Every four years the world is swept up in the hype of the Olympic games. The very best athletes from around the globe compete against each other for the glory and satisfaction of a gold medal. These athletes train and push their bodies to the extreme for years in order to compete at the pinnacle…

What is Kinesio Tape or K-Tape? Kinesio tape or K-tape is a variety of tape that physiotherapists occasionally apply to the skin with the intention of providing a therapeutic benefit. K-tape is derived from the word kinesiology, which is the study of human movement. Unlike rigid strapping tape, used by physiotherapists to restrict joint movement,…

Our Duncraig Physios are regularly asked whether an ice pack or heat pack should be applied for sports injuries and for back and neck pain. Most people use ice for acute injuries but do they apply it for long enough or often enough? The debate between ice and heat for pain and injuries continues to…

This blog outlines my successful return to sport from an Achilles Tendinopathy. To read more about the onset of my tendon pathology and early management, read part one and part two of my blog. After two weeks of careful, graduated strengthening exercises, with no recurrence of Achilles tendon pain, I decided I was ready to…

When an acutely overloaded tendon produces pain, we term the condition a ‘reactive tendinopathy’. The historical term ‘tendonitis’ implies that an inflammatory response is present, however current research suggests this may not be correct. Whether inflammation is present or not, the fact is that the tendon has been overloaded and is reacting in an unpleasant…

Many of us have experienced frustrating interruptions to our favourite sport, fitness, hobbies and leisure activities due to tendon pain. Overloading a tendon, by changing or increasing activity levels may cause a tendinopathy, previously termed tendonitis. Tendons connect muscle to bone and are found all throughout the body. Tendinopathies commonly occur in the shoulder (rotator…

Hamstring strains occur when your hamstrings muscle or tendon is stretched beyond what they can withstand or torn when substantial stretching of the muscle occurs. Hamstring strains are fairly common in sports activities requiring the athlete to forcefully run or jump. A hamstring strain is also called a pulled hamstring or hamstring tear. An inflamed hamstring…

An Olympic sprinter tears a hamstring. An AFL footballer suffers an ACL injury. A junior gymnast sprains her ankle. A toddler bumps his head. Our instinctive response in each of these cases is to apply an ice pack. But why? What sort of ice is best? How long should we apply it? How often should…

Knee pain or knee injuries are extremely common, and there are many causes. The knee needs to function properly to provide flexible mobility while bearing considerable weight. While walking down the street, our knees bear three to five times our body weight. Many jobs, sports and recreation activities, getting older, or having a disease such…

The secret to preventing overuse injuries is simple, yet surprisingly it is often overlooked. My Physio Perth would like to clear things up for you. Load management is a critical concept to understand for anyone participating in physical activity, whether it be gardening, housework, physical work, gym training, general exercise, social sport or even professional…