Blog
What is a Migraine
Migraines are a common and distressing disorder which can limit the person’s quality of life. Studies have shown the incidence of migraine to be 9-10%. From this about 17% of suffers are the female population in comparison to 6% of suffers from the male population. Thus, about 2 million Australians can be expected to suffer […]
What is a Headache
The most common health complaint in the modern world is headaches. Headaches affect 75% of the population with reports showing a person will suffer from one or more headaches within the year. There are three major categories of headaches: Primary headaches; cluster, tension headaches and migraines Secondary headaches; due to an underlying structural problem in […]
Occipital Headache
Headaches are a common ailment which varies in intensity, pain and location. Although the majority of headaches are a temporary nuisance some can be more serious, concerning and disruptive. One common patient complaint is occipital headaches which can signify an underlying condition that can be treated with massage and bodywork techniques. Occipital headaches also known […]
Migraines
Lower-half Headache or Facial Migraine Also known as carotidynia and applies to a common migraine that causes severe pain lasting from minutes to hours (frequency – several times per week) that covers one-half of the face involving the nostril, cheek and jaw. The presence of tenderness and swelling over the carotid artery in the neck […]
Postural Headaches
Postural Headaches The next time you get a headache, check your posture. Poor posture causes muscle strain, changes in your breathing patterns and leads to a host of problems, including headaches. Without being conscious and taking positive steps to get your posture back in line chronic neck pain and headaches will occur. Neck-related headaches are […]
Rotator Cuff Injuries
The rotator cuff comprises; Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres Minor and Subscapularis. Muscular function: The rotator cuff muscles balance the forces of the deltoids which act to raise the arm and in doing so forces the humeral head superiorly towards the acromion and coracoacromial arch. The rotator cuff muscles (especially supraspinatus) counteract this action by preventing or […]
Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy
In recent years trigger point therapy has become a generally accepted form of treatment in medicine, physical therapy and massage. While medical doctors rely on injection and physical therapists on spray and stretch with vapocoolants, massage therapists are able to work in a highly effective manner using thumbs, elbows, and braced fingers to create an ischaemic […]
Pelvis Pain
Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD) Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) Diastasis Symphasis Pubis (DSP) The pelvis is a structure which is circular in shape and comprises of three large bones: the sacrum and the two large ilium bones. The two ilium bones are joined together at the front via cartilage and ligaments. These structures make up the […]
Iliotibial Band Syndrome
ITB friction syndrome is common and results from inflammation of the distal ITB and the bursa which lies deep to the ITB and over the lateral femoral condyle Causes are often associated with a single long hard run, a rapid increase in training distances, running on banked surfaces or excessive hill running Other contributing factors […]
Hamstring Strains
Hamstring stains most commonly occur during running or sprinting activities during the swing phase of the gait cycle just prior to foot strike. In this position there is a high degree of eccentric loading occurring through the hamstring in order to decelerate the leg as it swings forward in preparation for the foot plant. Increased […]
Lateral Epicondylitis
Often referred to as Tennis Elbow and involves pain in racket sports when hitting the ball (or absorbing force) through a backhand stroke as the forearm extends. Stress is absorbed through the tendons of the extensor muscles of the wrist and forearm which with repeated actions may cause inflammation, pain and altered movement mechanics to […]
Biceps Tendinitis
This injury is primarily caused by force being applied during repeated arm abduction movements. In swimming for example this translates to the athlete using an excessively wide arm pull that results in medial rotation of the humerus as force is applied during the pull phase of the arm-stroke. This action results in the long head […]