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In the last two months, I have been treating two patients suffering from jaw pain. Jaw pain is certainly a less common complaint amongst my patients; the majority are usually neck and lower back pain candidates. Fortunately, chiropractors are trained in treating the temporomandibular articulation (the jaw), where treatment usually incorporates joint mobilisation techniques, soft

The term dry needling is used to differentiate the use of needling in the western physiological paradigm from the use of needling in the oriental paradigm, referred to as acupuncture. What is Dry Needling? Dry needling involves inserting an acupuncture needle into a trigger point. A trigger point consists of multiple contractions within a muscle

Climbing is so good for you – it’s fantastic physical exercise, it’s expressive, social, and most of all, fun.  From a health perspective, it’s hard then to think why you’d choose to spend your time doing anything else.  Just keep climbing and you’ll be right. Perhaps the best and worst thing about climbing is the

If you experience neck pain from any cause, be it from an accident or due to the natural wear and tear of daily life, it can be quite debilitating.Neck pain affects over 20% of adults at some point in their lives, so it’s important to understand the causes and treatments to this condition that can

If you’re suffering from back pain, you know how frustrating and debilitating it can be. A lack of knowledge about what’s causing your pain can make it even worse, as every time you sit down or get up, wondering if this will be the moment the pain hits its worst. There are a number of

Whether you’re for or against a latex mattress as a sleeping solution, there’s a lot of misinformation about the product.  Choosing a mattress is probably like choosing sunglasses – it’s very subjective, and not all options will suit all people.  When you look at the facts, and disregard all of the non-science you hear from

Postural pain, also known as back pain, can be debilitating and stop you from living your life to the fullest. In fact, it’s estimated that 80% of people will experience some form of back pain in their lifetime! One of the most common causes of this type of discomfort are bad habits such as prolonged

Physiotherapy can be one of the most effective treatment methods when it comes to managing physical health issues, yet many people are still unsure of what North Sydney physiotherapy actually is and how it can benefit them. Physiotherapy is an essential part of any injury recovery process. It’s also being used to prevent future injuries and chronic

First and foremost – a ‘crack’ implies a fracture which is the last thing you should want to self-inflict. Manipulating joints on your own body may create a sound which is more accurately described as a ‘pop’. This occurs because when you separate two articulating surfaces (distracting a joint), a small vacuum is created within

Many of us are feeling a little out of touch with our bodies after being denied the chance to exercise in the way we’ve been used to. I certainly have. Returning to the gym after a forced three month break has been a bruise to the ego – I don’t feel as strong as I

Unlike its counterpart anterior pelvic tilt, posterior pelvic tilt is less common, but is important to discuss, as it is often a result of tight muscles which can restrict movement and place more compressive forces through the lumbar spine. Posterior pelvic tilt is when the pelvis is rotated upwards and backwards resulting in a lack

Excessive anterior pelvic tilt has long been considered a possible contributor to both lower back pain and sacroiliac joint pain.  An anterior pelvic tilt is when your pelvis is rotated forward and downward which forces your lower spine into an exaggerated curve.  This potentially results in extra pressure experienced through your spine and added strain

The upper back pain exercises shown below are relatively simple to perform. On their own, they may seem trivial, but when performed from start to finish, you will notice a marked improvement in mobility and decreased discomfort. Before attempting these exercises to alleviate your upper back pain, remember that not all of these will be

Why see a chiropractor when you’re not in pain? The absence of pain does not mean the absence of biomechanical dysfunction. The body is an expert at compensating for its short-comings. Unbeknownst to you, you may at present be making small adjustments to the way you move for the sake of protecting another body part

Workstation setup should be the first priority for people carrying out their jobs, 8-10hrs per day at a desk. I was recently asked by a patient to assess her workstation at her office. When I got there, I was pleased to see that some of her colleagues were people I had also treated previously in

Every year I treat players competing in the Manly Seaside Tennis Tournament in Sydney, held from boxing day to new year’s eve. This year I saw a couple of cases of wrist pain. Both players were male between 25-30 years old and of a very high standard of play. In each case, pain was located

My patients often ask me, “Hey Tom how’d you get such big guns, or how do you stay so huge, muscly and ripped all the time? Is it from all the physicality of your job?” “Haha, don’t be silly,” I say, “No its because I train at Unity Gym!” Unity Gym is, by a long

