Peak MSK Physiotherapy
  • Home
  • Services
    • Manual Therapy
    • Physio Online
    • Dry Needling
    • Vi-Move
    • Graded Motor Imagery
    • Operative Rehabilitation
    • Muscular & Postural Retraining
    • Clinical Pilates
  • Blog
  • Resources
    • Forms
    • Newsletters
    • FAQs
  • Contact
  • BOOK NOW
  • About
    • Our Team >
      • Luca Scomazzon-Rossi
      • Jayce Gilbert
    • Specialist Physiotherapy
    • Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
    • What we Treat
    • Clinical Studies
    • For Referrers
  • Home
  • Services
    • Manual Therapy
    • Physio Online
    • Dry Needling
    • Vi-Move
    • Graded Motor Imagery
    • Operative Rehabilitation
    • Muscular & Postural Retraining
    • Clinical Pilates
  • Blog
  • Resources
    • Forms
    • Newsletters
    • FAQs
  • Contact
  • BOOK NOW
  • About
    • Our Team >
      • Luca Scomazzon-Rossi
      • Jayce Gilbert
    • Specialist Physiotherapy
    • Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
    • What we Treat
    • Clinical Studies
    • For Referrers

THE THORACIC SPINE ENIGMA

7/2/2020

Comments

 

THE THORACIC SPINE ENIGMA

A well-functioning thoracic spine can accelerate your running and promote pain-free living.
The thoracic spine is the mid-back between the neck and the waist (lumbar-region). The ribcage attaches to it. This special part of our spine gets less attention in science journals than other spine areas. It an important source of local or referred pain for spine, hip and shoulder problems. This is due to its unique nerve supply and mechanics as a junction between the upper and lower body.
Picture

“If you have unresolved issues of other areas of the body, your thoracic back is the link to examine."

As an important mechanical lever of the body, taking 47% of body weight (1), the curve of the thoracic spine impacts on shoulder girdle movements (2-3) and the lower limbs. For example, walking and running rely on thoracic rotation to store and generate momentum. In turn, the thoracic spine is very stable alongside its partner, the ribcage, affording protection to vital organs. Consequently, it is less mobile than the neck or low back.

“Back, hip, flank, neck and even arm pain may have their source from the mid-back."

Motion of the shoulders relies on rotation and side bending in the thoracic spine (2-3). If this part of the spine loses the little flexibility it has, more load is placed on the shoulder joint, girdle and rotator cuff. The compressive forces from a lack of spine flexibility can set up problems elsewhere in these other tissues.
Picture

“The thoracic back has the unique quality of an energy-storing spring and a counterbalance.”
​

Walking and running uses to-and-fro arm swing and shoulder motion, whilst simultaneously the thoracic spine winds up and down via twisting motions. This enables balance and, like a spring, enables energy transmission to the arm swing to propel the body forwards. In fact, to increase speed when running, you need to increase your thoracic twisting motion (4). You can compensate for this via the hips or overarching the lumbar back, but for how long?
The nerve supply of one thoracic vertebral segment is also known to include several levels, meaning a mixed nerve supply. A problem in one area can refer to many seemingly unrelated regions of the arms, buttocks and legs. Occasionally, when counterfeit symptoms resembling organ pain are from thoracic joints, physiotherapists will judiciously examine for key features of musculoskeletal involvement, being pain on movement, tenderness and tightness of musculoskeletal structures (5). If these musculoskeletal features are absent, then the case requires further consultation from a medical practitioner.

References
1. White, A. A. 1969. Acta Orthopaedica Scandinavica Suppl: 127, 8-92.
2. Tsang, S. M. H., Szeto, G. P. Y. & Lee, R. Y. W. 2013. Manual Ther: 18, 431-437.
3. Crosbie, J., Kilbreath, S. L., Hollman, L. & York, S. 2008. Clin Biomech: 23, 184-192.
4. Tojima, M., Osada, A. & Torii, S. 2019. J. Phys. Ther. Sci.: 31, 661-665.
5. Harding, G. & Yelland, M. 2007. Aust Fam Physician: 36(6), 422-3, 425, 427-429.
 
Comments

Promoting Healing and Relieving Pain with Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy

26/2/2013

Comments

 
Today musculoskeletal physiotherapy is a specialised area of  physiotherapy.
​
Musculoskeletal physiotherapy is the term used for special handling techniques to promote healing of joints and soft tissues. Let’s takes a brief look at some of the techniques in a little more detail.

Myofacial release

Picture
Myofascial release is a type of massage that stretches the fascia and releases bonds between the fascia in order to relieve pain. The fascia is the thick band of tissue beneath the skin that covers muscles, organs and bones. The connection between muscles and fascia is what is called the myofascia system. The fascia can become tightened or restricted by stress, injury, inflammation and poor posture. Massage therapy is often used successfully in treating sprains and strains by manipulating specific muscles, tendons, ligaments and connective tissue.
​
There are two forms of myofascial release – the direct and the indirect method. The direct method gets to the deep tissue to stretch and elongate the fascia. The indirect method is a gentle stretch that brings blood to the tissues and allows the fascia to ‘unwind’ itself.

