Sports Massage

Every athlete knows that a massage feels great, and can be a welcome reward after a hard training session.  However, sportspeople need to understand how regular massage can assist in recovery and help aid performance. Intense training or competition will invariably lead to an increase in resting muscle tone – so called “tight muscles”.  This … Read more

The Importance of Water

Many people are living in a state of perpetual dehydration and are, without realising it, putting their health at risk.  Water does much more than just keep us alive, however many are still getting most of their fluid intake from soft drinks, coffee and alcohol. By drinking liquids other than water, the concentration level of … Read more

Why Stretch?

Stretching relaxes the body and improves flexibility.  As athletes, it should be part of your daily life. Stretching: Reduces muscle tension and enhances relaxation Helps co-ordination by allowing for easier movement Increases range of motion Prevents injuries such as muscle strains (pre-stretched muscle resists stress better than a non-stretched muscle) Prepares you for strenuous activity … Read more

Golfer’s Elbow

Golfer’s elbow — also known as medial epicondylitis — is pain and inflammation on the inner side of the elbow, where the tendons of the forearm muscles attach to the bony bump on the inside of the elbow (medial epicondyle). The pain may spread into your forearm and wrist. Golfer’s elbow is similar to tennis … Read more

Stress Fractures

Stress fractures are a type of overuse injury. These tiny cracks in your bones develop when your muscles become fatigued and can no longer absorb the shock of repeated impacts. When this happens, the muscles transfer the stress to the bones, creating a small crack or fracture. Stress fractures also can occur with normal usage … Read more

Arthritic Joints

What is arthritis? Arthritis means inflammation of the joints. It causes pain and usually also limits movement of the joints that are affected. There are many kinds of arthritis. A type called osteoarthritis (also called degenerative joint disease) is the most common. What causes osteoarthritis? The exact cause isn’t known. A person may be at … Read more

Whiplash & Associated Disorders

Whiplash-Associated Disorders (WAD) has been adopted as the definition of acute or sub-acute neck pain. WAD may result from car, workplace or sporting accidents. What are the common signs and symptoms of WAD? The symptoms associated with WAD can vary, and may include headaches, neck or arm pain, dizziness, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, inability to concentrate, … Read more

Migraines & Headaches

Migraines happen when blood vessels of the head and neck spasm or become narrow (constrict). Minutes to hours later, the blood vessels enlarge (dilate). When they dilate, they fill with blood, which causes more pressure in the skull, and so, a headache. Migraine headaches happen in about six out of 100 people. They are common … Read more

Save Your Shoulders – 4 Simple Tips

Shoulder problems are a very common injury we see at Thorpes, its only back pain we see more of, so I thought I’d give a quick review of some simple ways to avoid shoulder pain. 1. Limit Overhead Exercises Many gym training programs involve extensive overhead pressing movements – however from our experience they are … Read more

Ankle Mobility Exercises to improve Dorsiflexion

Limitations in ankle dorsiflexion can cause quite a few functional and athletic limitations and can lead to knee disorders as well as foot and ankle problems.  This  leads to the desire to perform ankle mobility exercises.    These types of mobility drills have become popular over the last several years and are often important components … Read more