Author: Amy Cram

Physio Tips for Comfortable Travel

Travel can be one of the most enjoyable aspects of life, however if a trip away comes with the risk of increased pain and soreness, the excitement can be thoroughly diminished. Many people will even avoid travel altogether if their symptoms are exacerbated too much by long seated periods. If you are unlucky enough to fall into this category, here are a few tips from your physiotherapist that might help make long trips a little more comfortable.

Lower back pain is the chief complaint of most travellers. To avoid low back pain, try the following tips:

1) Adjust the seat angle.

If you are able, tilt the seat slightly down towards your feet, not towards your hips. Ideally, your knees should be level with your hips, or even slightly lower. A footrest to lift your knees can also help.

2) Lift the height of the whole seat. This will assist with tip #1 by lifting the whole body away from the floor. When your hips are less bent, it is easier for your back to sit comfortably in an upright position.

3) Use a lower back support.

Many cars nowadays come equipped with in-built lumbar supports. Often this support is a generic design and not fitted for your specific shape or height. A proper lumbar pillow, or even a rolled towel in the small of the back, can be more effective in maintaining the natural arch of your spine. This relieves pressure through your intervertebral discs, spinal ligaments, and spinal muscles.

Neck discomfort is easier to improve when tips for lower back are implemented first. Some very easy tips to reduce neck pain are as follows:

1) Use a travel pillow.

If travelling on an airplane, try wearing the pillow backwards or sideways. This assists in supporting the head in a slightly better position when you rest or sleep, which helps to reduce the stress placed on the muscles, ligaments and joints within the neck.

2) Every hour, perform 10 chin tucks.

This is easiest to perform correctly if you sit tall and press your chin straight backwards, lengthening the back of your neck. Do not tuck the chin to the chest. This exercise stretches the small postural muscles at the base of the skull, relaxing them. The tips above are only suggestions. If you find they are helpful, continue performing them throughout your travels. However, if any of the above tips cause you pain or discomfort, it is advisable to seek your physiotherapist’s opinion.

<strong>Roasted Dates With Almond & Ricotta</strong> - Physio Direct NZ

Roasted Dates With Almond & Ricotta

Ingredients:
½ cup of Ricotta Cheese

4 Tbsp. of Almond Nuts, crushed

20 Medjool Dates

1 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 Tbsp. Balsamic Vinegar Glaze

  1. Sea Salt to taste
  2. Preheat an oven to 180º Celsius. Bring a medium-sized frying pan to medium heat and add crushed almonds.
  3. Stir almonds frequently, until warm and toasted, removing them from heat as they begin to brown. In a small bowl, mix the ricotta cheese and half of the toasted almonds.
  4. Use a small knife to carefully remove any seeds from the dates, making space for the ricotta mixture. Spoon ¼ teaspoon of the ricotta mixture into each date and place them, evenly spaced, on a foil-lined baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle dates with remaining almonds and sea salt.
  5. Roast dates for 15-20 minutes until the ricotta is melted.

Remove from oven and immediately drizzle balsamic glaze.

Growing Pains

Are growing pains real?

The short answer is that yes, growing pains are a real and usually harmless part of childhood. Though poorly understood, they are recognized as a common phenomenon occurring most often between the ages of 3 and 12. The pain is commonly felt in both legs, particularly at night with no clear cause of pain. As yet no one is able to explain why they happen but growing pains are thought to be a normal response of a growing body as it adapts to new heights, sizes, strengths and skills. 

Does this mean I can ignore my child’s pain?

Not so fast. While growing pains are harmless and usually transient, there are many childhood illnesses and conditions that do require professional assessment and, if left untreated, can cause serious harm. These include but are not limited to; Juvenile arthritis, childhood cancers (which often first present as knee or jaw pain), developmental hip dysplasia (abnormality of the hip joint), Perthes disease and a variety of other musculoskeletal disorders. 

While it’s true that children are generally more resilient and heal well, they are also

vulnerable to injuries just like adults. All serious strains and sprains should be rehabilitated correctly to ensure no long-term problems occur down the track. Many childhood pains can also be relieved with physiotherapy in the short term even if the child will eventually grow out of the pain. 

How can I tell if pain is abnormal?

