As a practising physiotherapist, I often treat patients for lower back pain as a result of shovelling or raking in the garden. The good news is that there are several preventative actions you can take to protect against low back injury. Read my full blog for 5 things you can do to reduce the risk of lower back injury in the garden, you will also find a short video with two exercises that can help.
Damaging your anterior cruciate ligament – often referred to as the ACL – is one of those knee injuries that can be career ending for any amateur or professional sports athlete and can mean months of rehabilitation and months on the sideline. We recommend an injury prevention warm up program, the 11+, which when implemented consistently will help protect and reduce the risk of injury to yourself and your fellow players. While developed for FIFA it is applicable to most sports that require frequent pivoting, such as netball, and basketball. Read my full blog for more, an exercise video, and to download the 11+ manual.
I’m very pleased to welcome Sophie Edwards, Occupational Therapist to the Move Better for LIfe team. Sophie will be based out of our Armidale clinic.
Occupational Therapy helps people with their daily activities from self-care to leisure to work and speaks to our commitment to helping our clients move better for life.
All of us at Move Better for LIfe hope you are enjoying a healthy, happy and safe Easter break, all the best, Deb.
In my practice as a physiotherapist, I often see people presenting with pain that appears for no apparent reason. There is no trauma or noticeable injury, however there is pain particularly in the joints. Sometimes these people have pain because they have hypermobile joints. Joint Hypermobility Syndrome affects the joints and bones allowing them to…
You may have heard of foam rolling which helps muscles become more receptive to stretching and moving, as well as relieving muscle soreness. It can help improve your performance running, help you more easily get out of a chair, or minimise your risk of getting a hamstring injury. Read the blog for how you can use a foam roller and its benefits.
Walking can be mentally and physically invigorating. It can also boost your immune system and improve your quality of sleep. If you are interested in starting to walk to improve your health there are a few things you should do to ensure you are walk ready, minimising the risk of injuring and increasing your likelihood of success. This blog provides you with #walkready tips and calf strengthening exercises you may find useful.
Most of us spend a long time at the computer and more and more often that’s at a laptop. With more of us working from home at the kitchen table or on the couch, means we tend to see an increasingly number of clients experience in neck pain and headaches. But with some simple exercises and good general fitness levels, you can reduce the impact.
On behalf of our team, I would like to welcome you to our first edition of Move Better for Life for 2021. In this edition, I am excited to announce that we are now providing occupational therapy services out of our Armidale clinic and are hiring for Tamworth. I’m also pleased to advise that our Armidale-based exercise physiologist Shae Flynn has returned to work after taking time off for maternity leave. In Tamworth, we have welcomed a new physiotherapist with a focus on sports rehabilitation, Paddy Bowen. While many of you may know Ben Fittler as one of our wonderful Armidale receptionists, what you may not know is that he is now a qualified massage therapist. And our wellness classes have all recommenced for the year.
One of the most common injuries to the feet is plantar fasciitis, which is an inflammation of the muscle which supports the arch of your foot. It’s very common and is often caused by changes to footwear, walking barefoot (such as on the beach during holidays) or through sporting stress. But, through regular exercise and preventative stretching you can reduce both the pain and frequency.
A calf strain/tear affects the muscles at the back of the lower leg and tends to come about due to a sudden excessive force through the muscle, or with repetitive overuse. Read on for treatment tips and exercises to promote recovery.
As the cricket season is in full swing, and many of our young football players are preparing for the football season, it is worth revisiting a very important topic – concussion and the effects it can have on players if not properly managed.
There is increasing awareness and focus amongst health professionals about the adverse effects and impairments after mild traumatic brain injury or concussion. We see evidence of this on the football field – the NRL, Rugby, AFL and the cricket field. The team physio or medic runs onto the pitch/field and carries out an on-field assessment to determine the suitability of the player to continue playing. This generally involves a symptom checklist, examination of mental status, and neurocognitive testing. But just what is a concussion and what should you do after suffering a suspected concussion?
For most of us, we are back to work after a lovely summer break, and we’ve all probably been more active than usual. This week we focus on Back to Work, tips to help you be more active in the workplace. Do you ever find yourself with awkward moments of time where it is not quite enough time before your ‘next thing’ to really start something else in between?
#AWKS
This happens to me regularly. These awkward moments started me thinking, and with the extra time I had in 2020 during lockdown I needed to think about my practice and how best to serve my clients in a time of physical distancing.
The result? I introduced this 2 to 3-minute conversation where I talk for a couple of minutes on a useful or interesting snippet that I hope you will enjoy, Deb.
Our hands are extremely useful so you want to keep them as mobile and agile and as strong as possible so you can keep doing the things you want and need to do. Sometimes, and particularly as we grow older, pain starts to develop in the hands frequently as the result of osteoarthritis. This blog addresses some preventative measures you can take to lower your risk and help you manage and improve the pain that comes with arthritis.
Do you ever find yourself with awkward moments of time where it is not quite enough time before your ‘next thing’ to really start something else in between?
#AWKS
This happens to me regularly. These awkward moments started me thinking, and with the extra time I had during lockdown I needed to think about my practice and how best to serve my clients in a time of physical distancing.
The result? I introduced this 2 to 3-minute conversation where I talk for a couple of minutes on a useful or interesting snippet that I hope you will enjoy, Deb.
Deep breathing is one of the best ways to lower stress in the body. It helps to lower blood pressure, promote feelings of calm and relaxation, and relieve overall stress levels. In this blog we look at how our breath works and gives you some controlled breathing exercises for you to try.
Do you ever find yourself with awkward moments of time where it is not quite enough time before your ‘next thing’ to really start something else in between?
#AWKS
This happens to me regularly. These awkward moments started me thinking, and with the extra time I had during lockdown I needed to think about my practice and how best to serve my clients in a time of physical distancing.
The result? I introduced this 2 to 3-minute conversation where I talk for a couple of minutes on a useful or interesting snippet that I hope you will enjoy, Deb.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common condition in older adults. Most people are aware of OA occurring in the knees and hips, but it can affect the shoulder joint as well. In this blog you will find six tips to manage osteoarthritis of the shoulder and two exercises that can help.
Gardening over the holidays?
Today’s awkward amount of time is focused on Gardening Applicances.
Do you ever find yourself with awkward moments of time where it is not quite enough time before your ‘next thing’ to really start something else in between?
#AWKS
This happens to me regularly. These awkward moments started me thinking, and with the extra time I had during lockdown I needed to think about my practice and how best to serve my clients in a time of physical distancing.
The result? I introduced this 2 to 3-minute conversation where I talk for a couple of minutes on a useful or interesting snippet that I hope you will enjoy.
Strong gluteal muscles help with your balance and things such as climbing stairs, walking up hills, as well as improving running and walking speeds. Strong gluteal muscles also help maintain the health and stability of your hip, knee, and ankle joints as well as the lower back. This week’s blog provides three exercises you can you do to improve the strength and mobility of your gluteal muscles.
As the holidays draw to a close and the kids are heading back to school do you know how to choose the right backpack for your child. And how on earth do you know which brand of horrendously overpriced shoes will be the best fit? The back-to-school list of things can be overwhelming so here are some quick tips to help you make the right decisions.
The back-to-school list of things can be overwhelming so here are some quick tips to help you make the right decisions.
Are you taking care of your knees?
Today’s awkward amount of time is focused on protecting your knees.
Do you ever find yourself with awkward moments of time where it is not quite enough time before your ‘next thing’ to really start something else in between?
#AWKS
This happens to me regularly. These awkward moments started me thinking, and with the extra time I had during lockdown I needed to think about my practice and how best to serve my clients in a time of physical distancing.
The result? I introduced this 2 to 3-minute conversation where I talk for a couple of minutes on a useful or interesting snippet that I hope you will enjoy.
The festive season brings with it extra food and sometimes unwelcome added weight! As you head back to work after the summer holiday break, it is a good time to rethink how you can stay more active in the workplace. This blog will provide you with four tips to reduce your sitting time to improve your overall wellbeing and three simple exercises you can do in the office.
Do you suffer from hand pain?
Today’s awkward amount of time is focused on hand pain.
Do you ever find yourself with awkward moments of time where it is not quite enough time before your ‘next thing’ to really start something else in between?
#AWKS
This happens to me regularly. These awkward moments started me thinking, and with the extra time I had during lockdown I needed to think about my practice and how best to serve my clients in a time of physical distancing.
The result? I introduced this 2 to 3-minute conversation where I talk for a couple of minutes on a useful or interesting snippet that I hope you will enjoy.