Shin splints is the common name given to the condition Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome. It presents as pain on the inside margin of the lower part of your shin bone. It can be very tender to touch along the bone itself as well as the softer tissues adjacent. Areas of muscle tightness, thickening or lumps

Many people ask me what exactly is going on when a chiropractor manipulates a joint. We are all familiar with the crack sound that happens between joints. Sometimes it happens when you arch backwards, extend your knuckles and of course, when your chiropractor plays rough and tumble with you. Joints are tightly wrapped in ligaments

Shoulder pain is a vast topic, and could be diagnosed as many different conditions. Many shoulder pain sufferers report pain with overhead movements. Examples include dumbbell shoulder press, hanging clothes on the line, or serving in tennis. Shoulder impingement syndrome is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain in sports people and desk

Anybody who has met me, knows that I am a sports and rehab junkie. From a young age i’ve been obsessed with rugby, and have also been an avid basketball enthusiast. Naturally, I then found myself studying chiropractic in my later years where I developed a keen interest in sports related injuries; how to best

Shoulder pain exercises can assist in a variety of areas such as rotator cuff problems, shoulder impingements, shoulder instability and SLAP tears The shoulder is an incredibly complex joint. It has a large degree of freedom at the expense of reduced stability. For this reason it is subject to a wider range of injuries, most

Debunking the stretching myth and giving you real reasons why muscle stretching helps your body, and how to do it properly Stretching before activity is great for you, but not for the reasons you might think. When you stretch a muscle, you increase the length of the muscle to the point where you feel that

Soft sand running is practiced by many expert runners but is becoming increasingly popular amongst the average person looking to improve health and wellbeing. People often set a goal to shed excess kilos, particularly after a holiday season of eating and drinking too much. The beautiful weather prompts many to begin their new year with

A torn hamstring or strain are one of the most common injuries in sports. Hamstring strains occur frequently in activities that require a high degree of speed, power and agility such as soccer, rugby, tennis and running. The hamstring consists of three large muscles, which are located on the back of the thigh; the biceps

Towards the end of 2012, I worked with Roger Fabri, one of Australia’s top credentialed sprint coaches, in preparation for a tennis tour I made to Africa. Speed and agility are fundamental in most sports and the typical training involved has exponential benefits to the human body. Everyone should include some form of speed training

Reflections from my time travelling Burundi, Africa to play the 2012 ITF Futures event. On Thursday 8th November 2012, I left Sydney for Bujumbura, Burundi. Two months earlier, I had never known the country even existed. My reason for travelling to what I nick-named, “the bulls-eye of Africa”, was to play in an ITF Futures

Each and every one of us, for the rest of our lives, will be engaged in the battle against gravity.  It is a constant force applied to us every single day.  Coupled with the hours we sit, the sports we play, and the unexpected trips and falls we might endure, this translates to massive compressive forces placed

Memoirs from my trip travelling Rwanda (Kigali), to play the 2012 ITF Futures Event I left for Kigali, Rwanda on 13th November 2012 having spent the previous four days in Bujumbura, Burundi. Again, my main purpose for visiting this country was to play in an ITF Futures event. These are entry level professional tennis tournaments.

Sports injury treatment makes up a great deal of the treatment given to patients at The Physicaltherapy Centre. Many musculoskeletal complaints arise from injuries sustained in sports. Each year we see athletic performance draw closer to the limits of human potential. Understanding the biomechanical principles involved helps us to prevent injury and restore functional integrity

Treatment for powerlifters is becoming more sought after as the sport grows in popularity. The sport of power lifting is increasing in popularity, with gyms installing more squat racks, benches and dead-lifting platforms. But how can Chiropractic help a power lifter? Powerlifting consists of three lifts; the squat, the deadlift and the bench press, however

For those who take up marathon running, recording a sub three hour marathon time seems to be a popular target to which one aspires. Having recently tested myself in this arena at the 2013 Gold Coast Marathon, I have learnt much about endurance training and the effects both the training and racing will have on

One of the most useful pieces of information I learnt about during my chiropractic studies, was a particular framework for describing health – the Triune of Life. This framework comprises the physical, chemical and emotional facets of life, which when in perfect balance with each other, constitute general good health. The topic of health can

What is it? – tennis elbow is pain located on the outside of the elbow joint, specifically at the lateral epicondyle of the humerus bone, where your forearm extensor muscles attach. Not to be confused with medial epicondylitis (Golfer’s elbow) Causes – any activity involving repetitive motions of the wrist that simultaneously requires constant gripping