Unfortunately, unless you are a trained professional you won’t be able to tell. If there is any doubt in your mind always contact a physiotherapist or doctor. Many clinicians have great respect for a parent’s intuition and acknowledge that parents are usually very good at knowing if something is wrong with their child. 

Even if you’re sure nothing is wrong, there are a few signs and symptoms that you should take particular notice of. pain that is severe, pain that occurs suddenly without an obvious cause, pain that is one sided, pain that affects your child’s activity levels, causes a limp or is associated with signs of general illness/fever. 

Constant, severe and unrelenting pain is a serious sign that should be investigated at any age. If you’re worried, the first step is to consult a physiotherapist or general practitioner. 

None of the information in this newsletter is a replacement for proper medical advice. Always see a medical professional for advice on your injury. 

Should You Have a Joint Replacement? - Physio Direct NZ

Should You Have a Joint Replacement?

One of the most impressive healthcare developments in history is the humble joint replacement. Many people are able to take a joint that is extremely painful and dysfunctional and give it a whole new lease on life.

The improvements in this surgery over the last few decades have meant that success rates for joint replacement surgery, particularly hip and knee replacements are even higher than ever. If you are struggling with joint pain related to arthritis, it can be difficult to know when to make the move. Here are a few things to consider before going for that surgical consult.

Don’t assume pain is permanent once you hear the word arthritis

Pain is a complex beast and is usually never caused by one single thing. Most people will have some amount of arthritis in their joints past the age of 50, whether or not this is what is causing your pain will be unclear without first seeking physiotherapy treatment.

Many people have some level of degeneration in their joints without experiencing much discomfort at all. It’s possible that an analysis of biomechanics, strengthening and manual therapy could all improve your symptoms significantly, even if osteoarthritis is present. A trial of physiotherapy treatment is recommended before surgery in most cases.

Pre-surgical strength and fitness are important

This means two things, first of all, your strength or exercise program before surgery will set you up for much better results. The second thing is that choosing when to have the surgery means not necessarily waiting until the pain is unbearable before going ahead, as time spent in significant pain can reduce your overall strength and fitness while also putting more stress on other joints.

Research the risks and side effects

While surgical outcomes are continually improving, no surgery comes without risks and some people will have ongoing pain and stiffness even after their surgery. It is important to make an informed decision about when and if you should have a joint replacement.

If you are considering a joint replacement, speak to your physiotherapist about all the ways they can support you through your journey and help you come to an informed decision about what is right for you.

None of the information in this article is a replacement for proper medical advice. Always see a medical professional for advice on your individual injury.

Olecranon Bursitis - Physio Direct NZ

Olecranon Bursitis

What is it?

Bursae are small sacs of fluid found throughout the body. These bursae produce synovial fluid and act to reduce friction between muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones as they move over each other. Bursae are located at strategic points, typically where there are higher points of stress. If a bursa is injured or irritated, it can become inflamed, painful, red and swollen and this condition is referred to as bursitis.

One bursa that is commonly affected is the olecranon bursa, which sits just over the hard bony process at the base of the elbow. Olecranon bursitis refers to inflammation of the bursa at this point and is a common condition, particularly in men between the ages of 30-60.

What causes it?

Olecranon bursitis has a few different causes including trauma, overuse and infection. A sharp blow to the elbow, through a fall or hit, might damage the bursa leading to bursitis. In other cases, the bursa can be infected by bacteria, which enter the body through a small skin tear. Bursitis can also develop slowly through friction of the nearby muscles that cause the bursa to become irritated and inflamed.

What are the symptoms?

The hallmark of this condition is a painful, red, swollen elbow. Typically pain is worst when resting on the tip of the elbow and/or with elbow movements, particularly when bending or straightening the elbow fully. The pain often lasts a few months and may not go away on its own. The pain may build up gradually, or come on suddenly, depending on the cause. Bursitis caused by infection (septic bursitis) may also be associated with general feelings of illness such as fatigue, fever and body aches.

What is the treatment?

As there are many different causes of this condition, accurate diagnosis is essential. Your physiotherapist is able to distinguish between olecranon bursitis and similar conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia. Septic bursitis will need to be treated by a medical professional who will determine the best course of action. All types of bursitis can be managed initially with a RICE protocol to reduce pain and swelling (Rest, ice, compression and elevation). Mechanical causes of bursitis can require more in-depth identification of the factors that may have led to the development of this condition.