New Year’s resolutions are frequently overambitious and set us up to fail. Instead, we should think of them as intentions. And as we enter 2021 it is clear the world will still be an uncertain place. So be kind to yourself and set goals that nurture and inspire your wellbeing, make them realistic and achievable. Think about how you might achieve that goal over a year and schedule the time in.
I’d like to set you the challenge of moving just a little bit more each day. This might take the form of a daily stretch routine to kickstart your morning, a walk at sunset to clear your head or to simply park the car just a little further away from your destination, increasing your incidental exercise. Why? So you can move better for life.
Each year as the New Year draws close, many of us make mental notes about what we didn’t achieve this year and what we want to achieve in 2021. That mental list often involves getting fitter and improving our health including often dropping a few kilograms. This blog covers the three tips that will keep you on the right track.
Do you ever find yourself with awkward moments of time where it is not quite enough time before your ‘next thing’ to really start something else in between?
#AWKS
This happens to me regularly. These awkward moments started me thinking, and with the extra time I had during lockdown I needed to think about my practice and how best to serve my clients in a time of physical distancing.
The result? I introduced this 2 to 3-minute conversation where I talk for a couple of minutes on a useful or interesting snippet that I hope you will enjoy, Deb.
In the lead up to Christmas our daily lives often become busier, as we cram in those extra things we need to do before the Christmas and our holidays, as well as meet up with friends we haven’t seen for a while. One of the first things that tends to suffer is our sleep and exercise routines. Yet exercise could be your secret weapon for a good night’s sleep so you can make the most of the holiday season. Read on for more.
Did you know there are different types of balance?
Today’s awkward amount of time is focused on different types of balance.
Do you ever find yourself with awkward moments of time where it is not quite enough time before your ‘next thing’ to really start something else in between?
#AWKS
This happens to me regularly. These awkward moments started me thinking, and with the extra time I had during lockdown I needed to think about my practice and how best to serve my clients in a time of physical distancing.
The result? I introduced this 2 to 3-minute conversation where I talk for a couple of minutes on a useful or interesting snippet that I hope you will enjoy.
Our bodies are designed to move easily over distances using our legs as long levers. The joints enable flexible movement such as running, jumping, dancing and yoga. The legs house some of the largest muscle groups in the body that cross over a series of joints at the hip, knee, ankle, and foot. When any of these muscles and joints along the chain within the lower limb do not move as designed, and move in compensatory ways, the lower limb is predisposed to injury. Read on for exercises you can do to safely strengthen your legs.
Feet getting sore while on holidays?
Today’s awkward amount of time is focused on Foot pain and Holidays.
Do you ever find yourself with awkward moments of time where it is not quite enough time before your ‘next thing’ to really start something else in between?
#AWKS
This happens to me regularly. These awkward moments started me thinking, and with the extra time I had during lockdown I needed to think about my practice and how best to serve my clients in a time of physical distancing.
The result? I introduced this 2 to 3-minute conversation where I talk for a couple of minutes on a useful or interesting snippet that I hope you will enjoy.
As the weather warms, we are more tempted to get into the water and swim as a form of exercise.
Swimming is a wonderful non-weight bearing exercise for whole-body fitness. Regular swimming for 20 minutes or more in a session will increase cardiovascular fitness and improve upper and lower body strength and power. Because swimming is non-weight bearing and gentle on the joints, it is possible to swim even if you are not able to run or due to pain. Read on for 7 key benefits of swimming
Putting up the Christmas Tree? Watch your lower back!
Today’s awkward amount of time is focused on Christmas tree and lower back pain.
Do you ever find yourself with awkward moments of time where it is not quite enough time before your ‘next thing’ to really start something else in between?
#AWKS
This happens to me regularly. These awkward moments started me thinking, and with the extra time I had during lockdown I needed to think about my practice and how best to serve my clients in a time of physical distancing.
The result? I introduced this 2 to 3-minute conversation where I talk for a couple of minutes on a useful or interesting snippet that I hope you will enjoy.
The lead up to Christmas can involve us doing more – preparing our houses and gardens for visitors at Christmas, erecting and decorating the Christmas tree, Christmas shopping and preparing the Christmas dinner just to name a few. However, most of us have also been more sedentary than we would normally be, and this leaves us more vulnerable to injury. This blog covers the perils of Christmas and shares 6 tips you can use to avoid injury.
Welcome to our November 2020 newsletter. This month we discuss the Art of Healthy Ageing.
As Australians age, maintaining a healthy and happy lifestyle is vital. A simple tool that can encourage healthy ageing is movement and exercise, and age should not be a barrier for anyone to participate. Exercise provides a wide range of important benefits and health outcomes for older adults. From increased independence, improved mental health and the prevention of falls, movement allows ageing Australians to maintain their daily living activities whether it be lifting the groceries or playing with their grandkids.
Thyra Sullings, 94 years young provides her tips on healthy ageing. Thyra only started performing gym based exercises at the age of 92 when she moved to Tamworth Gardens. Thyra described her daily exercises as an activity that she is happy to do to keep herself active. She does not feel that she has to force herself to do it and on days where she may not be feeling 100% she remembers the feeling of achievement she gets after finishing her exercises and this motivates her to get them done. Thyra can notice the benefits that regular exercises has on how she feels and knows that it has a positive impact on her health.
Christmas Shopping? Take care of your shoulders
Today’s awkward amount of time is focused on Christmas shopping and your shoulder.Do you ever find yourself with awkward moments of time where it is not quite enough time before your ‘next thing’ to really start something else in between?
#AWKS
This happens to me regularly. These awkward moments started me thinking, and with the extra time I had during lockdown I needed to think about my practice and how best to serve my clients in a time of physical distancing.
The result? I introduced this 2 to 3-minute conversation where I talk for a couple of minutes on a useful or interesting snippet that I hope you will enjoy.
Being active while you are being treated or recovering from cancer can help manage the common side effects of treatment, speed up recovery and improve your quality of life. This blog looks at exercise as a prescription for people with a diagnosis of cancer or are recovering from cancer.
Focused on your health goals?
Today’s awkward amount of time is focused on Goals and 10% rule.Do you ever find yourself with awkward moments of time where it is not quite enough time before your ‘next thing’ to really start something else in between?
#AWKS
This happens to me regularly. These awkward moments started me thinking, and with the extra time I had during lockdown I needed to think about my practice and how best to serve my clients in a time of physical distancing.
The result? I introduced this 2 to 3-minute conversation where I talk for a couple of minutes on a useful or interesting snippet that I hope you will enjoy.
Exercise as medicine – do you need an exercise prescription. Read on to find out what exercise physiology is and how an exercise prescription can help you manage chronic health conditions and improve your overall health and wellbeing.
Concerned about Falls?
We have run this #awks before but our clinics are seeing an increase in falls. This is associated with reduced physical activity as our older clients practice social distancing. Did you know 30% of people over the age of 65 will fall in a year? This #awks focuses on tips that may help in preventing falls.
Do you ever find yourself with awkward moments of time where it is not quite enough time before your ‘next thing’ to really start something else in between?
#AWKS
This happens to me regularly. These awkward moments started me thinking, and with the extra time I had during lockdown I needed to think about my practice and how best to serve my clients in a time of physical distancing.
The result? I introduced this 2 to 3-minute conversation where I talk for a couple of minutes on a useful or interesting snippet that I hope you will enjoy.
are you suffering from foot pain? Flat feet is relatively common with over 30% people suffering from the condition. However, most people don’t suffer any pain. Flat feet are associated overpronated feet which can cause pain and dysfunction. Read the blog for more on what causes flat feet and overpronation, and what you can do about it
Do you have Overpronated or Flat Feet?
Today’s awkward amount of time is focused on Overpronated or Flat Feet.Do you ever find yourself with awkward moments of time where it is not quite enough time before your ‘next thing’ to really start something else in between?
#AWKS
This happens to me regularly. These awkward moments started me thinking, and with the extra time I had during lockdown I needed to think about my practice and how best to serve my clients in a time of physical distancing.
The result? I introduced this 2 to 3-minute conversation where I talk for a couple of minutes on a useful or interesting snippet that I hope you will enjoy, Deb.
In our October edition of our newsletter, Move Better for Life we look at the services we can provide under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). We also look the benefitds of exercise and whether one of our Wellness Classes might be right for you and much more.
Our hands are a very important tool. Sometimes we can experience pain and stiffness particularly at the joints and the around the base of the thumb. In this blog I look at what causes trigger finger, how to recognise its symptoms, what you can do to help, as well as two exercises you can try. I hope you find them useful.
