Daily Archives: August 19, 2013

Reducing Neck Pain in Office Workers

Reducing Neck Pain in Office Workers

 

Our Physio Chen presented one of her PhD papers at the biennial Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) conference held at the Gold Coast this year. Her research is based on neck pain in office workers which is highly topical in Australia. A recent study estimated that 49% of office workers suffer a new episode of neck pain each year. Research has also shown that 60 to 80% of workers experience a recurrence of neck pain within 1 year of the initial episode.

ITB Friction Syndrome

ITB Friction Syndrome

 

With the winter running season approaching it’s time to look at a very common injury that affects runners of various shapes, sizes, ages and abilities – ITB friction syndrome. It usually starts as a dull ache on the outside of the knee but can progress to an extremely sharp and disabling pain. Let’s run the usual analysis.

Kneecap pain

Kneecap pain

 

You don’t need a baseball bat and a Sicilian accent to get intimate with kneecap pain. Pain in the patella (kneecap) region is one of the most common complaints afflicting athletes from many sports. Common provoking activities include squatting, walking up and downstairs, prolonged sitting or standing, kneeling, cycling and running and there may also be an associated grinding feeling or click in the kneecap.

Hot and Cold Packs

Hot and Cold Packs

 

When is it best to apply cold and when to apply heat? At first it may seem like a simple question. Surely they’re opposite and one is right and one is wrong. Not so! Confusion occurs because, although there are a few fundamental rules, there are other factors which influence which modality is best applied under certain circumstances. You’ll find some difference of opinion among physios and doctors too, but for what it’s worth here’s my advice.

Asthma and EIB in Athletes

Asthma and EIB in Athletes

 

This week I reviewed a recent journal article entitled “Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction in Athletes”. With winter approaching and more people suffering from respiratory problems I thought it would make a good topic. First, let’s look at some definitions.