FAQs
Common FAQs
Elbow Pain
Please visit the links below for some of the more common sources of elbow pain.Elbow-related Arm Pain
Neck-related Arm Pain
Muscle-related Arm Pain
- Cramps
- DOMS - Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness
- Muscle Strain (Muscle Pain)
- RSI - Repetitive Strain Injury
- Overuse Injuries
Other Sources of Arm Pain
Common Treatments For Elbow Pain
With accurate assessment and early treatment, most elbow pain responds extremely quickly to physiotherapy that will allow you to quickly resume pain-free and normal activities of daily living. Some conditions may require diagnostic investigations such as X-rays, ultrasound, MRI or CT scan. Fractures, dislocations and some severe or chronic injuries may require surgical opinion and/or intervention Please ask your physiotherapist for their professional treatment advice.- Early Injury Treatment
- Avoid the HARM Factors
- What to do after a Muscle Strain or Ligament Sprain?
- Acupuncture and Dry Needling
- Sub-Acute Soft Tissue Injury Treatment
- Scapular Stabilisation Exercises
- Closed Kinetic Chain Exercises
- Biomechanical Analysis
- Agility & Sport-Specific Exercises
- Ergonomics
- Soft Tissue Massage
- Brace or Support
- Dry Needling
- Electrotherapy & Local Modalities
- Heat Packs
- Joint Mobilisation Techniques
- Kinesiology Tape
- Neurodynamics
- Prehabilitation
- Strength Exercises
- Stretching Exercises
- Supportive Taping & Strapping
- TENS Machine
Common Shoulder Pain & Injury Conditions
Rotator Cuff
- Rotator Cuff Syndrome
- Shoulder Tendinopathy
- Rotator Cuff Calcific Tendinopathy
- Rotator Cuff Tear
- Bicep Tendinopathy
- Shoulder Impingement
- Swimmer's Shoulder
Adhesive Capsulitis
Shoulder Bursitis
Shoulder Instability
Acromioclavicular Joint
Bone Injuries
Post-Operative Physiotherapy
- Subacromial Decompression
- Shoulder Arthroscopy
- Acromioplasty
- Rotator Cuff Repair
- SLAP Repair
- Biceps Tenodesis
- Biceps Tenotomy
- Total Shoulder Replacement
Muscle Conditions
Systemic Conditions
Referred Pain
Shoulder Treatment
Researchers have discovered that managing your shoulder injury with physiotherapy is usually successful. Typically, you have two options: non-operative or a surgical approach. Your condition will dictate which option is best for you at this time. Non-operative care is conservative rehabilitation.
If shoulder surgery is required, then your physiotherapist may undertake:
Pre-operative rehabilitation - to either trial a non-operative/conservative treatment approach or to condition and prepare your shoulder and body for a surgical procedure.
Post-operative physiotherapy - to safely and methodically regain your normal range of movement, strength, speed and function.
PhysioWorks physiotherapists have a special interest and an excellent working relationship with leading shoulder surgeons. Our physiotherapy team provide you with both conservative and post-operative shoulder rehabilitation options. We aim for you attaining the best possible outcome for your shoulder injury.
For specific information regarding your shoulder, please consult your trusted shoulder physiotherapist.
Common Foot Pain Causes
Foot Injuries
Tendon Injuries
- Achilles Tendon Rupture
- Achilles Tendinopathy
- FHL Tendinopathy
- Peroneal Tendinopathy
- Tibialis Posterior Tendinopathy
Bone Injuries
- Ankle Fracture (Broken Ankle)
- Stress Fracture
- Stress Fracture Feet
- Severs Disease
- Heel Spur
- Shin Splints
Traumatic Ankle Ligament Injuries
Degenerative Conditions
Soft Tissue Inflammation
Biomechanical Conditions
Nerve-Related Sources
Muscle Injuries
Systemic Conditions
General Information
Common Treatments For Foot Pain
With accurate assessment and early treatment, most foot pain responds extremely quickly to physiotherapy allowing you to quickly resume pain-free and normal activities of daily living. Please ask your physiotherapist for their professional treatment advice.- Early Injury Treatment
- Avoid the HARM Factors
- What to do after a Muscle Strain or Ligament Sprain?