Do you have Diabetes?
Today’s awkward amount of time is focused on Diabetes and exercise.
Do you ever find yourself with awkward moments of time where it is not quite enough time before your ‘next thing’ to really start something else in between?
#AWKS
This happens to me regularly. These awkward moments started me thinking, and with the extra time I had during lockdown I needed to think about my practice and how best to serve my clients in a time of physical distancing.
The result? I introduced this 2 to 3-minute conversation where I talk for a couple of minutes on a useful or interesting snippet that I hope you will enjoy
Gardening is a great activity, but it can play havoc with the body at times. In this blog I look at 5 ways you can avoid pain while gardening and three exercises that can help build strength of the lower back, shoulders and legs. Hope this helps your gardening experience!
Do you have Hypertension?
Today’s awkward amount of time is focused on Hypertension.
Do you ever find yourself with awkward moments of time where it is not quite enough time before your ‘next thing’ to really start something else in between?
#AWKS
This happens to me regularly. These awkward moments started me thinking, and with the extra time I had during lockdown I needed to think about my practice and how best to serve my clients in a time of physical distancing.
The result? I introduced this 2 to 3-minute conversation where I talk for a couple of minutes on a useful or interesting snippet that I hope you will enjoy, Deb.
One in four Australians are older than 55 and over the next decade this will increase to approximately one in three. As the Australian population ages we will increasingly need to prolong paid workforce participation by increasing the retirement age. A growing number of people will need to keep working beyond 65 years of age. This blog looks at what we can do to maintain our fitness and productivity as we age.
Today’s awkward amount of time is focused on Gardeners Springtime Syndrome.
Do you ever find yourself with awkward moments of time where it is not quite enough time before your ‘next thing’ to really start something else in between?
#AWKS
This happens to me regularly. These awkward moments started me thinking, and with the extra time I had during lockdown I needed to think about my practice and how best to serve my clients in a time of physical distancing.
The result? I introduced this 2 to 3-minute conversation where I talk for a couple of minutes on a useful or interesting snippet that I hope you will enjoy, Deb.
So you are a woman in mid-fifties. You’ve had two or possibly three children, you enjoy exercise and relative good health but there is no way you ever imagine you can or will run or do any jumping because you can’t quite control your bladder. Additionally, you have also been experiencing some lower back pain – it comes and goes but is quite noticeable after you have been exercising. You can do something about it. Read my blog for exercises you can use to build your pelvic floor strength and get you back running, jumping and exercising with confidence.
Do you have a concussion? Do you ever find yourself with awkward moments of time where it is not quite enough time before your ‘next thing’ to really start something else in between?
#AWKS
This happens to me regularly. These awkward moments started me thinking, and with the extra time I had during lockdown I needed to think about my practice and how best to serve my clients in a time of physical distancing.
The result? I introduced this 2 to 3-minute conversation where I talk for a couple of minutes on a useful or interesting snippet that I hope you will enjoy, Deb.
Back pain or injuries usually occur when too much pressure impairs back structures such as the discs, muscles and ligaments. Read my blog for the 3 everyday things that put you at risk of injuring your back and 7 things you can do to help prevent lower back pain.
Do you have osteoarthritis? In this awkward amount of time Deb Hunter, physiotherapist talks about osteoarthritis of the hips.
#AWKS
Do you ever find yourself with awkward moments of time where it is not quite enough time before your ‘next thing’ to really start something else in between? This happens to me regularly. These awkward moments started me thinking, and with the extra time I had during lockdown I needed to think about my practice and how best to serve my clients in a time of physical distancing.
The result? I introduced this 2 to 3-minute conversation where I talk for a couple of minutes on a useful or interesting snippet that I hope you will enjoy, Deb.
In our September edition of our newsletter, Move Better for Life we look at how you can maintain your strength and muscle power as you age into activity-based daily exercise. We also look at how you can reduce pain and dysfunction when you garden. Alex Stones, Exercise Physiologist, Move Better for Life explains what an exercise physiologist does and how they can help you. And much more.
Dry needling is used to enhance the healing process for many types of injuries. One of our fantastic physios who uses dry needling as part of her treatments, Imogen Young, has put together some information for you to help demystify dry needling.
Are you wearing the right shoes? Today’s awkward amount of time is focused on shoes and feet. Do you ever find yourself with awkward moments of time, where it is not quite enough time before your ‘next thing’ to really start something else in between? This happens to me quite often, and with the extra…
Niggles and pain can sometimes appear when we start to exercise more. I’ve treated plenty of enthusiastic over-50’s who have accidentally overdone it by exercising too hard before they’re up to it. If you are starting to exercise more as spring brings us warmer days. A systematic approach to returning to, or increasing exercise, will help prevent injuries and pain. Read on for 3 tips you can use to get back into action safely.
Do you suffer from headaches? Today’s awkward amount of time is focused on headaches and neck pain. Do you ever find yourself with awkward moments of time, where it is not quite enough time before your ‘next thing’ to really start something else in between? This happens to me quite often, and with the extra…
The shoulder is complicated. It is capable of a huge range of movement made possible through an intricate system of ligaments, tendons, muscles, nerves and joints. If just one link in the movement chain becomes problematic, the effect is felt throughout the shoulder complex causing damage and pain, particularly in the rotator cuff which gives the shoulder its stability and control.
Poor posture, poor upper body strength, and ageing are all factors that can compromise the rotator cuff tendons and increase the risk of injury. Read my blog for things you can do to keep your shoulder tendons healthy and decrease the likelihood of a rotator cuff injury.
Enjoy your week, Deb
What causes, and how do we help shin splints? Today’s awkward amount of time is focused on shin splints. Do you ever find yourself with awkward moments of time, where it is not quite enough time before your ‘next thing’ to really start something else in between? This happens to me quite often, and with…
45% of Australians are not getting enough sleep which is detrimental to the body’s ability to repair and rejuvenate – a significant role in rehabilitation and recovery. Sleep is a powerful tool – too little sleep alters and slows recovery time from injury, and adversely affects overall physical and mental health, while good quality sleep of 8 hours can improve the effects of ageing, improve memory, healing from injuries and optimise your well – being. This week’s blog considers the best sleeping positions and tips to help you improve your sleep.
How do we prevent falls? Do you ever find yourself with awkward moments of time, where it is not quite enough time before your ‘next thing’ to really start something else in between? This happens to me quite often, and with the extra time I have needed to think about my practice and how best to serve my clients in this time of physical distancing these little moments have started me thinking. So I introduced a 2 to 3 minute conversation on social media where I talk for a couple of minutes – no more – on a really useful or interesting snippet that I hope you will enjoy. All the best, Deb.
Falls have increased during the Pandemic Strong and flexible muscles are critical to helping support joints, in particular, the knee, hip and shoulder joints. If unprotected – joints are at risk of injury – and people are at a higher risk of falling and causing more injury. At our clinics, we have seen a noticeable…
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint that connects your jawbone to your skull.The TMJs acts like a sliding hinge on each side of your jaw and allow you to open your mouth.
Sometimes the TMJs can be painful or restricted. Symptoms of TMJ disorders can be pain when chewing, aching in and around the ear and or face, locking of the jaw which can make it difficult to open or close your mouth and clicking or grinding. This is often referred to as TMJ disorder. There are several things you can do to help TMJ pain. Read my blog for more.
Are you working safely at home? Today’s Awkward Amount of Time is focused on working from home.
Do you ever find yourself with awkward moments of time, where it is not quite enough time before your ‘next thing’ to really start something else in between?
This happens to me quite often, and with the extra time I have needed to think about my practice and how best to serve my clients in this time of physical distancing, these little moments have started me thinking. So I introduced a 2 to 3 minute conversation on social media where talk for a couple of minutes – no more – on a really useful or interesting snippet that I hope you will enjoy. All the best, Deb.
Hi everyone, so you have now had your total knee replacement. It is 6 weeks on and all went well. You were walking within the first day with a frame, you managed to get 100 degrees flexion of the knee in the first 3 days. Now you are at 115 degrees which makes it easier to get in and out of the car and work on the stationary bicycle. The surgical scar has healed well and the general pain from the surgery has been minimal. You have been doing your exercises most days, although you occasionally forget, particularly as you have been doing so well. Then a week later you start to experience some pain in the front of the knee especially going up and down stair and after sitting for a while. Your knee has also started to click when you move it. Read my blog to find out more about this common surgical problem, and some exercises you can do to prevent it happening. Hope this helps, Deb
This week we are looking at the first of a 2-part series preparing for, and then recovering from, a Total Knee Replacement.
