My Achilles tendon is sore. How do I get it better?
Soreness or swelling of your Achilles tendon is caused by overuse or trauma. Constant stress placed on the Achilles tendon causes irritation, inflammation and pain. There are several factors that can lead to inflammation of the Achilles tendon: Overtraining Tiredness or increased stress levels Poor running technique (biomechanics) Reduced lower limb and core muscle strength Poor balance (proprioception) Poor flexibility Inadequate footwear Running on hard surfaces If you notice swelling in your Achilles tendon, the initial treatment is POLICE –
Is Working From Home Working For You?
How to manage pain while working from home: With the country starting to creep back towards regular life, we have re-opened the clinic for in-patient appointments. While we are happy to be back in the clinic, working towards some hint of normality, we realise that not everybody is as lucky. Recent reports suggest that working from home may continue well into 2021 and well beyond this, in some capacity. The majority of injuries we see in clinic are as result
Returning To Sport Post COVID
As the restrictions start to lift and the world slowly creeps towards normality, we can all breathe a sigh of relief that sport is now gracing our screens again. The Premier League has seen Liverpool crowned champions after a busy playing schedule post COVID. Equally as important, we see the return of GAA and Leinster senior league training, and matches in a frenzy to finish the seasons out. Months of resting, eating and drinking has been replaced by shuttle runs,
Athlete Recovery Is Key
When we return to field sport after a break or when the good weather arrives and convinces us to squeeze in those extra miles and push ourselves harder to get back to peak fitness, there is one key area that cannot be overlooked when it comes to performance – RECOVERY!!! The world’s top athletes know that recovery is key for overall performance, health, wellbeing and future injury prevention. When training it is important to bear in mind this simple but
How Do You Relieve Shin Pain?
Most people associate shin pain with ‘shin splints’. ‘Shin splints’ also known as Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS) are one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries we treat in runners. MTSS is an overload injury which causes generalised pain in the shin. Contrary to popular belief it is actually a bone stress injury and not an overload of the muscles and tissues in the lower leg. Shin pain can be exacerbated by repetitive stress activities such as walking, running or
Whiplash Injury – How can Physio help?
Most people will associate whiplash being caused by car accidents (vender benders) but whiplash can also be caused by other mishaps that may happen in everyday life such as falling, being pushed from behind with excessive force and even diving into a pool. Not all neck pain is whiplash associated, an acceleration and deceleration of the neck that causes neck pain can be classified as whiplash. In some cases the head and neck is forced forwards at a rapid
How can my child avoid injury when returning to sport/training?
If your child has returned to sports/training in recent weeks, please see some top tips on how they can avoid injury.. If your child has an old injury or is carrying an injury from last season, it would be best to get this assessed by a chartered physio prior to the new season commencing. If the weather remains cold make sure your child is wearing the correct protective clothing to keep warm. Tracksuit bottoms, leggings, hats, under armor, and
Common Skiing Injuries – How Somerton Physio Can Help You?
Common Skiing Injuries – Physiotherapy in Dublin 15 It is that time of the year again when we dust off our skiing gear and head for the slopes. The popularity of skiing and snowboarding has grown significantly over the past decade despite concerns that these activities are high-risk and can lead to injury. Snow sport-related injuries can happen to anyone of any age but a recent study shows that the populations at a greater risk of injury include children and
Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
What is Lateral Epicondylitis/Tennis Elbow? Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow) is a painful condition affecting the outside of the elbow. In most cases it is caused by an overuse or repetitive strain placed on the elbow. It varies from 1-3% in the general population to more than 50% in amateur tennis players. However, tennis players only account for 5% making the term ‘tennis elbow’ quite inaccurate. In sports, the elbow joint contributes to 15% of the force produced during
The Female Athlete Triad
The Female Athlete Triad is a combination of three conditions that we sometimes see in female athletes at our clinics in Blanchardstown, Castleknock and Tallaght. These are: Disordered Eating Amenorrhea (loss of a girls period) Osteoporosis (weakening of the bones) Low energy availability is typically the source of the other two triad components due to its 1). Negative affects on reproductive function and bone health and 2). Detrimental effects that reproductive dysfunction caused by low energy availability has on
The Gait cycle
The Gait cycle describes how humans walk and run, in other words, how we move. A complete gait cycle begins when one foot makes contact with the ground, and ends when that same foot makes contact with the ground again. One cycle is made up of two distinct phases Stance Phase: The part of the gait where there is contact with the ground Swing phase: The part of the gait where that same foot is not in contact with the
What Can Cause Running Injuries?
