Lower back discomfort is something almost everyone will deal with at some point in their lives. Whether it's a dull, annoying ache that just won't quit or a sharp pain that stops you in your tracks, understanding why your back hurts and how physiotherapy can help you get back on your feet is super important.

Causes

Lower back discomfort springs from a complex mix of reasons, each contributing in its own way such as:

• Muscle or Ligament Strain: Repeated heavy lifting or a sudden awkward movement can strain back muscles and spinal ligaments, leading to discomfort.
• Bulging or Ruptured Discs: Discs act as cushions between the bones (vertebrae) in your spine. The soft material inside a disc can bulge or rupture and press on a nerve, causing pain.
• Arthritis: Osteoarthritis can affect the lower back. In some cases, arthritis in the spine can lead to a narrowing of the space around the spinal cord, a condition called spinal stenosis.
• Skeletal Irregularities: Conditions like scoliosis, which causes a curvature of the spine, can lead to discomfort later in life.
• Osteoporosis: Your spine's vertebrae can develop painful fractures if your bones become porous and brittle.

How Physiotherapy Can Help

Physiotherapy offers a non-invasive, drug-free approach to managing lower back discomfort. Here's how physiotherapists can help:

• Personalised Exercise Programs: Strengthening and flexibility exercises can enhance core stability, reduce pain, and prevent future injury.
• Manual Therapy: Techniques such as massage, mobilisation, and manipulation can relieve pain and improve function.
• Education and Advice: Physiotherapists can offer advice on posture, ergonomics, and proper lifting techniques to prevent back discomfort.
• Pain Management Techniques: Methods like heat/ice therapy, TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation), and ultrasound therapy can provide immediate pain relief.

Incorporating physiotherapy into your treatment plan can significantly reduce lower back discomfort by addressing the root cause of the pain, promoting healing, and preventing future issues. If you're experiencing lower back pain, consider consulting a physiotherapist to explore how targeted therapy can benefit you.
 

Find a Physiotherapist near you

If you’re suffering from lower back pain in North Brisbane, look no further than Albany Creek Physiotherapy. Our friendly staff can help you target the pain and have you feeling tip-top in no time! Give us a call on 3264 3244 or book online here.

Picture this: you're walking, and suddenly, your foot doesn't quite lift like it used to. It's dragging or slapping against the ground, making you feel like you're auditioning for a tap dance routine you never signed up for. That's foot drop for you – a bit of a show-stealer in the walking department. This seemingly simple issue can have profound implications on one's mobility and overall quality of life. Understanding the signs pointing to foot drop is crucial for timely intervention and effective management.

Causes of Foot Drop:

Foot drop can be attributed to various underlying causes, making it essential to identify the root of the problem for appropriate treatment. Neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, and peripheral nerve injuries are common culprits. Additionally, muscle or nerve disorders, spinal cord injuries, and certain medications may contribute to the development of foot drop.

Signs and Symptoms:

Recognising the signs of foot drop is the first step towards addressing the condition. Tripping over your own feet, struggling to lift your foot, and feeling weak or numb – these are your signs. Persistent pain in the leg or foot, along with muscle atrophy, may accompany these symptoms.

Physiotherapy to the Rescue:

Now, let's talk solutions. Enter physiotherapy - they've got exercises up their sleeves to pump up strength and flexibility; ankle exercises, toe-tapping workouts and resistant training. Braces or splints may be recommended to provide support and maintain proper foot alignment. A tailored physiotherapy plan, developed in collaboration with a healthcare professional, can significantly enhance the chances of recovery and improve the individual's ability to perform daily activities.

Albany Creek Physiotherapy

Are you located north of Brisbane and suffering from foot drop? Here at Albany Creek Physiotherapy we can help you get back to strutting your stuff with confidence. Give us a call on 3264 3244 and let’s show foot drop who’s boss!

