Your Local Physio in Parramatta
Visit our Location
12 Ada St, Harris Park 2150
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0479 080 800
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[email protected]
Opening Hours
Mon - Fri: 8 am - 7 pm

Year: 2017

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By tbemho Uncategorized

Arthritis – What is it?

Understanding Arthritis

Most people experience pain at some point in their lives, and many will assume that their joint pain is arthritis related, especially if you are in the 50+ age group. But what is arthritis? There are many different forms of arthritis which can affect both the young and old. Each type of arthritis has a different set of symptoms. Read below for common types of arthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Degeneration of the cartilage and underlying bone on weight bearing joints due to wear and tear. This leads to pain, stiffness, creation of extra bone growth – spurs, clicking or grating sensations. Symptoms occur most often in the lower back, hips, knees and even your fingers. OA and degeneration will occur in most people as they grow older, it can be made worse by poor posture, increased weight, abnormal biomechanics and poor nutrition. Doctors can diagnose most cases of osteoarthritis based on symptoms  and X-rays. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition, meaning it will become progressively worse over time. It is not a disease, it is part of the ageing process. If you were to look at someone older than you, they would have more wear and tear than you will simply because they have been using their bones and joints for longer than you have.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): 

Autoimmune disease. where the body’s immune system attacks normal tissues in the body. Constant inflammation around the joint capsule, ligaments, tendons and other soft tissues over time leads to destruction and deformity of joints.Unlike OA, RA affects small joints in the hands and feet and around the lower back. RA is characterized by periods of exacerbation and dormant stages. RA is progressive disease which become worse over time.With this type of arthritis the pain may actually get worse as you rest due to the build-up of inflammation. Blood tests and x-rays can help doctors to diagnose the condition, and treatment by a rheumatologist is central to management.

Psoriatic arthritis

Arthritis that visibly affects the skin as well as underlying joints. People tend to report symptoms such as red, white or silvery patches of dry skin, pain or discomfort in the skin, or pain in the underlying joints. The dry skin may appear on the knees, elbows, scalp, hands and feet, or on the spine. Factors that can make the symptoms of psoriasis worse include stress or anxiety, medications, exposure to excessive sunlight, smoking and alcohol, or injury to the skin.

Gout

Caused by excess uric acid within the blood stream. The uric acid forms crystals, which accumulate within the joint spaces, causing pain and inflammation. Excess uric acid is associated with a diet rich in meat, seafood, fructose and alcohol, as well as other factors including obesity, metabolic medical conditions, family history, and increased age. Gout is also associated with kidney stones and management includes changing your diet to lower uric acid levels.

Contact your GP for medical advice and management. Physiotherapy will help to guide your exercise journey and assist with other pain management strategies. helping to keep you active and healthy. Activities such as hydrotherapy, exercises and stretching have their place in maintaining correct posture and strengthening muscles appropriately to protect the body in areas of pain.

By tbemho Uncategorized

Is Your Mattress Causing Back Pain?

Is Your Mattress Causing Back Pain?

What is the best mattress to sleep on? Getting a good night’s sleep is dependent on a variety of factors, the condition of your mattress being one of them. Do you wake up with pain in your back and struggle to get into a comfortable sleeping position? Do you need to stretch first thing in the morning to make your pain better? If so, your mattress may need an upgrade.

Having a mattress with poor support can cause severe back and neck pain. A mattress which does not support you, can result in muscle strains, stiffness in your back and a poor sleeping posture. All of these factors contribute to back pain. A supportive mattress allows the structures of the spine to sit in a comfortable position, reducing the risk of lower back pain. Hence, it is vital that you choose the right mattress for your body type. With the vast variety of mattresses on the market, choosing the right mattress can prove to be difficult.

 Tips on choosing the best mattress:

A mattress that is comfortable to one person, may not be for another. It is important to identity which mattress you fell is providing you with the most comfort.

