March Update
OA Hip
Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of hip pain in older adults. OA Hip Osteoarthritis, or OA, is referred to as wear and tear, or called degenerative joint disease. The hip is one of the most common joints affected by the condition.
A joint is where two bones meet. These contacting areas of bone are covered with a tissue called cartilage. It’s smooth design with no nerve supply, allows low friction, pain free movement of the joint.
OA occurs when this cartilage starts to thin. It can wear significantly enough to expose the roughened surfaces of bone beneath, becoming stiff and painful.
There are various reasons why you might develop osteoarthritis. Women are a little more likely to develop OA, as are those who have lead a particularly high impact lifestyle.
Obesity plays a large role in increasing your chances of developing OA. The greater the load on the joints, the more stresses are placed on the tissues. Previous joint injury or structural abnormalities also increase your likelihood of developing OA.
With some simple management, it is possible to significantly decrease your pain, improve your activity & function, and reduce your need for oral painkillers.
Degeneration causes stiffness, so ensure you regularly move your hip through it’s entire range of movement.
Exercise is key. The worst thing you could do by your hip is to stop using it. Focus on low impact exercises such as cycling, or swimming. Address the activities that particularly provoke your symptoms. It may be necessary to temporarily cut back.
Manage your pain with pain killers. This will enable you to perform the necessary exercises to maintain the stability and movement of your joint.
The weaker the muscles, the more excess stresses and strains are placed on the cartilage. Keeping the muscles of your trunk and legs strong and flexible will help you to protect your hip.
OA can reduce the balance and control you have of your hip. Simple daily drills can be practiced which will help to improve this function, and reduce your risk of falling.
Try and link your exercises to day to day activities, such as washing your hands.
Finally, do not be afraid to use a walking aid. Degenerative conditions have good days and bad days. Using a walking stick or elbow crutches can help you to continue to function on these bad days, and prevent you from further provoking your pain.
Introducing our latest Pain Slayers joining our team!
Will has a bachelor of physiotherapy from UQ. Will has a special interest in persistent pain and in the prevention of acute pain becoming chronic. He is interested in all sports injuries and helping people improve their athletic performance.
Will loves the motto “movement is medicine” and likes to use manual therapy and targeted exercise to get people out of pain and doing the activities they enjoy most. Will has a special interest in pre and post-operative orthopaedic rehabilitation, sports injuries, whiplash related injuries, neck and back pain, tendinopathy and Vertigo (BPPV).
Will is available Tuesday to Friday and every 2nd Saturday.
… and physiotherapist Daria Reeve
Daria has a Bachelor of Physiotherapy from Monash University and has a special interest in treating adolescent related pain, musculoskeletal conditions, back and neck pain, and treating those needing orthopaedic rehabilitation.
Daria will conduct a thorough assessment to ensure that she fully understands your condition before treating you with the latest evidence-based treatment programs. Her hands on skills will have you moving better and get you back to doing what you love without pain.
Daria is available Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and every 2nd Saturday.
Having an issue with foot pain? Plantar Fasciitis? Call us today. We can help ease your pain. Phone 327811865.
ARCHIES ARE NOW IN STOCK.
Archies thongs have arch support, material that moulds to your feet and are so light you’ll barely know you’re wearing them- come and try for youself at reception! $40.
There are lots of great features of Archies including …
They have a ultra-strong one-piece design making the thongs virtually indestructible.
They have almost 1 inch of orthotic support encouraging optimal foot posture aiding whold body alignment. Perfect for popel who suffer from Plantar Fasciitis or wear orthotics.
The elevated heel helps to reduce stress on the calf and achilles tendon – great for people with Achilles Tendonitis.
The Archies have a tight strap. Your toes don’t have to grip to keep your thongs on, allowing you to walk all day without overusing muscles and tendons in the feet.
Our classes are small – This means you will have individual attention. It also enables the Physio to create a safe environment for you and your class mates. Phone 32781186 for further information.
Small Physio led classes
Graceville Physio Painslayers offers wonderful classes to help you with staying active, maintaining/improving strength and flexiblity, and helping our lovely women through pregnancy and after baby has been born.
Before you start with one of our classes, we will book you in for an initial one on one Physio assessment to identify the areas that need attention. We like to understand the reason behind an injury, lack of movement or pain. Understanding your history gives more of an insight into how best to help you get the best from the class.