We have now just passed that all-important 20-week mark where training will commence for the Dublin City Marathon in October. In this blog we will outline two major contributors to running injuries…….. We have all been there, when training is going well, the running feels smooth and then… bang! Out of the blue we get a few niggles or pull a muscle. We are going to take a quick look at some of the factors that can influence and
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Physiotherapy
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease which causes pain and stiffness and swelling in joints. While RA is most commonly found in females rather than males, with a ratio of 3:1 and prevalent in 30-60 year olds, it can occur at any age. What causes it?RA is caused by the auto-immune system attacking the body’s own tissues, specifically the synovium, which is the lining of the joints. This leads to inflammation and damage to the joints thus resulting
Osteoporosis and Physiotherapy
What is osteoporosis and why is it important? Osteoporosis (OP) is defined as low bone mineral density caused by altered bone microstructure which can predispose sufferers to “low impact” fractures. Such fractures (such as hip fractures in the elderly) can have a significant impact on a person’s level of function and result in death in those with other illnesses. Over 50% of postmenopausal white women will have an osteoporotic-fracture. Bone tissue is constantly being absorbed and replaced throughout the life.
What are the health benefits of Yoga?
How can Physio Help ? Yoga originated in South Asia and while it is now a popular form of exercise the world over, this wasn’t always the case. It is a very old form of exercise that focuses on breathing, strength and flexibility to boost mental and physical health. The main components of yoga are postures and breathing. It has been adapted in many ways and into several “branches” each with some unique characteristics and aims. Some of the
What Does Frozen Shoulder Feel Like?
Frozen shoulder also known as adhesive capsulitis is a painful condition in which shoulder movements can become very restricted. It can affect one shoulder or both simultaneously. It commonly occurs spontaneously but can also occur following shoulder injury such as rotator cuff injury or after periods of immobilisation. It usually affects those over age 40 and is more common in women than in men. The incidence is two to four times higher in diabetics than in the general population.
Exercising at Home for Over 65’s
These are some exercises which we use in our clinic to help improve the strength, balance and mobility in people who are currently less active or over 65 years of age. The exercises require no special equipment and are safe for most people to do at home. Please see video below. Sit to stand Standing calf raises Standing toe raises Single leg balancing Step standing Standing hip abduction Wall push up Shoulder press in sitting You can try doing these
What Is Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)?
According to the HSE “Repetitive strain injury (RSI), also called work-related upper limb disorder (WRULD), is a general term used to describe the pain caused to muscles, nerves and tendons by repetitive movement and overuse. The condition mostly affects parts of the upper body, such as the forearm, elbow, wrist, hands, neck and shoulders. Given that many people are working from home at present, some of you might be suffering from the following common conditions often classified as “RSI”
Could I have Plantar Fascitis/Fasciosis?
Plantar fasciitis, also referred to as plantar fasciosis due to its non-inflammatory nature, is a painful condition involving the connective tissue or fascia at the bottom of the foot. The plantar fascia blends with the paratendon or sheath of the Achilles tendon, the small foot muscles and even the skin and subcutaneous tissue. This condition affects people of all ages although it is most often seen in people in middle age. Females are affected more often than males
Running Injury
Have you taken up running Recently ? In this article I will discuss some injury risk factors and hopefully outline the most important ones in terms of preventing running injuries. I have also included a video below with recommended exercises. Running injuries are classified into intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Risk factors often mentioned are foot-type, lower limb strength, flexibility and running mechanics. Other factors include those related to training such as how quickly you increase your running mileage. What
Is It Possible To Keep Fit Without The Gym?
