Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Show your Valentine that YOU LOVE THEM!

It's time for all you love birds to show your true emotions and set your partners heart a flutter with a PhysioWorks massage.





Simply call us for our Valentine's Day Massage Gift Voucher Special.

Clayfield 3862 4544
Sandgate 3269 1122

Happy Valentine's Day!





Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Happy Australia Day!



Have a Superb Day!

PhysioWorks






Monday, January 23, 2012

What is Trochanteric Bursitis?

What is Trochanteric Bursitis?

The most common form of hip bursitis is trochanteric bursitis.



trochanteric bursitis
 

Trochanteric bursitis is inflammation of the bursa (a small, cushioning sac located where tendons pass over areas of bone around the joints), which lies over the prominent bone on the side of your hip (femur).

The superficial trochanteric bursa is located over the greater trochanter. This is the most commonly inflamed bursa. A deep trochanteric bursa lies deeper and can become inflamed in more severe cases.

What is a Bursitis?

What are Trochanteric Bursitis Symptoms?

One or more of the following symptoms may be experienced:
  • Pain and swelling occurring over the side of the hip
  • Referred pain that travels down the outside thigh and may continue down to the knee
  • Pain when sleeping on your side; especially the affected hip
  • Pain upon getting up from a deep chair or after prolonged sitting (eg. in a car)
  • Pain when climbing stairs
  • Pain in sitting with the legs crossed
  • Increased pain when walking, cycling or standing for long periods of time

What Causes Trochanteric Bursitis?

The trochanteric bursa may be inflamed by a group of muscles or tendons rubbing over the bursa and causing friction against the thigh bone.

This injury can occur traumatically from a fall or a sport-related impact contusion.

It can also be a case of gradual onset via a repetitive trauma to the bursa from such activities as running (with poor muscles control or technique), walking into fatigue, or cycling, especially when the bicycle seat is too high.

It is also a secondary injury associated with chronic conditions such as:

  • Scoliosis - curvature of the spine
  • Unequal leg length
  • Weak hip muscles
  • Osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) of the hips or lower back
  • Calcium deposition in the gluteal tendons that run over the bursa
  • Rheumatoid arthritis.

How is Trochanteric Bursitis Diagnosed?

Your physiotherapist will provide you with an assessment of your medical history and a physical examination of your hip, pelvis and back. A hallmark sign is if you feel tenderness over the bursa or greater trochanter (hip bone) when pressure is applied.

Diagnosis can also be confirmed by medical imaging techniques that include ultrasound scan & MRI. 

What is Trochanteric Bursitis Treatment?

Ice

  • Bursitis is an inflammed bursa. Daily application of ice packs is highly recommended to reduce your pain and swelling.

Medications

  • NSAIDs or anti-inflammatory drugs (i.e. ibuprofen). Use of these medications should be discussed with your doctor. 

Corticosteroid Injections

  • Single injection of a corticosteroid with a local anaesthetic into the bursa may be required to stimulate your healing response. It is preferable to have this injection using ultrasound guidance. 

Physiotherapy Hip Bursitis Treatment

PHASE I - Pain Relief & Protection

Managing your pain. Pain is the main reason that you seek treatment for trochanteric bursitis. In truth, it was actually the final symptom that you developed and should be the first symptom to improve.

Managing your inflammation. Bursa inflammation it best eased via ice therapy and techniques or exercises that deload the inflammed structures.

Your physiotherapist will use an array of treatment tools to reduce your pain and inflammation. These include: ice, electrotherapy, acupuncture, deloading taping techniques, soft tissue massage and temporary use of a mobility aid (eg cane or crutch) to off-load the affected side.

PHASE II - Restoring Normal ROM, Strength

As your pain and inflammation settles, your physiotherapist will turn their attention to restoring your normal hip joint range of motion, muscle length and resting tension, muscle strength and endurance, proprioception, balance and gait (walking pattern).

Hip researchers have discovered the importance of your hip muscle recruitment patterns with a normal order of: deep, then intermediate and finally superficial muscle firing patterns in normal pain-free hips. Your physiotherapist will assess your muscle recruitment pattern and prescribe the best exercises for you specific to your needs.

PhysioWorks has developed a “Hip Core Stabilisation Program” to assist their patients to regain normal hip muscle control. Please ask your physio for their advice.

PHASE III - Restoring Full Function

The final stage of your rehabilitation is aimed at returning you to your desired activities. Everyone has different demands for their hips that will determine what specific treatment goals you need to achieve. For some it be simply to walk around the block. Others may wish to run a marathon.