Your physiotherapist is able to address these factors plus provide taping support to unload the bursa along with manual therapy and an exercise program. If this is unsuccessful, cortisone injections are often used to reduce pain and inflammation. In severe cases where the pain persists despite all other attempts at treatment, the bursa can be surgically removed in a procedure called a bursectomy. Once the pain has subsided your physiotherapist is also able to help prevent any further recurrence.

None of the information in this article is a replacement for proper medical advice. Always see a medical professional for advice on your individual injury.

Honey, Date & Sesame Brittle - Physio Direct NZ

Honey, Date & Sesame Brittle

Ingredients

1 cup Raw Sesame Seeds

2 Tbsp. Chia Seeds

6 Medjool Dates, diced

¼. cup. Honey

¾. cup. Brown Sugar

2 tsp. Butter

1 Tbsp. Water

¼. tsp. Baking Soda

½ tsp. Vanilla Extract

¼ tsp. Cardamom

¼ tsp. Cinnamon

1.Combine sugar, honey, cardamom, cinnamon and water into a medium-sized saucepan. Bring to medium heat and stir until all ingredients are mixed together.

2.Add sesame seeds, chia seeds and dates and stir often until the mixture is an even consistency and begins to brown slightly. Keep on heat for 5-10 minutes, if you have a candy thermometer, the mixture should reach 150 °C.

3.Remove mixture from heat and stir vanilla extract and butter through. When the butter has completely melted, add baking soda and stir.

4.Spread mixture onto a greased baking tray and allow to cool. Once the mixture has hardened, use a spatula to separate from the tray and break into pieces.

<strong>Pan Fried Gnocchi with Fresh Parsley</strong> - Physio Direct NZ

Pan Fried Gnocchi with Fresh Parsley

Ingredients: 

500g Potato Gnocchi

1 cup Fresh Parsley

1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese 

1/4 cup Butter

2 cloves crushed Garlic

1 tsp. Cracked Black Pepper

1/2 Fresh Lemon

2 Tbsp. Olive Oil

Salt

  1. Heat a medium-sized frying pan to high heat and cover with 2 Tbsp. of olive oil, sprinkle salt and pepper and add 2 cloves of diced garlic. Add gnocchi and fry until lightly crispy. Remove from pan and set aside.
  2. Add butter to pan and allow to melt. Add cracked black pepper and whisk until slightly brown. Add lemon juice. Remove from heat and add gnocchi back to the pan, stirring through butter.
  3. Chop fresh parsley and gently stir through gnocchi. Sprinkle parmesan slices on top.

Add cracked pepper and fresh lemon to garnish. Serves two

<strong>Focus On Improving Your Posture</strong> - Physio Direct NZ

Focus On Improving Your Posture

For most of us, screen time and sitting go hand in hand and both are only increasing as our lives move online. While short periods in any posture aren’t harmful, a lack of movement combined with long periods spent in hunched positions can lead to spinal pain, headaches and even shoulder pain. If you’re noticing yourself needing to spend more time in front of a screen, here are a few tips that can help you to keep flexible and avoid pain.

Set movement breaks

Posture in itself isn’t always a problem. Spending long periods of time in these postures without taking breaks is a little more problematic. When your body is so used to one position, muscles may become shorter and joints a little stiffer, making it harder to move out of this posture and cause pain and discomfort.

You can break up your day by setting a timer to move and take a break every 20-30 minutes. Using these short breaks for movement is a great way to both help focus at work and keep your body more flexible.

Setup your work and home environment properly

Adjusting your work station or setting up a place to relax at home where to you can avoid a hunched posture can help you to reduce time in the same posture. Your physiotherapist can give you tips for how to setup your home and office environment correctly.

Take stock of your time spent sitting

Time in the car, time on your computer and time on the couch can all quickly add up without you realising. By accounting for the amount of time you spend sitting, you can find more ways to move. For example, if you notice that you’re sitting down as soon as you get home, try swapping out watching an episode to relax for a walk while listening to a podcast.

Ask your physio for specific stretches

If you can identify the posture you spend the most time in, your physio can help you to develop a specific exercise and stretching program to counteract these positions most directly and keep you strong and flexible.

None of the information in this article is a replacement for proper medical advice. Always see a medical professional for advice on your individual injury.

