If it's Good Enough for a Cabbie's Back then it's Good Enough for You!

Chandra is a taxi driver who we saw recently for lower back pain after he was driving his taxi all day. While we worked on other back pain treatment modalities, if we didn't address his sitting posture in the car then he'd be permanently needing physio treatment.

We recommended the Bassett Lumbar Support to Chandra, who found it gave him instant relief in the cab, while still being cool - unlike the old foam car support used.

We think he's converted since a few of Chandra's fellow taxi drivers have dropped in to purchase their own Bassett Lumbar Frame.

What is a Bassett Lumbar Support?

A Bassett Lumbar Support is a high quality metal framed back support with a open weave mesh for use while sitting or driving.  It makes an excellent car seat cushion for those who suffer back pain or need a posture corrector.

The mesh allows cool and comforting air flow whilst providing maximum lumbar support for your lower back in the normal sitting posture.

It's D shape and metal frame ensures your correct lumbar posture while sitting securely against the chair. 

Your Bassett Lumbar Support can be used at home, work or even in the car. It is very light (850g) and easy to carry.

Your Bassett Lumbar Support provides excellent relief for:

• Back Pain
• Sciatica
• Neck Pain
• Posture Problems

More info or to Buy online now: Bassett Lumbar Frame

How We Sorted Annie's Shoulder Pain

When Annie first came to PhysioWorks she reported a painful shoulder that she just could lie on and do simple things like reaching into a kitchen cupboard.

She tried a dose of anti-inflammatory tablets but there was little change.Her GP arranged a scan for her shoulder which identified a shoulder impingement. Then she was referred to PhysioWorks for some TLC and shoulder treatment. 

Annie's physio confirmed shoulder impingement and set to shoulder treatment to address her issues. After just a few physio sessions, Annie's shoulder pain disappeared and she was able to lie upon her shoulder and start playing tennis and swim again. Yahoo!

Here's some more info about Shoulder Impingement.

What is Shoulder Impingement Syndrome?

Shoulder impingement syndrome is a condition where your shoulders rotator cuff tendons are intermittently trapped and compressed during shoulder movements This causes injury to the shoulder tendons and bursa resulting in painful shoulder movements.

Impingement (impact on bone into rotator cuff tendon or bursa) should not occur during normal shoulder function. When it does happen, the rotator cuff tendon becomes inflamed and swollen, a condition called rotator cuff tendonitis. Likewise if the bursa becomes inflamed,shoulder bursitis will develop.

Both these conditions can co-exist or be present independently.

While a traumatic injury can occur eg fall, it is repeated movement of your arm into theimpingement zone overhead that most frequently causes the rotator cuff to contact the outer end of the shoulder blade (acromion). When this repeatedly occurs, the swollen rotator cuff is trapped and pinched under the acromion.

Injuries vary from mild tendon inflammation (tendonitis), bursitis (inflammed bursa), calcific tendonitis (bone forming within the tendon) through to partial and full thickness rotator cuff tendon tears, which may require surgery.

What Causes Shoulder Impingement?

The shoulders rotator cuff tendons are protected from simple knocks and bumps by bones (mainly the acromion) and ligaments that form a protective arch over the top of your shoulder.

In between the rotator cuff tendons and the bony arch is the subacromial bursa (a lubricating sack), which helps to protect the tendons from touching the bone and provide a smooth surface for the tendons to glide over.

However, nothing is foolproof. Any of these structures can be injured, whether they be your bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments or bursas.

Shoulder impingement has primary (structural) and secondary (posture & movement related) causes.

Read full article about Shoulder Impingement.

Barry was Running and felt Lateral Knee Pain. What was it?

Barry has been a patient at PhysioWorks for many years. When you run two or three marathons a year you get to know your physio pretty well!

Barry had changed his running shoes after Christmas and had been trying to wean himself away from his oldest pair of joggers. He first noticed some lateral knee pain after a 30 minute run. We changed his shoes back to his old ones for a while while we sorted out some hip control issues that meant he collapsed partially during his running stride. This eased his ITB syndrome pain that we feel was just waiting to happen but this new shoes hastened the whole process.