Saddle Seats are comfortable ergonomic options for people who are sitting for extended periods of time each day. I am often asked about my funny looking chairs in my practice so I thought I would run through the benefits of the Salli Sway Saddle Seat. Saddle sitting improves posture by strengthening the back. It improves

You might be physically fit and strong, but how strong is your mind? In the competitive arena, if you are not mentally tough, you have neglected perhaps the most important determinant of your success, hence mind training is so important. Mind training is learning to silence all of the superfluous thoughts you experience when you

Neck and back exercises are some of the most sought after pearls of wisdom. There are many exercises you can do to help relieve neck and back pain, but sometimes your condition is just so sore, the last thing you want to do is move about. Research suggests that returning to activity as soon as

Possible explanations for neck pain you may be experiencing. The structure of the joints in the neck allows a large degree of flexibility in this part of the spine. The neck can also move relatively more freely than the rest of the spine as there are no additional bony structures attached in this region, such

Neck Pain Relief Exercises are a safe and effective option to relieve neck pain caused by poor posture, injury or general stiffness. These exercises are designed to abolish pain in the neck and restore full mobility. You should perform these exercises within a pain free range of motion, never exercise into a pain, only to

Pain relief for powerlifters is becoming more sought after as the sport grows in popularity. The sport of power or weight lifting has certainly had an impact in the health and fitness industry. Gyms are adding more weight plates, squat racks and dead-lifting platforms to their floors. Despite this, it seems gym-goers almost have to

Low back pain may not necessarily be a problem with your lower back. These are some other factors to consider in the treatment of lower back pain and stiffness – the superficial back line, hamstrings and calves. The superficial back line [SBL] is a long strip of muscle, fascia and ligament starting from the soles

At The Physicaltherapy Centre, our practitioners use the Thor PBMT Pro Laser – the most advanced low level laser therapy (LLLT) product available on the market today. Photobiomodulation therapy Sydney, or cold laser therapy, is a light therapy whereby laser or LED lights are passed over the affected area. Laser therapy works by restoring the

What to do straight away if you have really painful lower back pain If you’ve just hurt your back, and you’d describe it as “really bad”, there are three things you should do straight away: Rest – this means avoid the activity or movement that caused your back pain. Also, because your back is in

Most people were nagged by their parents to sit/stand up straight at a young age, but were there any merit for their annoying comments? The short answer is YES! Our bodies have stresses placed on them every day and our posture determines how our bodies functions and adapts to these stresses. Our bodies are constantly

At The Physicaltherapy Centre, our practitioners use the Thor PBMT Pro Laser – the most advanced “low level laser therapy” (LLLT) product available in the market today. Laser Therapy is a light therapy whereby laser or LED lights are passed over the affected area. Laser therapy works by restoring the proper functioning of soft tissue

Repetitive strain injury [RSI] is also known as repetitive motion disorder. With the increasing amount of hours spent by workers at their desks, it’s no wonder RSI is increasing in incidence. RSI is a term used to describe an overuse injury. Continuous repeated movements such as typing, using a mouse, or prolonged sitting postures can

Lower back pain presents in so many different ways.  On the contrary, two people with the same set of symptoms may respond to completely different treatment plans.  Perhaps the one thing all of us have in common, is our fight against gravity.  We are all subject to the compressive stress of gravity and therefore, the

For many of us energetic folk, it might seem strange that there is such a thing as running technique. Many of my patients are heavily into their running, and some happen to be quite advanced. By this I mean not only are they fast runners, or have recorded fast competition times, but they also demonstrate

Why you’re still in pain and left saying “I’m still suffering!” after treatments. Do you feel you’ve reached a plateau with regards to your complaint? Do you return to the chiropractor each time with the same set of symptoms and question if he or she is actually helping? It’s groundhog day at the chiropractor’s place

Before we set an indoor rowing challenge, let’s start with how far can you row in 60 seconds? One of the things I love about my job, is learning about the diversity of sporting interests amongst my patients. Australia is well known for it’s success in sports like cricket, swimming, footy codes and surfing, but

Having dedicated so much time to learning and playing tennis, I’m fortunate to have attracted many tennis players through the doors of my practice. These players range from social and tournament players, to current and ex-touring professionals. Most players are looking to improve their game, but my observations of their efforts to improve leave a

