The Achilles tendon is prone to injury following repetition of high loads and overuse. This causes inflammation which can lead to pain and swelling. Achilles tendonitis is a common injury that tends to occur in recreational athletes and is often caused by lack of flexibility and over pronation of the foot. Recent changes in footwear and changes to exercise regimes are other factors associated with Achilles tendonitis.
The main complaint of patients with Achilles tendonitis is pain behind the heel. Most patients tend …
by PhysioMV
The PRICE guidelines are commonly used to treat acute musculoskeletal injuries usually for the first week or so, especially when the injured area is painful and swollen. PRICE is a mnemonic for Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. The following is a brief overview of the current recommendations of the guidelines:
Protection
Following the initial injury, it is important to protect the injury to prevent further damage from occurring and to reduce pain levels. This is usually in …
by PhysioMV
Lymphatic drainage is a type of gentle massage which is intended to encourage the natural drainage of the lymph, which carries waste products away from the tissues and back to the heart. It also helps in bringing new nutrients and oxygen to cells. Lymphatic drainage uses a specific amount of pressure and rhythmic circular movements to stimulate lymph flow.
Lymphatic drainage can be used to treat any type of swelling, especially in the ankles, reduce scar tissue, reducing cellulite, Lymphoedema, …
by PhysioMV
On 30th and 31st of May 2015, The Mike Varney Physiotherapy Team set up at Paringdon Sports Centre ready for a full day of work at the youth football tournament. We provided free sports massage, taping and injury advice to hundreds of youth footballers consisting of U6s-U15s from 9am till 5pm. It was a busy couple of days and even in the pouring rain on Sunday it was a great event to attend. Well done to Elay, Myles, Liam and Nick from the University of Hertfordshire and …
by PhysioMV
It is common for runners to concentrate training on endurance and strength whilst training, without the realisation of the importance of stretching muscles pre and post exercise. However, flexibility within muscles can have many positive effects including:
Muscles being less prone to injury
Quicker recovery time
Increase in gains of strength/endurance
Increase in range of movement
Stretching should always be done pre exercise after a 10 minute warm up, for example jogging. It is important that muscles are …
by PhysioMV
Every year hundreds of thousands of runners will have the opportunity to “hit the wall.” “The wall” is defined as that period in a marathon or long distance event, when things transition from being pretty hard to being really, really hard.
Hitting the wall is basically running out of energy. For the first couple of hours/miles of running you are using up all your carbohydrate/sugar stores. After these are used up, your body starts to use fat as its energy source. …
by PhysioMV
It is difficult to know what to eat and when to eat it when your in training for a big event. What do you eat before and how long before the event? What do you eat and drink during and after the event?
Well… It is actually down to trial and error, and what works best for you.
There are some guidelines that you can follow to help you make the best choices as to what to eat and drink:
Before training you …
by PhysioMV
Running shoes have a limited life. A pair of top end running shoes such as asics will only last for 400-500miles. This will however, vary depending primarily on your running surface for example; track, road, treadmill or trail path. Mileage lifespan of trainers refers to the foam that runs through the middle and sole of the shoe, this unfortunately is the quickest wearing part of the shoe as it takes all the impact from the ground and your body weight.
by PhysioMV
The knee joint and its associated structures including ligaments, cartilage and bony formation, account for up to approximately 30-40% of all skiing/snowboarding injuries. Therefore it is important to strengthen and maintain the knee joint and it’s surrounding tissues. In this review it will explain the importance of preventing injuries around this area, during this very popular sporting season
Firstly it is important to gain and maintain strength in the muscles that surround the knee joint. These muscles include the quadriceps, hamstrings, …
by PhysioMV
The Achilles tendon is the strong fibrous band of connective tissue that rises from the heel bone and attaches into the calf muscles. It is the thickest tendon in the body and due to its high weight-bearing nature is prone to injury. Overuse of the calf muscles can lead to overloading of the Achilles tendon, leading to inflammation and degeneration causing pain, known as a tendinopathy. If you suffer from Achilles tendinopathy (previously known as tendonitis), the tendon may feel …
by PhysioMV