How To Prevent RSI? Whether you normally work from home or have been forced to, due to COVD-19 – you may now feel that you are moving less than usual. Your step counts may be down and the time you spend at the computer, on the phone, and in front of the TV, might have increased a lot. During busy periods, other barriers to exercise are, a lack of access to exercise facilities (gyms, exercise classes, etc.) due to travel
Physiotherapy & Osteoarthritis
What is Osteoarthrits ? Arthritis refers to changes to the structure of a joint often associated with pain, stiffness, and swelling of the joint. Osteoarthritis is the most common form and it occurs in the hips, knees, shoulders, and spine. While an X-ray is used in diagnosing osteoarthritis (OA), the changes seen on scans are poorly linked to pain and disability levels. A common belief is that OA symptoms are due solely to “wear and tear” of the joint’s structures
Ergonomics and Posture
Are you working from home during the current COVID-19 situation? You might be concerned about your desk set up or be interested in preventing issues such as neck and back pain. This article will briefly cover the topic of ergonomics and provide some general information relating to posture (facts and misconceptions). What is Ergonomics? According to the HSE, ergonomics is the “relationship between the worker and the job and focuses on the design of work areas and work tasks
What is Dry Needling?
Have you heard of Dry Needling? Dry Needling is a treatment technique whereby a sterile, single-use, fine filament needle (acupuncture needle) is inserted into the muscle to assist with decreasing pain and improving function through the release of myofascial trigger points (knots in the muscle). What is the Difference Between Dry Needling and Acupuncture? Dry Needling is a not the same as acupuncture, although there are similarities between the two techniques. The main difference between Dry Needling and acupuncture
Do I Have Golfer’s Elbow?
In the following article, James Sherry MISCP from Somerton Physiotherapy Clinic in Dublin 15 summarises Golfer’s Elbow. What is Golfer’s elbow? Golfer’s elbow is pain that is located on the inside of your elbow. The medical name for Golfer’s elbow is medial epicondylitis. The medial epicondyle is the bony prominence you can feel on the inside of your elbow (your funny bone). It is similar to tennis elbow but the difference between the two is the location of the pain.
What is Sever’s Disease?
What is Sever’s Disease? Sever’s disease (also known as calcaneal apophysitis) is one of the most common causes of heel pain in growing children and adolescents. It is an inflammation of the growth plate in the calcaneus (heel). Sever’s disease is caused by repetitive stress to the heel, and most often occurs during growth spurts, when bones, muscles, tendons, and other structures are changing rapidly. Children and adolescents who participate in athletics—especially running and jumping sports—are at an increased risk
Physiotherapy for Knee Pain
Anterior knee pain is an umbrella term that encompasses a wide range of related but significantly different conditions resulting in pain at the front of the knee. 25% of the population will be affected at some time and it is the most common overuse syndrome affecting sports people. Sometimes pain can be pinpointed by the patient, occurring at the front and center of the knee, sometimes it may be just above or below the knee cap, or perhaps dominated by
Golfer’s Elbow explained
What is Golfer’s elbow? Golfer’s elbow is pain that is located on the inside of your elbow. The medical name for Golfer’s elbow is medial epicondylitis. The medial epicondyle is the bony prominence you can feel on the inside of your elbow (your funny bone). It is similar to tennis elbow but the difference between the two is the location of the pain. If you have tennis elbow you will feel pain on the outside of you elbow. Signs and
New year fitness goals and preventing injury.
