Physiotherapy and Health Articles

Achilles Tendinopathy

Olivia Hadfield / March 31, 2022 / Comments are off for this post.

The Achilles is the largest and thickest tendon in the body. It is made up of Type 1 collagen fibres, tenocytes, and proteoglycans which are responsible for the tendon’s tensile strength. These complex interwoven fibres merge from the calf muscles, gastrocnemius and soleus to form the tendon that inserts into the heel bone, the calcaneus. The Achilles is involved in 93% of the plantar force in flexion of the foot. When healthy, this tendon can handle up to nine times the body weight and has a pivotal function in transmitting forces, such as explosive power and control of movements.

Adductor strains in the sporting population

Olivia Hadfield / March 17, 2022 / Comments are off for this post.

Groin strains are commonly seen in sports with multi-directional and high velocity demands such as hockey and soccer. As a result, large sporting bodies have published preventative rehabilitation guidelines which are incorporated in pre-game warmups around the world to mitigate strain risk and reduce recurrence rates.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rehabilitation

Olivia Hadfield / March 17, 2022 / Comments are off for this post.

Where Are We Now?

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) rupture has occupied a large portion of elite and amateur sporting injuries for decades. Discourse amongst the general population continues to support immediate surgical reconstruction followed by a lengthy return to sport timeframe. Thus, management of either surgical or conservative ACL ruptures necessitates robust rehabilitation protocols and a barrage of objective measures to meet the low return to sport levels and high recurrence rates.

Falls Prevention & Balance Training

Olivia Hadfield / March 17, 2022 / Comments are off for this post.

Approximately one third of individuals over the age of 60 experience a fall in a given year. This can be attributed to the normal changes in both sensorimotor and neuromuscular systems that occur in healthy older populations. Fortunately, balance training can mitigate falls risk and the implementation of specific exercise programs is strongly encouraged for older Australians.

I came to run:

Olivia Hadfield / March 7, 2022 / Comments are off for this post.

An evaluation of running biomechanics, strengthening programs and injury management

With the year that was, training has needed to be more versatile than ever. With the infrequent access to group fitness classes and gyms, there has been a significant increase in the number of people commencing running or incorporating it into their training regime. There are many factors to consider when getting into this often-addictive sport; how far, how often, how quickly, where and with what shoes. This article aims to present the most important factors to consider on this journey to mitigate injury risk and provide some confidence to make running a lasting activity!

Exercise during pregnancy

Olivia Hadfield / March 7, 2022 / Comments are off for this post.

Maintaining an exercise regime throughout pregnancy is becoming increasingly important for Mothers to be. Despite the willingness to engage in physical activity, Women often report confusion regarding clear guidelines for exercise prescription, duration, and parameters throughout the duration of their pregnancy. As Physiotherapists we work closely with Women throughout their antenatal and postnatal journey from a musculoskeletal and pelvic health perspective. Throughout these timeframes, ensuring appropriate prescription is vital for safety and to instil the confidence needed to participate in a training program.

Ergonomics: Workplace Health and Why it Matters

Peak Physio Staff / August 29, 2019 / Comments are off for this post.

We’ve all been there – you get up from your desk at work, you bend over to pick something up, or you go to do that one thing you do at work over and over. Even though it seems like a simple, routine thing, this time you feel an intense pain. Did you do something wrong this time? Maybe. Or maybe this has been the result of a long line of little mistakes?

The solution?

Ergonomics.

Pain Management: Simple Strategies for Dealing with Persistent Pain

Peak Physio Staff / July 21, 2019 / Comments are off for this post.

Just about everybody has to deal with pain at one point in their life or another. However, some of us have to deal with pain on a regular basis.

There are any number of conditions that can cause pain and it comes in many different varieties. Some people deal with constant, burning pain. Others deal with occasional dull aches. Whatever the cause of your pain, there are a number of treatment options available.

Is Fat to Blame? The Relationship Between Weight & Pain

Grayce Gerke / July 16, 2019 / Comments are off for this post.

It has become common knowledge that in this 21st century our society is battling rising rates of obesity. Over the years there have been huge amounts of research that links higher obesity rates with chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer and… the list is endless.

However it is less commonly known that being overweight and carrying even a little bit more weight than we should can be linked to experiencing pain.

Dry Needling: Everything You Need to Know

Peak Physio Staff / June 18, 2019 / Comments are off for this post.

Physiotherapists have a reputation for brutally digging into trigger points (or ‘muscle knots’, as they are colloquially known) with their hands, thumbs, fingers and even sometimes elbows, leaving their patients feeling battered and bruised (temporarily, of course!).

If only there was a technique that could treat trigger points without inflicting the same amount of pain, and without causing grown men to weep. There is, in fact, such a technique and an increasing number of physiotherapists are becoming trained in it, sparing their precious hands and their patients’ pain thresholds at the same time.