Recently Physioworks Health Group Director Andrew Dalwood, along with APA titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist Jonathan Dodd and Physiotherapist Paul Kemel, recently returned to University to complete new protocol training for two new Research Studies with the University on Melbourne.

Physioworks Health Group are again involved in research investigating the impacts of exercise on Hip Osteoarthritis (Hip OA).

These exciting research projects keep Physioworks Health Group at the forefront of best practice management of Knee and Hip arthritis.

The first pilot trial, known as “Echo” will involve a program of exercise intervention for Hip Osteoarthritis (Hip OA) delivered by physiotherapists via the internet, rather than in clinic.

The purpose of this research is to find out whether people with Hip Osteoarthritis find a specially-designed diet and exercise program manageable, helpful and acceptable.

This online approach is in line with previous research the Physioworks Health Group team did on Knee Osteoarthritis (Knee OA) in 2016. The outcomes have now led to a larger trail involving clients from Medibank Private receiving physio via the internet for Knee Arthritis.

If you or a family member have Hip Osteoarthritis (Hip OA) you/they may be eligible to be involved in this trial. The University of Melbourne has started recruiting for the Echo Trial. Go here for more details on the Echo Research trial.

The second study will involve clients across all five Physioworks Health Group clinic locations.  This study, known as “Phoenix”, will be a 12 week program of physiotherapy lead exercise intervention. This research follows on from an initial pilot study which the Physioworks team performed in 2018. The preliminary findings were very positive, meaning the University researchers were able to successfully gain NHMRC funding for a larger trial. Recruitment for the Phoenix trial will occur later in 2019.

As part of our long term Community Partnership program, Waverley Park Physiotherapy Centre Director Andrew Dalwood, recently spent on evening at SNAP Fitness Waverley Gardens educating SNAP Fitness members about the common causes of knee pain.

Andrew covered the common presentations and locations of knee pain, the impact this pain can have on training/gym time, plus tips on techniques and training modifications to help manage and reduce knee pain.

Members participated in practical stretching exercises, including how to use of the foam roller on the quads, demonstrated by Andrew

“There were plenty of great questions about exercise and knee pain; so I was able to share, advise and educate accordingly” said Andrew. “It’s great to see so many people in our local community looking after their health, and investing in their body. Research on the benefits of exercise is undisputable. But it’s important to use the right techniques and to exercise pain free. So if you need help, get down and see Katrina and the team trainers at SNAP to get started” added Andrew.

If you are experiencing knee pain contact Physiotherapist Andrew Dalwood for assistance at Waverley Park Physiotherapy Centre on 9795 0668.

So what present have you got planned for your Dad this Father’s Day?

Soap on a Rope? Again?

Give your Dad a gift of health, fitness and well-being this Father’s Day

Ask this question for Father’s Day:  How Fit is your Dad?

As your Dad gets older he falls into an age demographic and ageing process where ongoing and not so super health issues, such as diabetes, obesity, arthritis and cardiovascular disease, can arise.

Help keep your Dad fit & healthy. Make it a Happy & Healthy Father’s Day.

Give your Dad a Physioworks Health Group Gift Certificate.

 

 

Dad can use it on Physio treatments, Massage, Exercise Classes or on Health Care products at his preferred Physioworks Health Group clinic.

Help your Dad with his ongoing health, fitness & well-being ensuring he is active for his everyday life events.

Our team can ensure relief for muscle tension and pain, reduce pain & stiffness in muscles and joints, thereby improving circulation and ensuring Dad increased flexibility and mobility. Our team can conduct individual exercise & fitness assessments recommending a tailored exercise program for your Dad.

Physioworks Health Group Gift Certificates are the perfect Father’s Day gift for your Dad.

Ask about Gift Certificates at reception or please call your preferred clinic for assistance.

Finals time is an exciting time of year with all looking to achieve optimum performance at the business end of a long season. Now is the time to get all those niggles and soreness checked and treated to be at your best across your finals series.

The team at Physioworks Health Group are gearing up for a busy finals period.