It is now the time of year when many of us decide to improve our health and fitness goals by starting a new exercise regime. This may involve taking up an exercise class in the gym or getting back to running, cycling or swimming. For some, this new exercise programme may be the most exercise they have done in several months or years and while the benefits of physical activity are many there are also some associated risks. Some of
OVERVIEW OF LOWER BACK PAIN
Approximately 80% of all adults experience back pain at some point in their lifetime. It is one of the most common causes of job-related disability and a leading contributor to work absenteeism in Ireland. A recent survey on back pain in Ireland, found that 68% of Irish people suffer from back pain at least once a week, and that a staggering 50% of adults in Ireland have suffered from back pain for more than five years. Back pain is so
Ankle Sprains in GAA players
I have sprained my ankle – what should I do next? A sprained ankle is an injury that occurs when you roll, twist or turn your ankle in an awkward way. This can stretch or tear the tough bands of tissue (ligaments) that help hold your ankle bones together. A large majority of these injuries are sustained during sporting activity; in fact ankle sprains have been shown to be the most common injury in a total of 24 different sports
Is Osgood-Schlatter Disease causing my child’s knee pain?
Osgood-Schlatter disease is where there is an extra bone growth on the bone below the patella (knee cap). It is common in active adolescents especially those participating in sports that involve running, jumping and changing direction. The disease is associated with growth spurts and can occur in both knees in approximately 30% of cases. What is Osgood-Schlatter Disease? Osgood-Schlatter disease is where there is an extra bone growth on the bone below the patella (knee cap). It is common
My Achilles tendon is sore. How do I get it better?
Soreness or swelling of your Achilles tendon is caused by overuse or trauma. Constant stress placed on the Achilles tendon causes irritation, inflammation and pain. There are several factors that can lead to inflammation of the Achilles tendon: Overtraining Tiredness or increased stress levels Poor running technique (biomechanics) Reduced lower limb and core muscle strength Poor balance (proprioception) Poor flexibility Inadequate footwear Running on hard surfaces If you notice swelling in your Achilles tendon, the initial treatment is POLICE – Prevent further
My Achilles tendon is sore. How do I get it better?
Soreness or swelling of your Achilles tendon is caused by overuse or trauma. Constant stress placed on the Achilles tendon causes irritation, inflammation and pain. There are several factors that can lead to inflammation of the Achilles tendon: Overtraining Tiredness or increased stress levels Poor running technique (biomechanics) Reduced lower limb and core muscle strength Poor balance (proprioception) Poor flexibility Inadequate footwear Running on hard surfaces If you notice swelling in your Achilles tendon, the initial treatment is POLICE –
Is Working From Home Working For You?
How to manage pain while working from home: With the country starting to creep back towards regular life, we have re-opened the clinic for in-patient appointments. While we are happy to be back in the clinic, working towards some hint of normality, we realise that not everybody is as lucky. Recent reports suggest that working from home may continue well into 2021 and well beyond this, in some capacity. The majority of injuries we see in clinic are as result
Returning To Sport Post COVID
As the restrictions start to lift and the world slowly creeps towards normality, we can all breathe a sigh of relief that sport is now gracing our screens again. The Premier League has seen Liverpool crowned champions after a busy playing schedule post COVID. Equally as important, we see the return of GAA and Leinster senior league training, and matches in a frenzy to finish the seasons out. Months of resting, eating and drinking has been replaced by shuttle runs,
Athlete Recovery Is Key
When we return to field sport after a break or when the good weather arrives and convinces us to squeeze in those extra miles and push ourselves harder to get back to peak fitness, there is one key area that cannot be overlooked when it comes to performance – RECOVERY!!! The world’s top athletes know that recovery is key for overall performance, health, wellbeing and future injury prevention. When training it is important to bear in mind this simple but
How Do You Relieve Shin Pain?
Most people associate shin pain with ‘shin splints’. ‘Shin splints’ also known as Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS) are one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries we treat in runners. MTSS is an overload injury which causes generalised pain in the shin. Contrary to popular belief it is actually a bone stress injury and not an overload of the muscles and tissues in the lower leg. Shin pain can be exacerbated by repetitive stress activities such as walking, running or
Whiplash Injury – How can Physio help?
