Can Stretching Help Prevent and Rehabilitate Injuries?
For a long time, we have been told that stretching is an essential component of every workout—and so we’ve all done stretching. Before games, all of our favourite athletes stretch. In school, before we play sports, we’re taught to stretch. The questions remain, however—is it necessary to stretch before a sporting event? Is it essential-utilised specialised to be flexible? Should therapists, coaches, and trainers advise their clients to stretch? Here, we answer the most pressing questions about the universal practice of stretching: Stretching and Preventing Injuries Running enthusiasts begin their run with a stretch of the hamstrings, quadriceps, and other muscles. They may be doing this to minimise the risk of injury while running, but they likely were not reducing the risk for injury. Stretching, specifically static stretching, does not prevent or reduce the risk for injury. However, research has shown that it does have a latent protective effect—but it is multimodal. This means that stretching has a protective effect if combined with an active warm-up and other exercises. It is acknowledged that there may be a psychological advantage to stretching . Sports athletes often depend on habits and routines — but studies do not provide the basis for stretching as an effective way to avoid injuries. Stretching and Improving Performance Static stretches included in warmups have been shown to impair performance and even cause severe damage. The overwhelming majority of sports involve some kind of explosive movement. Whether throwing, leaping or sprinting with maximum effort, the stress on an athlete’s muscles and connective tissues (tendons and ligaments) are highest during these swift actions. The amount of force an athlete can generate during these motions is determined by the power of the muscles involved and the elasticity of these muscles and connective tissues. Consider your muscle’s flexibility as a very effective rubber band cannon. When you stretch the rubber band, energy is stored, and when the strain is removed, the power is released (the rubber band goes flying). Muscles and tendons store energy similarly—a brief stretch of muscle results in a strong contraction of that muscle. Each of us has encountered rubber bands that have lost their flexibility. Static stretching may distort your tendons and ligaments permanently by transforming them into loose rubber bands. It is critical to maintaining a certain degree of stiffness in your muscles and connective tissues while performing high-speed, explosive motions. The Caveat: Stretching Does Not Speed up Injury Recovery Stretching does not help with recovery or promote general healing, including delayed onset muscular pain. Stretching isn’t the only way to increase mobility. Mobility often increases gradually as a result of the pressures of the activities you engage in. Our bodies are astonishingly adaptive and robust. Static stretching often produces only short-term benefits. It is most likely related to changed feelings rather than changes in viscoelastic muscle characteristics. Instead of concentrating on static stretching to reach a reference standard or the amount of mobility you “should” have, focus on your particular requirements and progressively increase your active motions. Strength and endurance training may both enhance mobility and give you dynamic control over it. Should You Stretch? It depends. In certain instances (gymnastics and cheering), broad flexibility is required, while in others, more specialised flexibility is needed (Olympic lifting and hockey goalies). The repetitive demands of the sport, rather than static stretching, account for a large portion of this adaptation. Our bodies adjust to the pressures we put on them over time. Stretching is often utilised to accomplish legitimate objectives such as injury prevention, injury recovery, and performance enhancement. There are more effective methods to achieve these objectives. Conclusion You should make an educated choice if you critically examine the evidence and consider both sides of any issue. In the case of stretching, the evidence just does not back up its claimed advantages. Hopefully, this has educated you in ways that will help you make a difference in your life and understand why your body functions the way it does. If you wish to learn more about injury prevention and rehabilitation, Invigor Health is always here to assist. We offer you online physiotherapy for discomfort, as well as preparation for any physical endeavours. Book a session today!
