Lower back pain is a widespread problem. 7 to 9 out of every 10 Australians will suffer from it at some time in their lives. In fact, 3.7 million Australians currently have back problems, according to The Australian Bureau of Statistics National Health Survey of 2014-15. Luckily, the problem is rarely serious, but can still interfere with daily life and your enjoyment of activities. The good news is, help is available without the need for invasive procedures or heavy drugs.…
On February 15, the physiotherapists at Hoppers Physio had the privilege of welcoming Dr. Austin Vo to the clinic to hear him deliver a tutorial on the topic of shoulders. An esteemed Melbourne orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Vo shared his insights on assessment and management approaches for a variety of shoulder conditions, as well as highlighted a number of emerging orthopaedic procedures. These included the increasingly popular reverse shoulder arthroplasty, as an alternative to the traditional total shoulder arthroplasty, and Latarjet…
Throughout childhood, the posture and alignment of children’s joints change as they mature to into adults. When children are born, their ligaments are loose and flexible to allow for ease during birth. As they grow, these ligaments usually tighten over time to provide increased support for their joints. One common observation that many parents notice is “flat feet” or flattened arches of the feet. This is a common trait in many infants, children and adults. Most young children have flexible…
How to choose the right pillow for you? If you’re lucky you’ll find the right pillow on your first try, but generally it can take a bit of trial and error before you get it right. Here are a few hints to help you choose the right pillow so you can avoid any unnecessary Physiotherapy appointments! 1. Look for a pillow that holds its shape – like memory foam 2. Don’t purchase anything too expensive if you’re not sure it’s the right…
Hoppers netball had their family fun day on saturday feb 24th. A great turn out was seen with lots of up and coming netball stars and their families. As proud sponsors of Hoppers Netball association we were happy to be part of the event and show our support. Netball is a great exercise for girls and boys of all ages. It builds teamwork skills and friendships in a healthy competitive environment. Netball is a great way to work on hand-eye…
What is the mid and upper back (thoracic spine)? The thoracic spine refers to the upper and middle back. It joins the cervical spine and extends down about five inches past the bottom of the shoulder blades, where it connects with the lumbar spine. There are 12 thoracic vertebrae, with 12 ribs that attach along its length. At Hoppers Physio, we also include the shoulder blades, and all associated shoulder blade and spinal muscles in the area as mid and…
Have you considered a bike set up & cycle assessment by a professional physiotherapist? A bike set up by a physiotherapist will ensure that your biked is adjusted for your body will ensure that you can maximise your performance and should eliminate the common complaints of regular riders. A clinical cyclist assessments will examine important factors such as your body measurements flexibility, posture and technique. A correct individual bike set up will result in reduced incidence of injury and…
Acute Tennis Elbow is an injury to the muscles that extend the wrist and fingers. The site of injury is typically the lateral epicondyle, a bony bump on the outside of the elbow where these muscles attach. Tennis Elbow symptoms that have lasted more than 6 weeks are considered to be sub-acute and beyond three months, as chronic tennis elbow. What are Tennis Elbow Symptoms? Typically the Tennis Elbow sufferer will experience pain when performing gripping tasks or resisted wrist/finger…
The Runner’s Stretch (A) Step your right foot forward and lower into a lunge, placing your fingertips on the floor or on two firm cushions if your hands don’t reach. (B) Breathe in, then, in one motion, exhale as you straighten your right leg. Slowly return to the lunge position. Repeat four times. Switch sides.
Running is a great way to get fit, feel better and even form new relationships with other runners. Starting a new running habit doesn’t have to be hard — all it takes is a comfortable pair of shoes and a willingness to move a little or a lot, all at your own pace. RUNNING FORM Some people are natural heel-strikers while others tend to lead with their toes. The good news: neither form is inherently better than the other. And you…