Keep running Barry.Have a great running year!

What is ITB Syndrome?

ITB Syndrome (Iliotibial friction syndrome) is one of the most common causes of "Runner's Knee" and can account for up to 22% of overuse injuries in runners. Being an overuse injury, it is caused by repeated trauma rather than a specific incident.

The ITB attaches to a bony protuberance (femoral condyle) on the outside of the knee. It slides forwards and backwards across this bony point with movement. This repetitive sliding can create excess friction, especially when the knee is bent at 30 degrees, which commonly happens just as your foot strikes the ground in running. This region of 30 degrees of knee flexion is called an “Impingement Zone” or pinching of irritated structures over the outside of the knee, thereby producing ITB Friction Syndrome.

What is the Iliotibial Band?

The ITB, or iliotibial band, is a long, thin band of fascia that runs down the outside of your thigh. At the top of your thigh it is attached to your Tensor Fascia Latae (TFL) muscle, and Gluteus Maximus and at the bottom it attaches to your tibia (lower leg bone) and femoral condyle on lower outside portion of the thigh bone.

What Causes ITB Syndrome?

Essentially ITB friction syndrome is caused by altered running biomechanics due to underlying muscular imbalances.Your biomechanics can alter due to a muscle imbalance (weakness or tightness), fatigue and ground impact issues.

Read full article: ITB Syndrome

Introducing the Open Patella Stabilizer Brace 1033

This patella knee brace is excellent for patella (kneecap) support without the added pressure over your kneecap

This allows firm support with increase knee flexion availability.

The additional neoprene circle pad around your patella provides padded protection and stabilization to help prevent patella displacement. 

Four neoprene straps provide support directly to patella area and allow for easy adjustment.

Two medial and lateral spiral stays provide additional support and lateral stability for your knee. 

More info or Buy Online: Patella stabiliser brace

Indications for the Open Patella Knee Stabilizer 1033 include:

General Knee Pain

Knee Swelling

Knee Instability

Knee Sprains and Strains

Post-Dislocation Patella

ACL Mild Insufficiency

Chondromalacia Patella

Discoid Meniscus

Knee Arthritis

Knee Bursitis (Patellar Bursitis)

Knee Ligament Injury

Knee Meniscus Injury

Osgood Schlatter's Disease

Patella Tendonitis (Tendinopathy)

Patellofemoral Pain (Kneecap Pain)

Sinding Larsen Johansson Syndrome

More info or Buy Online: Patella stabiliser brace

What is the difference between achilles tendonitis, achilles tendinitis, #achilles tendon pain, achilles tendinosis and achilles tendinopathy?

What is Achilles Tendonitis?

Achilles Tendonitis is a term that commonly refers to an inflammation of the Achilles tendon or its covering. It is an overuse injury that is common especially to joggers and jumpers, due to the repetitive action and so may occur in other activities that requires the same repetitive action.

Most experts now use the term Achilles tendinopathy to include both inflammation and micro-tears. But many doctors may still use the term tendonitis out of habit.

What Causes Tendon Pain?

Tendons are the tough fibres that connect muscle to bone. Most tendon injuries occur near joints, such as the shoulder, elbow, knee, and ankle. A tendon injury may seem to happen suddenly, but usually it is the result of many tiny tears to the tendon that have happened over time.

Health professionals may use different terms to describe a tendon injury. You may hear:

Tendonitis (or Tendinitis): This actually means "inflammation of the tendon," but inflammation is rarely the cause of your tendon pain.

Tendinosis: This refers to tiny tears in the tissue in and around the tendon caused by overuse.

What Causes Achilles Tendonitis?

Achilles tendonitis is an overuse injury that is common especially to joggers and jumpers, due to the repetitive action and so may occur in other activities that requires the same repetitive action.

Most tendon injuries are the result of gradual wear and tear to the tendon from overuse or ageing. Anyone can have a tendon injury, but people who make the same motions over and over in their jobs, sports, or daily activities are more likely to damage a tendon.

