General Health

Plantar Fasciitis - causes, symptoms and treatment

Plantar Fasciitis - causes, symptoms and treatment

The often-crippling pain of plantar fasciitis presents at the base of the heel. In the early stages the pain is often described like a bruised bone, or feeling like you have a small stone underfoot. There can be a dull aching pain if you’ve been on your feet for a period of time, or a tightness in the arch of the foot.

Self-Management for Muscle Aches and Pain

Self-Management for Muscle Aches and Pain

With the temporary closure of many physical therapy clinics it is not possible to receive hands-on treatment for muscle aches and pains. This does not mean you have to suffer through discomfort for the coming months ahead. There are ways you can manage in the comfort of your home, until clinics can re-open.

Is ‘good’ posture and core strength really that important?

Is ‘good’ posture and core strength really that important?

I don’t know how many times I hear people say, “I really need to work on my core strength,” or “my trainer says I need to activate my core more.”

 Do we really need to be so obsessed with our core?  How important is a strong core and good posture in avoiding back pain and stiffness? 

What is Myotherapy?

What is Myotherapy?

I am often having to explain what it is I do as a myotherapist, there seems to be some confusion where we are placed in the healthcare system compared to phsio's, osteo's, massage therapists, and chiro's. To showcase the diversity of what we treat, here is a typical day in my clinic:

Myotherapy vs Physiotherapy vs Osteopathy?

Myotherapy vs Physiotherapy vs Osteopathy?

There is a certain amount of cross-over with all 3 therapies, each will assess, treat and manage your condition with the goal of finding a solution to your pain or condition and assisting in getting you moving again. How this is done depends on your therapist, what they specialise in, and how they treat. 

Sever's Disease

Sever's Disease

As children go through growth phases coupled with increased participation in sport, injuries; pains and strains can start to occur.   With an ever-increasing number of children specialising in one particular sport at increasingly younger ages, the onset of overuse injuries is more common.

Exercise-associated muscle cramps

Exercise-associated muscle cramps

As a masters squad swimmer I have found myself and many of my fellow squad swimmers suffer from painful leg and foot cramps towards the end of a training session. Exercise-associated muscle cramps (EAMC) are painful and disruptive for those who experience them, and can become debilitating if they occur regularly.  

Cramping during exercise is very common, cramping is more likely to occur when muscles are in a shortened and contracted state. But why do they occur and what triggers them?