3 Common Long-Distance Runner Mistakes to Avoid
Many people have the idea that running is easy. While the activity seems pretty simple to do, it can be challenging when you do it at high speed at a long distance. For long-distance runners, running is challenging because of the number of issues and hurdles they face. The first step to becoming a long-distance runner is knowing what to do and avoiding what you should not. If you want to run as well as your body allows, make sure to forget making some of these mistakes many runners make: 1. Having No Rest Periods Although the main job of long-distance runners is to keep putting one foot in front of the other until they reach the finish line, it’s crucial to keep in mind that you must also have some rest periods in between. Like during working out, long-distance running is a highly physical activity that requires rest and recovery. Your body isn’t a machine—you can’t expect your legs to remain strong and your joints to allow your body to move if you don’t take some time to pause and take a breather. Regardless of your running program, you need to rest! When you invest enough time to let your body recover, it will work how you want it to, successfully adapting to the required changes for better running. We recommend dropping the number of kilometres you run every four weeks so that your body can recover and you’ll feel much fresher and rejuvenated. 2. Forgetting to Care for and Check on Your Body Your physical health is paramount to your success as a long-distance runner. When you don’t listen to what it says, it will eventually force you to stop your running plan and pay attention to the condition that’s threatening your health. Remember that becoming a successful runner doesn’t just involve running and doing nothing else. Although it’s great to feel passionate about running, you shouldn’t let your passion get to the point where you forget to take care of your body. Overrunning is never good—there will come a time when your muscles give up on you and refuse to cooperate. To succeed at long-distance running events, you must invest in sports physiotherapy. A physical therapist can help you improve your performance by assessing your physical condition, offering personalised advice, and expertly treating injuries. 3. Overlooking How You Run The way you walk or run doesn’t matter in everyday life, but it’s a whole different story to long-distance runners. Just because you’ve analysed your foot arch once before and wear the right shoes doesn’t mean that you’ll become a better runner—you must undergo an entire Running Gait Analysis to determine whether you’re running the right way. A running analysis covers how different body parts move, such as the arms, hips, and knees. Through RGA, you’ll be able to sustain your run at a higher speed over a long distance, ultimately improving your performance. Moreover, RGA helps prevent future injuries. You won’t make mistakes that could lead to a knee or shin splint by correcting your running style. Conclusion Running is no joke when you take it seriously. Like other sports or physical activities, you’re susceptible to injuries, health conditions, and problems. However, as long as you avoid the mistakes above and do everything right, you’re sure to reach the finish line faster than you expect! If you’re thinking of undergoing sports physiotherapy to improve your physical condition, you’ve come to the right place! At Invigor Health, we can radically improve how your body functions, now and for years to come. You can rely on us to help you feel active, pain-free and resilient to injury so that you can keep doing what you love. Book your online physiotherapy consultation!
Muscle Health: How to Prevent Repetitive Strain Injuries
Sitting too long in one position is not ideal for your body. And when you do it every single day, it could strain your muscles, tendons, nerves, and soft tissues. You might even notice chronic tension on your back, shoulders, neck, and arms. This stress placed on your body could cause what is known as repetitive strain injuries. If you think you might be suffering from this condition, consult a physiotherapist and get a health and fitness check at the soonest possible time. Leading Causes of Repetitive Strain Injuries 1. Bad Posture Having bad posture when sitting down, especially when you are using the computer, is the primary cause of repetitive strain injuries. Whenever you slouch, your body is not in the optimal position. In fact, your poor posture adds stress and tension to your spine and limbs. 2. Poorly Designed Workstation The way your station is set up could be contributing to your repetitive strain injuries. Unfortunately, some people do not have control over how their work area is designed. If you are allowed to do so, purchase some ergonomic equipment that can be attached to your chair or make your space more posture-friendly and comfortable. 3. Extended Period of Sitting Not changing positions when sitting down and working is also a factor that causes repetitive strain injuries. Adding more movement to your daily routine, even when you’re stuck to the chair for hours, can help address the issue. Reducing the risk of repetitive strain injuries is possible by modifying your lifestyle or habits. To simplify the process, here’s a quick and memorable guideline. You just need to be SMART when it comes to your daily routine: Stretch As mentioned above, breaking free from your habit of sitting in one position for hours on end can help prevent repetitive strain injuries. A great way of doing so is by incorporating stretches into your daily work routine. Every hour, try alternating between every muscle group. Lightly stretch your arms, shoulders, neck, torso, and so on. You can search for videos online to see which stretches are most optimal for the routine you’re trying to reconstruct. Move Another way of changing your usual routine is by standing up and walking around your work area every hour. This helps blood flow to your muscles and keep them active. You can choose to casually pace around the office or walk up and down the stairs if possible. Add More Activities Once you get into the habit of moving around every hour, you can extend your stretches and light exercises for up to 30 minutes daily. Make sure to try out different activities every hour to change things up a bit. Reduce Strain There are many ways for you to reduce muscle strain. Adjust your chair and, as suggested, use ergonomic accessories to improve your sitting posture and keep it neutral. Be mindful of the way you sit, and make sure to correct yourself if you end up slouching again. Talk to a Specialist Seeing a physiotherapist is perfectly normal, even if you haven’t suffered any injuries yet. In fact, preventive care is one of their specialities. These experts provide the health and fitness check that you need to keep your body in good condition. Final Thoughts Poor posture and work habits can lead to discomfort, and eventually, injuries that need to be addressed appropriately. By tweaking your lifestyle and following the SMART principles, you can reduce your chances of getting repetitive strain injuries. For even better results, it would be best to see a physiotherapist. Invigor Health provides affordable physiotherapy to Bondi locals. Our specialists can help address any pain you feel in your body. Our physiotherapy services are designed for clients who need injury prevention in Bondi. We future-proof your body to keep it fit, active, and pain-free for a long time. If you would like to set an online physiotherapy consultation, contact us today!
