In ‘ideal’ sitting, the lumbo-pelvic spine is in the ‘neutral’ lordotic curve – the entire spine is supported upright against gravity in its natural curves. Unfortunately this is not usual. Sitting with ‘poise’ is a fast dying habit – and … Read More
As physical therapists the profession has largely moved away from hands-on treatment and are handing out exercises as though our clients are kids in a lolly store. But, could the exercises prescribed be contributing to their problem? Most musculoskeletal problems are … Read More
It’s interesting to reflect on why so many people are suffering from back pain and other ‘injuries’ these days. It’s not just the elite athletes, but also the ‘weekend warriors’, those trying to be fit and trim at the gym … Read More
No one concept has been so misunderstood confused and abused as that of ‘core control’. Fixing and bracing does not equate with movement control, nor does activation of transversus abdominus alone. I am continually perplexed by the number of clients … Read More
Differentiating between the numerous pain syndromes that commonly occur around the pelvis and hip and arriving at a sound diagnosis can be a tricky. Misdiagnosis is common. Increasingly apparent are the sporting ‘injuries’ and so called ‘over-use syndromes’- gluteal and … Read More
With the plethora of continuing professional development workshops crowding the treatment profession, what makes a workshop worth attending and how do you know your dollars are being invested wisely? One of the many things I have learnt in my 40 … Read More
Although pregnancy changes the centre of gravity, it should not change our thinking about the position of the pelvis or the need to maintain the fundamental patterns of movement.
It is apparent to me that there is some confusion about sacroiliac joint (SIJ) function. On one hand some practitioners consider that the SIJ does not move – while at the other end of the spectrum, others adhere to the concept of a potentially vulnerable structure – an ‘unstable pelvis’ or one that ‘has slipped out’. Clinical evidence shows that the truth lies somewhere in between – it does move, but it doesn’t slip out. It’s more a case of directional strain that causes pain.
Most of us suffer from some stiffness in the neck and shoulders and ‘rotator cuff’ problems are becoming very common. Poor control of the shoulder girdle is always a problem. Try to get into the habit of doing these simple … Read More
Successful treatment of neck pain also involves addressing the dysfunction in the thorax and shoulder girdle