A tendon injury can happen suddenly or little by little. You are more likely to have a sudden injury if the tendon has been weakened over time.

Read full article: Achilles tendonitis

Cricketers & Throwers Beware! Side Strain is a Potential Problem.

What is an Abdominal Side Strain?

Side strains are an injury almost unique to cricket's fast bowlers. Javelin throwers are the only other athletic participants who also regularly strain the side abdominal muscles.

In bowlers, side abdominal strains occur on the non-bowling side of the body and the majority is strains of abdominal muscle insertions on to the lower ribs. Side strain injury is caused by tearing of the internal oblique muscle from the under surface of one of the lower four ribs or costal cartilages. MRI scans can document the site of a muscle tear, characterise the severity of injury, and monitor healing. Bony stress lesions (such as stress fractures of the 10th or 11th ribs) can occur but are less common.

There is a traditional belief that a side strain is almost a ‘rite of passage' for an elite fast bowler that is almost certain to occur once early in his playing career and is thereafter unlikely to return. However, there are cases of recurrent side strains that plague bowlers throughout their career.

Diagram 1

Normal anatomy of anterolateral abdominal wall. Diagram shows internal oblique muscle arising from iliac crest and inserting into lower fourth rib under cover of external oblique muscle.

Diagram 2

Normal anatomy of anterolateral abdominal wall. Diagram of coronal section through abdominal wall shows three flat muscles. Internal oblique muscle lies immediately underneath ribs.

What Causes Side Strain?

Side strains are strongly related to bowling speed, with the fastest bowlers much more likely to suffer this type of injury. It is postulated that the mechanism of injury for internal oblique muscle strain is sudden eccentric contracture with rupture of muscle fibres. An eccentric contraction is one that stops a muscle or joint from excessively lengthening.

Movements associated with bowling and throwing cause lengthening of the muscle, which is then subjected to superimposed eccentric contraction, making it vulnerable to rupture.

In research studies focusing on fast bowlers, the muscle tear occurs on the non–bowling arm side. For example, in a right-handed bowler, the left arm is initially hyperextended and then forcefully pulled through to allow the right arm to follow through and release the ball. In the hyperextended position, the internal oblique muscle on the left side can be assumed to be at maximum tension or eccentric contraction. The sudden vigorous motion from this eccentric contraction or pull through that allows the dominant shoulder to flex and release the ball is the probable point at which the internal oblique muscle is likely to rupture. A similar mechanism can be proposed for other throwing sports.

How is Side Strain Diagnosed?

MRI appears to be a sensitive test for evaluating side strain injury, showing an abnormality in all patients who had a clinical suspicion of a muscular tear. Stripping of the periosteum occurs as the muscular attachment is avulsed from the osseous or cartilaginous origin; this can result in excessive hemorrhage even though the muscle tear may be low grade.

How to Prevent and Treat Side Strain

Read full article: Side Strain

How Can Kinesiology Tape Help You?

What is Kinesiology Taping?

Kinesiology taping (or kinesio taping) is the application of a thin, stretchy, therapeutic tape that can benefit a wide variety of injuries and inflammatory conditions. It is almost identical to human skin in both thickness and elasticity, which allows it to be worn without binding, constricting or restriction of movement.

You would have noticed that more and more professional athletes use kinesiology taping improve their sporting performance. We use kinesiology taping in the clinic everyday with amazing instant pain-free or performance improving results. You won't believe how effective kinesiology taping is until you try it.

How is Kinesiology Tape Different from Conventional Strapping Tape?

Kinesiology tape differs from other types of strapping tape in both form and function. Most types of strapping tape are non-elastic, and are wrapped tightly around an injured joint or muscle to provide rigid support and restrict movement. They can only be worn for short periods of time, after which they must be removed to restore movement and circulation.

Kinesiology tape, on the other hand, has unique elastic properties that allow it to provide dynamic support, protecting muscles and/or joints, while still allowing a safe and functional range of motion.

