur in the medial (inner side) Gastroc

A broken bone or fracture is an injury in which the continuity of a bone is broken into two or more fragments. Most fractures are sustained when a sudden, high impact force is applied to the body, such as a fall, contact sport or motor vehicle accident. Due to the speed and force of the impact, the bone is unable to cope with such duress, causing the bone to break. Other causes of fracture include repetitive stress or overuse, commonly seen in the lower leg of a person who en

The Achilles tendon is the thickest, strongest tendon in the human body, able to transfer large forces when we move. The Achilles’ can transfer forces of up to 10 times your body weight when you jump, hop, run or skip. Many Achilles injuries are chronic and develop slowly over time but can be very debilitating and take a long time to settle and recover. Causes of Achilles pain can be weak calf muscles (Gastrocnemius & Soleus), an imbalance between the calf muscles, tight ankl