Before answering this question let’s look a question I get asked all the time ‘What is the difference between a Physiotherapist, Chiropractor and Osteopath’? I’ll be honest, this can be a difficult question to answer as from...

Here at Thorpes we have cutting edge technology wireless sensors called ViMove, which we use to help people with various things, including Back Pain.  These sensors are used by Manchester United and the British Gymnastics team...

Are you fed up of getting injured all the time? Whether you are a seasoned pro or are new to running, this post is just as relevant all the same. Firstly we need to look at a break-down of the most common reasons for injury:...

What is plantar fasciits? Plantar fasciitis or fasciopathy is a painful condition of the sole of the foot often characterised by pain on the middle underside of your heel. The plantar fascia consists of thick and strong...

On a daily basis we deal with people who have aches and pains or who are injured.  One over-riding component that contributes to a lot of the problems we see is a LACK OF STRENGTH in the individual.  Think about it, if...

A recent study into physical activity in adults found that 26% of females and 19% of males were ‘physically inactive’. Physical inactivity is described as doing less than 30 minutes of exercise a week and is a contributing risk...

Hydrotherapy is a series of exercises performed in water often lead by a qualified Physiotherapist, with the aim of providing a therapeutic benefit. How does it work? As hydrotherapy is performed in water, the increased buoyancy...

What are muscle knots? Muscle knots, also known as trigger points, simply describe an area of muscle fibres that have become tight and contracted at rest. In healthy muscle tissue, muscles fibres should contract with activity...

Let’s talk about shoulder pain, the one thing that gets on most people’s nerves because they don’t know what to do about it and think it’s just something they have to get on with day in, day out… Meet Mike for example…...

The Christmas season is fast approaching and with it comes things like office parties and family gatherings… Usually involving lots of alcohol, lots of food and chocolate and days sitting around on the sofa because it’s “too...

Winter is now upon us, the evenings are darker and the weather colder. Whilst I love this time of year there is something that can creep up on you unexpectedly – back pain. In fact, this is something that many men and women aged...

It’s at this time of year that people have made their new year’s resolutions. Quite often this involves getting fitter, or starting up a new hobby such as running. Most people can relate to going to a gym in January and not...

It’s approaching that time of year; where most people will overindulge in food and drink, lose their normal routine and motivation to keep active. It’s noticeable in January the sudden increase in people who come to see...

I am a big fan of my cricket so I thought that we would talk about a common cricketer’s complaint known as “throwers shoulder”. This is not just limited to cricket though; it can be caused by throwing the ball for the dog, or in...

We must remember that a positive difference can be made to people who have lived with Parkinson’s for a number of years. But the question we are regularly asked is, why early Neurological Physiotherapy is so important? 1. When...

Every patient is an individual, we take the time to assess each patient not only at the first session but also throughout the duration of treatment, and to ensure the programme we develop is right for each patient and their...

The shoulder region is a complex but fascinating area of the body. Pain in the shoulder is also a common reason people come to clinic. It is made up of the upper arm bone (humerus) and socket which it sits in, known as the...

Knee pain is a very common complaint in both the sporting and non-sporting populations. Patellofemoral Joint (PFJ) pain is one of the most common causes of knee pain. It generally involves patients reporting pain on the front of...

What is a Foam Roller?   The foam roller is made of hard celled foam rubber, and is available in different sizes and varying hardness.   They are now available in a variety of different models but the traditional foam...

Ive lost count the number of times that patients have injured themselves doing DIY or gardening – Its so common. I’ve therefore put together some actionable tips for you – so muscle strains, and unexpected injuries don’t...

Tendon pain is a very common reason for people to come to see us in the clinic. Classically, everybody thinks about the Achilles tendon, as that is the most famous. But, often shoulder pain is caused by problems with the rotator...

With Andy Murray returning from a hip injury, we thought it would make sense to discuss the main causes of hip pain and how physiotherapy can help. Hip Osteoarthritis Hip osteoarthritis is an inflammation of the joint, which...

Lower back pain is a very common health problem worldwide, and the most common cause for people to come and see us at Thorpes Physiotherapy. Statistically speaking, 90% of us will experience an episode of lower back pain during...

Following recent cruciate knee injuries to Marcus Rojo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Manchester United, we thought that we would discuss the anatomy and how physiotherapy can help in such cases. Cruciate ligament injuries are common...