Most orthopaedic surgeons want you to start moving your knee as soon as you wake up from the anesthetic. Often you will also be up walking on your new knee the same day. It is important to know what you need to be focusing on to assist your recovery.
Why we should focus on staying strong. Do you ever find yourself with awkward moments of time, where it is not quite enough time before your ‘next thing’ to really start something else in between? This happens to me quite often, and with the extra time I have needed to think about my practice and how best to serve my clients in this time of physical distancing, these little moments have started me thinking. So I introduced a 2 to 3 minute conversation on social media where I talk for a couple of minutes – no more – on a really useful or interesting snippet that I hope you will enjoy. All the best, Deb.
Hi everyone, today I’m going to look at how you can help manage the pain and discomfort you experience when you have osteoarthritis of the knee and hip. Based on a review by a panel of experts identifying treatment interventions that had good evidence behind them the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners have developed recommendations for the management of osteoarthritis of the knee and hip.
Should you exercise wearing a mask? Many Australians are now required to wear a mask, others are asked to voluntarily wear them where social distancing is not an option and still others are choosing to because they are either vulnerable or out of an abundance of caution. So, is it wise to wear a mask…
Today’s awkward amount of time is focused on Back Supports. You can view at: https://loom.ly/pSkb4Sc
Do you ever find yourself with awkward moments of time where it is not quite enough time before your ‘next thing’ to really start something else in between? This happens to me quite often, and with the extra time I have needed to think about my practice and how best to serve my clients in this time of physical distancing, these little moments have started me thinking. So I introduced this 2 to 3 minute conversation on social media where I talk for a couple of minutes on a really useful or interesting snippet that I hope you will enjoy
If your work or hobby involves you bending forwards over a workbench, a desk, a bar or any other project for long periods of time, you could be at risk of experiencing mid back or thoracic spine pain. This is not a problem if you maintain that position for a short time, however issues occur if you maintain this position for long periods. As a result, your posture suffers, and leads to stiffness, aching between your shoulder blades, and even backstabbing pain. Sometimes the pain can radiate upwards to the back of the neck and head. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to help. Find out more in my full blog.
Whiplash is an injury to the neck that occurs following a sudden acceleration-deceleration force that causes unrestrained, rapid forward and backward movement of the head and neck. Symptoms include pain, decreased range of motion and tightness in the neck, as well as headaches, muscles spams, and pain radiating further down the back. In the early days after the injury it is important to start some simple and gentle exercises to get your neck and head moving. This blog addresses what you can do to settle the inflammation in your muscles and other tissues as well as gentle strengthening exercises.
Suffering from ankle and leg pain? Today’s Awkard Amount of Time focuses on Achilles Tendinopathy. Do you ever find yourself with awkward moments of time, where it is not quite enough time before your ‘next thing’ to really start something else in between? This happens to me quite often, and with the extra time I have needed to think about my practice and how best to serve my clients in this time of physical distancing, these little moments have started me thinking. So Iintroduced a 2 to 3 minute conversation on social media where I talk for a couple of minutes – on a really useful or interesting snippet that I hope you will enjoy. All the best, Deb.
Osteoporosis is a common condition in which the bones become brittle and fragile, usually because of hormonal changes or deficiency of calcium or vitamin D. The bones lose minerals such as calcium more quickly than the body replaces them, leading to a loss of bone density. Osteoporosis is sometimes known as ‘The Silent Disease’ because many people do not know they have it until they break a bone. It affects over 1 million Australians. This week’s blog the causes and risks of osteoporosis, what you can do to maintain and improve your bone density.
Suffering from muscle pain? Today’s Awkward Amount of Tims focuses on dry needling. Do you ever find yourself with awkward moments of time, where it is not quite enough time before your ‘next thing’ to really start something else in between? This happens to me quite often, and with the extra time I have needed to think about my practice and how best to serve my clients in this time of physical distancing, these little moments started me thinking. So I introduced this 2 to 3 minute video – on a really useful or interesting snippet that I hope you will enjoy. All the best, Deb.
Periods of decreased activity can be problematic with COVID 19 changing the lives of many, if not all of us. Many of us have been isolating for months to reduce our risk of catching the virus. Isolation has brought with it decreased amounts of activity and with that – decreased strength and increased stiffness in the muscles and joints. Strong and flexible muscles are critical to helping support joints. If unprotected – joints are at risk of injury – and people are at a higher risk of falling and causing more injury. Our blog addresses this important issue and sets out a few basic exercises you can introduce to maintain your strength and flexibility.
Exercising at Home? Today’s awkward amount of time is focused on Foam Rolling. Do you ever find yourself with awkward moments of time, where it is not quite enough time before your ‘next thing’ to really start something else in between? This happens to me quite often, and with the extra time I have needed…
Ever wondered why your pain keeps coming back? You think you have it under control and sorted and then it’s back again. Well, it could be as simple as you are only addressing the symptoms such as the pain and stiffness not the cause of your issue. This week’s short blog by physiotherapist, Carmela Birch addresses this issue and how a Selective Functional Movement Assessment could help.
Today’s awkward amount of time is focused on Hip Bursitis.
Do you ever find yourself with awkward moments of time, where it is not quite enough time before your ‘next thing’ to really start something else in between? This happens to me quite often, and with the extra time I have needed to think about my practice and how best to serve my clients in this time of physical distancing these little moments have started me thinking. So I have decided to introduce a 2 to 3 minute conversation on social media where I will talk for a couple of minutes – no more – on a really useful or interesting snippet that I hope you will enjoy.
Balance of your body is the even distribution of weight bearing, enabling you to remain upright and steady. It is something that you often don’t appreciate until it starts to deteriorate. Balance is also tied up with proprioception which is a broad concept involving both balance and postural control. These are very important things to…
Book online 24/7 The isolation period over is finally lifting and some of us are experiencing increased body stiffness in our joints and muscles simply because we have not been using them as much. Globally, people have experienced significant reductions in physical activity since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Working from home…
Diabetes is an increasingly common medical problem that you may have heard about or you may know someone who has it. So, it’s worth looking at to understand what it is and why you can get it. Firstly, it’s important to know there are 2 types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2 Type 1 diabetes is an…
Do you suffer from Knee Pain? This Awkward Amount of Time covers knee pain and tips on relieving it. Do you ever find yourself with awkward moments of time, where it is not quite enough time before your ‘next thing’ to really start something else in between? This happens to me quite often, and with…
Following on from our last session, where our CEO Deborah discussed how to set up a standing workstation, join us for Workstation Ergonomics: Part 4, where Deb discusses simple strategies you can use to minimise pain and the risk of injury, and find out why “your next position is your best position”.
Following on from yesterday’s session where our CEO Deborah discussed how to set up a sitting workstation, join us for today’s for Workstation Ergonomics: Part 3, which discusses the ideal set up for a STANDING workstation.
Following on from Workplace Ergonomics: Part 1, where Deborah Hunter CEO of WorkHealth Australia and physiotherapy practice Move Better for Life (Armidale and Tamworth) discussed the risks of a poorly set up workstation, join us for Part 2, which discusses the ideal set up for a SITTING workstation.
Join Deborah as she breaks down the risks of a poor workstation set up in a 4 part series, and the simple steps you can take to minimise your risk, or injury and painful dysfunction.