David Francis and numerous members of our team are providing physiotherapy and massage therapy at the elite level with the Collingwood Football Club, who are set to again play in the AFL finals.  We are also helping local athletes to prepare and perform at their best for the numerous local community football and netball teams who are heading into their respective competition 2019 final campaigns.

In supporting all players to optimise performance during finals, both Physioworks Health Group Cranbourne and Waverley Park Physiotherapy Centre (Physioworks Mulgrave) are open every Saturday morning from 8am-12am for pre-game treatment.

For post-game injury triage and sports physiotherapy during the finals, Physioworks Health Group Berwick, located at P3 Sports & Recovery Berwick, is open every Sunday from 8am-12pm, assisting all players with injury management and post-game recovery.

Please call your preferred Physioworks clinic for our team to help you and your team during the finals.

At community level in 2019, Physioworks Health Group is providing physiotherapy and allied health care support to the Ellinbank & District Football League (EDFL), the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition (WGFNC); the South Eastern Women’s (SEWF) and the South East Juniors (SEJ).

In junior football, Waverley Park Physiotherapy Centre (Physioworks Mulgrave) support the Waverley Park Hawks (SMJFL) and Physioworks Health Group Camberwell support the Ashburton Redbacks (Yarra JFL) including sponsorship of Girls Footy and the Ashy Boys Under 14 RED team,  with both clubs having a number of boys and girls teams participating in the finals.

The team at Physioworks Health Group wish all players, coaches and clubs participating in local community 2019 football and netball finals every success and injury free games.

 

Physioworks Health Group Finals Health Tips:

Get an early and good night sleep (no screens); eat a good breakfast the morning of your final; ensure you hydrate with plenty of water pre-game, and make sure you do your pre-game warm up stretches so you are ready for the first bounce.

Netball participation continues to grow in our local sporting communities, and Physioworks Health Group is at the forefront in providing physiotherapy and health care support to local netball clubs.

As a founding Community Partner, members of the Physioworks team have been working with and supporting Casey Demons Netball, across their first season in the BUPA Victorian Netball League (VNL)

Physioworks Health Group Physiotherapist Amanda Robertson and Massage Therapist Karyn Wheeler have supported the club at Sunday afternoon training sessions across the Casey Demons Championship, Division 1 and Under 19 squads, providing injury assessment and diagnosis.

Amanda Robertson and Karyn Wheeler are also attending courtside on game day as the Casey Demons team sports trainers.

Knee and Ankle injuries are prominent for netballers.

Massage Therapist Karyn Wheeler said treatments across the season have included massage and sports massage, taping, correcting running and walking techniques, and injury rehab programming.

“A most important part of our role at the Casey Demons is monitoring and communicating the injury rehab in collaboration with the high performance manager and coaches”, added Karyn.

The inaugural season for Casey Demons has been highly successful with the Championship team making the BUPA VNL Grand Final, a fantastic result for all involved at the club; and for continued ongoing growth of netball in the Casey Cardinia region.

Numerous cases present at Physioworks Health Group for the treatment of tendon injuries.

Tendons can be a constant cause of pain as they are very sensitive to change in exercise (load), stretch and lifestyle factors. Tendon pain includes terms such as “tendinopathy”, “tendonitis”, “calcified tendons” and can even be a contributing factor to “bursitis”.

The Physioworks team often see tendon pain in young athletes around the knee (Osgood-Schlatter’s) or around the heel (Sever’s), which can be caused by high levels of activity coupled with periods of rapid growth.

In older athletes we tend to see knee and achilles pain, with the addition of tendon pain, commonly in the gluteal tendons (around the hip), the elbow (tennis or golfer’s elbows) and in the rotator cuff (shoulder).

There has been much research into tendon pain, causes and treatment in the past decade; and much discussion on what is the best approach to treating tendon pain.

 

 

What causes tendon pain?

Often, tendon pain coincides with a recent increase in load. Some people talk about having recently joined a gym, doing more walking or lifting, changing jobs or even just a heavy day of activity. Tendons are not particularly good at making adaptions to increases in load, so they make changes which cause them to appear thickened and eventually they become painful.

An acute incident such as a heavy lift, an overstretch (such as pushing off to jump or sprint) or a fall can cause damage to a tendon, which results in pain.