<strong>Common Myths About Back Pain</strong> - Physio Direct NZ

Common Myths About Back Pain

Low back pain is one of the most common conditions treated by physiotherapists and if you are unlucky enough to have been a sufferer, you know that severe back pain can take over your life. With improved understanding, health professionals have come to identify some common myths about back pain that are inaccurate, misleading or even counterproductive.

Myth #1 – Discs can ‘slip’ out of place

Sitting between the vertebrae of the spine are soft discs that provide flexibility and shock absorption to the spine. In the past, many health professionals including doctors and physiotherapists told patients that these discs had ‘slipped’ as a way of explaining their pain to them. While this was helpful to some extent, it is not entirely accurate, as these discs are actually very secure and rarely, if ever ‘slip’ out of place. Discs may bulge slightly or in some cases tear, however more often than not these injuries will heal without any permanent damage and exist in many people without causing any pain at all. Thinking that a part of your spine has permanently ‘slipped’ out of place can cause you to move differently, which can create more pain and dysfunction in itself.

Myth #2 – If you have low back pain, you should stay in bed

When back pain strikes, our natural instinct is to rest, avoid movement and wait for the pain to pass. However, studies have shown that being active and performing targeted, gentle exercises can help improve low back pain. In fact, our impulse to stop moving and protect our spines can actually cause abnormal movement patterns and stress, leading to ongoing pain after the original injury has healed. If you are unsure of what kind of exercises you should be doing, your physiotherapist can help guide you with a targeted exercise program.

Myth #3 – Severe pain means severe damage

Pain that is severe, and strikes suddenly, without warning can be a very scary experience. If this happens to you, you could be forgiven for assuming you must have sustained a very serious injury. The fact is, however, that the spine, being surrounded by nerves is a particularly sensitive area of the body and pain in this area can be very strong without significant damage. A small ligament sprain or muscle tear can actually cause a large amount of pain and it is common for severe pain to settle down quickly, even disappearing within a few days. In many cases, symptoms that last for longer than 2-3 weeks are caused by changes to your movement patterns in response to this pain and not the original injury itself.

If you are suffering from back pain, the best person to see is your physiotherapist. They can help you to recover without any complications or side effects and help you safely return to your usual activities while also ruling out any serious damage that might need further investigation.

None of the information in this article is a replacement for proper medical advice. Always see a medical professional for advice on your individual injury.

Roasted Carrot, Date & Almond Salad - Physio Direct NZ

Roasted Carrot, Date & Almond Salad


Ingredients: 

6 Large Fresh Carrots

6 Medjool Dates

1 Handful of Sliced Almonds

1 Garlic Clove

2 Tbsp. Olive Oil

Salt & Pepper

Fresh Parsley for Garnish

  1. Preheat an oven to 180 degrees Celsius and line a baking tray with baking paper. Peel carrots and cut into large sticks. Crush one clove of garlic and add to baking tray along with carrots. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  2. Place the baking tray into the oven and cook for 20 minutes, in the meantime, cut dates into quarters and add to the baking tray. Cook for a further 20 minutes before adding sliced almonds to the baking tray. 
  3. Continue baking for 10 minutes more and remove from oven. Mix ingredients together gently in a large bowl and set aside to cool. 

Garnish with parsley and serve when ready. 

Homemade Apple Crumble - Physio Direct NZ

Homemade Apple Crumble

Ingredients:

Filling

500g Apples, peeled and chopped

50g Brown Sugar

1 Tbsp. Plain Flour

1 pinch ground Cinnamon

1 tsp. Ginger, finely grated

 

Crumble

250g Plain Flour

150g Brown Sugar

200g Rolled Oats

250g Butter, melted

2 Tbsp. Honey

  1. Preheat oven to 180C/350F.
  2. Place flour, sugar, and oats into a mixing bowl. Melt butter and add to bowl, mixing through dry ingredients until well combined.
  3. Place filling ingredients in a saucepan with ½ cup water and cook on medium heat until apples begin to soften.
  4. Grease an ovenproof dish with butter or line with baking paper and spoon in the fruit mixture and cover with crumble mixture. Drizzle honey over the top of mixture.
  5. Place in the preheated oven and cook for 30-40 minutes until browned.
  6. Serve hot, use custard, ice-cream or vanilla yogurt as an optional side.

 

Ready to serve for four.