Most people will associate whiplash being caused by car accidents (vender benders) but whiplash can also be caused by other mishaps that may happen in everyday life such as falling, being pushed from behind with excessive force and even diving into a pool. Not all neck pain is whiplash associated, an acceleration and deceleration of the neck that causes neck pain can be classified as whiplash. In some cases the head and neck is forced forwards at a rapid
How can my child avoid injury when returning to sport/training?
If your child has returned to sports/training in recent weeks, please see some top tips on how they can avoid injury.. If your child has an old injury or is carrying an injury from last season, it would be best to get this assessed by a chartered physio prior to the new season commencing. If the weather remains cold make sure your child is wearing the correct protective clothing to keep warm. Tracksuit bottoms, leggings, hats, under armor, and
Common Skiing Injuries – How Somerton Physio Can Help You?
Common Skiing Injuries – Physiotherapy in Dublin 15 It is that time of the year again when we dust off our skiing gear and head for the slopes. The popularity of skiing and snowboarding has grown significantly over the past decade despite concerns that these activities are high-risk and can lead to injury. Snow sport-related injuries can happen to anyone of any age but a recent study shows that the populations at a greater risk of injury include children and
Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
What is Lateral Epicondylitis/Tennis Elbow? Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow) is a painful condition affecting the outside of the elbow. In most cases it is caused by an overuse or repetitive strain placed on the elbow. It varies from 1-3% in the general population to more than 50% in amateur tennis players. However, tennis players only account for 5% making the term ‘tennis elbow’ quite inaccurate. In sports, the elbow joint contributes to 15% of the force produced during
The Female Athlete Triad
The Female Athlete Triad is a combination of three conditions that we sometimes see in female athletes at our clinics in Blanchardstown, Castleknock and Tallaght. These are: Disordered Eating Amenorrhea (loss of a girls period) Osteoporosis (weakening of the bones) Low energy availability is typically the source of the other two triad components due to its 1). Negative affects on reproductive function and bone health and 2). Detrimental effects that reproductive dysfunction caused by low energy availability has on
The Gait cycle
The Gait cycle describes how humans walk and run, in other words, how we move. A complete gait cycle begins when one foot makes contact with the ground, and ends when that same foot makes contact with the ground again. One cycle is made up of two distinct phases Stance Phase: The part of the gait where there is contact with the ground Swing phase: The part of the gait where that same foot is not in contact with the
What Can Cause Running Injuries?
We have now just passed that all-important 20-week mark where training will commence for the Dublin City Marathon in October. In this blog we will outline two major contributors to running injuries…….. We have all been there, when training is going well, the running feels smooth and then… bang! Out of the blue we get a few niggles or pull a muscle. We are going to take a quick look at some of the factors that can influence and
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Physiotherapy
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease which causes pain and stiffness and swelling in joints. While RA is most commonly found in females rather than males, with a ratio of 3:1 and prevalent in 30-60 year olds, it can occur at any age. What causes it?RA is caused by the auto-immune system attacking the body’s own tissues, specifically the synovium, which is the lining of the joints. This leads to inflammation and damage to the joints thus resulting
Osteoporosis and Physiotherapy
What is osteoporosis and why is it important? Osteoporosis (OP) is defined as low bone mineral density caused by altered bone microstructure which can predispose sufferers to “low impact” fractures. Such fractures (such as hip fractures in the elderly) can have a significant impact on a person’s level of function and result in death in those with other illnesses. Over 50% of postmenopausal white women will have an osteoporotic-fracture. Bone tissue is constantly being absorbed and replaced throughout the life.
What are the health benefits of Yoga?
