Physiotherapy Blog

What is a facet joint? Image of 2 vertebrae showing the body, spinous processes, and transverse processes Facet joints are located in the spine and are part of the vertebrae. The vertebra has two basic parts. Firstly, the body and secondly, the spinous process which is the bony part you can feel on your back that runs from the neck to just above the buttocks. The joint from one inferior facet (transverse process) of the top vertebrae to superior facet of the bottom vertebrae is called the facet joint. As a result, they are called the connection joint from one vertebrae to another. Facet joints are present on both sides of vertebrae. Facet joints increase in joint space when doing forward bending movements,  and compression while moving backward. Similarly, facet joints also help in twisting and rotation movements of the spine. Finally, they also prevent these…

What is plantar fasciitis? As the name suggests, plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the plantar fascia — a tough, fibrous band of tissue that runs along the sole of the foot. Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It commonly causes stabbing pain, especially with your first few steps in the morning or after being off your feet for a while. As you get up and move, the pain normally decreases. Eventually, it might return after long periods of standing or when you stand up after sitting. It is more common in runners and in people who are overweight. What are the symptoms? Stabbing pain in the bottom of your foot near the heel The pain is usually the worst with the first few steps after a long sleep, long periods of standing or getting up from sitting What are the causes? Inflammation and pain…

What is carpal tunnel syndrome? Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common neurological disorder. It  occurs when the median nerve, which runs from your forearm into the palm of the hand, becomes compressed or squeezed at the wrist. Importantly, the median nerve provides feeling to the thumb, index, and middle finger, and part of the ring finger (but not the little finger). Also, it controls some small muscles at the base of the thumb. Sometimes, thickening from the lining of irritated tendons or other swelling narrows the tunnel and compresses the median nerve. For example, a common sign is that you might wake up and feel you need to “shake out” your hand or wrist. What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome? Usually, carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms start gradually and includes: Tingling or numbness – You may notice tingling and numbness in the fingers or hand. Usually the thumb…

Image by stockking on Freepik Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis/epicondylalgia, is swelling and pain of the tendons that bend your wrist backwards away from your palm. Usually, it is diagnosed in both men and women between the ages of 30 and 50 years. What is tennis elbow? Firstly, tennis elbow is inflammation or, in some cases, micro tearing of the tendons that join the forearm muscles on the outside of the elbow. As a result, the forearm muscles and tendons become damaged from overuse— repeating the same motions again and again. Ultimately, this leads to pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow. What are the causes of tennis elbow? 1.  Overuse Recently, studies show that tennis elbow is often due to damage to a specific forearm muscle. The ECRB (extensor carpi radialis brevis) muscle helps stabilize the wrist when the elbow is…

Image by Freepik What is cupping? Cupping is one of the techniques that has been used since ancient times. At first, it was used in Chinese, Egyptian and Middle Eastern culture and continues to be used for many years. Cupping Therapy is a technique which uses different sized cups to do suction on a body part by creating negative pressure. Importantly, it helps to increase blood circulation in the area. Additionally, it is beneficial in the treatment of pain like musculoskeletal pain, tension headaches and more. Similarly, \ cupping can also be helpful with muscle tightness and to help reduce areas of inflammation. To create the suction effect, they use cups made of different materials like silicon, glass, bamboo or more. Sometimes, they may combine it with additional techniques like fire, manual pumping or automatic pumping to create a vacuum. How is cupping performed? Dry cupping:…

Image by creativeart on Freepik Chronic pain is a complex and pervasive health issue that affects millions of people worldwide. While physical factors like injuries and medical conditions play a significant role in chronic pain, there’s a growing body of evidence suggesting that psychological factors, particularly stress, can also contribute to the development and exacerbation of chronic pain. In this blog post, we’ll explore the intricate relationship between stress and chronic pain and how understanding this connection can lead to better management and relief. The Stress Response and Chronic Pain Stress is a natural response to challenging situations, triggering the release of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. In the short term, this “fight or flight” response can help us cope with immediate threats. However, when stress becomes chronic, as is often the case in our fast-paced modern lives, it can have detrimental effects on…

Image by jcomp on Freepik In our modern, sedentary lifestyles, many of us find ourselves sitting for prolonged periods at desks, in front of computers, or hunched over smartphones. This can lead to poor posture, discomfort, and even health issues. However, initiating postural changes frequently throughout the day can be a simple yet effective way to mitigate these problems and promote overall well-being. In this blog, we’ll explore the reasons why changing your posture is recommended and how it can benefit your health and productivity. 1. Relieves Muscular Tension One of the primary reasons for postural changes is to relieve muscular tension. When you maintain the same posture for an extended period, certain muscles can become overworked and fatigued, while others weaken from underuse. Frequent changes in posture help distribute the load evenly, preventing muscle imbalances and reducing tension. 2. Supports Spinal Health Sitting in one…

What is shockwave therapy? Shockwave Therapy (SWT) is a modality used as treatment for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions – typically chronic (more than 3 months), such as but not limited to: Patient receiving shockwave therapy on their heel. Image by pvproductions on Freepik Plantar Fasciitis Achilles Tendinopathy Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow) Calcific Tendonitis Morton’s Neuroma Importantly, SWT can facilitate the body’s ability to regenerate new tissue and can decrease your pain by stimulating your nerves at the site of the injury.  Not only that, it encourages tissue healing by increasing circulation around injured soft tissues and stimulating cells that generate new bone and connective tissue – triggering and accelerating the body’s natural healing response. Additionally, it breaks down calcified deposits such as in the case of Calcific Tendonitis. How does it work? Shockwave Therapy transforms electricity into shockwaves that are transmitted into the tissue with…

When most people think about physiotherapy, they usually think about getting treated for a muscle pain, or other strain or sprain. However, the benefits of physiotherapy extend beyond just the musculoskeletal tissues of the body. In this blog post, we discuss through some of the lesser known conditions or symptoms that can improve with physiotherapy Pelvic health physiotherapy for pelvic pain or dysfunction Firstly, pelvic health physiotherapy may be right for you if you experience pain or dysfunction in the pelvic area. This may include but is not limited to pain during intercourse, and pain or abnormal control over urination and bowel movements (urgency, incontinence, retention) and prenatal and post-natal care. Both men and women may benefit from pelvic health physiotherapy. Cancer rehabilitation Secondly, physiotherapy can help manage the many side effects of cancer treatment after surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Addressing these side effects can help you increase the quality…

Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) therapy, also known as occlusion training or Kaatsu training, is a cutting-edge rehabilitation and fitness technique. For this reason, it has gained significant attention in recent years. This innovative method involves the application of specialized cuffs or bands to restrict blood flow to specific limbs during exercise. In this blog, we will explore what BFR therapy is, how it works, its effects, and the important indications and contraindications associated with it. What is Blood Flow Restriction Therapy? This therapeutic technique is a unique training method that partially restricts blood flow to the extremities, typically the arms or legs. It uses pneumatic cuffs or specially designed bands. The goal is to temporarily reduce the amount of oxygen reaching the working muscles without completely cutting off blood flow. This restriction creates a challenging environment for the muscles, leading to various physiological responses. How Does BFR Therapy Work? [caption…