The average person will spend around 26 years of their life sleeping and an additional 7 years just trying to get to sleep! That is a third of your lifetime spent with your head resting on a pillow. Is there a “best” pillow for me? What should I look out for in a pillow?
Massage Guns are all the rage these days. With the everyday person wanting to be more autonomous in self management or self treatment for aches and pain, there are so many companies, styles and models to choose from. What does the massage gun do? Does it really help? We have a guest post from Hydragun talking about massage guns in general, what it can help with, and what to look out for if you are considering purchasing one.
Disclaimer We have not been paid, nor given any merchandise or product by Hydragun in the publishing of this article
What effect can probiotics have on the musculoskeletal system? Recent research has found that microbiota of the gut has key roles in bone metabolism, regulation of hormones and as we already know, development of the immune system. In bone metabolism, Vitamin D and Calcium are crucial nutrients for maintaining healthy and strong bones where deficiency in these can lead to osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and increased risk of bone fractures. Gut microbiota produce short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as butyrate and propionate, that increase absorption and activation of these nutrients which indirectly increases bone density and strength. Alternately, Vitamin D and Calcium help maintain the epithelial barrier and translocation of microbial metabolites to the person so without each other, homeostasis of the gut will be disturbed.
Glucosamine sulphate is a chemical sugar found naturally in the body that can help inhibit breakdown of cartilage and and potentially help build up cartilage in the joints. It functions as the primary building block for a large molecule in cartilage called a “proteoglycan” and has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects. Oral NSAIDs and paracetamol are common medications prescribed by doctors to reduce inflammation and provide pain relief. In addition to this glucosamine sulphate is a supplement that may have positive effects on this condition as well. Coupled with regular exercise, other oral medications and a healthy diet, glucosamine may be the extra boost you need to finding relief from your osteoarthritis.
Omega 3s have roles in the body as components that form the structures of your cell membranes. In addition to this structural role in cell membranes, they provide energy for the body to form signaling molecules called eicosanoids that have wide range of functions in the body’s cardiovascular, pulmonary, immune and endocrine systems. These signaling molecules have been found to reduce inflammation in chronic disease such as rheumatoid arthritis due to anti-inflammatory effects by regulating the production of pro-inflammatory mediators (prostaglandins, thromboxanes and leukotrienes).
Sleep. One of the most underrated lifestyle hacks we can do for our body. It is how we reboot our bodies after a day of work and activity. It helps muscles grow and and allows us to come back better and stronger the next day. Most adults need between 7-9 hours of sleep every night. Mental sharpness is key, and sleeping well plays a huge role.
Pain. It is a topic that is widely discussed, explored, and researched. However, there are still a wide variety of perceptions and beliefs surrounding this topic, with numerous angles on how pain as interpreted. In this article, we try and break down the few “types” of pain that clients commonly present with, and we try and explain it in an easier to understand article
In the quest for the holy grail of shoes and orthotics, the fundamental question we need to ask ourselves is this: '“Which pair of shoes is the best for me, with the goal I have in mind?”. In this post, we attempt to break down the mindset in what we at Focus Physio Dunedin look for and look at when searching for specific footwear (and orthotics) for your chosen sport or activity.
If you have been to Focus Physio, you may have been offered a mobilization or a manipulation as a treatment by your physiotherapist/clinician. Both are treatment techniques which involves moving a joint. There are various ways to perform these techniques, but there are certain distinctions. In this blog, we discuss the various mechanisms of these techniques
We know what it is like to be so close to graduating and with a lot of questions about what “real life” work is like and what to expect. (Especially in this period of uncertainty) We thought it would be good to write a letter to the graduating class of physiotherapy student and give them a heads up on how to best prepare after graduation!
The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is a screening tool developed by the Functional Movement Systems to be used by clinicians, trainers and coaches to assess movement. Here, our physiotherapist gives us an insight on what the screen tells us from a clinician’s perspective.
Budiman Pranjoto is a physiotherapist undertaking his studies in University of Otago for a Post Graduate Diploma in Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy.
The running screen is a new service that we are providing at Focus Physio Dunedin. It is not for runners with pain or injury, but for current or would-be runners to have a gauge on the quality of their movement and running technique. To do this, we would utilise the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) to assess the quality of your general movement and a 5-min trial run on our curved mechanical treadmill.
Cupping is a form of manual therapy that we can offer if you do come to our clinic for treatment. There are many forms of cupping, including the more traditional cupping where the cups are made of glass and fire is used to create the suction pressure. Our more modern take on cupping therapy as physiotherapists are slightly different than traditional forms of cupping.
In Part 2 of this 2 part blog series, we discuss how scans are only a snapshot in time of an individual’s condition. Some scans show (extensive) damage but the individual is fully functional and pain free. Conversely, an individual might report back with a pristine scan but might be suffering from a lot of pain and discomfort.
Here at Focus Physio , we believe that exercise is very important during pregnancy. In fact we fully advocate for pregnant mums to continue with their current exercise program albeit with modifications as required. The caveat for this is that if you haven’t been doing, or are not used to intense exercise, to start with something light eg going for a few walks round the block🚶♂️/swimming 🏊♀️rather than going straight into a full on exercise program🏋️♂️🤸♀️. .
