Chronic pain is defined as pain existing consistently for greater than three (3) months in a row.

Most often physiotherapists will see chronic pain in the low back, neck, shoulder and knees, however chronic pain may be present in any area of the body. These sorts of conditions can be debilitating and have significant impact on normal day-to-day activities and work life. Chronic widespread musculoskeletal conditions are those in which multiple areas of the body are affected simultaneously, which understandably would have a profound impact on a person’s everyday life activities.

A recent study of over 59,000 participants looked at the impact of sleep disturbances on the prevalence of chronic pain. Although the prevalence of insomnia was very low in the study population (only 2.4%), there was a very strong correlation between those with insomnia and widespread chronic musculoskeletal conditions – pain in more than 3 body parts. (Uhlig et.al. 2018).

This suggests that, although one may not directly cause the other, treating sleep disturbance and improving sleep quality is an important component in the management of chronic widespread musculoskeletal conditions.

We also know that the body uses sleep as time to rest and recover from injury. This means that sleep and rest are vital in ensuring that the body has adequate time to heal, allowing for example for an athlete to return to sport quicker or for a person to resume their specific life activity.

There are a number of ways in which a physiotherapist can help to ensure that sleep is optimised. This ranges from choice of pillow, to relaxation exercises and stretches. A good night’s sleep could be the difference between getting you back involved in your next activity or event sooner rather than later.

At Waverley Park Physiotherapy Centre (Physioworks Mulgrave) we believe that “Everyone is an athlete we just have different events”. If you are experiencing widespread chronic musculoskeletal conditions/pain and sleep disturbances please speak with Physiotherapist Jordan Rutherford or one of the WPPC physiotherapy team.

Reference: B. L. Uhlig, T. Sand, T. I. Nilsen, P. J. Mork and K, Hagen (2018). Insomnia and Risk of chronic musculoskeletal complaints: Longitudinal Data from the HUNT study, Norway. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 19:128. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-018-2035-5.

Recent news stories on both Channel 9 and Channel 10 (July 10, 2018) highlighted

Plagiocephaly, also known as “Flat Head” and the importance of physiotherapy in managing this condition, as it is occurring at increasing levels in babies.

Plagiocephaly is the development of a flat area on a baby’s skull due to prolonged pressure in one area. In more severe cases, it can lead to distortion of facial features.

Physioworks Health Group Camberwell Physiotherapist Liz Martin, who provides Paediatric Physiotherapy services working exclusively with babies and children (and their parents), is also seeing an increase in Plagiocephaly conditions.

“Working at both at The Royal Children’s Hospital and at Physioworks Health Group Camberwell “flat head” is a condition that I am seeing more frequently but it is easily managed with appropriate interventions, especially at a young age – the earlier the intervention, the quicker the results are” said Liz

The news stories (see links below) highlighted the importance of “tummy time” and “face time” and the important role of physiotherapy promoting head control with these babies from an early age.

https://tendaily.com.au/news/australia/a180710prx/babies-developing-flat-heads-at-alarming-rate-20180710

https://www.9news.com.au/national/2018/07/10/17/42/babies-flat-heads-face-time-parents-given-new-advice-from-experts

The highly qualified & experienced Paediatric Physiotherapy team at Physioworks Health Group Camberwell, Physiotherapists Liz Martin and Adrienne Harvey can assist with plagiocephaly and other orthopaedic and neurological conditions impacting the development babies and children. To book a consultation please all reception on 9889 6611.

National Diabetes Week (July 8-14) with the It’s About Time message aims to increase awareness of the early detection and health impacts of diabetes in our communities.

Diabetes:

• is the leading cause of blindness in adults
• is a leading cause of kidney failure
• is the leading cause of preventable limb amputations
• increases the risk of heart attacks and stroke by up to four times

Exercise can be used to combat and manage chronic health conditions, such as diabetes.

Physioworks Health Group are at the forefront in providing educational advice and treatment programs around Diabetes & Exercise.

Exercise is proven to:

• Improve insulin sensitivity & gylcaemic control.
• Exercise improves the way muscles respond to insulin, in turn helping regulate blood glucose levels for some hours after exercise.
• Exercise increases glucose uptake by the muscles in other ways that do not depend on insulin.
• In addition, exercise can lower the dose of insulin required by improving the body’s response to insulin.

Physioworks Health Group has a specific Diabetes program ‘Running with Diabetes’ conducted by our Exercise Physiology team, which directly benefits diabetics.

The Physioworks Running with Diabetes program is an 8 week group class program for Type 2 diabetics.  This program requires a specific Type 2 diabetes referral form from a GP and is available to clients who have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

These clients receive one (1) initial assessment & eight (8) group class sessions which can be rebated through Medicare.  Once clients complete all these sessions our EP team may encourage them to continue regular group session attendance.

The Physioworks Health Group Exercise Physiology team – Brooke DeHey, Megan Jepson, Jude Hewavasam and Daniel Jeavons – work across all our clinics and can discuss any aspect of our Exercise programs and your diabetes or other chronic condition.

Our Exercise Physiology team can tailor a specific Exercise Program to help assist & manage your condition. Call your preferred Physioworks clinic today.