Muscle imbalance refers to muscle strength imbalance and/or muscle length/tension imbalance. The fascia (connective tissue) and muscles in our bodies react to loads placed on them by our everyday activities, postures, and sports that we do. Habitual postures can lead to strength and muscle tension imbalances too. For instance, we all have a dominant hand [...]
Muscle tears can happen spontaneously, due to trauma or sport and leisure activites. The most common area for Spontaneous muscle tears is in the shoulder rotator cuff, especially as people get older. Calf muscle (gastrocnemius and soleus) tears are commonly caused during sports such as running or athletics. They can even happen with walking, more [...]
Weakness can occur in muscles after injury or gradually from postural & movement habits. Common muscles affected by weakness are: Deep neck flexors (Longus Capitis & Longus Colli) Shoulder rotator cuff muscles (Infraspinatus, Supraspinatus, Subscapularis), Scapula muscles (Serratus Anterior Spinal core muscles (Transversus Abdominis & Lumbar Multifidus) Hip abductors (Gluteus Minimus & Medius), Hip external [...]
Joint replacements, fractures (with or without internal fixation), arthroscopy (key hole surgery), anterior cruciate ligament repair, knee meniscal repairs, shoulder rotator cuff repairs, and spinal surgery can all benefit from input from a physiotherapist. Different surgeons and hospitals will have different protocols for when you can start certain activites. It is important to follow these [...]
The most common overuse injuries are wrist and elbow pain such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tennis or golfers elbow (lateral epicondylitis and medial epicondylitis). This is often related to long periods sitting at a computer and using the mouse and keyboard. Tension in the neck and shoulders may also contribute to arm symptoms. There [...]
Patellar tendinopathy is degenerative change in the tendon below your knee cap. It was previously called patellar tendinitis, but as it is not an inflammatory problem of the tendon, it was renamed. Overuse of the quadriceps muscles in sports that require a lot of running and jumping, causes the tendons and muscles develop small tears. [...]
The pelvis has a small amount of movement between the base of the spine (sacrum) and the pelvis (ilium). This is called the sacroiliac joint. A large number of muscles attach to the pelvis from both the legs and torso and can influence the position that the pelvis rests in. Restrictions in these muscles can [...]
Plantar fasciitis is most commonly felt near the heel on the underside of your foot. It usually starts gradually for no obvious reason but is associated with poor foot biomechanics and increased weight bearing activities, such as prolonged standing or simply increasing your walking or running distance. You may need to see a podiatrist for [...]