Stretching can increase flexibility and range of motion around your joints, which in turn may reduce your risk of injury and improve performance. Good flexibility of your body can: Improve your performance in physical activities. This can range from your ability to run faster with better technique through to simply being able to get out of a chair. For instance,…
Cycling is one of those activities that seems to have done well during the COVID 19 lockdown. There are reports that bicycle sales have increased over the lockdown period which would indicate that more people are taking to cycling for exercise. The large cities in Australia are tackling social distancing on public transport and suggesting people ride…
Are you Stretching? Are you doing it correctly? If you’re new here, you can find Stretching (Part 1) here: https://youtu.be/QAA3DCX46Og Do you ever find yourself with awkward moments of time, where it is not quite enough time before your ‘next thing’ to really start something else in between? This happens to me quite often, and with…
Posture is the position in which you hold your body when sitting standing or performing certain tasks. There are many different aspects to posture and there are reasons certain postures become a problem. Your body is designed to align in a certain way for optimal function. This means that there are ideal ways to stand…
Are you Stretching? Are you doing it correctly? Do you ever find yourself with awkward moments of time, where it is not quite enough time before your ‘next thing’ to really start something else in between? This happens to me quite often, and with the extra time I have needed to think about my practice and…
The most common form of ankle injury is a sprained ankle – more commonly a sprain to the ligaments on the outside or lateral aspect of the ankle, caused by accidentally twisting or turning your ankle in an awkward way. It’s usually caused by a traumatic incident, such as a sudden change of direction while playing sport, or…
Working from home? Do you know how to set up your workstation safely? Do you ever find yourself with awkward moments of time, where it is not quite enough time before your ‘next thing’ to really start something else in between? This happens to me quite often, and with the extra time I have needed…
Many of us in an effort to combat the effects of isolation are exercising more than ever before, and some of us may be experiencing new, and unwelcome pain responses. If this is the case for you, hip bursitis or trochanteric bursitis could well be the cause of your hip pain. What it is, and what you can do about it. …
Do you suffer from lower back pain? Do you know why or what to do about it? Do you ever find yourself with awkward moments of time, where it is not quite enough time before your ‘next thing’ to really start something else in between? This happens to me quite often, and with the extra…
Falls are a major health issue in Australia with around 30% of adults over 65 experiencing at least one fall per year. With the rising number of people aged over 65 this is expected to increase significantly over the next decade. Many falls go undocumented because there is no apparent trauma. However, some falls can lead individuals to a fractured hip, shoulder, or…
Do you suffer from sore knees? Do you know why or what to do about them? Do you ever find yourself with awkward moments of time, where it is not quite enough time before your ‘next thing’ to really start something else in between? This happens to me quite often, and with the extra time…
Hi everyone, There are many jobs within health (aged care, disability care) and the mining industry that are physically demanding and require an employee to be physically fit to meet the demands of the job. Effective screening can reduce workplace injuries and prevent productivity losses. A pre- employment assessment is a test or questionnaire that…
Do you suffer from sore calves? Do you know why or what to do about them? Do you ever find yourself with awkward moments of time, where it is not quite enough time before your ‘next thing’ to really start something else in between? This happens to me quite often, and with the extra time…
Do you suffer from sore feet? Do you know why or what to do about them? Do you ever find yourself with awkward moments of time, where it is not quite enough time before your ‘next thing’ to really start something else in between? This happens to me quite often, and with the extra time…
We know exercise is beneficial to both physical and mental health, so an exercise video at home can be crucial to those self -isolating and confined to home. However, selecting exercise videos randomly can be problematic and lead to injury. This is particularly relevant if you happen to choose a high impact exercise routine. High impact exercise programs can be tempting as you feel like you want to get the most out of the time you invest. However, when the body loads up too quickly, the soft tissues including tendons and muscles experience microdamage which can lead to inflammation and pain. Additionally, joints can experience damage from loading up if the muscles are not able to support them adequately. You can reduce your risk of injury by taking the time to ask yourself a few simple questions and adhering to some general advice before embarking on a home video exercise program.
Do you suffer from headaches? Do you know why or what to do about them? Do you ever find yourself with awkward moments of time, where it is not quite enough time before your ‘next thing’ to really start something else in between? This happens to me quite often, and with the extra time I…
ISOLATION EXERCISE Safe at home but missing out on the benefits of exercise? It is important to continue to focus on your physical health so you can move better for life. For now we can’t offer you face to face wellness classes so our exercise physiology team have put together two short sessions for you…
As many of us settle in to work remotely from home, confined to the house because of the coronavirus pandemic. We are moving less than we use to only 1-2 months ago. Our step counts are down, instead Netflix and social media are getting a workout replacing our own gym workouts, and generally, we are…
The word telehealth has been bandied around a lot lately and the federal government has in response to COVID-19 expanded the Medicare items relating to telehealth. So what exactly is Telehealth? Telehealth is a form of consultation with a health professional via video link up or over the phone. It is a way of having an appointment with a health professional without meeting them in person and can be conducted from your own home or any place where you can use a phone, a computer or an ipad/tablet. A Health professional – who can conduct a consultation via telehealth – can be your doctor, psychologist or in our case either your physiotherapist or exercise physiologist.
CARING FOR OUR PATIENTS (COVID-19) Special Announcement After careful consideration and preparation, and in the interest of public health, our team has decided to move to 100% telehealth consults. A telehealth consult is delivered online with video. We assess you in much the same way that we do in a face to face consult. We…
Laptop computers have helped make our working and study life far more flexible. For instance, the corona crisis has seen many of us unexpectedly working from home and spending more and more time at our computers. There is a large body of evidence that suggests spending long periods of time using a laptop or looking…
Many of us have not worked at home for extended periods of time but in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic for some of us, this may be our new normal for the foreseeable future. Given how many hours most of us spend at our workplace it is worthwhile looking at how our workstations are…
When we reach our 40’s and over, manual work can take its toll on our bodies if we don’t pay attention. You are far more likely to injure yourself from 40 onwards. I see this in my physio practice often where many people we see are 40 and over. Of course, we treat people with…
What we are doing to allow us to continue to care for you while protecting you, our staff, our families and our community. With the advent of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic we are being forced to rethink how we interact socially and at work. These are challenging times and at Move Better for Life, we…
The human body has an enormous capacity to be resilient but as we reach our forties, our bodies can become the victims of habits we have adopted over the years. We often develop ways of doing certain manual tasks over many years. If you have been driving for 20 years or more you may…
Book online 24/7 HOW TO KEEP YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS It’s a New Year; and with that comes a range of resolutions. A common New Year’s Resolution is to start new healthy habits such as dieting or exercise. While it’s great to have some goals to kickstart your 2020, keep in mind that you may…
WISHING YOU A HAPPY HEALTHY HOLIDAY SEASON 2019 has been an exciting year for the Move Better For Life team. This year we’ve grown our team, welcoming some wonderful new faces, and opened up our clinic in Tamworth. We’ve really expanded our Wellness Classes and our clients have benefited from the introduction of exercise physiology…
With the holiday season and beach holidays upon us it is worth looking at the injuries people present with in the practice after returning from holidays. One of these is shin splints. Shin splints present as a dull, aching pain and tenderness in the front of the lower leg adjacent to the shin bone. There…
Plantar fasciitis is one of those injuries that many people have never heard of until they experience it themselves, only to discover there are many other sufferers out there. What is plantar fasciitis and what does it have to do with the upcoming holidays? Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the plantar fascia on the underside of…
The drought is taking its toll not only in my home in the New England area but across much of Australia, and as most of you would know, its effects are wide reaching. An unexpected effect is injury caused by carting buckets of water around. We have had several people present to the clinic with…
Hip or back? Which is it? Hip or back? Which is it? Back problems can masquerade as hip problems and conversely hip problems can present as back pain. There is a lot of overlap and I often see it in the practice when someone seeks treatment for their hip when in fact the pain is…
