13/345 Southport-Nerang Rd, Ashmore Q 4214
12/110 Kortum Drive, Burleigh Heads Q 4220
Join our Olympic Sports Physio Britt Caling on Saturday 6th May at the Nerang Velodrome for her practical education session on ankle taping, foot strength, down hill running, and technique. Perfect for those training for Kokoda, Nerang trail running series, or trail running in general.
The session will start at 2:30pm and cost is only $20 p/p so bring a friend! Bookings essential by calling the clinic on 07 5500 6470
Written by Gold Coast Physio & Sports Health Physio
Cycling is easy on the body, right? It’s non-weight bearing and a great way to stay fit. Population statistics show those that ride between 1 & 3 times a week number 4 million in Australia. Great stats and great exercise in theory, yet people still get injured cycling.
Although there is very little research on cycling injuries this is what we do know:
There are 3 main causes to these injuries:
As with any sport, an imbalance between acute loading (short term load over 1-7 days) and chronic loading (long term cumulative loading over 4-8 weeks) is linked to overuse injury. Cyclists are most likely to develop an injury following a rapid increase in load. When injuries are apparently caused by changes in equipment- like a shiny new bike!- it is normally because the change was made at an inappropriate time when the cyclist was already close to the limit of load tolerance.
An appointment with one of our physios or exercise physiologists can help you establish a plan to avoid these training mistakes, or get yourself a good cycle coach!
The body has a collection of interacting segments which is known as the kinetic chain, a problem in one area biomechanically affects another. As cycling is a closed kinetic chain (i.e. the arms and legs are relatively fixed in position) one must consider poor cycling technique or reduced neuromuscular (brain-muscle) control as a contributor to cycling injury.
Often this presents clinically as an inability to utilise the gluteal muscles under load while maintaining lumbar and pelvic position on the seat, and controlling the movement of the knee over the foot rather than dropping into a knock-kneed pedal stroke position. The foot and ankle position are also important in decreasing knee injury.
In regards to back pain, there is a moderate level of evidence that a loss of lumbar extension (backbend) control is associated with lumbar pain in cyclists but there are many other factors such as large leg length differences, hip range of motion restrictions and assymetrical muscle activation patterns, as well as issues with seat position that should be considered.
The kinetic chain is thoroughly assessed as a part of a physio bike fit.
Bike fit is an important part of the performance/ comfort equation. However it aims to optimise a wide range of variables such as aerodynamics, comfort and control so it always involves a compromise. Despite surging technological advances in the cycling industry there is very little research into bicycle equipment and injury so bike fitting remains just as much an art as it is a science.
At Gold Coast Physio & Sports Health we understand the body, we are passionate about the bike and fitting it to your body and for your goals. Comfort breeds performance and that is what we aim for in every bike fit.
If you have some long-term area’s of pain or symptoms when riding your bike, a Sports Physio with Cycling experience is a great place to start making you asymptomatic, comfortable and then performing better!
Combine our care & support with a Bikefit from GC Bikfit, & you will LOVE riding your Bike again pain-free & performing well.
Phone us on 07 5500-6470 & we can Book your Bikefit or Book you a consult with our Resident Cycling Sports Physio, Rob Brown (previous Orica-Greenedge Pro Cycling Team Physio.
Written by GCPSH APA Titled Sports Physio, Myles Burfield
One of the most commonly diagnosed hip injuries is greater trochanteric bursitis, aka ‘The pain in the butt that’s not quite in the butt.’ But has the diagnosis in medical terminology been wrong all this time? Quite possibly!
Greater Trochanteric Bursitis, or Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS) as it’s now more accurately called, is pain that is on the outside of your hip, around your hip bone (see diagram). Pain is local over the site of the bursa, in isolation does not refer down the leg, and is mostly an aching sensation.
It can present in men and women, although due to anatomical variations between sexes it is more prevalent in women. The stats are quite astounding with 1 in 4 women over the age of 50 suffering GTPS, so that’s a 25% chance you’ll get it (sorry ladies). From a physiotherapist perspective, this is especially astounding because it is a condition that is often successfully treated with the correct management. One of the reasons it is so common, and ongoing, is because it is still being diagnosed as ‘bursitis’ when there is another underlying issue causing the bursa to appear inflamed. If treatment is only directed at the bursa, long term resolution of symptoms may not result.