Understand what components are in the mattress. It can make choosing and buying a much easier process. As new products become available on the market, it is important to do your research or even talk to the sales person. Coils and springs in a mattress are a thing of the past!

Choosing a mattress with the most support: If your back demands a high level of support, looking at mattresses that support the natural curves of the spine would prove to be beneficial. This may improve your night’s sleep dramatically.

Don’t use old mattresses: Mattress should be replaced approximately every 5 years. As the mattress ages, the materials start to degrade, especially the coils and or the springs resulting in less support and less comfort.

Bigger is not necessarily better: Some manufactures create thicker mattresses to fool you into thinking that is comfier, this is not necessary the case. Sit on it, lie on it. See if you find it comfortable.

Physiotherapy Professionals Parramatta

By tbemho Uncategorized

Common Neck Injuries seen by Physiotherapists

Types of Neck Pain seen in Physiotherapy Clinics

Following is a summary of common neck pain seen in Parramatta by Physiotherapy Professionals Parramatta. If these symptoms sound familiar, get in touch with us today to book an appointment.

Pinched nerve

A pinched nerve is caused when a nerve is somehow damaged or injured by direct pressure or compression and is unable to properly conduct its signal. There are many potential causes for a pinched nerve, depending on the location of the nerve.

Symptoms include:

  • Tight neck muscles
  • Sharp pain
  • Burning
  • Tingling sensation in the neck, shoulder or into the arm

Acute Wry neck

A stiff neck associated with muscle spasm, is often caused by sharp movements or prolonged episodes of bad posture

Symptoms include:

  • Lack of movement in the head and neck
  • Tight muscles
  • Sharp pain

Headaches

Headaches where the pain originates in the cervical spine, neck and upper shoulders are often referred to as a cervicogenic headache. These headaches can be a byproduct of whiplash (motor vehicle accident), neck injury or muscle trauma due to poor prolonged posture or severe stress.

Symptoms include:

  • Pain which centers across the forehead/behind the eyes/ up the back of the skull
  • Tight muscles which can extend from the shoulder to the top of the neck

Poor ergonomics

Poor postural alignment can place increased stress on the structural and nerve components in the neck, leading to increased pain and discomfort in the neck, shoulder and head region.

Symptoms include:

  • Dull aching pain in the neck and shoulder without trauma
  • Tightness in the neck/shoulder region
By tbemho Uncategorized

Common Knee Injuries

Common Knee Injuries seen by Physiotherapists

Anterior Cruciate ligament tear
(common in most sports)

Injuries of the ACL range from mild such as small tears to severe when the ligament is completely torn. There are many ways the ACL can be torn; the most prevalent is when the knee is bent too much toward the back and when it goes too far to the side. Tears in the anterior cruciate ligament often take place when the knee receives a direct impact from the front while the leg is in a stable position. Torn ACL’s are most often related to high impact sports or when the knee is forced to make sharp changes in movement and during abrupt stops from high speed. Continued athletic activity on a knee with an ACL injury can have devastating consequences, resulting in massive cartilage damage, leading to an increased risk of developing osteoarthritis later in life.

Symptoms:

  • Hearing a popping sound whilst changing direction
  • Swelling
  • Instability
  • Pain at the back of the knee

Meniscal tears

Tear of a meniscus is a rupturing of one or more of the fibrocartilage strips in the knee called menisci. Can be referred to as “torn cartilage” . Menisci can be torn during innocuous activities such as walking or squatting. They can also be torn by traumatic force encountered in sports or other forms of physical exertion. The traumatic action is most often a twisting movement at the knee while the leg is bent. In older adults, the meniscus can be damaged following prolonged ‘wear and tear’ called a degenerative tear.

Symptoms:

  • Inability to fully straighten or bend the knee
  • Clicking
  • Pain going up or down stairs
  • Swelling around knee

Patello-femoral joint issues

Patello-femoral issues relate to the correct ‘fit’ or tracking on the patella within the knee joint. This can be affected by the position and structure of the patella itself, muscle strength or tight tissues.