How can Physio Help ? Yoga originated in South Asia and while it is now a popular form of exercise the world over, this wasn’t always the case. It is a very old form of exercise that focuses on breathing, strength and flexibility to boost mental and physical health. The main components of yoga are postures and breathing. It has been adapted in many ways and into several “branches” each with some unique characteristics and aims. Some of the
What Does Frozen Shoulder Feel Like?
Frozen shoulder also known as adhesive capsulitis is a painful condition in which shoulder movements can become very restricted. It can affect one shoulder or both simultaneously. It commonly occurs spontaneously but can also occur following shoulder injury such as rotator cuff injury or after periods of immobilisation. It usually affects those over age 40 and is more common in women than in men. The incidence is two to four times higher in diabetics than in the general population.
Exercising at Home for Over 65’s
These are some exercises which we use in our clinic to help improve the strength, balance and mobility in people who are currently less active or over 65 years of age. The exercises require no special equipment and are safe for most people to do at home. Please see video below. Sit to stand Standing calf raises Standing toe raises Single leg balancing Step standing Standing hip abduction Wall push up Shoulder press in sitting You can try doing these
What Is Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)?
According to the HSE “Repetitive strain injury (RSI), also called work-related upper limb disorder (WRULD), is a general term used to describe the pain caused to muscles, nerves and tendons by repetitive movement and overuse. The condition mostly affects parts of the upper body, such as the forearm, elbow, wrist, hands, neck and shoulders. Given that many people are working from home at present, some of you might be suffering from the following common conditions often classified as “RSI”
Could I have Plantar Fascitis/Fasciosis?
Plantar fasciitis, also referred to as plantar fasciosis due to its non-inflammatory nature, is a painful condition involving the connective tissue or fascia at the bottom of the foot. The plantar fascia blends with the paratendon or sheath of the Achilles tendon, the small foot muscles and even the skin and subcutaneous tissue. This condition affects people of all ages although it is most often seen in people in middle age. Females are affected more often than males
Running Injury
Have you taken up running Recently ? In this article I will discuss some injury risk factors and hopefully outline the most important ones in terms of preventing running injuries. I have also included a video below with recommended exercises. Running injuries are classified into intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Risk factors often mentioned are foot-type, lower limb strength, flexibility and running mechanics. Other factors include those related to training such as how quickly you increase your running mileage. What
Is It Possible To Keep Fit Without The Gym?
How To Prevent RSI? Whether you normally work from home or have been forced to, due to COVD-19 – you may now feel that you are moving less than usual. Your step counts may be down and the time you spend at the computer, on the phone, and in front of the TV, might have increased a lot. During busy periods, other barriers to exercise are, a lack of access to exercise facilities (gyms, exercise classes, etc.) due to travel
Physiotherapy & Osteoarthritis
What is Osteoarthrits ? Arthritis refers to changes to the structure of a joint often associated with pain, stiffness, and swelling of the joint. Osteoarthritis is the most common form and it occurs in the hips, knees, shoulders, and spine. While an X-ray is used in diagnosing osteoarthritis (OA), the changes seen on scans are poorly linked to pain and disability levels. A common belief is that OA symptoms are due solely to “wear and tear” of the joint’s structures
Ergonomics and Posture
Are you working from home during the current COVID-19 situation? You might be concerned about your desk set up or be interested in preventing issues such as neck and back pain. This article will briefly cover the topic of ergonomics and provide some general information relating to posture (facts and misconceptions). What is Ergonomics? According to the HSE, ergonomics is the “relationship between the worker and the job and focuses on the design of work areas and work tasks
What is Dry Needling?
Have you heard of Dry Needling? Dry Needling is a treatment technique whereby a sterile, single-use, fine filament needle (acupuncture needle) is inserted into the muscle to assist with decreasing pain and improving function through the release of myofascial trigger points (knots in the muscle). What is the Difference Between Dry Needling and Acupuncture? Dry Needling is a not the same as acupuncture, although there are similarities between the two techniques. The main difference between Dry Needling and acupuncture
Do I Have Golfer’s Elbow?