The life of a tradie is one that is particularly physical and involves a lot of repeated bending, lifting and squatting. I have met a few older tradies in the clinic who have come in with lower back, neck and shoulder problems. I have also met a few who have changed jobs because of the…
Farmers are a group of people that often present to my clinic with lower back pain. Their job involves a huge variation in the physical tasks they do. This ranges from repeated and heavy lifting, bending, prolonged sitting on a tractor twisting repeatedly in the seat, and activities like driving a quad bike or a…
And Christmas is just around corner! Are you fit for the festive season? With only eight weeks to go until Christmas and the holiday season, and what may seem like an endless round of parties and shopping, it’s a good time to take stock and and pay attention to your personal health and well being.…
Last week we looked at the basics of what can cause back pain including what activities can lead to back pain driven by disc problems . We often adopt poor postures for greater amounts of time than we used to, mainly due to our use of hi-tech devices including computers and smart phones. Sitting frequently…
Commonly someone with back pain will just put up with the pain, not understanding what the problem is, and not knowing what they can do to manage it. Over the next few weeks I will be looking at back care, each week focusing on different groups of people involved with specific work or styles of…
Staying strong as you age is critical to helping you stay in the work force and allow you to keep doing what you want and need to do. It is important to focus on exercise programs that are likely to enhance performance of daily activities such as getting out of a chair and climbing stairs…
Laptop computers have helped make our working and study life far more flexible, however evidence that suggests that spending long periods of time using a laptop can lead to neck pain from looking down at the screen. Laptop use can also affect other areas of the body including: • Our wrists and hands from typing…
The Collaborative Model of Care, enhancing rehabilitation outcomes. Our CEO and Principal Physiotherapist, Deborah Hunter has returned from her epic travel adventures and true to form she is focused on fully implementing our ground breaking, collaborative model of care. We’ve been achieving really great results for our clients and is a really useful model of…
How to make sure you are fully prepared for your next holiday. This month, Deb Hunter, our CEO and Principal Physiotherapist, will be taking a break from the cold of New England to go trekking. As part of planning for her trip, she has taken extensive preparations to ensure she remains injury-free during her time…
Hi everyone! This week I discuss the importance of careful preparation for a hike. Whether it’s planning for a trek in Iceland, the Oxfam trail-walk, or some bush trails in Australia, you can never feel too prepared. Whatever your goal, if you are attempting to walk or trek you will need to prepare your body…
Many of us will admit to spending hours of sitting for long periods of time, whether it be at your computer or travelling to and from work. This can often leave you feeling lethargic and unmotivated to exercise. So, it is important to get away from the screen (and those chairs!) from time to time;…
Welcome to the June 2019 edition of Move Better for Life. In this edition we have some advice on how to manage aches and pains this winter and give you an update on what is happening in our Armidale and Tamworth practices. [linkarea background_color=”” hover_color=”accent1″ href=”https://mailchi.mp/rusdenstreetphysio/move-better-for-life-june2019″ target=”_self” icon=”” icon_color=”accent6″ icon_size=”62″ image=””] Read more. [/linkarea]
Last week we discussed why rehabilitation is so important to recovering fully from an ankle sprain. To recap, the first 1-2 weeks of an ankle sprain need REST, taping, retraining of a normal walking pattern, and simple movement and balance exercises. This week we will focus on how to progress your rehabilitation beyond these first…
With winter sports well under way, people need to keep up their stretching, take care while they play, and remain vigilant about any soreness that occurs during their games. One of the most common injuries we see in the clinic are injuries to the ankle. Netballers, basketballers, and sports that involve a lot of jumping…
By Shae Flynn, EP As we all know, it’s important to keep our heart and lungs healthy… but why? Cardiorespiratory fitness, in a nutshell, is the body’s ability to deliver oxygen to every cell in the body via the circulatory (blood) system and remove toxins and waste products. This delivery of oxygen is important for…
Our last two blogs focused on how to overcome ageing muscles. This week we’re discussing why it’s important to keep our heart and lungs healthy too. It’s important to maintain strong heart and lungs as you get older in order to keep your mobility and independence so you can do the things you love. An…
As we know, its important to keep our heart and lungs healthy…But why? Cardiorespiratory fitness in a nut shell is the body’s ability to delivery oxygen to every cell in the body via the circulatory (blood) system and remove toxins and waste products. This delivery of oxygen is important in every system in the body…
The problem: Are you noticing that you’re not as strong as you once were? Are you having difficulty doing things that up until a few years ago, you didn’t even have to think about? Or are you still as mobile as you always were, but are finding that nowadays you pay for it later? If…
Welcome to the May 2019 edition of Move Better for Life. In this edition we have some tips for exercising safely throughout the winter months and give you an update on what is happening in our Armidale and Tamworth practices. https://mailchi.mp/rusdenstreetphysio/move-better-for-life-april-2325609
Fit for the office: Posture Hi Everyone! Good posture is vital in preventing neck pain and headaches. You may find yourself trying to get that extra bit of work done, by spending prolonged periods of time sitting at the computer or slumped on your bed with the laptop. Then the neck pain starts. There’s no…
Hi Everyone! Last week we touched on ways to help you move more at work and why you need to. This week, we look further into the importance of moving regularly. The postural and stabilizing muscles of the body can become painful when held in elongated and end-of-range positions. Muscles are strongest, and work optimally,…
Hi Everyone! It is well known that work tasks involving prolonged static positions, such as sitting at the computer or standing for long periods, can lead to increased risk of injuries. The issue is the sedentary and static nature of the tasks. When muscles are asked to do repetitive and small movements for many hours…
Hi Everyone! There are very few parts of your body that act in isolation to another part. This particularly applies to the shoulders and arms, which can impact the functionality of the neck and vice versa. Shoulder weakness can, and often does, lead to elbow and neck problems so keeping your shoulders and arms strong…
In this edition of the Move Better For Life Newsletter we want to bring your attention to a new program we are introducing, Running Gait Analysis. We introduce our new Tamworth-based walking group led by our exercise physiologist Shane Snowden. Our Tamworth practice is already expanding and we are looking for physiotherapists for both our…
Hello all, Over the last 4 weeks, we have looked at areas to work on to help make your time with your grandchildren more enjoyable. These things include improving muscle strength, balance, getting on and off the floor, and safe ways to lift and bend. To summarise: 1. Remaining strong (or becoming stronger) is important…
Hi again everyone! Welcome to the second last post about being ‘grandkid ready’. By the time your grandchildren are teenagers they will probably be on their computers for a lot of the time, or they’ll be asking you to drive them around! The time you spend around your teenage grandchildren tends to be less physically…
Hi all, Welcome to week 3 of our 5-week series on how to protect the ‘grandparent body’ from injury when looking after your energetic grandchildren. Children between 2- 10 years can be highly active, which places pressure on you to keep up! You may find yourself moving more frequently and more quickly than you have…
Hi Everyone, This is our second week exploring the physical issues that can occur when looking after grandchildren. Arguably, the most physically challenging grandchild will be the toddler: the hefty 15kg two-year-old who wants to be picked up continually or wants you to be on the floor with them. Let’s deal with getting on and…
Welcome to the March edition of Move Better for Life. In this edition we look at getting fit with the grandkids, new research on osteoarthritis and running – it’s good news. We also introduce our new Tamworth Wellness Class – Gluco-cise. Our Tamworth practice is already expanding and we are looking for physiotherapists for both…
Welcome to the February edition of Move Better for Life. In this edition, we celebrate the opening of our new Tamworth clinic as we welcome on board, new staff and new clients! https://mailchi.mp/rusdenstreetphysio/move-better-for-life-february2019-2263421
Hi Everyone, Looking after grandchildren is one of those joys in life… while it is extremely rewarding, it can also take its toll on the body. Striding out quickly (or running) in pursuit of a runaway grandkid, picking them up when distressed, or generally just being more active and altering how you move when they…
Hi all, Over the past four weeks we have looked at various ways you can improve your gardening experience. Here is a summary of what we talked about. Gardening is a great activity, but it can play havoc with the body at times. Sometimes the back, knees, shoulders and neck can suffer, but there are…
Hi all, Gardening often involves a lot of clipping and pruning using secateurs, and generally gripping handles such as spades. This can occasionally lead to pain in the top of the arm near the elbow. Sometimes referred to as ‘tennis elbow’ – let’s call it ‘gardeners’ elbow’! – it can be painful at night and…
Hi all, It is very easy to injure the neck and shoulders when engaging in a lot of heavy clipping and trimming of shrubs and plants in the garden. When your arms become tired with clipping and brush cutting at shoulder height or above, often the muscles around the neck become overused. This also applies…