Rather than being wrapped completely around injured joints or muscle groups, kinesiology tape is applied directly over and/or around the periphery of these areas. This non-restrictive type of taping allows most applications to be worn for 4-5 days, allowing therapeutic benefits to accumulate 24/7 for the entire time they’re worn.

Kinesiology tape can be worn during intense exercise, showering, bathing or swimming, and dries quickly after a quick pat with a towel.

What are the Benefits of Kinesiology Taping?

Kinesiology tape has a comprehensive array of therapeutic benefits. Because it can be left on for up to 5 days, these therapeutic benefits are available to the injured area 24 hours a day, significantly accelerating the healing process from trauma, injuries and inflammatory conditions.

Buy Kinesiology Tape

1. Pain Relief

• Kinesiology taping relieves pain through both physical and neurological mechanisms. The lifting action of the tape relieves pressure on pain receptors directly under the skin, allowing for quick relief from acute injuries. Chronic pain is affected through sensory stimulation of other types of nerve fibres This is especially effective for pain that persists after an injury has healed or for pain that is out of proportion to the severity of an injury.

2. Reduced Swelling, Inflammation and Bruising

• Reduced pressure on the lymphatic drainage channels enhances the removal of fluids and other materials that collect in an injured area. This applies not only to sports injuries, but to other inflammatory conditions, including the extreme swelling of lymphoedema.

3. Prevention or Relief from Spasms and Cramping

• Enhanced circulation to working muscles helps deliver oxygen and nutrients at the cellular level as well as accelerate the removal of waste products. Both of these mechanisms can help prevent or relieve spasms and cramps in overused or injured muscles.

4. Speedier Recovery of Overused Muscles

• Fatigued, overused muscles contain byproducts of exercise (such as lactic acid) that contribute to pain and stiffness and limit the ability to continue exercising. When kinesiology tape is used over these areas, enhanced removal of these byproducts allows for more rapid recovery. This could translate into improved performance in endurance events or more complete recovery between repetitive, high intensity events.

5. Structural Support for Weak or Injured Body Parts

• The unique elastic properties of kinesiology tape allow it to provide support to an injured muscle or joint, discouraging harmful movements while still allowing a safe, healthy range of  motion.

6. Enhanced Strength and Muscle Tone in Weak or Injured Muscles

• Loss of strength or muscle tone can result from pain, injury or a variety of neurological or muscular disorders. In these situations, the weakness can interfere with the ability to do the exercises that are critical to recovery or improving daily functioning. Kinesiology tape not only provides support to these areas, but it can also improve neurological muscle activation, allowing therapeutic exercises to be carried out more effectively. One of the major uses in this category is with infants and young children with hypotonia, poor muscle tone that limits their ability to learn to sit up, crawl, etc.

7. Allows Athletes to Remain Active while Injured

• This is one of the most important benefits of kinesiology tape for competitive athletes. Injuries can be taped to relieve pain, minimise inflammation and provide support  for injured structures, without compromising a healthy range of motion. Except in the case of severe injuries, this can allow athletes to continue training and/or competing as their injuries heal.

More Information about Kinesiology Taping

Back Pain? Here's a Range of #Back Brace & Supports for you to consider.

• 

  Rib Belt (Male) 4073

  $29.95
• 

  Rib Belt (Female) 4074

  $29.95
• 

  Abdominal Support Binder 2260

  $54.95
• 

  Back Brace 2060

  
  
• 

  Back Support Oppo 1063

  
  
• 

  Lumbar Back Support 1064

  
  
• 

  Sacro Lumbar Support 2065

  
  
• 

  Sacro Lumbar Support 2264 - 22cm Height

  
  
• 

  Industrial Back Support 2169

  
  
• 

  Back-n-Black Back Support Brace

  
  
• 

  Dosi EQ X Elastic Back Support 1069

  
  
• 

  Lumbar D-Roll Support

  
  
• 

  Bassett Lumbar Support

  
  
• 

  Lower Back Kinesiology Tape

  
  
• 

  Posture Spider Kinesiology Tape

  
  
• 

  Sacroiliac Belt - 3462