Joint mobilisation

Joint mobilisation is a common practice among physiotherapists where a joint is moved passively to achieve three different but complementary therapeutic effects. Physiotherapy researchers and other scientists have shown that:
Firstly their is an effect on the nervous system to stimulate production of the body’s own natural opioids for pain control.
Second, demonstrated improvements in muscle function occur.
Thirdly, there are improvements in range of movement.
​
Hence jont mobilisation is indicated with restriction of joint (or muscle motion) or pain. It can also assist in the reabsorbing of scar tissue, promote muscle healing and joint mobility.

Manipulative therapy

Manipulative Therapy is a joint mobilisation that involves a high speed low force technique at one specific joint that may result in a popping sound, called cavitation. It is has beneficial effects similar to those of joint mobilisation regarding pain control.

Take care when considering manipulative therapy, as nowadays it is being offered by non-professionals and persons who are not properly trained. Contact your Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist in Hampton on 9533 5305 to discuss any concerns you may have.
Comments

Musculoskeletal Conditions

19/5/2012

Comments

 
Picture
As physiotherapists, we treat a number of musculoskeletal conditions – a broad term that encompasses damage to bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons and nerves. Because these conditions are so wide ranging, they affect from children (as in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis) to the elderly (as in osteoarthritis) and everyone else who may suffer an injury.
​
Other conditions which fall under this heading include carpal tunnel syndrome, muscular dystrophy, fibromyalgia and osteomyelitis (bone infection), to name a few. Many patients recover their strength and ability to function again through physiotherapy treatment.
The overriding symptom of all these conditions is pain. In the case of an injury that affects the bone, or in osteomyelitis, this type of pain is more severe than muscle pain. Tendon and ligament pain, as occurs in tendonitis, is less severe than bone pain. Chronic pain may accompany the musculoskeletal pain. This is chronic pain and is real and can be debilitating if not managed.

Some conditions may cause pain by compressing a nerve. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a repetitive strain injury that compresses the median nerve, causing pain and a burning sensation along the course of the nerve. In fibromyalgia, the pain is widespread and the locations difficult to pinpoint.

As your physiotherapist in the treatment of all musculoskeletal conditions, we not only treat pain, but also deal with the accompanying muscle weakness, loss of stability and decrease in functional use of the body part. Pain may be treated with deep heat such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), or manipulation. Cold packs may be used initially with pain resulting from an injury.

The importance of exercise in dealing with musculoskeletal conditions can never be overstated. Exercise improves flexibility, promotes movement, and increases blood flow to the area. It also helps to reduce pain. Strengthening exercise is important to restore function and condition to weak muscles.

In severe cases such as arthritis and muscular dystrophy, it may be necessary to provide walking aids or wheelchairs to assist with mobility. If the condition has resulted from a work or overuse injury, we can advise on proper ergonomics or modifications to your technique.
​
After surgery, the best means of treating these painful conditions once the patient is medically stable, is with physiotherapy. It completes what surgery or any other previous medical intervention began, and helps you become as independent as possible. Come see us, your specialist musculoskeletal physiotherapist in Hampton Bayside and we will help you on the road to recovery sooner than you think.
Comments
<<Previous

    Luca Scomazzon-Rossi APAM

    Luca graduated from a Bachelor of Physiotherapy with honours and has a background in personal training.

    Jayce Gilbert FACP, APAM

    Clinic director & Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist* in treatment for back, neck, headache and TMD (Jaw/Face) problems.

    Archives

    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    April 2018
    May 2017
    January 2017
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    September 2014
    May 2014
    October 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    November 2012
    October 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012

    Categories

    All
    ACL
    Ankle Injuries
    Back Pain
    Calf Pain
    Cricket
    Cycling
    Events
    Exercise
    Glute
    Golf
    Hamstring
    Headache
    Hip
    Hip Pain
    Injury
    Jaw TMJ Pain
    Joint Pain
    Knee
    Lifestyle
    Low Back Pain
    Muscle Injury
    Musculoskeletal
    Neck Pain
    Osteoarthritis
    Overuse Injury
    Pain
    Physiotherapy
    Posture
    Recovery
    Running
    Sciatica
    Shin
    Shin Splints
    Shoulder
    Shoulder Pain
    Spinal
    Sport
    Strength
    Telehealth
    Tendon
    Thoracic
    Thoracic Spine
    Training
    Whiplash
    Wrist
    Youth

    RSS Feed

Picture

Contact Us

Shop 4, 544 Hampton Street
Hampton VIC 3188

​
P: 9533 5305
F: 9533 4463

Support

Contact
About
FAQs
​Forms
​For Referrers
​

Connect With Us

© COPYRIGHT 2017 by Absalon PTY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  |   ABN: 41 147 132 330   |   Privacy Policy   |   Terms of Use  |   * Conferred by Fellowship of the Australian College of Physiotherapists in 2010