Optimal muscle integrity = Optimal strength, speed and agility

Muscle integrity is a key component of sporting performance. It is, however, commonly compromised by:

• Trigger Points (knots)
• Fascial restrictions
• Strains and resulting scar tissue

When a muscle is compromised, it is weaker, shorter and often painful.

WHAT IS A TRIGGER POINT?

A trigger point is a sensitive point in a taught band of muscle. The particular muscle has been compromised, for example, through strain or overuse. This makes it difficult for the muscle to relax.

WHAT DO TRIGGER POINTS DO TO A MUSCLE?

• Cause pain and tenderness locally
• Weaken the muscle
• Prevent full lengthening of the muscle
• Can refer pain to other areas of the body

Trigger Point therapy in a massage session can immediately relieve pain at these sites and help to restore full function.

WHAT IS FASCIA AND FASCIAL RESTRICTION?

Fascia is connective tissue that is found throughout the body Myofascial  (to do with muscles) restrictions occur in the body due to repetitive actions or increased need for structural support.

WHAT DO FASCIAL RESTRICTIONS DO TO THE BODY?

The body can feel stiff and detrimental changes in movement patterns and posture may occur. When the fascia around the muscle is stiff and tight, muscles are unable to do their jobs effectively. Myofascial release techniques performed in a massage session, can correct this.

WHAT IS A MUSCLE STRAIN?

A muscle strain is where some of the muscle fibres tear. There are different grades of strains, depending on how many of the muscle fibres tear. The body heals this area with scar tissue. Correct massage to this area can align the fibres, with the end result being a better  functioning muscle.

Massage/Myotherapy is now available at Clifton Hill Physiotherapy with Liz on Tuesdays. Call 9486 1918 to make an appointment and get your muscles and fascia ready for winter sports!

We warmly welcome Juliane Pegler to our Paediatric Physiotherapy team at Clifton Hill Physiotherapy.

Julianne is a very  experienced Paediatric Physiotherapist, having worked over 9 years at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, treating babies and children with a wide range of conditions.  Julianne has also worked in Early Childhood Intervention Services and school settings, supporting children’s physical development and gross motor skills in the pre-school and school years.

Julianne’s expertise is in Paediatric Orthopaedic Physiotherapy, providing assessment and treatment to young babies with concerns regarding head shape, torticollis, developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), and positional talipes, as well as providing assessment and treatment to children with in-toeing gait, flat feet, ankle problems, knee conditions, spinal problems and pain.

Julianne also has experience treating children with neurological conditions, respiratory issues, orthopaedic surgery and general de-conditioning after acute illness.

As a Mum herself, Juliane understands the bigger picture of Paediatric health and developmental issues.

As part of her work at The Royal Children’s Hospital and her involvement with the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA), Julianne has provided education to other Physiotherapists on Plagiocephaly, Torticollis and Neurological conditions. Her professional memberships include;the Australian PhysiotherapyAssociation; Committee Member of the Paediatric Special Interest Group of the APA and Member of the APA Scientific Committee for the Physiotherapy Conference 2013.

We are delighted to have Julianne on board. Please call 9486 1918 for any enquiries.

Julianne Pegler

B Physio

Post Grad Cert (Paediatric Orthopaedic Physiotherapy) (University of Melbourne)

Post Grad Cert Public Health

We are delighted to welcome  Liz Hulst offering her expertise in massage therapy at Clifton Hill Physiotherapy.

Liz graduated from Melbourne Institute of Massage Therapy with an Advanced Diploma of Myotherapy. She completed Cert 4 as Dux and Diploma of Remedial Massage with first class Honours.

Liz has a strong interest in maintaining muscular integrity for sporting performance and recovery, and has worked as Myotherapist to sporting clubs including the Carlton Cricket Club and Yarra Triathlon Club (events).

Her passion is working with Fascia and Trigger Points, which are a common cause of muscular pain. Liz also has a passion for Myofascial Release, Sorts Massage, Remedial Massage, Relaxation Massage and  Mobilisation.

Liz has developed a keen interest in working with athletes as she  has a strong sporting history as a state level swimmer. She is also a teacher and team leader at a swim school.

To many, Liz is a familiar face at CHP already and we are excited to have her with us a bit more.

Liz is a member of the Australian Association of Massage Therapists.

This week we all gathered at Clifton Hill Physiotherapy for some great Thai food and a captivating and clinically relevant presentation on Medical Imaging. Dr Michael Makdissi (Sports Physician), very generously gave us his time and expertise in a comprehensive and informative discussion on Medical imaging, including guidelines, when they may be indicated, and interpretation of findings. The key message, that we know well as Physiotherapists, is that imaging is only part of the bigger picture. Imaging is a compliment to a comprehensive assessment and clinical picture and not always diagnostic on its own. We thank Michael for a thoroughly engaging and informative evening.

Dr Michael Makdissi
Sport & Exercise Medicine Physician
MB BS BSc. (Hons) PhD FACSP
OPSM

As well as being a well known expert on concussion in sport, Michael is Doctor to the Hawthorn Football Club and Australian Swim teams amongst many others lucky to have his expertise on board

In keeping with CHP’s strive for clinical excellence and best practice, Brendon Haslam has now commenced his PhD at the Florey Institute of Neurosciences and Mental Health (partners of the Melbourne Brain Centre).  His studies are looking at the role of sensory retraining and graded motor imagery in treating stroke patients with chronic pain.  Testing for one study has already commenced, and utilizes fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) to look at brain activity, along with other measures. Brendon will shortly be heading to New Zealand to run “Pain, Plasticity & Rehabilitation”, aimed at clinicians treating patients with neurological dysfunction and pain. Brendon co-wrote this 2 day course.