What does the research say may be the associated underlying issue?As our understanding of tendons and tendinopathy (pathology or an abnormality of the tendon) continues to improve, the medical world has started to evolve the management of conditions that relate to structures that lie close to tendons. Bursa’s are usually located directly beneath tendons and so have inter-linked tissues.
Research is now suggesting most outside hip pain is not primarily due to bursitis, but due to gluteus minimum or gluteus medius mucle tendinopathy PLUS the bursa. Therefore, treatment needs to consist of a thorough examination to check for other factors contributing to your pain, and most likely needs to include treatment of the tendonopathy. Our Physio’s use a tendinopathy model approach for this management.
Step 1: Address factors that may be causing additional tension or compression on the tendon.
These could include:
– Tight muscles: Gluteals, ITB, Tensor Fascia Late etc
– Biomechanical factors: Pronating feet, or excessive pelvic sway when walking
– Postural factors: Compression of the tendons (lying on affected side), standing with hips to one side (carrying child)
Step 2: Helping the tendon remodel: This includes a few exercises that encourage the tendon to remodel as a stronger, more resilient tendon. These exercises will start off very basic and then be advanced depending on your physical demands, usually over a number of months.
If you have pain on the side of your hip, it’s probably not just bursitis and it’s worthwhile getting it checked out by your experienced GCPSH physio
Osteoarthritis (OA), sometimes called degenerative joint disease or degenerative arthritis is the most common chronic condition of the joints. It can affect any joint, but it occurs most often in knees, hips & lower back. In OA the cartilage that covers the end of bones wears away causing pain, swelling and problems moving the joint.
OA is different from Rheumatoid Arthritis and other arthritic conditions such as Gout or Psoratic Arthritis.
Some factors increase your risk of OA, including:
Firstly, get an accurate diagnosis. This can be made by consulting your Physio or GP who will take a thorough history. Your history needs to be matched with a physical assessment and the results of scans such as x-ray and MRI to provide the diagnosis of OA.
The best approach to treatment is a team approach, involving your GP, perhaps an Orthopaedic specialist and your Physio or Exercise Physiologist.
Unfortunately as OA progresses, many individuals find normal physical activity painful and they reduce activity & stop exercising – this increases joint symptoms & causes sedentary behavior that increases other health risks, including a risk of falls & bone fractures.
There is good research recommending land-based strengthening & stability exercises to reduce symptoms from OA. We now have Physio and Exercise Physiologist small-group classes specific to OA of the hip & knee, & Falls prevention classes.
Referral from your GP to Physio/Exercise Physiology under the Enhanced Primary Care (EPC Medicare referral) program or as DVA group therapy will give you access to these classes at no out of pocket cost. Speak to your GP today or ring us on 07 5500 6470 to book your class.
For more information about all types of Arthritis, visit Arthritis Qld
For a limited time, we are offering Free use of our Alter-G for the month of March. See conditions below*
*We don’t have many conditions, but here are the ones that do apply…
1.If you have not previously used our Alter-G, you will need to have an “Introduction to Alter-G” Appointment prior to your first use. This appointment takes 30min and is conducted by one of our experienced Physio’s or Exercise Physiologists & will ensure you are medically safe to use the Alter-G, and then Orientate you on how to use it safely and correctly. There is a cost to this appointment ($55) with health fund rebates available. Once you have been Introduced to the Alter-G Gold Coast, you can book: online through our website (select “Book Appointment”); by phoning the clinic 07 5500 6470; or book at frontdesk when in the clinic.
2.The Free use of the Alter-G applies only for sessions:
-up to 20min
– or up to 40min
Normally Alter-G can be booked for sessions up to 80min duration.
3.The Free use period is for sessions completed between 1st-31st March only.
4.The number of free uses per person is limited to a maximum of 2 per week (a maximum of 8 in the month). There is no limit to the number of paid uses you can book.
5.We have been testing a new machine, so we would love your feedback on how the Alter-G functioned for you. We ask you to complete your session details in writing on a worksheet located next to the Alter-G.
It’s that easy! Book now in advance by phoning the clinic 07 5500 6470
For more info about Alter-G benefits, click here
