What Are Muscular Trigger Points? Muscular trigger points are better known to most of us as muscle knots and can feel like painful, hard lumps located inside muscles. These knots can both be painful to touch and refer pain in surrounding areas. It is thought that trigger points form when a portion of muscle contracts abnormally, compressing the blood supply to this area, which, in turn, causes this part of the muscle to become extra sensitive. Trigger points are a...
When you tear a muscle or wake up with a stiff neck, your physiotherapist is often the first person you think to call. While aches and pains are indeed the bread and butter of physiotherapists, there are many conditions that your physiotherapist can help with that you may not be aware of. Physiotherapists have a broad skill set that encompasses many areas of healthcare from childhood to old age. Here are a few surprising conditions physiotherapists can assess and treat....
The shoulder is a fascinating joint with incredible flexibility. It is connected to the body via a complex system of muscles and ligaments. Most of the other joints in the body are very stable, thanks to the structure of the bones and ligaments surrounding them. However, the shoulder has so much movement and flexibility that stability is reduced to allow for this. Unfortunately, this increased flexibility means that the shoulder is more vulnerable to joint dislocations. What is a dislocation...
Nothing can ruin your enthusiasm for a new workout program faster than the pain and stiffness that sneaks up on you the day after. This delayed reaction from your muscles, known as DOMS or delayed onset muscle soreness, has affected almost all of us at one time or another. While there is no sure-fire cure or prevention for DOMS, here are a few tips to help reduce your symptoms next time you hit the gym Understand what it is. DOMS...
Better health isn't just about looking better. It can also help you to feel stronger, more flexible, reduce pain and feel happier overall. If you're an inactive person, it can be challenging to change your lifestyle. Here are a few tips that might make it a bit easier. Sign up for a race or event Fear is a powerful motivator, and having a challenge looming can create a sense of urgency to improve your fitness. You don't need to sign...