Below is a very common question that we get asked all the time:- “Is it ok to exercise when my back is hurting? ” I get the frustration, and I also know that the thought of doing any movement at all when you’re going...

Take a hike Getting some fresh air with a nice daytime hike is a great way to spend quality time with your significant other while getting in some good exercise. Getting outdoors is known to boost your mood as well as energy. If...

There can be many different reasons for bones to fracture, for example osteoporosis characterised by a low impact fracture with no obvious damage to skin or tissues. Or a high energy impact fracture which would be characterised...

A very common question we get asked is do I use ice or heat for pain? Well the question depends on the injury and here is a simple way to work out which you need: When to Ice – acute injuries such as a sprained ankle or a new...

Today we are focusing on one of our most commonly seen injuries – Achilles pain. Achilles pain or tendinopathy is a condition that causes pain, swelling and stiffness of the Achilles tendon that joins your heel bone to your calf...

Hamstring injuries are the single most common injury in professional football, as well as being the second most common injury in rugby. With the Premiership football season starting up again this weekend, we thought it would be...

There are many different reasons for stiff and painful joints. One of the two most common causes are rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.  From a Nutritional Therapy perspective these conditions can be managed through diet (weight...

With the Tour de France on at present and with cycling becoming more and more popular, we thought we would give you some tips on one of the most commonly asked questions…how do I know if my bike set up is correct? Cycling...

With Wimbledon now in full flow we thought this would be a good opportunity to give some top tips in preventing / treating tennis elbow! Tennis elbow is the common name for an injury to the muscles and tendons on the outside of...

Kinesio Taping The Kinesio Taping Method is a rehabilitative taping technique that is designed to facilitate the body’s natural healing process while providing support and stability to muscles and joints without restricting the...

Stay Strong Avoid Ankle Sprains The ankle joint has three bones that are precisely shaped to interlock and give stability. Strong bands of connective tissue called ligaments reinforce the joint and help hold the bones together....

Heel Pain Stand Firm – Don’t Let Heel Pain Stop You Plantar Fasciitis is a common overuse injury affecting the sole or flexor surface (plantar) of the foot. A diagnosis of plantar fasciitis means you have inflamed the tough,...

Golf Injuries The most common golf injuries occur in the lower back, elbows, shoulders, hands and wrists. Injuries can occur during golf as a result of overuse or trauma to a region. The impact and stress of repetitive motion of...

Computer Tips How you use your computer can be a major cause of back, neck and shoulder pain. Poor posture while sitting at the computer and lack of regular breaks and exercise can all contribute to the problem. Here are some...

Travelling Tips Everyone loves a holiday, but who doesn’t start a holiday feeling a little exhausted? However when that cabin door closes, slumping into your seat and ordering a few drinks and eating your way through the trip...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Pilates Pilates aims to create balance, flowing coordinated movements and flexibility in the body by stabilising, stretching and conditioning your body with exercise. At first glance, the Pilates equipment looks like a regular...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Groin Pain Groin pain in athletes, both recreational and professional, provides a huge diagnostic challenge. The groin, defined as the region between the trunk and hip, is a complex region; a defect in one part having profound...

Low Back Pain Low back pain is very common in the community and can affect workers, sports people, new mums, older people, even young people! Many sports people suffer from low back pain particular those who ignore the early...

Podiatry for Athletes Biomechanical Gait Analysis Sports injury, acute or chronic, can easily develop from poor biomechanics of the foot.  Biomechanics is a broad area within Podiatry, which involves a detailed evaluation and...

R.I.C.E.D. The most important time in the treatment of soft tissue injuries is the first 24-48 hours immediately following the injury. When soft tissue is injured there is also damage to the blood vessels in the area and this...

Shin Splints ‘Shin splints’ is a commonly used term to describe pain experienced along the inner border of the shin.  The term is a very general one, and in fact involves a number of specifically different pathological...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

This is my first blog and I was thinking of what might be a good starting topic for discussion. It makes sense to start with a key aspect of fitness and that is flexibility. I hold to the theory that we need to be able to move...

What does a Sports Dietitian Eat? It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3! “You must really watch what you eat” Here are 3 basic practical things I remember at each of my main meals to practice “moderation” (Breakfast, Lunch...