Let’s take a look at the perception of chronic pain. Pain is weird, brains are weird, they don’t really know what’s going on in their own body; they have an opinion, but opinions are not the same as facts. First of all, there is no nerve that carries signals of “pain” from the body to … Continue reading Pain Perception
Category: Healthcare
Migraine Headaches
This coming week is Migraine Awareness Week here in the UK, brought to us by @themigrainetrust, so let’s take a look at migraine headaches. A migraine is a severe headache felt as a throbbing pain on one side of the head typically aggravated by physical exertion, and lasting 6-72 hours; they can occur several times … Continue reading Migraine Headaches
Ehlers Danlos Syndromes
Let’s take a look at Ehlers Danlos Syndromes (EDS). Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is a group of inherited connective tissue disorders, caused by faulty collagen. Connective tissue helps support the skin, muscles, ligaments, and organs of the body. People who have the defect in their connective tissue associated with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome may have symptoms which include joint … Continue reading Ehlers Danlos Syndromes
Epicondylitis
Let’s take a look at tennis elbow / golfers’ elbow. Epicondylitis is the name given to inflammation of the tendons, and where they join to the bones at the epicondyles (the bumps either side of the humerus), at the elbow. These are named by which epicondyle is effected, lateral (AKA tennis elbow) or medial (AKA … Continue reading Epicondylitis
Lumbar Disc
Degrees of disc herniation Let’s take a look at lumbar disc injury; also falsely known as “slipped disc” – please note, the disc does not slip, this is a horrible term that deserves to be consigned to the dustbin of the English language! Lumbar disc injuries are most common in people aged between 30 and 50. … Continue reading Lumbar Disc
Rotator Cuff Tears or Tendinopathy
Let’s take a look at rotator cuff tears, or tendinopathy. The rotator cuff is a group of 4 muscles which hold your arm to your shoulder blade. Despite their group name they do not cause much movement of the joint, rotation or otherwise; rather they stabilise and control the movement caused by other, larger muscles. … Continue reading Rotator Cuff Tears or Tendinopathy
Impingement Syndrome
Let’s take a look at subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS). AKA subacromial pain syndrome or rotator cuff impingement SIS is a symptomatic irritation of the structures passing through the narrow space below the acromion of the shoulder (the hard, flat bone forming the “roof” of the shoulder). Consequently, it is a syndrome made up of many … Continue reading Impingement Syndrome
TENS
Let’s take a look at TENS machines (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation). In TENS therapy, a small, device delivers low-voltage electrical current through the skin via electrodes placed near the source of pain. The electricity from the electrodes stimulates nerves in the affected area and "scrambles" normal pain perception, and often feels “a bit tingly”. This … Continue reading TENS
Costovertebral Syndrome
Let’s take a look at costovertebral syndrome. Costovertebral syndrome is essentially a spraining injury of the joints where a rib connects to a vertebra in the spine. These injuries usually occur after a sudden movement involving twisting, bending or over-extending (arching) the spine. They may occasionally occur due to repetitive twisting or bending motions, or … Continue reading Costovertebral Syndrome
Foam Roller
Let’s take a look at foam rolling - the poor wo/man's massage. Of course, these work best in conjunction with actual massage, especially when it comes to highlighting which muscles you need to concentrate on. We would recommend using the foam roller twice a week, and an actual massage every month. Foam rolling is a … Continue reading Foam Roller