4 Signs That Your Back Pain Is More Serious than You Think
If you’re like many other people who experience neck and back pain every now and then, there’s really nothing to worry about. In most cases, the pain goes away after a few days without any medication or treatment. However, if it persists and occurs quite often, then it might be time to see a physiotherapist. When you’re not sure about the meaning or severity of the symptoms, it’s still best to seek help from a professional and get yourself checked out. Here are some signs that indicate you might need physiotherapy already. 1. Pain That Lasts for More than a Week If you’re experiencing back pain or soreness that lasts for more than a week, then that’s more than enough to tell you that you need help from a specialist. This is especially true if the pain is restricting your movement or aggravated by coughing or sneezing. By getting yourself checked out, your physiotherapist can determine where the pain is coming from and what can be done about it. They can also isolate any injuries and prescribe a rehabilitation programme or refer you to the appropriate specialist if necessary. This is because, in some cases, the pain may have been caused by something more sinister and complex than just posture issues. 2. Numbness, Tingling, or Weakness If the pain you feel on your back is no longer just pain and is accompanied by other sensations like numbness, it’s time to go to the doctor right away. It’s also possible to feel some tingling in the legs, back, or other parts of the body. Again, this is a sign that you need to get checked out by a physiotherapist. These sensations indicate that your nervous system is already being affected, such as a pinched nerve that’s blocking signals from reaching your limbs. Such neurological interference should be resolved as soon as possible to prevent long term over-sensitisation, muscle weakness, and movement problems. 3. Reduced Mobility If you’ve started to notice that you no longer feel as flexible as you were before and that your movement is severely limited, then there might already be a problem. For example, reaching your toes or your back requires a lot more effort than it used to. Going to a physiotherapist will help uncover whatever it is that’s causing your reduced mobility. They can assess the problem and provide a series of exercises to strengthen the supporting tissues and relax the muscles. This will allow you to slowly increase your flexibility once more. 4. Little Niggles that Keep Coming Back If you have consistent niggles in your back that keep returning, this is usually caused by a specific area of tightness or weakness that can be resolved with the right training. The problem with these little niggles is that it’s almost impossible to diagnose them without professional assistance, making it even more vital for you to consult a specialist. Even if the niggles you’re experiencing aren’t severe, it’s worth having a physiotherapist take a look and provide a solution while it’s still a minor problem. Remember, the longer this condition persists, the more painful it will get. Once you’ve reached that point, it’ll be even more difficult to rehabilitate. Conclusion Experiencing back pain can be a minor inconvenience at first, but it can easily lead to a debilitating problem. Whether you’re suffering from a new injury or you’re already experiencing the symptoms of chronic pain, it’s essential to reach out to a physiotherapist as soon as you can. Invigor Health is here to help you fix your pain and future-proof your body. We believe that physiotherapy shouldn’t be a one-time thing for temporary relief. It should fix the source of your pain for good and significantly improve your quality of life. Don’t let yourself suffer from pain over and over again. Take injury prevention physiotherapy only from Invigor Health. Book a session today!
What Is Tennis Elbow and How Can You Treat or Prevent It?
