You don't need to be an elite athlete to sustain a hamstring injury. It's one of the most common injuries in sports like football, soccer and basketball, which require a high level of power, agility and speed.  It's important to know how to best avoid injury as well as how to manage if you do sustain a strain.

Put simply, the hamstrings are a muscle group made up of three individual muscles, which perform slightly different roles. Crossing both the hip and knee joint, they provide strength in the hip and support the position of the knee when running.

The hamstrings have three jobs to do during a typical running cycle:

1. To decelerate the leg during the swing phase of running
2. To stabilise the knee and extend the hip during the support phase
3. To assist the calf muscles by pulling the knee into extension during take off

Tears often occur either during the swing phase where the hamstrings attempt to counteract the contraction of the quadriceps. If there isn't enough power generated by the gluteal muscles at the heel strike the hamstrings need to work harder and can become overloaded and tight, leading to a strain. This tightness can also lead to other issues such as lower back pain, SI (Sacroiliac) Joint pain and pressure under the kneecap.

The good news is, there are things you can do to help prevent injuries, which are well known but not as well performed:

Stretching is always is the best way to prepare for any form of rigorous exercise, but don't forget to take the time to stretch afterwards as well.
Warming up to increase body temperature will help your body get the most out of exercise and assist in avoiding injury.

Did you know that the posterior chain muscles (the lumbar extensors, glutes, hamstrings and calf) could have a huge impact on your sporting performance?

Tight hamstrings, recurrent muscle tears and lower back strains can all be signs of muscle imbalance within this group.

A physiotherapist will complete an assessment focusing on muscle strength, length, stability and muscle timing patterns to come up with a program specific to you, helping you get back on the field quicker and with fewer recurrences of your injuries.

Let us help you stay ahead of the game. Call us today for more information on how Sports Physiotherapy can help with your sporting performance or to book an appointment with our physiotherapists at Newcastle Integrated Physiotherapy on (02) 4957 2961

How's Your Running Form?

Running is quite often seen as a good way to get in shape, with little thought given to the proper form or biomechanics involved.

Recent studies have shown that as many as 79% of runners will suffer from a running related injury in any year. Therefore all runners should be aware of the ways in which poor form can contribute to these injuries.

Further research has shown that real time feedback through audio and visual cues can help a runner to improve common issues at the hips, knees and ankles and in turn reduce the likelihood of a running related injury.

If you're thinking about getting into running make an appointment now with one of our physiotherapists or exercise physiologists now for an assessment and recommendations.

Find out more about your running form and enhance your sporting performance with our sports physiotherapists at Newcastle Integrated Physiotherapy on (02) 4957 2961

Plantar Fasciitis

Up to 1 in 10 people will suffer from Plantar Fasciitis (persistent pain along the arch of the foot) in their lifetime.

Physiotherapy can benefit people suffering Plantar Fasciitis, though a study of over 800,000 people showed that only 7% of patients were prescribed physiotherapy.

Of those treated with Physiotherapy, positive outcomes in recovery time as well as overall cost to the patient was found when physiotherapy included manual therapy and exercise prescription.
If you're suffering from foot pain making an appointment with a physiotherapist might just be your first step to walking freely again. 

Call us today for more information on how Physiotherapy can help Plantar Fasciitis or to book an initial assessment with our physiotherapists at Newcastle Integrated Physiotherapy on (02) 4957 2961

Pregnancy massage relieves many discomforts during pregnancy such as lower back pain, oedema, sore and swollen ankles and feet, carpal tunnel and cramps to name a few.
Pregnancy massage is a wonderful way to override signals of pain and stress that the mother may be experiencing.
Book today for a Pregnancy Massage with Becky, our
Specialised Women's Health Physiotherapist

1/2 HOUR MASSAGE - $58
1 HOUR MASSAGE - $90

FOR MORE INFORMATION
PLEASE PHONE OUR PRACTICE ON (02) 4957 2961