Graston Technique North Sydney is an instrument based soft tissue modality for treating musculoskeletal injuries. I began my Graston experience under the tutorage of a previous senior practitioner. Graston Technique is a patented form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilisation that enables clinicians to break down scar tissue and fascial restrictions more effectively. The technique utilises

Inner Elbow Pain is known as Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer’s Elbow) and is the most common undiagnosed injury in tennis players. Golfer’s elbow is a repetitive motion disorder where repetitive forearm pronation and wrist flexion and extension movements creates intense forces on the inside of the elbow joint and tendons. There is local tenderness on the

So I can tick another event off my bucket list, the Sydney Morning Herald Half Marathon. As someone who’s more into sports like tennis and surfing, I never thought I would enter such an event. This half marathon training and participating helped me become more acutely aware of the strains runners place their bodies under

Kinesio Tape is otherwise known as dynamic tape or even the common brand, ROCKTAPE. You’ve most likely seen it on sports men and women on television. It’s the coloured tape decorating their bodies in fancy patterns and configurations. Tennis players, UFC fighters, cross fitters, footy players, volleyballers, practically any sport you can think of (even

Headache treatment is the third most common musculoskeletal complaint behind lower back pain and neck pain. Hence, they are a common condition seen at The Physicaltherapy Centre. There are numerous different causes of headaches; one of those being cervicogenic headache [CH]. CH is a headache caused by a disorder of the neck and is usually

Knee pain can be really troublesome – all joints in the body are important, but for some reason, it just seems like having a bum knee is worse than anything. As the popular yogi, Bikram Choudry said, “You can mess with the Gods, but dont mess with the knees!” There are so many different knee

Headaches can be extremely varied and have various classifications such as: tension headaches, cluster headaches, migraine, and exertion headaches, etc. to name a few. If you suffer from chronic headaches or migraines, you don’t need convincing that they’re one of the most painful, debilitating conditions you could possibly suffer. They happen to be the third

THOR Low Level Laser Therapy system CLINICAL APPLICATIONS: Acute or chronic tendinopathies Sprains and strains Neck and back pain Osteoarthritis Post-operative pain Tissue healing TREATMENT Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) improves tissue repair, reduces pain and inflammation wherever the beam is applied. Treatments take only a few minutes and can be applied two or more

Healthy Eating can easily be incorporated into your diet in order for healthy living or performance in the sporting arena Many people ask me for dietary advice to help with either their performance in the sporting arena, or just for general healthy and living. Fortunately for them, I happen to take a great interest in

Do you feel you suffer reduced mobility in one or both of your hip joints? Do you get lower back pain when you squat, or have you ever bent down to pick something up, only to experience a sudden onset of lower back pain? There may be a link between your reduced hip mobility, and

The hip joint is a weight bearing joint and thus is subject to large biomechanical forces, especially during sport and exercise. From the outset, the weight-bearing function of the hip joint means it will be less flexible than say, the shoulder joint, yet more stable. There is always this trade-off in joints between strength and

Unblock your nose in 2 minutes Pinch your nose around both nostrils and walk as fast as you can whilst keeping your mouth closed all the time and holding your breath. If brisk walking is not possible, pinch your nose and rather nod your head forwards and backwards quickly whilst holding your breath. Once you

Does your wife’s snoring keep you awake at night? Or are you concerned for your husband’s inability to get a good nights rest? In an interview with sleep expert, Dr Jonathan Wiser PhD, he reveals some information on how to improve your sleep quality. Dr Wisor says, “nothing in our biology allows us to overcome

Scoring your first ATP point is seen by many young players as the ultimate achievement in tennis. This is certainly true for myself but sadly, I’m probably the wrong side of 30 to be attempting this feat. Of course, my passion for tennis got the better of me at the end of 2012 so I

Bodywall Sydney North Shore is a unique and innovative training apparatus to promote strength, speed and flexibility. The Bodywall is a specialised training and rehabilitation invention developed in New Zealand. When you stretch on your own, or with a partner, a point is reached where either the muscle spindles or Golgi Tendon Organs (found in

Best food supplements for general health and sporting performance Today, there are perhaps enough food supplements on the market to get all of your nutritional needs through pills, powders and capsules. It is of course cheaper, and often tastier to get these nutrients through normal food consumption. The average Joe fills their car with regular