Symptoms:

Pain in knee which worsens with going up or down stairs or when  bended for a prolonged period.

By tbemho Uncategorized

Rotator Cuff Tendon Injury

Shoulder Injury

Rotator Cuff Tendon Injury – One Of The Most Common Shoulder Injuries

One of the most common injuries to the shoulder is a rotator cuff injury. There are many causes for rotator cuff damage and Physiotherapists at Physiotherapy Professionals Parramatta will help you diagnose your injury and best management

Common causes for rotator cuff and shoulder pain:

  • Hunched shoulders due to poor posture
  • Tight chest muscles
  • Weak shoulder blade stability muscles
  • Poor sporting techniques
  • Falls onto outstretched hands
  • Repetitive over head lifting and carrying

The above mentioned reasons can irritate or damage the tendons of the rotator cuff preventing correct shoulder movement patterns. As these external pressures continually damage your tendons, it eventually develops into a tear.

Rotator Cuff Surgery

The repair process after shoulder reconstruction surgery can often be difficult, slow and confusing. Physiotherapists at Physiotherapy Professionals Parramatta have extensive experience in assisting people through their recover and progressing the rehabilitation as required. In the event of surgery to repair your rotator cuff tendons, post-operative physiotherapy will assist to restore full range of motion of your shoulder.

Activities including sports which involve repeated overhead movements, continuous strain to the rotator cuff tendons can eventually lead to tears, pain and eventually loss of motion. Rotator cuff injury is common in athletes who swim or play tennis, golf, baseball or cricket. Painters, electricians and carpenters in the building trades are also susceptible to this type of shoulder injury.

As tendons heal, there may still be stiffness and pain in the shoulder due to scar tissue formation. To restore full motion and use of the arm, the muscles of the rotator cuff need to be slowly stretched and strengthened under guidance. Physiotherapists use the latest therapeutic techniques and exercises for shoulder injuries to help you return to full strength and range of motion.

By tbemho Uncategorized

Posture and Ergonomics

Posture and Ergonomics

Posture Management

Posture and Ergonomics. Most postures can only be sustained for a short time, however given majority of work now requires us to be sitting down to access a computer or other technologies, we tend to sit and stand for long time periods. Certain  postures cause increased pressures on our spinal discs. Increased pressure on our discs can cause stiff spinal joints and muscle spasms. Poor posture is a very common cause of spinal symptoms and dysfunction causing neck shoulders and back. In fact these are the most common cases seen at our clinic in in Parramatta.

Physiotherapy Professionals Parramatta are your experts in the assessment of posture and ergonomics and can assist in managing postural symptoms.

Role of physiotherapy

Muscle tightness and spinal stiffness resulting from prolonged postures  can generate ongoing pain. Poor prolonged posture will also result in weakening of deep core muscles making you susceptible to back pain

The postural assessment and treatment involves a Physiotherapist conducting a thorough assessment of the patient’s posture. Including: Postural observation, Spinal assessment and Muscle assessment.

Treatment:

  • Manual therapy: Hands on techniques to treat joint stiffness and muscle tightness
  • Strengthening and stretching of muscles
  • Education on correct posture at work and home
  • Worksite assessment: Advice and modifications to work station

By seeking the advice and treatment of a Physiotherapist early on in the injury process, patients can experience significant improvements in their symptoms and quality of life.

Get in touch with Physiotherapy Professionals Parramatta today! For more information please email us on [email protected] or call our clinic number 0479 080 800

By tbemho Uncategorized

Weekend Physio

Do you need a weekend Physiotherapy appointment in Parramatta?

physio

0479 080 800

[email protected]

Click here to make an online booking

12 Ada Street
Harris Park NSW 2150

Saturday Physiotherapy Parramatta

Weekend Physio appointments in Parramatta and surrounding suburbs. Physiotherapy Professionals Parramatta understands you’re busy and your work and family commitments leave you little spare time. We have listened and are now open on  Saturday’s. Our clinic is conveniently located walking distance from Parramatta and Harris Park train stations.
New and existing patients are welcome and you do not need a referral. It goes without saying, Physiotherapy treatment is essential for individuals that suffer pain and discomfort because of injuries they have incurred. It is therefore important to ensure that individuals such like these get the best and professional physiotherapy services in Parramatta, Westmead and Granville.

