HEADACHE

Recent studies have confirmed specific Physiotherapy techniques to be very successful in treating most types of headache. If your headache can be reproduced by careful assessment of your neck by Brendan, it is extremely likely your headache will be treated effectively. Treatment involves specific guided pressure type techniques on the spinal joints of your upper neck.


True manipulation (cracking the neck) is NOT and should not be used.


Exercises specific to helping prevent reoccurrence will be advised.


Studies also indicate increased release of serotonin (a natural chemical in the blood stream) is helpful in decreasing the severity of headache. Serotonin can be increased by general physical exercise and by eating foods containing tryptophan (an amino acid) which the body uses to build serotonin. Foods include eggs, most dairy, soy and some seafood, especially cod.

SIDE HIP PAIN

July 1, 2025
Pain on the side of the hip from bursitis or gluteal tendon inflammation is an annoying problem often more so at night because lying on it frequently disturbs people’s sleep. It is a reasonably common problem for me to see. Tendons and bursae degenerate as we age and weakness in hip musculature can be a cause. But it can happen to anyone. Guided steroid injections can help, but most people respond well to soft tissue manipulation. The lower back should definitely be assessed and (usually) treated manually as related spinal joint stiffness frequently contributes to the issue. The hip joint should also be assessed and treated if necessary. Exercises can be helpful but need to match the pathology so an Ultrasound image might be needed give a diagnosis.

IRONMAN

June 1, 2025
Interstate visitor Client D came in two days before the Melbourne Ironman. Despite treatment interstate he had persisting leg soreness which had stopped him running for a week and had serious doubts on finishing, let alone doing well enough to earn him what he entered for: a qualifying position in the Hawaiian Ironman. He had some back joint stiffness and lateral hamstring trigger point muscle spasm and after loosening these up he felt better. However running a full marathon after the 3.8 kilometre swim and 180 kilometre cycle would be a massive test! The news post race was that he had got though the event and even with a puncture on the cycle grabbed a spot in Hawaii!  Well done to him! (And a bit to me too!)