Causes of neck pain and the things you need to know to relieve it Common causes of neck pain include trauma from accidents, postural stresses, and working in awkward positions or cramped spaces. Unfortunately, we are limited in the things we can do to protect against unforseen accidents, hence this article focuses on what we

WE ARE NOT A RADIOLOGY CLINIC – WE DON’T DO MRIs HERE – BUT YOU CAN TAKE 3mins TO READ THIS ARTICLE AND FIND OUT HOW TO GET ONE MORE CHEAPLY!!! What is an MRI? It stands for magnetic resonance imaging. Unlike x-rays or CT scans, there is no radiation. Instead, a radio frequency is

Should I see a chiro or physio? You can’t blame the layperson for not knowing which professional to see. The boundaries between chiros and physios, not to mention osteos, myotherapists and massage therapists, etcetera, are becoming increasingly blurred. Unfortunately there is a large misconception amongst the general population about the role of various health practitioners

Understanding what constitutes core strength (musculature) and tips on how to strengthen it safely and effectively. “Core strength”, has become part of everyday vernacular but probably with less understanding than what most people think. The phrase was most likely born out of a need to simplify the complexity of the inner workings of the muscles

If you are suffering foot or lower limb pain, it is possible foot orthotics could help you. Most people think of orthotics as a device that holds or locks your feet into a specific alignment so that you will begin to walk in such a way that reduces pain or takes pressure off painful areas.

I recently conducted an experiment on elbow pain, with one of the patients of my practice. Lets call him Arnold. Arnold is a 51 year old man, recreational tennis player and cross fitter. The combination of playing tennis and intense cross fit activity saw Arnold develop both pain and weakness in his [dominant] right forearm.

Best sitting posture is a common question amongst patients suffering postural pain. How to sit properly to prevent back pain with advice on back pain relief exercises and best office chair selection. Do I sit right Doctor? Our bodies were not designed to sit down for long hours, but somehow modern life requires the vast

Epsom Salts Baths contain a naturally occurring compound of magnesium and sulfate [MgSO4]. The benefits of Epsom Salt Baths are easy to reap and is a popular remedy for many ailments. By soaking in a hot bath with a couple of cups of Epsom salts (250g), this can: Relax the body Relieve pain and muscle

Most of us know that we should be getting all of our nutrients from real food. The best supplements to take will depend on your specific lifestyle. For those of us who are either time poor or engaged in frequent activity, here are three reasons why you should consider taking a supplement: 1. A supplement

Exercises for slipped discs to help reduce back pain and discomfort. If your back pain is crippling, with possible associated symptoms travelling down one or both legs, you may be suffering discogenic back pain, frequently termed, slipped disc. This pain rarely comes about from an isolated incident, and is more likely to be an accumulative

Bad sitting posture is a daily concern for many people as slouching or sitting with your spine rounded forward causes irritation or discomfort. A lumbar roll is effective in preventing this pain and discomfort. As you have already most likely experienced for yourself, slouching, or sitting with your spine rounded forwards, causes irritation and discomfort.

How Fit Should I Be? Base level fitness is a way of describing a minimal requirement level of fitness for an individual. There aren’t really any official standards of what this should be such as resting heart rate level, breathing rate or strength standards, but perhaps there should be. In a world where obesity is

Here are 5 five of the best calisthenic exercises which are essential in getting you fit and strong Today conventional wisdom says that to be strong, one must lift heavy barbells and toss around big weights. The current interest in fitness has beginners in gyms getting under heavy barbells without the proper training – a

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Choosing the best foam roller in a saturated marketplace is difficult. They come in different lengths, diameters, materials and designs. They also range in price from as little as $10 on eBay, to around $100 in a retail store. A lot of the proposed uses for foam rolling may even be a complete waste of

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How to choose the best office chair Many of my patients ask me about office chairs – which one is the best, how should I sit, is a swiss ball a good alternative? A university lecturer on the topic once told me, “Choose the worst seat in the house, that way you’re less likely to

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Do you wake up in the morning and your neck hurts? Do you feel as if you toss and turn every night? Well this could all be as a result of your pillow! With so many different types of pillows now on the market, people are finding selecting the right pillow quite an overwhelming task.

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Here are some of the best shoulder exercises and additional tips to ensure the joints remain healthy and don’t degenerate prematurely. Please note, it is worth consulting with your exercise physiologist, personal trainer, or health professional as to the absolute best shoulder exercises for your current condition. There is a wealth of information on how