Appointments available 6 days a week

We try and cater for the Parramatta community. Appointments are available Monday to Saturday. We also offer Physiotherapy appointments early mornings before work, evening appointments and Saturday appointments. Book online or give us a call for further details.

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By tbemho Uncategorized

Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Injury and Treatment

Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Injury and Treatment

The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is a thick band of tissue deep inside the knee that connects the thighbone to the lower leg bone. The PCL prevents the shinbone from sliding too far backward under the thighbone. Excessive force that pushes the shinbone backward under the thighbone can cause a PCL injury. Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Injury are not common knee ligament injuries.

The PCL can be stretched, partially torn, or completely torn.

Injuries which tear the PCL can often damage other ligaments or cartilage in the knee. PCL injuries can also break a piece of bone within the knee. PCL injuries can occur quickly due to excessive force – such as sports or a traumatic accident or they may develop over time as the ligament is continuously stressed.

PCL injuries are not common. Only 3% to 20% of knee ligament injuries are PCL injuries. They can occur by hitting the knee against the dashboard during a car accident, falling onto a bent knee, knee hyper extension (usually during sports) are common causes of injury.

 Physiotherapists treat PCL injuries to help reduce pain, swelling, stiffness, and any weakness associated with the injury.

Symptoms

  • Pain in the knee – can be sharp or dull
  • Pain deep inside knee or behind knee
  • Pain when walking longer distances
  • Swelling throughout the knee
  • Stiffness in the knee
  • A wobbly feeling in the knee
  • Difficulty walking on the injured leg
  • Difficulty going up or down stairs
  • Difficulty when starting to run

How Can a Physiotherapy Help?

Physiotherapists can design a specific treatment program that will speed your recovery, including exercises you can do at the gym or home. Physiotherapy will help you return to your normal lifestyle and activities. The time it takes to heal from your injury will vary person to person. Depending on the extent of injury it can take anywhere between 2-12 weeks.

Managing Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries

  • Rest
  • Apply ice packs to the area for 10-15 minutes as often as possible for the next 24-48 hours
  • Reduce Pain and Swelling: variety of treatments can be used to control and reduce your pain and swelling, including ice, electrical stimulation, taping, exercises, and hands on therapy such as massage or manual therapy.
  • Improve Range of Motion: Depending on your injury, you may be asked to gently move your leg and knee joint
  • Improve Flexibility: Stretches may be prescribed if your muscles are tight. Often after an injury, certain muscles will become tight or spasm as a protective mechanism.
  • Improve Strength: Exercises may be prescribed to restore your strength. These may include the use of cuff weights, stretch bands, weight-lifting equipment, and cardio-exercise equipment, such as treadmills or stationary bicycles.

Do you need surgery?

Only if:

  • The PCL is completely torn
  • A piece of bone has broken loose
  • There are other ligament injuries
  • You constantly feel like your knee is going to buckle

If you have had a knee injury, come and see Physiotherapy Professionals Parramatta. We can help assess and treat your injury with the correct guidance.

By tbemho Uncategorized

Shoulder Pain Treatment

Shoulder Pain Treatment

Have you ever been affected with shoulder pain? Physiotherapists are often consulted regarding shoulder pain. It is a common condition to affect the general population. Residents of Parramatta regularly seek shoulder pain treatment from their Physiotherapist.