LCL Tears - Physio Direct NZ

LCL Tears

What is the LCL?

The knee is one of the largest joints in the body and has only one plane of movement. This means it bends and straightens but does not twist (much) or move from side to side. To keep the knee from moving in other directions, the knee is supported by many strong ligaments, with two of these being found on either side of the knee. The inside ligament is the ‘Medial Collateral Ligament’ (MCL) and the outside one is the ‘Lateral Collateral Ligament’ (LCL). The primary role of the LCL is to prevent the lower leg from moving too far towards the midline in relation to the upper leg.  Both the LCL and MCL are extremely strong ligaments and provide lots of support to the knee during movement however, they are still vulnerable to injury.

How do tears happen?

The LCL is injured less often than the MCL, however tears do still occur. The most common way the ligament is damaged is through a force causing the knee to move inwards in relation to the upper leg, or a twisting of the knee. This can be seen in sports that involve changing directions or with a direct force, such as a rugby tackle. This injury can also occur from a simple fall and as with all sporting injuries, it is not only athletes who can be affected, anyone can tear their LCL in the right circumstances. 

What are the symptoms?

Following an injury to the LCL, common signs and symptoms are a ‘popping’ sound at the time of injury, immediate pain with weight bearing and swelling and a feeling instability. The severity of the injury will impact how much each of these symptoms are felt and LCL tears are classified as either Grade I, II or III, which helps to direct treatment. A grade I tear is where a few fibers of the ligament are stretched and damaged, a grade II is where this a partial rupture of the ligament with some instability of the knee and Grade III is a complete tear.

How are LCL tears diagnosed?

Your physiotherapist is able to perform clinical tests to evaluate if there is any instability of the knee from an LCL tear. An MRI can confirm this diagnosis and an X-ray may be required to rule out any associated fracture. It is possible for nerve damage to occur at the same time as an LCL Tear, which will result in weakness and loss of sensation in the lower leg. Severe injuries are more likely to involve injury to other parts of the knee and your physiotherapist will make a full evaluation of all your injuries on assessment.

Most LCL tears are managed well with just physiotherapy and support of the joint, however severe tears and associated nerve damage may require surgery. Your physiotherapist and medical team will work together to help determine the best course of action for each individual injury.

 

How can physiotherapy help?

For tears that don’t require surgery, your therapist will advise you on how to best support and protect the injured joint. In the first 48 hours, RICE protocol (Rest, ice, compression, and elevation) is applied to reduce any pain, swelling, and inflammation. Following this period, you will be advised on how best to mobilise the joint whilst preventing any further damage. Return to sport will be dictated by healing times with a full recovery expected by 6-12 weeks.

Following ligament damage, balance, strength, and proprioception are often impacted and your physiotherapist will develop a program to address this, which is an important part of preventing further injury. Tears that are repaired surgically will require a longer program of rehabilitation and close liaison with the medical team.

None of the information in this newsletter is a replacement for proper medical advice. Always see a medical professional for advice on your individual injury.

If you require professional advice or treatment, please see our range of treatment options, or book an appointment online. Physio Direct has many clinics located throughout New Zealand, with no GP referral required to make an appointment.

How Does Diabetes Affect Healing Times? - Physio Direct NZ

How Does Diabetes Affect Healing Times?

It can be surprising to many people that one of the questions their physiotherapist will ask them when assessing an injury is ‘do you have diabetes?’. This may seem more like an issue for your doctor than your physiotherapist!

The reason why your therapist is asking is that diabetes can actually have quite a large effect on healing times of body tissues. At times, injuries can take up to twice as long to heal properly in patients with diabetes and your physiotherapist will need to update their training and rehabilitation programs to factor this in.

How does this happen?

From what most people know about diabetes, it seems strange that it would affect healing times. However, the more you understand about the processes that cause diabetes the more sense it makes.

It all comes down to blood flow. Our veins and arteries are made of flexible and elastic tissues that expand and contract when necessary to allow the optimum amount of blood flow to an area. Sometimes is it better for tissues to have less blood flow and other times they require more. This flexibility of the blood vessels is essential for controlling and modulating the amount of blood to an area at any given time.

