Throwing and hitting a ball are common actions in many sports. Due to the loads involved and the repetition of the action, we commonly see these actions result in pain in the shoulder region. At worst this involves a tear in the rotator cuff. Even if it does involve a tear, this does not mean that you have to stop your sport or have surgery. Physiotherapy to ease your pain and strengthen the local muscles is important to allow you to return to your sport and continue to play without creating more problems that may eventually become career ending. Continue reading →

The shoulder blade ( scapula) is a commonly forgotten part of  shoulder movement. It is a triangular shaped bone that provides the socket for the shoulder joint and connection to the collarbone, providing both mobility and stability. Continue reading →

Knee cap or patellofemoral pain is common in runners. The problem affects more women than men and is thought to be caused by poor tracking of the patella, causing increased load on the underside of the knee cap. Because the pain is caused by poor patella tracking, the best way of reducing the pain is by changing the load going through the knee. This is done by a variety of means including assessing and modifying the running technique. Muscle strength and control needs to be assessed, in particular the muscles in the hip/ buttock area are important as they control the rotation of the thigh. In some case the foot mechanics needs to be addressed. Strength of the thigh muscles is generally less important than muscles in the buttock in controlling patellofemoral pain, however these muscles still need to be examined. Continue reading →

Referred pain is common in the body. It can cause some confusion for the person suffering from it and can easily throw the unsuspecting practitioner.

Some referred pain is quite clear, such as sciatica where the pain starts  in the back and runs down the leg. Most people understand this as they have heard the term and understand that the nerve is being irritated. However, many referred pains are less clear. Continue reading →

We are all aware of the ageing of the population. Muscle and joint problems increase as we age, with musculoskeletal problems being  one of the most disabling conditions  of the elderly. Shoulder pain is the third most common of musculoskeletal problems presenting to G.P.’s. This is because shoulders are shallow, mobile joints held together by ligaments and the muscles of the rotator cuff. Continue reading →

Often a computer mouse ends up wandering across a desk. Initially a stray mouse will not cause issues. In the long term, the user can develop pain  in the arm or neck region. The problem tends to build gradually and in some cases causes significant problems. Continue reading →