Tennis elbow refers to the nagging ache on the outside of your elbow, which can affect you when you try to grip, lift, or carry stuff. Despite its name, it rarely has anything to do with playing tennis since it is a common occurrence even to those who don’t play the sport. Tennis elbow is the layman term for lateral elbow tendinopathy. It’s also referred to as lateral epicondylitis, lateral epicondylosis, lateral epicondylalgia, common extensor origin tendinopathy, and more. Whatever you call it, it is a condition that can get worse if not given immediate attention. What Tendons Do and How They Get Irritated The primary purpose of tendons is to attach muscles to bone. Most muscles on the back of your hands, wrists, and forearms are connected to a common tendon outside the elbow, the lateral epicondyle. It is the source of the pain in lateral elbow tendinopathy, which you can feel when you grip, lift, or carry things. That is because the tendon attachment is put to work. Most tendon problems begin without any obvious trauma or accident. The same goes for lateral elbow tendinopathy, which usually occurs after a mismatch between the load placed on the tendon compared with the load it can consistently carry. The sudden increase in load may be from chopping logs, starting a new workout at the gym, or other strenuous physical activity. It may also result from resuming normal activities but following a period of relative deconditioning. If you’ve stopped doing a particular physical activity for some time and suddenly resumed, it might lead to tennis elbow. But it may also be a gradual build-up of a change in your job or workstation over several weeks or months. How to Recover from Tennis Elbow The faster you deal with an irritated tendon, the earlier you can recover. Managing lateral elbow tendinopathy follows the same stages of healing as any other tendon problem: 1. Offloading You should temporarily modify your physical activities so the tendon does not get more irritated and has the proper time to settle down. 2. Rehabilitation You should address any underlying individual biomechanical issues. Also, determine the amount of load you can tolerate without causing increased pain, then use that as your starting point to work higher. 3. Strengthening Strengthening can be done by gradually increasing resistance to the exercises. You may strategically progress the type and amount of load you carry until you can work towards your personal goal. 4. Reconditioning Gradually returning to the load you were used to but in much better conditions to prevent another tennis elbow is the last stage of the process. You should not suddenly force your elbows to carry the same load that caused irritated tendons in the first place without gradually working towards it. Conclusion Lateral elbow tendinopathy may happen even when you’re just working out and carried a load you weren’t used to before. You mustn’t try to over-exert your elbows to prevent developing tennis elbow. So if you’re trying to build the load you can carry, it’s best to build your way up gradually. At Invigor Health, we offer physiotherapy that fixes your pain and future-proofs your body. We provide a whole range of treatments and tools that can help you feel fit, active and pain-free for the long term. If you’re looking for affordable physiotherapist in Bondi Junction, Invigor Health is the perfect place to go. Book an appointment with us today!
3 Work-from-Home Stretches to Address Your Aches and Pains
With COVID-19 wreaking havoc on businesses worldwide, many employees have been forced to leave their offices to start working remotely from home. This was a welcome change for many individuals, as working from home is one of the best things they’ve ever experienced. However, working from home still presents the same challenges as you would face when working in the office, and we’re talking about back pain, neck sores, headaches, and the like. Wherever it is you are working, such aches and pains may follow you around. This is simply because you may have carried with you the office habits right to the comforts of the home. Fortunately, such pains don’t have to last forever! By adhering to the following tips, you can easily tackle these aches and pains to enjoy working from home a lot more: 1. Unleash Your Inner Child No, we’re not telling you to run around the home and look for the jar of cookies to snack on. While the walking aspect of that would help ease the stress that your body is experiencing, we meant that you should go ahead and get on the floor and stretch! On the floor, get on your fours and slowly sit back on your heels, keeping your hands in position. At the same time, allow your belly to dip to the ground and hold that position for thirty seconds. This is a great way to give your back and other limbs a good stretch. 2. Do Some Chin Tucks Chin tucks are incredibly easy to do, and you can do it anytime, especially when your shoulders and neck starts to feel the strain of working too long in front of the computer. To do chin tucks, all you need to do is sit up straight and tall and then tuck your chin into your neck. While doing this, keep your eyes at the same level, and hold that tucked-in position for around ten seconds. Repeat this three or more times for maximum results! 3. Rotate Your Body Generally, your back will carry the majority of the burden of your office work. It may not seem like it, but before you know it, your back and shoulders will start aching. To relieve your back from stress, rotate your body by sitting on your chair, crossing your hands on your chest, and gently rotate from side to side for around half a minute. Another way to do this is to lay on the floor with your knees bent up 90 degrees. From there, bend the knees side to side while keeping your back flat on the floor. Both methods will help to stretch your lower and upper back! Conclusion These are just some of the many stretching activities you can employ to relieve yourself of pain, whether you’re working at home or the office. If there is one last tip we can give you, it would be this: relax! COVID-19 might still be here in a few months, but that doesn’t mean you cannot do anything to help yourself feel better. Simple exercises such as these aren’t only great ways to relieve yourself of pain but are excellent mood boosters that can keep you motivated and happy despite what’s going on around you. In other words, put in that stretching activity. Your body and mind will thank you later. Invigor Health offers physiotherapy to help patients enjoy an active, pain-free, and fit life long-term. If you are looking for the best physiotherapy in Bondi to help with backaches and more, book a visit with us today!