Hi all, This is week 2 of our 5-week series on gardening, its impact on the body and how you can help make gardening a more enjoyable experience for yourself. Gardening can involve a lot of bending. Last week we talked about changing up your position so you are not constantly loading up one part…
Hi all, Gardening is a great activity, but it can play havoc with the body at times. Sometimes the back, shoulders and neck can suffer, particularly as you battle the weeds that have taken hold over the summer. Over the next five weeks I will be looking at gardening, its impact on the body, and…
Welcome to the January edition of Move Better for Life. In this edition, we share some tips for going back to school or to work. https://mailchi.mp/b9da61039f44/move-better-for-life-january-2019
Hello Everybody Back pain is very common and something that most people will experience in their lifetime. It can be very inconvenient! Mostly, it will go away after a while – usually by three months – but occasionally it continues to return time and again. The reasons are varied, but what we do know now…
Hello Everybody As you head back to work after the summer holiday break, it is a good time to rethink how you can stay more active in the workplace. Studies have found that sitting for too long and being inactive can play a direct role in poor health and early death, with higher rates of…
Hello Everybody Now that the school holidays are coming to an end and the kids are heading back to school, it’s a good time to have a look at what activities your children are involved in to help them stay active. It’s important children stay active when they get back to school simply because it…
Hello Everybody This is the final week of our 6-week travel series. This week we will talk about preparing for long-haul flights. Long haul flying in economy class can be downright unpleasant at times. Its long, its cramped, and you just can’t sleep. The only good thing is you can binge watch movies (if you…
Hello everybody This is week 5 of our 6-week travel series. This week we will talk about how to keep your knees feeling strong and pain free when travelling. Travel can often involve negotiating more stairs than you would normally come across at home. Subjecting knees to more steps and loading them up repeatedly can…
Hello everybody This is week 4 of our 6-week travel series. This week we will talk about the impact handbags and small day bags can have on shoulders and necks. Travelling can involve many hours out and about, sight-seeing and exploring new cities and places. We often take a small day bag with us to…
Hello everybody This is week 3 of our 6-week travel series. This week we will talk about the problems of carting heavy luggage and its impact on the lower back and shoulders. Imagine this. You stumble off the plane after enduring 17 hours in cramped conditions. Your lower back and neck are stiff, but it…
Hello everybody This is week 2 of our 6-week travel series. This week we will talk about the problems of sustained sitting and its impact on the lower back. Imagine this. You are four hours into the 17-hour long-haul flight. You are halfway through the second movie of the six you plan to binge on…
Welcome to the December edition of Move Better for Life. In this edition we look at tips to stay healthy over Christmas. We’ve also introduced a customer experience survey so we can improve our service to you. https://mailchi.mp/25226881285b/move-better-for-life-december-2018-2191013
Hello everyone Travelling – as fabulous as it is – can often cause havoc to the body. We usually start the travelling experience with a prolonged period of sitting, either on a plane, in a car, bus or train , which puts strain on the lower back. Then proceed to heave luggage around, adding to…
Hello everyone Looking after grandchildren is one of those joys in life that can take its toll on the body, including running (or very fast walk-striding!) after them, picking them up, and generally moving differently and more often when they are around. A few areas to work on to help make your time with the…
Balance is something that needs more attention after injuring a weight-bearing joint (such as the ankle or knee) and as we get older. Poor balance can be attributed to many things including muscle weakness, previous injuries, and problems with the inner ear. Often it is something that can be treated. Strength of the back, hips…
Hi all Good posture is a sign of strong core stability. Back, abdomen and buttock strength is a critical component in maintaining an upright posture. Here are a few tips that can help improve your posture: – Strengthen your back, buttocks and abdomen with a few daily strengthening exercises targeting those areas specifically. – Stand…
Welcome to the November edition of Move Better for Life. In this edition we look at improving your health through more physical activity as well as introducing two exciting new classes. Click here to view the latest: https://mailchi.mp/b17df80f6f5f/move-better-for-life-november-2018-2184305
Hi everyone, Gardening is a great activity, but it can play havoc with the body at times. Sometimes the back, shoulders and neck can suffer, but there are some helpful things you can do to offset the chance of this happening and keep you in your garden longer. – Improving your back, leg and shoulder…
Hi everyone It’s exam time and I have had a number of students come to see me with neck pain radiating to their shoulder and giving them headaches. The story usually goes along the lines of no trauma, prolonged periods of sitting at the computer or on the bed with their laptop, cramming for the…
Hi everyone, I have recently had a number of people come to see me who decided they would like to start wearing barefoot running shoes because they had heard it was better for them than shoes with lots of support. In an ideal world, they may be right – our feet are well designed to…
Welcome to the October edition of Move Better for Life. In this edition we want you to spring into Spring! October is Foot Health Month so below are some interesting facts on caring for your feet to help you Move Better for Life! https://mailchi.mp/cc9ee808e98d/move-better-for-life-october-2018-2174669
Hi everyone Research has shown that as we get older, we become weaker, with many adults becoming weaker from about the age of 40 onwards. Up until about the age of 60, much of this can be attributed to change of lifestyle. However, after 60 years of age, some of it is physiological (i.e. weakness…
Hi everyone, Today we are talking about Running Gait Analysis. Like all complex skills, running can be learned, improved and changed. Physiotherapists are able to offer running gait analysis to determine changes that could be made to improve your running action and to make your movement more efficient. This could be for any person who…
Hi everyone, the ankle is a part of the body we often pay little attention to until we damage it. The most common form of ankle injury is a sprained ankle – often sprain to the ligaments on the outside or lateral aspect of the ankle. When the ligaments on the side of the ankle…
Hi everyone, last week I talked about the latest treatment recommendations by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners for people suffering osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. This week I will take a look at the recommendations for OA of the hip. They are very similar but worth going over. The hip, unlike the knee…
Hi all, today I want to talk to you about osteoarthritis of the knee. Osteoarthritis is something many people live with. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners have recently released their recommendations for the management of knee and hip osteoarthritis. A panel of experts look at a range of treatment approaches and came up…
Welcome to the September edition of Move Better for Life. In this edition we look at women’s health matters, and share with you a handy guide for the symptoms of stroke. We are also advertising two physiotherapy positions so please read on to find out more. https://us7.admin.mailchimp.com/campaigns/show?id=2164813
Hi everyone, Lower back pain is one of those things that many people are afflicted with at some point in their life. It often comes on without warning, is very painful, and very inconvenient. Then after a while, it settles down and you wonder what all the fuss was about. For some people, however, it…
Hi everyone, According to the Australian Stroke Foundation, stroke is the leading cause of disability and one of the leading causes of death. Support others and yourself with a reminder about how to look out for the signs of a stroke. It’s also great to know that you can actively do things in your everyday…
Welcome to the August edition of Move Better for Life. In this edition we are focusing on National Tradies Health Month to extend a special thank you to all the work that Tradies do. We are also pleased to invite you to check out our full range of wellness classes, part of our commitment to…
Hi everyone. Today we’ll be looking at a fascinating part of the body: the shoulder. The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint. Comprised of an intricate system of ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves, it is capable of a huge range of movement – the greatest range of motion of any joint in the body, in fact.…
Hi all, let me ask you: have you ever given much thought to your tendons? A tendon is the flexible but inelastic cord of strong fibrous collagen tissue that attaches muscle to bone or other structure within the body (such as an eyeball). Most injuries to tendons are the result of gradual wear and tear…
Hi everyone, today we’ll be discussing one of the more common afflictions we see in our patients: lower back pain. When you have any sort of back pain, your core stabilisers (the small muscles adjacent to your spine – that’s the multifidus muscle, the transverse abdominus muscle, and the pelvic floor) don’t function very well.…
Welcome to the July edition of Move Better for Life. This month we focus on Healthy Ageing and ways to prevent problems that could occur in later life. In fact we share how you can improve your strength age by six years! We hope you enjoy this edition. https://us7.admin.mailchimp.com/campaigns/show?id=2149337
Hi everyone – do you remember what a thrill it was to be on a team when you were a child? Playing sport is an excellent way to maintain physical wellbeing at any age. Unfortunately, some of us tend to go a bit too hard when we really shouldn’t, leading to injury. Injuries to weightbearing…
Welcome to the June 2018 edition of Move Better For Life’s newsletter. This edition is all about keeping yourself, particularly your heart, healthy. We’re also introducing our new logo by Small Batch Graphic. Read on to find out more.