In 2018 our dietitian, Suzie Harte competed facilitator training, was accredited and became a provider for the My Health For Life (MH4L) program here at the Albany Creek Physiotherapy practice.

The program, in affiliation with Diabetes QLD, Stroke Foundation, Heart Foundation and Griffith University is fully funded by the QLD Government and has already been introduced for eligible participants in groups during 2018.

Participants follow a behaviour change process facilitated by Suzie to set personal goals addressing lifestyle behaviours over six months. Find out your eligibility today by contacting the clinic: 3264 3244, or check online https://www.myhealthforlife.com.au.

Program dates for 2019 have now been confirmed. Don't miss out! As your health coach, we're there to support you every step of the way.

What is Gluteal Tendinopathy?

When tendons are repeatedly placed under more tension than they can deal with, they can have a failed healing response. This can cause changes to the structure of the tendon and is known as a tendinopathy. When this occurs in the tendons of the gluteal muscles it is referred to as gluteal tendinopathy.

The gluteal muscles are three large muscles located at the back of the pelvis that provide most of the muscle bulk of buttock region. These muscles work together to keep your pelvis level when standing and are responsible for many movements of the hip. They play an important role in standing, walking and running.

The two deepest gluteal muscles, gluteus medius and gluteus minimus, attach from the center of the pelvis (the sacrum) and insert into the bony outer region of the upper thigh, called the greater trochanter via the gluteal tendons.

Tendons, like muscles, skin and bones are living tissues and their strength and elasticity is influenced by a variety of factors, including hormones, age, how often and how much they are used. Rapid changes in activity levels or simply performing the same tasks too often can place a tendon under more stress than it can tolerate and it begins to break town.

What are the symptoms of Gluteal Tendinopathy?

• A typical pattern of sharp pain at the outside of the hip with specific movements.
• Noticeable discomfort after prolonged periods of rest, ie sleep, working at desk, but pain seems to reduce once active.
• The pain is usually worse with walking, going up and down stairs and running.
• The pain can become quite severe, and eventually can impact day-to-day activities.

How can physiotherapy help?

A thorough assessment is required for an accurate diagnosis and once gluteal tendinopathy is confirmed, your physiotherapist will be able to identify which factors have contributed to your condition and help to address these. It has been shown that specific loading exercises and muscular retraining can stimulate the tendon to heal and remodel the collagen fibres into a more organized pattern again. Your physiotherapist can investigate any postural habits or activities are contributing and address these as required.

If you, or someone you know, are experiencing hip pain book an appointment with one of our physiotherapists at Albany Creek Physiotherapy. We can help you develop the appropriate rehabilitation program to keep you moving, reduce your discomfort and return to sport/exercise/activites pain free quickly.

The Younger Athlete and Growing Pains
Young athletes are particularly prone to sports injury due to the changes their body experiences as they grow. Some factors include under developed co-ordination and skills, growth spurts and the fact that young sportspeople are training and playing at very frequent intervals with high intensity.
Children who are the same age can vary considerably in their growth characteristics.
Boys who mature earlier certainly have been shown to perform better when participating in sports involving strength and power.
Young athletes suffer many injuries that are similar to adults. But on the other hand there are certainly different type of injuries experienced by the younger athlete.
One interesting factor is that the tendon attachment sites onto bones is weak in the young. This can lead to injury.
Younger athletes are more likely to suffer bony injury( cartilage and bone) than have a major ligament sprain.
They are also more likely to injure the attachment site of the muscle onto the bone than suffer a tear of the muscle belly.
The bottom line is- there is evidence that rapid periods of growth, poor coaching,poor dynamic balance,previous injury, and heavier weight are associated with an increased risk of injury in youth sports.
There is evidence to suggest that using warm ups/neuromuscular drills and balance training can reduce the incidence of injury.
If you like to know more or book an appointment to see a physiotherapist at the ACE soccer grounds call 32643244.
Tuesday and Thursday evenings 530-730.