How Physiotherapy Can Help Relieve Pain from Arthritis
Having arthritis can be a harrowing experience. The joints become stiff from inflammation, making it difficult to move and causing pain in that region. The condition also makes it challenging for many to work or even move, impeding one’s quality of life. And so, it is essential for many people with arthritis to find ways to live with their arthritis. One such way to manage the pain is through physiotherapy. What to Do When You Have Arthritis When you suspect you have arthritis, it is crucial to see a doctor to get a proper diagnosis and explore your treatment options. You cannot simply ignore the problem as it can only worsen without appropriate treatment. With early diagnosis, the doctor may still be able to prevent irreversible damage and disability. To get an appropriate diagnosis, the doctor may look at your medical history and order some tests to be done. If the results of the tests confirm your suspicion of arthritis, the doctor may prescribe you medication and recommend physiotherapy to help with pain management. Safe exercises guided by a physiotherapist, in particular, may be advisable. The Importance of Regular Physical Activity Regular physical activity is often recommended when treating arthritis. Although it may seem odd since arthritis limits movement, physical activity plays a significant role in managing arthritis. With regular exercise, the muscles surrounding the affected joints become stronger. This can decrease the risk of bone loss and even help control swelling and pain. Your physiotherapist will create a custom therapeutic exercise program for you to help improve your strength and mobility. The exercises in this program will depend on which areas of the body are affected by arthritis. Physiotherapy Treatments Aside from regular physical activity, your physiotherapist may also recommend other treatments for arthritis pain management. These treatments fall under manual therapy and are passive modalities, meaning they require no active participation from the patient. They are intended to reduce pain, increase blood flow, improve mobility and reduce inflammation. Ice Packs and Heat Therapy Cold compress and hot compress are often first aid treatments used to reduce swelling and pain in the body. They can help soothe the swollen joints and stimulate blood flow. Ice and heat packs are recommended, but you may also use alternatives if none are available. This often includes soaking a clean cloth in either warm or cold water and wringing out the excess moisture. Massages Massages aren’t just for treating yourself and relieving stress. They can also help soothe arthritis pain. At the hands of a skilled professional, areas of concern can be massaged in a safe and healing manner. Acupuncture One less common physiotherapy treatment for arthritis is acupuncture. This practice involves penetrating the skin with needles and has long been used in eastern medicine. Acupuncture stimulates the brain, leading to the release of endorphins which can help reduce pain and stress. Final Thoughts Arthritis is a joint disorder that often impedes one’s quality of life by restricting mobility and causing pain. When you constantly feel pain in your joints, it’s best to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Your doctor may recommend seeing a physiotherapist to help you manage your arthritis pain through physiotherapy treatments such as properly guided exercises, ice and heat therapy, massages and even acupuncture. Manage your arthritis pain with the help of Invigor Health. We provide affordable Bondi Junction physio that can help fix your pain and future-proof your body. At Invigor Health, we aim to help our clients feel fit, active and pain-free for the long term. Book an appointment now!