In the following article, James Sherry MISCP from Somerton Physiotherapy Clinic in Dublin 15 summarises Golfer’s Elbow. What is Golfer’s elbow? Golfer’s elbow is pain that is located on the inside of your elbow. The medical name for Golfer’s elbow is medial epicondylitis. The medial epicondyle is the bony prominence you can feel on the inside of your elbow (your funny bone). It is similar to tennis elbow but the difference between the two is the location of the pain.
What is Sever’s Disease?
What is Sever’s Disease? Sever’s disease (also known as calcaneal apophysitis) is one of the most common causes of heel pain in growing children and adolescents. It is an inflammation of the growth plate in the calcaneus (heel). Sever’s disease is caused by repetitive stress to the heel, and most often occurs during growth spurts, when bones, muscles, tendons, and other structures are changing rapidly. Children and adolescents who participate in athletics—especially running and jumping sports—are at an increased risk
Physiotherapy for Knee Pain
Anterior knee pain is an umbrella term that encompasses a wide range of related but significantly different conditions resulting in pain at the front of the knee. 25% of the population will be affected at some time and it is the most common overuse syndrome affecting sports people. Sometimes pain can be pinpointed by the patient, occurring at the front and center of the knee, sometimes it may be just above or below the knee cap, or perhaps dominated by
Golfer’s Elbow explained
What is Golfer’s elbow? Golfer’s elbow is pain that is located on the inside of your elbow. The medical name for Golfer’s elbow is medial epicondylitis. The medial epicondyle is the bony prominence you can feel on the inside of your elbow (your funny bone). It is similar to tennis elbow but the difference between the two is the location of the pain. If you have tennis elbow you will feel pain on the outside of you elbow. Signs and
New year fitness goals and preventing injury.
It is now the time of year when many of us decide to improve our health and fitness goals by starting a new exercise regime. This may involve taking up an exercise class in the gym or getting back to running, cycling or swimming. For some, this new exercise programme may be the most exercise they have done in several months or years and while the benefits of physical activity are many there are also some associated risks. Some of
OVERVIEW OF LOWER BACK PAIN
Approximately 80% of all adults experience back pain at some point in their lifetime. It is one of the most common causes of job-related disability and a leading contributor to work absenteeism in Ireland. A recent survey on back pain in Ireland, found that 68% of Irish people suffer from back pain at least once a week, and that a staggering 50% of adults in Ireland have suffered from back pain for more than five years. Back pain is so
Ankle Sprains in GAA players
I have sprained my ankle – what should I do next? A sprained ankle is an injury that occurs when you roll, twist or turn your ankle in an awkward way. This can stretch or tear the tough bands of tissue (ligaments) that help hold your ankle bones together. A large majority of these injuries are sustained during sporting activity; in fact ankle sprains have been shown to be the most common injury in a total of 24 different sports
Is Osgood-Schlatter Disease causing my child’s knee pain?
Osgood-Schlatter disease is where there is an extra bone growth on the bone below the patella (knee cap). It is common in active adolescents especially those participating in sports that involve running, jumping and changing direction. The disease is associated with growth spurts and can occur in both knees in approximately 30% of cases. What is Osgood-Schlatter Disease? Osgood-Schlatter disease is where there is an extra bone growth on the bone below the patella (knee cap). It is common
My Achilles tendon is sore. How do I get it better?
Soreness or swelling of your Achilles tendon is caused by overuse or trauma. Constant stress placed on the Achilles tendon causes irritation, inflammation and pain. There are several factors that can lead to inflammation of the Achilles tendon: Overtraining Tiredness or increased stress levels Poor running technique (biomechanics) Reduced lower limb and core muscle strength Poor balance (proprioception) Poor flexibility Inadequate footwear Running on hard surfaces If you notice swelling in your Achilles tendon, the initial treatment is POLICE – Prevent further
