Ankle Sprains Ankle joints and feet are the link between feet are the link between your body and the ground. If you “roll your ankle” as the foot hits the ground, the ankle may be sprained. Physiotherapists can assess your ankle to determine the severity and the type of injury, and improve treatment which promotes…
Arthritis One of the most common forms of arthritis is Osteoarthritis. It damages your joints through wear and tear. It can be painful and depressing . There is no cure, but there are ways of managing the condition and making life earier for sufferers. Physiotherapy is an important part of that management. HOW DOES OSTEOARTHRITIS…
Perform 3-4 times a day as required for pain relief (at least 2 times a day) Lie with yellow pages across top of sacrum and under buttocks Need to lie on the floor with none or 1 pillow only Slowly straighten and relax 1 leg at a time remain in this position for 1 minute…
Back Pain If your back hurts, don’t ignore the pain. Physiotherapists have the training to correctly assess the problem and provide safe, effective treatment. For rapid recovery, see your physiotherapists early. What causes back pain? POSTURAL STRESS Poor posture stresses your spine. Ligaments are over-stretched, muscles tire and joints and nerves are put under pressure.…
Roll up a towel so that the diameter of the towel is _____cm. Use a stack of magazines or books to create a ‘block’ that is ____cm tall. Lie on a flat and firm surface with your back flat against the floor. Place the towel under the curve in your neck and the ‘block’ under…
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is caused by pressure on the median nerve as it runs through the wrist. Symptoms can include pins and needles and / or numbness especially at night, as well as possible pain and weakness in the hand. The Carpal Tunnel The Carpal Tunnel is a narrow passageway in the wrist opening out into…
Child Birth CHANGE TO MUSCLES, LIGAMENTS AND JOINTS DURING AND AFTER PREGNANCY AFFECT THE WHOLE BODY. PHYSIOTHERAPISTS HELP WOMEN MANAGE THESE CHANGES, PROVIDING EXPERT CARE AND ADVICE DURING PREGNANCY, CHILDBIRTH AND BEYOND. CHILDBIRTH PREPARATION CLASSES When preparing for childbirth and parenthood, women and their partners benefit from learning a range of physical techniques and coping…
Child’s Feet and Legs THE SHAPE OF CHILDREN’S FEET AND LEGS CHANGES DURING INFANCY AND CHILDHOOD. MOST VARIATIONS THAT CAUSE CONCERN, SUCH AS IN-TURNED, OUT-TURNED, OR FLAT FEET ARE NORMAL AND WILL CORRECT SPONTANEOUSLY OVER TIME. PARENTS SHOULD ALWAYS CONSULT A DOCTOR IF CONCERNED AND A PHYSIOTHERAPIST WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE EXPERT ADVICE AND…
Information about the 3M Coban 2 Layer Compression System Bandages stick to themselves and adhere to the comfort layer underneath providing better cohesion and less slippage Designed to provide 25-40mmHg Indicated for the management of venous leg ulcers, lymphoedema and other suitable conditions requiring compression therapy Must only be applied by a qualified professional Clinically…
CRYOTHERAPY Cryotherapy is the application of cold or ice for the treatment of acute or overuse injuries. It may be applied via number of methods including ice pack, “cryocuff”, frozen vegetables, crushed ice, ice block massage or ice water immersion. The effects of Cryotherapy are a decrease in pain, decrease in swelling/bleeding and a decrease…
Complex lymphoedema therapy is a treatment method used to speed up the lymphatic system, remove excess fluid and maintain the volume of a limb or a body part. CLT has evolved over the past 150 years. Today, CLT is performed by qualified lymphoedema professionals, such as Physiotherapists, Doctors, Registered Nurses and Occupational Therapists. There are…
Your Doctor or Lymphoedema Physiotherapist may prescribe a compression garment for you. Usually it is easiest, safest and most cost-effective for your physiotherapist to order your garment directly from the manufacturer. This way you can be assured of the correct specifications to suit your needs and your therapist can assist you in commencing wear. HINTS…
What is Diabetes? Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the way the body processes blood sugar known as glucose. The primary types of diabetes are Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes (5%–10% of cases) is an autoimmune disease which results from cellular-mediated autoimmune destruction of the pancreatic b-cells, producing insulin deficiency. In…
MEDICAL EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT IF YOU KEEP PHYSICALLY FIT BY EXERCISING REGULARLY YOU INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF LIVING A HEALTHIER LIFE – FEELING WELL, LOOKING WELL, MAITAINING YOUR LIFESTYLE. PHYSIOTHERAPISTS ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO KEEP ACTIVE WITH SENSIBLE EXERCISES SUITED TO THEIR AGE AND PHYSICAL CONDITION. WHY EXERCISE? Strength and mobility – exercise helps to prevent…
by Jarrod Bowan – Allied Health Assistant Physical activity can reduce the risk of many cancers There is strong evidence that shows leading an active lifestyle can reduce the risk of breast, colon, kidney, endometrial, bladder stomach and oesophageal cancer by 10 to 24 percent. At Physio For You, we promote the benefits of a…
Long distance travel (over 8 hours) by plane, bus, car or train may increase the risk of developing lymphoedema, or worsen existing lymphoedema. DO Elevate your swollen limb. Perform manual lymphatic drainage, exercises and deep breathing daily. Keep moving! Wear a prescribed compression garment as advised, especially when travelling. You may need to increase your…
Our director Jacqueline Eaton had the pleasure of joining Lachlan Hetherington on an episode of the Grow Your Practice podcast. Listen here to find out a bit more about Jacqui’s start in physiotherapy and how Physio For You came to be!