How to Address Overtraining and Lead a Healthier Lifestyle
With so much focus and hype about a fit and healthy lifestyle, people have taken to enjoying and practising various sports and training regimens. Especially after the events that unfolded in the last two years, people take their fitness a lot more seriously. Everywhere you go, whether outdoors, indoors, or even online, some form of exercise is offered. This is all well and good. But with this growing interest in fitness—both newbies and experienced athletes alike are in danger of one thing: overtraining. It might seem unlikely or even impossible at first. How is it possible that you can exercise too much? Pretty much everything in life is to be enjoyed and done in moderation. Too much of anything can lead to dire consequences. The same goes for dieting and exercise. With overtraining, you risk crossing the line between pushing your limits and abusing your body. This can lead to serious harm, injury, or even illnesses. You must listen to your body and look out for the warning signs. The Warning Signs Plenty of things can start to go wrong or break down in your body when you push it beyond its capabilities. Here are just a few of the most common signs you can watch for: Decreased appetite or weight loss Feeling depressed, anxious, moody, or irritable Increased incidence of injuries or headaches Insomnia Irregular heart rate or heart rhythm Lack of energy, feeling washed-out, tired, or drained Loss of enthusiasm for the sport or reduced competitiveness Longer recovery time Lower immunity (increased number of colds and sore throats) Mild muscle or joint soreness, general aches and pains Reduced training capacity, intensity, or performance Reproductive issues Trouble concentrating How to Address Overtraining You can be more proactive about recovering and preventing yourself from overtraining when you what signs to look out for. Besides the obvious, proper rest and nutrition, there are other ways to recover from and prevent overtraining. Cross-Training Doing one sport or sticking to one type of exercise can bore you. The most you can do to make it exciting is to get competitive and push yourself. But since that’s the problem you’re trying to address, a different approach may better suit you. Try mixing it up. Take a day or two off from your regular fitness routine and throw in a new and exciting activity to replace it with. For example, instead of doing CrossFit six days a week at full throttle, it might benefit you to insert some gymnastics or yoga into your routine. These accomplish both tasks of expanding your capabilities without compromising your health. Keep a Training Log It would be wise to keep track of your progress and training. This should include everything from your activities to your mood, sleep patterns, diet, and nutrition. While it might be a bit tedious in the beginning, this can help you monitor yourself better. Overtraining is not easy to catch in yourself. The signs can often be dismissed as symptoms of something else. Because of the daily stress and responsibilities you have to deal with as an adult, you might not even notice until it’s too late. With a training log, you can detect any downward trends or decreased enthusiasm and address them immediately. Active Rest and Gradual Return If or when you do happen to fail at catching yourself overtraining in time, you must take a break. This might be difficult for some of you, but the best thing you can do to ensure you get back to 100 per cent is to heal and regain the strength you lost. This doesn’t mean you have to stop moving altogether. You just have to take it easy. Take long walks, and be sure to get back into training slowly. Conclusion Whether you’re a long time athlete or just at the beginning of your fitness journey, you should know to always listen to your body. No matter what you think is causing you to feel ill or unenthusiastic about training, you should take the time to figure it out, not power through it. At best, overtraining will just put you out of commission for a few days or a week. At worst, you could get injured or develop a severe condition. If you want to be healthy, try your best not to overdo it. If you suspect you’re suffering symptoms of overtraining, it’s time to get a health and fitness check. You can find Invigor Health in Bondi Beach, Sydney. We offer various services like physiotherapy, movement screening, and other assessments to get you at your best. Fix your pain and future-proof your body by booking an appointment with us. Contact us today to learn more!
When Should You See a Physiologist?