Depending on the injury or mechanism, the best treatment may look very different.

What treatments have been proposed?

The role that tendons play in our bodies are different depending on which part of the body they are in; such as whether they are located in the arms or legs.

For those of you that have experienced tendon pain, you may have been offered a number of treatments or approaches. This may include, but is not limited, to:

• PrP injection
• Cortisone injections
• Anti-inflammatories
• Shockwave therapy
• Acupuncture
• Dry Needling
• Stretching
• Exercises (eccentric or isometric)
• Load Management
• Massage

With so many potential treatment options it can be very confusing to know what will help fix your tendon pain, therefore individual assessment is critical for best treatment outcomes.

What is important to know?

First things first – at Physioworks Health Group we firmly believe there is no “one size fits all” approach to tendon pain.

Factors that may affect your recovery and treatment include; age, activity type (ie: marathon runner vs long jumper vs office worker), the type of tendon involved, degree of injury and previous injury. So one person’s fix may not work for someone else.

Secondly, tendons are slow to improve and slow to adapt. If you have recently sustained a tendon injury, realistic recovery will take around 12 weeks (with good management) for minor injuries; and up to 12 months for more severe injuries, such as ruptures (which may require surgery).

Tendons may not always be the source of pain but are frequently a contributing factor. If you have been told that you have “bursitis” (particularly in your hip or shoulder) – these can be common tendon-based injuries.

The presence of a tear does not always mean that it will cause you pain, or that you will need surgery. Tears can occur slowly over time; and often cause no issues until a flare up due to an injury or change in activity. In some cases, such as; an acute tendon injury, a complete tendon rupture or persistent tendon pain which has not responded to other forms of management, surgery may be an option, but it is rarely the first point of call.

 

What should I do for Tendon Pain?

1. Have a physiotherapist assess your injury, as it is very important in achieving the best long-term result. This assessment should be within a short period of having developed pain, as in most cases having a plan in place quickly can reduce the recovery time significantly.
2. Be patient. Remember that tendons can be slow to recover. Set expectations – it maybe slower than you would like – there is no magic pill. A gradual exercise program could be the best way to increase the likelihood that your injury will not reoccur.
3. Research tells us that injection therapy – although sometimes effective – should not be your first point of call. Strength training will almost always be more helpful for tendon injuries.

If you think you are experiencing tendon pain, book an appointment with Physiotherapist Jordan Rutherford (WPPC – Physioworks Mulgrave) or one of physiotherapy team at your preferred Physioworks clinic to have your tendon injury assessed to ensure a personalised treatment plan is activated for you.

Statistics show almost 3 in 5 serious workplace injuries involve a tradie—despite making up only 30 per cent of the workforce—tradies’ health must be everyone’s priority.

69% of all tradies think that ongoing soreness is a “normal part of the job” so there is a tendency to ‘tough it out’ at work!

Tradies themselves are the “most important tool” – but not enough see it that way – with most inclined to take better care of their tools and work vehicle then their own health.

August is Tradies National Health Month which aims to raise awareness of the health and injury risks affecting those who work in trade occupations—among tradies themselves, their families, employers and the wider community.

So if you are a tradie, and you have a niggle or ongoing soreness, speak with one the Physioworks Health Group physiotherapy team so we can assist you with your health, fitness and well-being to ensure you “stay on the tools” – and help prevent ongoing injury.

You don’t need a doctor’s referral to see a physio; just give a call and book in for a consultation at your most preferred Physioworks clinic location

 

And in the workplace “warm up before work” is a most effective injury prevention approach.

Physioworks Health Group offer Occupational Physiotherapy services, both on-site and in our clinics.

If you are an employer, the Physioworks Health Group team can assist with workplace assessment and injury prevention programs to help lower injury risk and keep your team of tradies at work and on the job, increasing your productivity and lowering your business costs.

However, should injury occur within the workplace, Physioworks Health Group is a long-term preferred Workcover provider, so we can access and manage the injury to help your employee to return to work.

For more information on Tradies National Health Month: https://australian.physio/campaigns/tradies-national-health-month

Source:  APA Australian Tradies Health Research Report June 2019 – https://australian.physio/campaigns/tradies-national-health-month.