PIRIFORMIS, SCIATICA AND TREATMENT

Over the past 5 or 6 years, the piriformis is a subject that has come up on a regular basis as the culprit for problems such as sciatica.  So what is it, where is it, why is it a problem and how is it best treated?
Piriformis Muscle
It is a small, deep muscle originating at the base [...]

SPORTS INJURIES: RUNNERS KNEE

Also known as patello femoral pain, this refers to pain somewhere under the knee cap and the creaking, grinding sensations you can feel or hear when you bend the knee.  It is caused by the wearing away of the cartilage under the knee cap and apart from the ache or pain on activity, there will [...]

GROIN STRAIN: SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT

If you want to avoid groin strain you need to ensure that the inner and outer thigh muscles are strong and flexible.
The muscles of the groin are the adductor muscles which run from the hip bone at the front of the pelvis to the inside thigh.  They adduct the leg – bring it in to [...]

ACHILLES TENDONITIS: SYMPTOMS, TREATMENT, PREVENTION

Stretching before exercise is a bit of a controversial subject, but if you want to avoid the pain of achilles tendonitis I think it is essential: a brief warm up, get the joints moving and give those legs a good stretch before taking off for a workout.  See the video this week for a couple [...]

SHIN SPLINTS

I was a Jane Fonda aerobics fanatic and back then trainers and studio floors were not what they are now.  Shin splints were common and I do remember the pain of them.  I still see them from time to time, normally in runners who are training for an upcoming event.
Shin splints (Periostitis) is one of [...]

PLANTAR FASCIITIS

A couple of my clients have suffered from this condition, but have managed to make a full recovery by introducing some simple measures.  It happens when there is too much tension placed on the plantar fascia, a tendon supporting the arch of the foot, resulting in pain in the bottom of the heel.  This can [...]