Safe Lifting

The lifting and moving of objects is a common cause of pain and injury to your lower body. The low back is often put at risk, the neck and the shoulders can also be injured. You can protect yourself against injury both at home and work by trying to eliminate the need for lifting and … Read more

Ankle Sprains

Ankle sprains, particularly ligament sprains are one of the most commonly treated injuries and are extremely common in sports that involve rapid changes in direction such as netball, football and football.  An ankle sprain can result in a swollen and bruised ankle after an incident during sport, work or everyday activities.  It may be a … Read more

Instructions for Using Crutches

GENERAL INFORMATION You have been given crutches so that you can rest your injured leg. You should wear a shoe with a non-slip sole on the uninjured foot to prevent slipping. The handle of the crutch should be level with your wrist crease The weight should be taken on the handgrips. Regularly check the ruber … Read more

Corked Thigh

What is a corky? A corky is a bruised muscle that results in bleeding into the muscle. As with a skin wound with ongoing bleeding, the treatment of choice is compression with an elastic bandage – not a crepe bandage as they do not maintain pressure. When applying ice it is important to maintain the … Read more

Shoulder Injuries

The shoulder is a very important joint in many sports such as racquet sports, swimming and ball sports.  It is an extremely mobile joint and relies on good muscle control to maintain stability. Repetitive movements such as throwing a ball, swimming or serving in tennis place considerable stress on the shoulder, and can lead to … Read more

Hamstring Strains

Hamstring injuries are the most common soft-tissue injury to the thigh, and are often seen in runners, especially sprinters, hurdlers and long jumpers.  They also occur in sprinting sports such as football and hockey, especially after an inadequate warm-up. The classic picture of a hamstring strain is when an athlete is sprinting down the track … Read more

Core Stability

To attain total fitness, an athlete must possess “core stability” – the ability to use the muscles to keep the body’s separate sections stable.  In order to perform ballistic movements – such as running, throwing and jumping – the muscles must have a stable base to start from.  Without a stable base injuries, both acute … Read more

Chronic Knee Injuries

Chronic Knee Injuries can affect many athletes, from the professional who trains twice daily to the Saturday morning netballer.  The pain and dysfunction can be debilitating, and can lead to extended time off sport. The knee is a complex joint, and is controlled by a number of muscles, tendons and ligaments. The majority of chronic … Read more

Acute Knee Injuries

Whether you play sport socially or professionally, a knee injury can cause significant pain and dysfunction.  Acute knee injuries are one of the most common sporting injuries seen by Physiotherapists, and they can often mean a long break from sporting activity. There are three main tissue types that can generally be injured in the knee … Read more

Food Supplements

There are arguments both for and against many food supplements. The following outlines some of the most common food supplements on the market. Creatine For:Creatine is a naturally occurring compound found in meat and fish.  It is stored in the body’s muscles; it is used to generate energy in intense bursts. Almost 150 clinical studies … Read more