Hamstring strains are one of the most common injuries across a variety of sports e.g., AFL, soccer, sprinting, dance etc. The severity of the strain can range from very mild (grade 1), to very severe (grade 3). There are numerous risk factors that can increase your chance of sustaining a hamstring strain including age, muscle…
Headache HEADACHES ARE OFTEN CAUSED BY DISORDERS OF THE NECK OR PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL TENSION. PHYSIOTHERAPISTS CAN SUCCESSFULLY TREAT HEADACHES ORIGINATING FROM THE NECK OR SOFT TISSUES AND SHOW YOU HOW TO PREVENT THE PAIN RECURRING. IS YOUR HEADACHE REALLY A NECK ACHE? For many people, headaches start as pain or tension at the top…
What is Lateral Epicondylalgia (Tennis Elbow)? Tennis elbow is a common condition that approximately 40% of the general population experience at some point in their life. This condition presents gradually as pain arising from the top of the forearm and/or the outside of the elbow. This is where our main gripping muscles originate from…
Lipoedema, is a hereditary disorder, which leads to a pattern of abnormal adipose tissue accumulation affecting the thighs, buttocks and lower legs, and sometimes the arms. Lipoedema may cause considerable tissue enlargement, swelling and pain. It might significantly impair mobility, ability to perform activities of daily living, and psychosocial wellbeing. It has been shown to…
WHAT IS THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM? The blood circulatory system pumps essential blood and nutrients around the body. While most blood is reabsorbed by blood vessels, the remaining fluid, which contains waste products, becomes known as lymph fluid. This fluid is absorbed by the lymphatic vessels and transported to lymph nodes and eventually to the kidneys…
The aim of manual lymphatic drainage is to stimulate the lymphatic system and create alternate pathways for the lymph fluid to flow. MLD works on the plasticity of the lymphatic system, that is, the body’s ability to expand and grow more lymphatic branches. The massage is performed with the light touch over specific regions conducted…
What is Multiple Sclerosis? Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disease which is characterised by the formation of areas of demyelination (plaques) throughout the brain and spinal cord. The plaques can impair nerve conduction and transmission leading to a variety of symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, balance problems, numbness and/or cognitive disability. The…
Neck Pain INJURY AND POSTURAL PROBLEMS ARE THE MAIN CAUSES OF NECK PAIN. PHYSIOTHERAPISTS CAN IDENTIFY THE REASONS FOR YOUR NECK PAIN AND PROVIDE PROVEN EFFECTIVE TREATMENT. WHAT CAUSES NECK PAIN? Your head is heavy and balanced on a narrow support made up of seven bones called vertebrae. The vertebrae are separated from each other…
Aim To maintain normal skin integrity and suppleness and avoid infection. This is achieved by daily hygiene and by addressing problems such as dry, scaly, cracked or infected skin immediately. Maintaining Good Hygiene Shower daily using pH products such as DermaVeen or QV Body wash (NOT soap!) Scrub skin gently with a body brush. A…
Recommended Activities Keep active and avoid sitting for long periods of time. Start with gentle exercise and gradually work up to more challenging exercise. Avoid strenuous exercise if your body isn’t used to it. 30 minutes of moderate exercise, 5 times per week is recommended. Check your affected limb before and after exercises for these…
Long distance travel (over 8 hours) by plane, bus, car or train may increase the risk of developing lymphoedema, or worsen existing lymphoedema. It is suggested that you: ✓ Regularly exercise the affected or ‘at risk ✓ Limb by taking breaks and walking around every few hours. ✓ Wear a travel compression garment as recommended…
Sit with the forearm supported and the hand hanging down (as shown) Lift the hand, then slowly lower back to the starting position. Repeat 3 x 15 reps, twice per day Download PDF