What are hamstrings? Hamstrings are the tendons connecting the group of large muscles at the back of the thigh to the bone. But the word is often used to refer to the entire group of muscles connecting the knee to the hip at the back of the thigh. The Hamstring muscles bend the knee and straighten the hip and while not very important for walking and standing they are very…
Since I set up the Headache Clinic many people have asked what is actually involved, what is it I do when you come to see me? No cracking I think the first point to make is that you won’t get your neck “cracked”. As a physiotherapist I don’t do the strong spinal manipulations that some chiropractors use. All of my physical therapy tools are gentle and you won’t be pulled or cracked…
I’m often asked what makes the work I do at Bodyworks different. I explain parts of what I do here, but it can be hard to understand how that works for you as a patient. So I asked one of my patients to tell you: A year ago I fell badly and damaged my right knee. After multiple visits to the A&E department, appointments with Specialists, my GP and 10…
Did I forget any? If you have any questions at all, no matter how “silly” you think they are please email me or leave a comment. In my opinion, when it comes to medical treatment, there are no “silly” questions, because the important thing is that you understand what’s happening and why. Why 9 treatments? Because any more than that doesn’t give any additional, measurable, benefit. Won’t do any harm…
So what exactly is a ligament? Within a joint there are 4 key structures that keep you moving: Bones – a joint is where 2 bones meet Cartilage – this is the squishy stuff on the end of bones, in the discs in your spine and in extra cushions like the meniscus. This stops the bones rubbing together Tendons – the rope like fibres that join muscles to bones Ligament…
Here in Andalucia we’ve just had Semana Blanca where traditionally everyone goes to the Sierra Nevadas (and from what I’ve heard the snow was good!). But sadly this means a little flurry of phone calls to me! Knee Particularly the ligaments. When we fall and twist, when our skis or board go one way and we go the other – it’s the knees that take the damage and sometime the…
Recent evidence suggests that as many as 20% of patients who have a Total Knee Replacement (TKR) continue to suffer chronic pain after surgery. The follow up looked into who this 20% might be – are there any common themes? Women We know women have a higher incidence of chronic pain. We also now know that pain messages in women are conveyed using a different biological system to men. So…
One of the most frustrating things for many migraine sufferers is that they can end up taking a lot of medication that doesn’t work! And why? Because migraines are often symptoms of other conditions which the medication, obviously, isn’t designed to treat. Resolving migraines can be a process of elimination – Is it a “true” migraine? (which means medication will probably help) A migraine caused by nerve inflammation? A migraine…
Sciatica, one of those wonderful medical terms which we now use in everyday conversation to cover a whole host of aches and pains. Real, true sciatica is only from problems in the disc L3 in your lower back and symptoms include: Pain in the buttocks or leg, often worse when sitting. Burning, tingling or “pins and needles” down the leg. Weakness, numbness, or difficulty moving the leg or foot. A…
I’m a physiotherapist in private practice. I work for myself. If I don’t see patients I don’t make any money. But there is the eternal argument between my accountant and myself regarding my business – I will refuse to treat certain patients. Now there is a HUGE amount that physiotherapy can help with, far more than it is usually credited with BUT if a patient is not suitable for the…