Welcome to the May 2018 edition of Move Better For Life. Autumn is a beautiful time of the year in Armidale, perfect for walking. In this edition we talk more about the benefits of walking and also in honour or Mother’s Day talk about new mums. We’ve also introduced a new class. Read on to…
Welcome to the April edition of Move Better For Life. In this edition we introduce our new Express Yoga Class, designed to improve your strength, core stability, flexibility and balance as well as promote relaxation through meditation. We hope you had a wonderful and relaxing Easter break. [linkarea background_color=”” hover_color=”accent1″ href=”https://mailchi.mp/0adb76b705f3/the-health-benefits-of-yoga” target=”_self” icon=”” icon_color=”accent6″ icon_size=”62″…
Welcome to the March 2018 edition of Move Better For Life. In this edition we have some helpful advice on how physiotherapy can help you manage your pain, without the need for drugs. [linkarea background_color=”” hover_color=”accent1″ href=”https://mailchi.mp/8189cc0ac915/managing-chronic-pain” target=”_self” icon=”” icon_color=”accent6″ icon_size=”62″ image=””] Read more here. [/linkarea]
Welcome to the February edition of Move Better For Life. In this edition we would like to introduce you to our two new Physiotherapists. We talk about our Balance and Falls classes and share our new video overview of our services [linkarea background_color=”” hover_color=”accent1″ href=”https://mailchi.mp/08677504b8fd/christmas-2095049″ target=”_self” icon=”” icon_color=”accent6″ icon_size=”62″ image=””] Read more here. [/linkarea]
[linkarea background_color=”” hover_color=”accent1″ href=”https://mailchi.mp/8c68157dade4/christmas-2017″ target=”_self” icon=”” icon_color=”accent6″ icon_size=”62″ image=””] Welcome to the Christmas edition of Move Better For Life. In this edition we celebrate the festive season and wish you well for happy and safe holidays. [/linkarea]
In this edition we celebrate the start of summer and give you some quick tips on how to get fit and enjoy yourself. We also share a short video about Australia’s biggest killer [linkarea background_color=”” hover_color=”accent1″ href=”https://mailchi.mp/9e15b30121ee/summer-november-2017″ target=”_self” icon=”” icon_color=”accent6″ icon_size=”62″ image=””] Read more. [/linkarea]
Rusden Street Physiotherapy is so much more than just physiotherapy, we endeavour to take a holistic approach to your treatment and prevention services. Our October newsletter introduces some new faces to our practice as well as some new treatments and services that are available. [linkarea background_color=”” hover_color=”accent1″ href=”https://mailchi.mp/92008c4bfa91/newstaffintros2017″ target=”_self” icon=”” icon_color=”accent6″ icon_size=”62″ image=””] Read more…
[linkarea background_color=”” hover_color=”accent1″ href=”https://www.businessannualawards.com.au/Regions/New-England-North-West” target=”_self” icon=”” icon_color=”accent6″ icon_size=”62″ image=””] Congratulations to our CEO Deb, for winning Business Leader in the NSW 2017 Chamber Awards: Regional Finals. The New England North West Regional Business Awards were held at Gunnedah Town Hall on Friday 1 September 2017. Deb is the Director and Principal Physiotherapist at WorkHealth Australia and Rusden…
RAMBLIN FOR RENAL In this edition we’d like to invite you to attend our fundraiser event in support of our very own Nicki Scholes-Robertson who will be Ramblin for Renal to raise funds for the Armidale Renal Unit & RPA Transplant Institute. We’d love to see you there. We’d also like to share how our…
Rusden Street Physiotherapy are excited to welcome Nicholas Barnes, Podiatrist, to our team. Why podiatry? At RSP we are passionate about helping you move better for life, and feet play an incredibly important role in healthy movement. This newsletter also includes a link to a great explainer video which we encourage you to watch. [linkarea…
Rusden Street Physiotherapy and our sister company, WorkHealth Australia were proud to be finalists in the Employer of Choice Category at the 2017 Armidale Business Awards. We were also very proud that our Principal Physiotherapist and Managing Director, Deborah Hunter went on to win the Business Leader and the New England Enterprising Woman categories, and…
WHAT IS HEALTHY AGEING AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? We are not only living longer but we are also being asked to work longer. And as we start to compete for the shrinking health dollar, having a good, if not great, quality of life, and being able to live independently as we age is increasingly…
In this edition of our newsletter we look at how your treatment program can benefit from a holistic approach. We introduce our new treatment service dry needling, and have included a great video featuring former Hawks player, Xavier Ellis on how it all works. [linkarea background_color=”” hover_color=”accent1″ href=”” target=”_self” icon=”” icon_color=”accent6″ icon_size=”62″ image=””] Read our…
As we enter the cooler months many of us get involved with the variety of winter sports on offer. What do you do to prepare yourself for the winter sporting season? If you haven’t been active over the warmer months you may be more likely to suffer from acute injuries. Common sporting injuries we see…
[column width=”5/6″ last=”true” title=”” title_type=”single” animation=”none” implicit=”true”] We are pleased to announce that Rusden St Physio now offers Remedial Massage. This new service aligns with our philosophy of providing you the best all-round care so you can move better for life. Remedial Massage is not typically a relaxation massage. Rather it examines and identifies…
Rusden St Physio is excited to be expanding their services to include an Occupational Therapist (OT). This is something we have wanted to provide for a while as it means our patients can get a more complete allied health package. But what can an OT do for you and your families health? Rehabilitation and aged care:…
We are moving! From the 3 March 2017 we will be located at 210 A Rusden Street. You will find us next door to Douglas Pathology and directly opposite Rusden Street Medical Practice.
Most kids will have gone back to school last week, which prompts the morning news and health TV shows to once again bring up children’s health and well-being at school. In the news the last couple of weeks there has been the debate over heavy school backpacks and the number of books and clothes kids may…
Michelle is an Occupational Therapist, graduating from Newcastle University with over 10 years clinical experience working across a variety of settings. Michelle is Armidale born and bred and is passionate about working within her local community. Her practice as an Occupational Therapist is holistic and client focused. Michelle endeavours to work with all her clients…
Andrew Brown Physiotherapist Hi everyone! My name is Andrew Brown and I’m very excited to announce that I have returned to my home town to join the team at Rusden Street Physiotherapy. I have graduated from the University of Queensland with a Masters of Physiotherapy, andundergraduate degree in Sport and Exercise Science. My interests in…
Welcome to the New Year! We hope everyone had a happy, healthy and safe holiday period. As you leap into the New Year, it is a good time to re-evaluate your health and to get checked out by your physio. Physiotherapists are qualified allied health professionals that can work with you towards achieving your overall…
Happy Holidays to all of our patients, friends and supporters. This year we started the tradition of a monthly newsletter to give you information to be healthy, happy and move better for life. These holidays try and be active every day as musculoskeletal problems can impact the amount of physical activity you can do in the…
GET MOVING The weather is warmer, the evenings are lighter and excuses for staying indoors are getting thinner. It must be spring. Evidence shows just regular simple movements like standing up while at work can help reduce the risk of health issues like obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and even cancer. Something physios see a lot…
Rusden St Physio and WorkHealth Australia have won in our category of Best Small Business and even taking out the Best Overall Business in the Regional Awards in Tamworth. As we head to Sydney for the state awards next month, we would like to say it would not be possible without all of you.
MEN’S HEALTH Men all around the globe live 5 years less than women. Men are often less willing to seek help and are more likely to keep putting off seeing a health specialist which can lead to a major health crisis. Delaying physiotherapy help with pelvic floor problems is a common problem for many men …
Rusden St Physio and WorkHealth Australia have won the Armidale Business Chamber ‘Excellence in Small Business’ Award. I am very humbled by the support from our patients and clients who nominated us for this award and in the Business Leader New England Enterprising Woman categories, for which we were finalists. Many thanks go to our…
Rusden St Physio and WorkHealth Australia have won the Armidale Business Chamber ‘Excellence in Small Business’ Award. I am very humbled by the support from our patients and clients who nominated us for this award and in the Business Leader New England Enterprising Woman categories, for which we were finalists. Many thanks go to our…
There are a host of biological differences that plague women. Menstruation, menopause, pregnancy, childbirth, hormone imbalances, anxiety and depression, and these all play a role on the overall health of women. Here are some of the challenges women faced at different stages of their lives.* For young women: Pressures to achieve academically and socially Sexually…
Nicki Scholes- Robertson Introducing our newest staff member. Nicki has lived and worked in Armidale for over 10 years. Most recently Nicki worked for Essential Energy in the area of Work Health and Safety, Injury Prevention and Management of Workers Compensation in the Northern NSW region. Nicki will be working at Rusden Street Physiotherapy in…
Do you know how important your bones are to your general health? Without healthy bones you can develop osteoporosis, a condition where bones become fragile and brittle as minerals, such as calcium, are lost at a faster rate than the body can replace. This leads to a decreased bone mineral density and ultimately increases your…
1 in 5 serious workplace injuries involve a tradie, which makes maintaining the health and wellbeing of our tradies a high priority. Tradies have among the highest number of injuries, musculoskeletal conditions and other health and safety risks of any profession. With the retirement age being raised to 67 years, looking after your physical well-being…
WINTER IS COMING! And we know what that means, winter sports! Basketball, football, netball, soccer and hockey just to name a few. In the colder weather you are more likely to sustain an injury if you don’t take the proper precautions such as warming up before commencing your sporting activity. The most common sports injuries…
YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Many women suffer incontinence in silence, when there are many options available to improve symptoms or achieve full recovery. Rusden Street Physiotherapy has invested in a Real Time Ultrasound Machine and specialist training for Women’s Health Physiotherapist, Liz Maertin, allowing assessment of pelvic floor dysfunction and better manage treatment. The symptoms most often seen at Rusden Street are: Stress…
Liz Maertin Women’s Health Physiotherapist Why Women’s Health Physiotherapy? Many women suffer incontinence in silence, when there are many options available to improve symptoms or achieve full recovery. My passion is to help these women improve their quality of life. Rusden St Physio has supported my passion by investing in a Real Time Ultrasound Machine…
Is the chair backrest positioned correctly to support your lower back? Are you sitting as far back on the seat as possible? Is there at least a two finger-width gap between your thighs and the underside of the desk? Are your feet flat on the floor or on a footrest? Are your wrists / forearms supported…