 Brendon Haslam

B App Sc (Physio) M Physio (Neurological)

PhD candidate, Florey Institute of Neurosciences and Mental Health (Universtity of Melbourne)

Faculty member, Neuro Orthopaedic Institute (NOI)

Specialist Faculty member, Singapore Post Graduate Allied Health Institute

Clifton Hill Physio is now using My Physio App -   – a great way to get your exercises easily on

your phone.  Talk to your physio to find out more, or down load the app before your appointment

MyPhysio App: Better Communication, Better Understanding, Better Results

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With the weather now warmer I am sure that I am not the only one who is back into exercise and again I am sure that I am not the only one who is noticing a few aches and pains popping up after dusting off the runners or bicycle.  Tendon soreness is something that can primarily occur when we start or return to a physical activity that we are new too, or alternatively have not done for a long time (Winter months).  So if you are reading this and you have a tendon which has been a little sore lately since you have returned from exercise what should you do?

Understanding why your tendon is sore is critical to knowing how to manage it and how to return your activity of choice without pain.  The following rules should ensure that your stay on top of your tendon pain.

1:  Sore tendons don’t get better if you keep training. 

2: A period of “relative” rest is sometimes appropriate to help a tendon get better.  It is actually damaging for tendon to be rested altogether, so this needs to be undertaken with correct guidance from your physiotherapist

3: Understanding how healthy the tendon tissue is, is important to ensure a successful return to your activity.  Your physiotherapist is skilled at knowing how healthy your tendon is.

4: Your tendon may feel tight and restricted, this is the body’s response to the activity that has aggravated the tendon.  This will not be relieved by stretching the tendon, in many cases stretching can actually make it worse. 

5: Correct assessment and exercise prescription is vital to help you return to the activity you love.  Physiotherapy is at the forefront of understanding tendon pain and therefore we are well educated and skilled and enabling you to return to the activity you love.

Josh Heerey has a keen interest in rehabilitating and advising the casual and elite athlete. He is currently completing a Masters in Sports Physiotherapy.

Caitlin has finished her tutoring role for the year on a number of courses both here and interstate with internationally renowned physiotherapist and lecturer Linda-Joy Lee.
She is the lead tutor on ‘The Series’ in Australia which uses the Integrated Systems model (ISM) developed by ‘LJ’ and Diane Lee. The purpose of the ISM is to fully assess the connections and links within the body to determine and address the underlying reasons (or ‘driver’) for developing pain or dysfunction. It is evidence-based, patient –centered, multi-modal care, integrating all aspects relevant to each individual.
Caitlin also teaches on a number of other thoracic and pelvic courses throughout the year and is already looking forward to another big year of teaching in 2013.

Caitlin Farmer’s BIO

Caitlin graduated from Latrobe University in 2000 and completed her post-graduate Masters degree in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy in 2011. She has worked as a physiotherapist in Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada in a variety of settings including outpatients and the emergency department. She currently teaches other physiotherapists and medical professionals in a number of areas.
She is currently the lead tutor on ‘The Series’ in Australia which uses the Integrated Systems model (ISM) developed by Linda-Joy Lee and Diane Lee. The purpose of the ISM is to fully assess the connections and links within the body to determine and address the underlying reasons (or ‘driver’) for developing pain or dysfunction. It is evidence-based, patient –centered, multi-modal care, integrating all aspects of a condition relevant to each individual. Further information regarding this approach can be found at www.discoverphysio.ca
Caitlin has had many years experience in treating sports injuries and has been a physiotherapist for football, netball and elite wheelchair and juniors tennis. She has a particular interest in chronic and complex pain and movement dysfunction and takes a functional and holistic approach to her patients.

Volunteer for this Knee Arthritis Management Program – you may be eligible for free treatment.

Research Study: TELCKO Knee Osteoarthritis (Knee OA)

Clifton Hill Physiotherapy have been selected by the University of Melbourne to be involved in this new approach to knee arthritis management program.

The study investigates a new way to increase adherence to exercise programs to improve long term effectiveness. Volunteers over the age of 50 are needed for a research study conducted by the University of Melbourne. This study is investigating whether telephone health coaching is beneficial for people with Knee Osteoarthritis (Knee OA)

If you have knee pain on most days, you may be eligible for free treatment. All clinical guidelines recommend exercise as a core treatment for Knee OA. Research has shown that home exercise can be an effective mode of exercise delivery in patients with Knee OA. Contact with a health professional, such as a physiotherapist, is known to increase the benefits of home exercise. Adherence to exercise programs is one of the most important factors determining long-term effectiveness. Interventions are therefore needed to facilitate sustainability of physical activity behaviours in patients with Knee OA in order to achieve long-term clinical improvements.

Telephone health coaching is an inexpensive intervention that may show to improve physical activity behaviours, particularly if combined with face-to-face visits with your Physiotherapist.

For more information or to volunteer, please contact Mary Kyriakides on 8344 0485 or mky@unimelb.edu.au