Entries by Healthfocus Physiotherapy

The ‘wear and tear’ myth

August 11, 2017 in , , /by

After many years of treating injured tradies, I’ve noticed similarities between the language used when talking about machinery on the jobsite, and the body.

“Something’s out of place,” “Just a bit of wear and tear.”

These are common phrases a tradesman (or woman!) might use to describe their injury to me in the clinic. I’m not sure how this common comparison came about; perhaps through health professionals attempting to simplify matters, or through misrepresentation of the body and injuries in the media. Whatever the origins, two things are clear: firstly, this way of thinking is ingrained within the general population. Secondly, and most importantly, to think of the human body as a machine is not only not doing it justice, it is also completely inaccurate.…

Boning up on breaks

August 2, 2017 in , , , /by

Although the term “break a leg” is a lighthearted “good luck,” actually breaking a leg (or any other bone) is not much fun for anyone. Broken bones, or fractures, are usually the result of an unexpected incident such as a car accident, fall or sporting injury. The three most common bone fracture sites are the wrist, ankle and the hip. The six to eight week healing time often requires the affected area to be held in one position, usually with a cast. This can make everyday life difficult and stop us from doing the things that we love.…

Hydrotherapy:heated and happy, year-round

August 1, 2017 in , , /by

Now that the cooler months have started to set in, the last thing many of us would be considering is a quick dip in the pool. However hydrotherapy continues on regardless of the outside temperature because it is always nice in the water. Hydrotherapy pools are normally heated to around 30-35˚C to generate maximum benefits.

Hydrotherapy is water based exercise normally supervised by a physiotherapist that takes place in a heated pool and can be used for a large number of conditions such as; chronic pain, fibromyalgia, arthritis like conditions, and as pre and post-surgical rehabilitation. Benefits of Hydrotherapy include: pain relief, strengthening of muscles, increased range of motion, improved balance and circulation.…

How to prevent the dreaded ACL injury

July 19, 2017 in , , , , /by

Three letters no-one wants to hear. ACL. It’s the injury no one wants, though it is all too common in many of the popular sports on the border.

The recovery is typically lengthy, and surgery is usually an option, especially for young people, and those keen on returning to competitive sport. The injury is more common in women than men, with an estimated two to eight times increased risk of injury.…

Sore joints in winter? You’re not alone

July 10, 2017 in , /by

As we shiver through the colder months of the year, you may experience increased aching in your joints. There are a number of conditions which may cause pain, inflammation, swelling and stiffness in the hands with the most common type being osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis occurs when the protective cushioning between the joints becomes thinned and wears out. The increased loading on the bony joint surfaces results in structural changes to the bone surfaces. …

Revisiting your New Year’s resolution

July 5, 2017 in , /by

Just like that, we are nearly halfway through 2017. Did you set yourself a New Year’s resolution? Was it something along the lines of ‘I’m going to get fitter’ or ‘I’ll eat better’? The harsh reality is that more than half of us fail to meet our New Year’s resolutions.

Often clients come in and say “I want to get fitter”. This may seem like a really simple goal, but in actual fact it is broad, complex and non-specific. What one person feels being ‘fit’ is may be something completely different to the next person. Whatever your perception is of fitness, the goal of ‘getting fitter’ often goes hand in hand with ‘eating better’.…

Dealing with workplace injuries

June 27, 2017 in /by

Work is a very important part of our lives and an essential aspect of Australia’s economy and growth. It not only provides us with financial security but it also gives us meaning, purpose and a sense of fulfilment. It’s therefore important to keep as many people working as possible in whatever capacity they can manage.

Current evidence suggests that when balanced with life, work is good for physical and mental health while long-term worklessness is detrimental. In fact, the rate of suicide in young men out of work for more than 6 months increases by 40 times.…

Men’s Health- Something to talk about

June 23, 2017 in , , /by

June 12 to 18, was designated Men’s Health Week in Australia, and the theme for this year was “Healthy body, healthy mind: Keeping the balance.”

The aim was to explore and educate on the lifestyle choices men and boys make which positively influence both their physical and psychological health.  With this emphasis on men’s health some of us may be thinking aren’t men ok? The answer in many cases is no.…

Why not feel younger?

June 14, 2017 in /by

With ageing comes experience and wisdom, but unfortunately this inevitable process also commonly comes with aches and pains. Things that were once easy, such as bending over to do up your shoe laces or twisting a lid off a jar, just aren’t a simple task anymore. Our bodies start to biologically age from our mid-twenties, very scary I know! That’s why once we get into our 30s and beyond we tend to feel stiffer, and our bodies can get sore and tired after a hard day’s work.…

How to prevent tennis injuries

June 10, 2017 in /by

Tennis is a great social game where friends and foes alike can battle it out on the courts through skill, decision-making and in some cases, a stroke of luck. It’s also a sport where injury can plague players in the long term making it not so enjoyable. The three major problems I often see are shoulder pain, elbow pain and knee pain.…