Our bodies go through many things, and this applies to some people more than others, such as blue-collar workers or those into physical recreational activities such as exercising or sports. When we subject ourselves to intense physical activity, our bodies can only hold on up until a certain point. If the body gives up, it can cause painful injuries or even irreversible damages. There’s often a degree of bravado whenever injuries are sustained—the primary reason being the attitude of “you’ll be alright”. This is a very negative mindset, and the first and foremost thing to do is see a physiologist. Sometimes, the line between seeing a physiologist or not is blurred, which is why most people prefer not to. We’re here to inform you that there are signs that you should see a physiologist. Read on below to learn more. Understanding Physiologists Physiologists are medical professionals who specialise in the body’s functions. Exercise physiology is the field of physiology commonly associated with the field of study because exercise physiologists are the ones who take care of people whenever they sustain injuries or body pain. Aside from that, they also specialise in the human body’s physical movement. However, there are other fields of animal physiology as well. These include animal physiology, plant physiology, clinical physiology, and cell physiology. Why Physiologists are Important Going back to the “you’ll be alright” mindset—the problem is that “you won’t be alright” in most cases if injuries or body pains are left untreated. Yes, leaving an injury can let the problem pass, but it more often than not worsens as time goes by. As a result, a previously quick recovery is a more prolonged treatment for the patient to get well. If you’re still undecided on when should you see a physio, below are some signs to take note of: #1 – You’re in Constant Pain If you’re experiencing pain, regardless of intensity level, there’s a high chance that it won’t disappear on its own any time soon. #2 – Pain Lasts Longer than 3 Days Injuries usually go through an inflammation stage and then healing where you’re completely devoid of pain. If the pain continues, even if this stage has passed, there’s a chance that a more severe condition is developing in the process. #3 – You Move Differently Since Your Injury Injuries can alter the body significantly, down to its movements. If you or someone else notices you moving differently than before sustaining an injury, it’s best to see a doctor. #4 – Your Pain Occurs with a Specific Movement This is best understood through the phrase: “Every time I move this way, it hurts”. This means that your injury has affected a specific function of your body. To avoid experiencing this for the rest of your life, see your doctor. #5 – You Feel Pain in Your Heel If you feel sharp, stabbing pain in your heels, you might have plantar fasciitis. A physiologist can help you ease the symptoms with soft tissue massages and light stretches. Conclusion No matter how minor, injuries and body pains are something that you shouldn’t just brush off. If you leave it be, you may end up suffering from dangerous conditions in the future. Make sure to see a physiologist if you experience any symptoms because they will be the one to help you. Invigor Health have two Allied Health Clinics in Sydneys Eastern Suburbs, which provides high-quality physiology in Bondi Junction. We make sure that our patients get the best medical care to get their lives back on track. If you or someone you know requires assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us for a consultation!
Here’s How to Avoid Pain and Injuries During Lockdown
Since the COVID-19 lockdowns began, there has been a rise in pain and injury-related concerns, which you may not be aware of. Many individuals are becoming tense, slumped, uncomfortable, sore, and crampy as a result of the confinement. As additional collateral damage of this pandemic, long-term home isolation due to lockdown measures bears the potential for increased risk of bodily pains, domestic accidents, and injuries among people of all ages. Some of the cases include pulled muscles caused by improper exercise techniques, and neck and upper back pain accompanied by headache due to long work-from-home hours. Well, it goes without saying that most of us are stressed out right now, whether it’s financial stress caused by lost job hours, health worries, or the sheer burden of social isolation. If your body is constantly under stress, it does not recover as well from physical activity, so you may need a longer time to recuperate before exerting yourself again. Add to that the change in physical routine due to working from home and the inability to partake in typical exercise. How to Avoid Injuries During Lockdown Just because you are at home most of the time does not mean you are no longer at risk of hurting yourself. What you can do to avoid it is to listen to your body. When you feel like you are already physically and mentally worn out from work, take a break. If you are unsure if you’ll be able to do an exercise routine you saw on YouTube, do not risk it and just try something else. In terms of dealing with stress, try to find the things you need to calm your mind: watch a movie, meditate, cook, garden, knit, read, journal, call a friend. Try doing different things in a day, and then, at the end of it, take a good night’s sleep so your body can recuperate. How Physiotherapy Can Help Aside from the health measures and tips stated above, physiotherapy may help you take care of your body and find relief from pain and injury. Physiotherapists are experts in the field of bodily movement. They learn how to identify the fundamental causes of an injury, which is beneficial if you are experiencing persistent pain that interferes with your daily activities and productivity. The goal of this treatment is to prevent injury as well as to rehabilitate. It can assist with a variety of conditions, such as neck and back discomfort, arthritis, asthma, heart problems, pelvic issues, loss of mobility, exhaustion, soreness, inflammation, stiffness, and muscular weakness, to name a few. Conclusion Our lives have changed dramatically as a result of the pandemic. Our entire world was suddenly restricted within the four walls of our home. As a result, people trying something new or just increasing their activities during lockdown may experience more discomfort and injury. You may find it challenging to go on with your regular duties if you have been injured during the lockdown. There are a variety of treatment options available to you, and physiotherapy is one of them. At the end of the day, there are several reasons to visit your physiotherapist during a lockdown. Want to try physiotherapy in Bondi Junction, NSW? Invigor Health offers excellent services that can fix your pain and future-proof your body. Feel fit, active, and pain-free for the long term. Talk to us now!