 Rotator cuff disorders are one of the most common causes of shoulder pain. There are three common conditions that can affect the rotator cuff:

  • Rotator cuff tears
  • Subacromial impingement
  • Calcific tendonitis

Most people with shoulder pain can be successfully treated by a combination of exercises, painkillers and Physiotherapy. For more serious cases of shoulder pain, steroid injections or surgery may also be an option.

The shoulder joint

There are three bones in the shoulder region, the collarbone (clavicle), the shoulder blade (scapula) and the upper arm bone (humerus). The scapula is a triangular-shaped bone that has two important parts to it: the acromion and the glenoid. The three bones in the shoulder region form part of two main joints:

The acromioclavicular joint between the acromion of the scapula and the clavicle. The glenohumeral joint between the glenoid of the scapula and the humerus.

There are also a number of muscles, ligaments and tendons around the shoulder. Ligaments are fibres that link bones together at a joint. Tendons are fibres that attach muscle to bone.

shoulder pain treatment
Shoulder Pain Treatment – Parramatta Physiotherapy

What is the rotator cuff?

The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that are positioned around the shoulder joint. The muscles are named:

  • Supraspinatus
  • Infraspinatus
  • Subscapularis
  • Teres minor

The rotator cuff muscles interlock to work as a unit. They help to stabilise the shoulder joint and also help with shoulder joint movement. These muscles attach to the head of the bony surface at the top of the upper arm bone (the humerus). There is a space underneath the acromion of the scapula, called the subacromial space. The rotator cuff tendon passes through here. The subacromial space is filled by the subacromial bursa. This is a fluid-filled sac which helps the rotator cuff to move smoothly. It has a large number of pain sensors.

Who gets rotator cuff disorders?

Rotator cuff disorders are extremely common and can happen to anyone:

  • Injury: falling on to the affected arm
  • Overuse: through sport or work

Symptoms:

  • Pain around the shoulder joint
  • Pain with overhead movements
  • Pain may also be worse at night and affect sleep
  • Weakness
  • Clicking or catching with shoulder movements

Treatment

  • Pain killers and Anti inflammatories
  • Physiotherapy: Stretches, strengthening exercises, RICE during acute stages
  • Steroid injections: For chronic injuries
  • Surgery

If you are suffering from heel pain, Physiotherapy Professionals Parramatta today. Located walking distance from Parramatta and Harris Park station. Appointments available 6 days a week

By tbemho Uncategorized

Heel Pain Treatment

Heel Pain Treatment

Have you ever been affected with heel pain? Physiotherapists are often consulted regarding relief for heel pain. It is a common condition which residents of Parramatta regularly seek treatment. Heel pain or a calcaneal spur is extra bone growth that is formed on the calcaneus bone (heel bone) either at the back of the heel or under the sole of the heel. There are various options for heel pain treatment, read below to find out more.

What causes heel pain and Calcaneal spurs?

Every time you take a step, the heel is the first point of contact with the ground and has to support the weight of the body. At maximal weight bearing, we can have as much as 20x more load than your own body weight acting on your feet. The load is softened by a pillow of fat under the heel. This structure is known as the plantar fascia. Spurs can develop over time as we age due to the constant load which is acting on our heels.

Symptoms of a calcaneal spur:

  • Sharp, stabbing pain, can be intense at times
  • Relieved with rest, worse after getting up again
  • Most painful first thing in the morning
  • Calf muscles tight in AM –  making walking difficult
  • Worse when walking on a hard surface or carrying something heavy
  • Calcaneal spurs may cause no symptoms at all for some individuals

Who’s at risk of getting a heel spur?

  • Over weight
  • Inactive or sedentary lifestyle
  • Flat feet

How can you manage it?

  • Get it assessed by a Physiotherapist
  • Calf and foot stretches
  • Strengthening exercises
  • Correct foot wear
  • Compressive devices – brace
  • Strapping
  • Orthotics to correct flat
 If you are suffering from heel pain, Physiotherapy Professionals Parramatta today. Located walking distance from Parramatta and Harris Park station. Appointments available 6 days a week.