When someone has diabetes, they have an excess of glucose in their blood. This occurs because the body is unable to regulate insulin, which is used to break down glucose and provide the body with energy. This can be due to an autoimmune disorder that affects the cells that make insulin (Type I) or insulin resistance due to dietary choices (Type II). Over time, this excess glucose sticks to the blood vessel walls and they can become harder, losing their elasticity and ability to change size rapidly. Primarily this will affect the ability of the blood vessel to expand reducing the amount of blood flow available to the tissues.

Diabetes can also affect the health of the nerves in they body, particularly in the hands and feet. This can result in poor sensation, which means that the person may not realize when the injury is being further injured.

What does this mean for recovery times?

While not everyone with diabetes will have this issue, it is something that needs to be made known to your physiotherapist so they can be aware of the possibility. These changes are more likely to occur after having diabetes for a long period of time and if it is poorly managed.

Ask your physiotherapist for more information on how diabetes may be affecting your recovery and for tips to ensure the best outcomes possible.

 

Lizzy’s Prawn Laksa - Physio Direct NZ

Lizzy’s Prawn Laksa

Laksa Paste:

1 Onion (diced)

1 Red Chilli (diced)

1 Inch Fresh Ginger (sliced)

1 Inch Tumeric

1 Tbsp Fresh Lemongrass

1 Tbsp Fish Sauce

1 tsp Shrimp Paste

1 Tbsp Brown Sugar

1 Tbsp Coriander

3 Tbsp Oil

Salt/Pepper to taste

 

Serve with:

1 tin Coconut Cream

2 cups Vegetable Stock

200g Vermicelli Rice Noodles

1 cup Pumpkin (diced)

6 Fresh Prawns

  1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius, roast pumpkin pieces for 20 minutes or until cooked through, and set aside to cool. Prepare vermicelli noodles according to packet instructions, drain and set aside.
  2. Place all ingredients of laksa paste into a blender and blend until smooth.
  3. Sauté paste mix in a pan on high heat and slowly add coconut cream and vegetable stock. Continue to heat for five minutes.
  4. Pan sear prawns on high heat in a separate pan with a small amount of olive oil. Add noodles to soup mix.
  5. Divide soup mix into two bowls and place roasted pumpkin and cooked prawns on top. Garnish with coriander.

Recipe by Lizzy Carson from

Vknow Winebar and Restaurant

Fernhill, Queenstown, NZ

Gluteal Tendinopathy - Physio Direct NZ

Gluteal Tendinopathy

What is Gluteal Tendinopathy?

When tendons are repeatedly placed under more tension than they can deal with, they can have a failed healing response. This can cause changes to the structure of the tendon and is known as a tendinopathy. When this occurs in the tendons of the gluteal muscles it is referred to as gluteal tendinopathy.

The gluteal muscles are three large muscles located at the back of the pelvis that provide most of the muscle bulk of buttock region. These muscles work together to keep your pelvis level when standing and are responsible for many movements of the hip. They play an important role in standing, walking and running.

The two deepest gluteal muscles, gluteus medius and gluteus minimus, attach from the center of the pelvis (the sacrum) and insert into the bony outer region of the upper thigh, called the greater trochanter via the gluteal tendons.

What causes tendons to develop tendinopathy?

Tendons, like muscles, skin and bones are living tissues and their strength and elasticity is influenced by a variety of factors, including hormones, age, how often and how much they are used. Rapid changes in activity levels or simply performing the same tasks too often can place a tendon under more stress than it can tolerate and it begins to break town.

Recently it has been shown that tendon health is also negatively affected by compressive forces, which can occur from blunt trauma or even habits such as crossing the legs, or sleeping on your side on a hard mattress.

What are the symptoms of Gluteal Tendinopathy?

When gluteal tendons are affected by tendinopathy, a typical pattern of sharp pain at the outside of the hip with specific movements is present. The pain is usually worse with walking, going up and down stairs and running.  The pain can become quite severe, and eventually can impact day-to-day activities.

How can physiotherapy help?

A thorough assessment is required for an accurate diagnosis and once gluteal tendinopathy is confirmed, your physiotherapist will be able to identify which factors have contributed to your condition and help to address these. It has been shown that specific loading exercises and muscular retraining can stimulate the tendon to heal and remodel the collagen fibres into a more organized pattern again. Your physiotherapist can investigate any postural habits or activities are contributing and address these as required.

None of the information in this newsletter is a replacement for proper medical advice. Always see a medical professional for advice on your individual injury.