Your physiotherapist will tailor your hip rehabilitation to help you achieve your own functional goals.

PHASE IV - Preventing a Recurrence

Trochanteric bursitis does have a tendency to return. The main reason it is thought to recur is due to insufficient rehabilitation.

In addition to your muscle control, your physiotherapist will assess you hip biomechanics and start correcting any defects. It may be as simple as providing your will core abdominal exercises or some foot orthotics to address any biomechanical faults in the legs or feet. Your physiotherapist will guide you.

Fine tuning your hip stability and function by addressing any deficits in core strength and balance, learning self-management techniques and achieving the ultimate goal of safely returning to your previous sporting or leisure activities!

Bursitis Surgery

Surgery is not a common path. However, in persistent cases, arthroscopic removal of the bursa; a bursectomy, can be performed.

How Can You Prevent Trochanteric Bursitis?

Muscle weakness or fatigue is a major cause of trochanteric bursitis. So addressing your strength and endurance is necessary to avoid a recurrence.

Wearing adequate footwear which supports any biomechanical imbalances in your feet is a key preventative measure.

Successful weight management, minimises excess stress on the hip joints which can alleviate pressure on the bursa. If you need advice regarding your weight-loss please discuss with your doctor or dietitian.

What Results Can You Expect for Trochanteric Bursitis?

While some people can respond quickly to physiotherapy treatment within a few weeks, more chronic cases where a tendinopathy exists in the gluteal muscle group under the bursa can require a few months to achieve recovery.

Trochanteric bursitis is successfully managed in the vast majority over a period of approximately six week. It is important to not stop your rehabilitation exercises as soon as you pain abates.

Excellent hip muscle control is your best rehabilitation and prevention strategy. Please follow the advice of your physiotherapist or doctor.

Physiotherapists at Physio Works can get your started on the right track to recovery! If you have any specific questions, please ask them.

Common Trochanteric & Hip Bursitis Treatments


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FAQs about Trochanteric & Hip Bursitis



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Helpful Products for Trochanteric Bursitis

Bursitis - Trochanteric

Related Injuries



More info about:  Trochanteric Bursitis

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Why are Shoulder Stretching Exercises Important?

Why are Shoulder Stretching Exercises Important?

Shoulder stretching exercises

Shoulder stretching exercises 
are essential to allow for enough movement around your shoulder to allow for normal biomechanical shoulder movement.


Shoulder pain and injury often causes some shoulder muscle groups to overwork, tighten, shorten or form knots. This abnormal resting muscle tension will restrict your potential shoulder movement, predisposing you to shoulder pain and injury.

Likewise, just as some shoulder muscles tighten other shoulder muscles will weaken and actually become elongated. It is important that these shoulder muscles should not be further stretched. Instead they should be strengthened with specific shoulder exercises.

For specific shoulder stretching exercises that are appropriate for your and your shoulder injury, please consult your physiotherapist who specialises in shoulder pain and its rehabilitation.

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FAQs about Shoulder Stretching Exercises



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Common Shoulder Treatment Options



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Related Shoulder Pain Products

Muscle Stretches


Related Shoulder Injuries

Go Back


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More info about: Shoulder Stretching Exercises

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Here's a Very Easy to Put On Knee Brace...

The Open Knee Brace 2029 is a clever design that allows for easy application of this knee support.

Simply open the velcro fasteners and slide the open knee brace under your knee.


Then, simply wrap the above and below knee sections to fasten the velcro while leaving your kneecap open to avoid compression.

The front opening design offers better fit an easier application and removal, which is a perfect for those knee braces or supports that need to be slide over your foot and calf and up to your knee.

Once applied, the Open Knee Brace 2029 provides firm knee support for the maintenance and control of your knee joint structures with gentle compression around the kneecap.

This knee brace is ideal for most knee pain sufferers, post-knee replacement support or confidence, post knee-surgery support and mild to moderate knee injury or instability.

What is Your Knee Brace Size?

Measure around mid-section of the knee, while in a standing position.

Size Knee Circumference (cm)
 S30.5 to 34.0 
 M34.0 to 38.0
 L38.0 to 42.0
 XL42.0 to 50.0


Buy Online here...



What Conditions Does a TENS Machine Help?


What Conditions Does a TENS Machine Help?

tens machine

Your TENS machine is an electronic pain relieving machine that may assist you in the relief of pain associated with:

For specific advice on TENS machine electrode placements and your tens machine settings you are advised to seek the professional assistance of a health professional with expertise in the use of TENS machines such as your local physiotherapist.

More Information about TENS Machines...


What Conditions Does a TENS Machine Help?