So one of my very favourite pieces of equipment is my Electro Lymphatic Drainage machine. It’s one of those things I use all the time but I don’t seem to talk about it very much, maybe because it has such an awful name! Contrary to what the name implies it doesn’t hurt, I don’t stick anything into you, yes it does use electricity (but so does my computer and my…
In my newsletter last week I went through a detailed description of injections for knee pain which prompted more questions about options. (Don’t forget you can sign up over there on the left!) I thought I’d follow up with more detail about the physio route, as that’s my personal preference (obviously!). All backed by modern science I should add. Images aren’t necessary unless there’s something odd (we call them red…
Sadly this version has no princesses or catchy tunes! But with a bit of help you can “Let it go” (sorry I couldn’t help myself!). Adhesive Capsulitis This is when the “capsule” that surrounds the shoulder joint becomes stiff and tense (adhesion). So the shoulder joint becomes “frozen” and painful to move. With 3 bones, over 10 muscles groups and numerous ligaments and tendons the shoulder is a hugely complicated…
ACL issues are common in many athletes, professional or keen amateur – sudden twisting, over extension, falls, a bad landing or sudden stops . . . these can all cause ligament injuries. But only 1 in 3 patients return to their sport! A shocking and often unnecessary statistic. What is the ACL? The ACL is the anterior cruciate ligament and connects the thigh bone to the shin bone in the…
Few things are more frustrating for a runner than shin splints. They’re painful, restrict your movement and training and seem difficult to treat. What are Shin Splints? This is a useful “catch all” term for pain in the leg below the knee. But true shin splints are when you have pain only on the inner part of the shin. Although the pain often starts intermittently, running and walking may quickly…
Your body works as a whole unit. A team. And that “work” of moving you forward still needs to be done even if one part doesn’t function that great. So another area picks up the slack. And when that part of the team doing the extra work gets too tired? You get pain. Now, if this is the situation it doesn’t matter how much fabulous treatment you get in the…
Out walking, on the playing field or tennis court, you fall and hurt your ankle. Annoying and painful, definitely. But now what? Feet up on the couch or off to A&E? Fracture or Sprain? These 4 quick tests, called the Ottawa Ankle Rules, are designed to eliminate people who do NOT have an ankle/foot fracture and thus, do not need an x-ray!! Can you take 4 steps (limping is allowed!)?…
One of the most important things I do in the initial consultation is take a full and detailed medical history. Which means finding out everything that has happened to people over the course of their lives and the treatment they’ve received. I’ll be honest, this can be an emotional process for me let alone my patient recounting it. Sometimes these histories can leave me hooting with laughter but quite a…
One of the best and worst things about modern medicine is that it moves so FAST! The “best” treatment a year ago can, in the light of new research, become not just outmoded but dangerous. We are learning all the time. The science of treating back pain A recent series of papers published in The Lancet has caused quite a stir in the medical profession as it basically demonstrated that…
As recommended by the College of Podiatry in the UK here is a 6 Step Work Out to keep your feet strong and stable. Like I’ve said before – a strong foundation means everything above it works better. You walk better, taller, slimmer and more stable. So take off your socks, wriggle your toes and let’s go! 1. Towel Grabbing Sit on a chair and put a (old!) towel on…