- Acupuncture and Dry Needling
- Sub-Acute Soft Tissue Injury Treatment
- Closed Kinetic Chain Exercises
- Active Foot Posture Correction Exercises
- Gait Analysis
- Biomechanical Analysis
- Balance Enhancement Exercises
- Proprioception & Balance Exercises
- Agility & Sport-Specific Exercises
- Heel Cups
- Orthotics
- Soft Tissue Massage
- Walking Boot
- Brace or Support
- Dry Needling
- Electrotherapy & Local Modalities
- Heat Packs
- Joint Mobilisation Techniques
- Kinesiology Tape
- Neurodynamics
- Physiotherapy Instrument Mobilisation (PIM)
- Running Analysis
- Strength Exercises
- Stretching Exercises
- Supportive Taping & Strapping
- Video Analysis
Common Heel Pain & Injury Conditions
Heel Pain
Traumatic Ankle Ligament Injuries
Tendon Injuries
- Achilles Tendon Rupture
- Achilles Tendinopathy
- FHL Tendinopathy
- Peroneal Tendinopathy
- Tibialis Posterior Tendinopathy
Foot Injuries
Bone Injuries
- Ankle Fracture (Broken Ankle)
- Stress Fracture
- Stress Fracture Feet
- Severs Disease
- Heel Spur
- Shin Splints
Degenerative Conditions
Soft Tissue Inflammation
Biomechanical Conditions
Nerve-Related Sources
Muscle Injuries
Systemic Conditions
General Information
Common Ankle Injuries
Sprained Ankles
The most common ankle injury is a sprained ankle, but ankle pain can have numerous sources.
Ankle pain that results from a traumatic injury is often a sports-related injury. But you don't necessarily have to be an athlete or even a social sportsperson to twist your ankle.
Something as simple as walking on an uneven footpath can cause a rolled ankle, resulting in an ankle sprain. Ankle injuries can potentially occur at any age. Thousands of people sprain their ankle every day around the world. Just while you've been reading this article, a few hundred people have sprained their ankle. While ankle pain can result from a large number of ankle and foot injuries, the most common ankle injuries are sprains (low and high ankle), which involve ligaments and bones in the ankle. But you can also fracture a bone, tear muscles or over-stress a tendon when you sprain your ankle.
High ankle sprains are generally a more significant injury. These injuries require thorough assessment and treatment to avoid long-term ankle arthritis. If you can't perform a single-leg calf raise within a few weeks of the injury, please seek an early professional ankle assessment.
Related links:
Ankle Fractures
An ankle fracture occurs when there is a break in one or more of the bones. The most common ankle fractures are avulsion fractures of your distal fibula, which can be a side effect of an ankle sprain. These are generally less troublesome than if you experience a talar dome fracture with your actual ankle joint. Potts fracture is a significant fracture of your tibia and fibula simultaneously. All suspected fractures require medical investigation and professionally managed by your health professional to avoid long-term foot and ankle issues. If your healthcare professional suspects an ankle fracture, you will be referred for at least an Xray and potentially to an orthopaedic surgeon. Related links:
- Ankle Fracture (Broken Ankle)
- Stress Fracture
- Stress Fracture Feet
- Severs Disease
- Heel Spur
- Shin Splints
Ankle Tendinopathies
While muscle strains are more common in your legs, there are important muscles which converge into tendons that wrap around your ankle to stabilise your ankle and foot to protect them from sprains and allow you to walk and run. These muscles and their tendon vitally provide you with a normal foot arch and avoid flat feet.
Your muscles or tendons can become injured or inflamed as a result of overuse or trauma. The inflammation is called tendonitis. They can also tear, completely rupture, or sublux out of place. Medically tendon injuries are known as tendinopathies, and at the ankle may include:
- Achilles Tendinopathy
- Achilles Tendon Rupture
- Peroneal Tendinopathy
- Tibialis Posterior Tendinopathy
- FHL Tendinopathy
- Plantar Fasciitis
Ankle Arthritis
Your ankle pain and dysfunction can lead to degenerative conditions such as ankle osteoarthritis. While arthritis usually is a chronic deterioration of your ankle joint, it is crucial to slow the progression of ankle arthritis. Please seek the professional advice of your ankle and foot health practitioner, e.g. physiotherapist or podiatrist.
Biomechanical Conditions
Biomechanical disorders may result in foot deformation, painful weight-bearing and potentially nerve compression. In simple terms, this is where your foot and ankle do not have normal bone alignment and motion contr. Here are a few possible conditions related to poor ankle biomechanics.
- Anterior Ankle Impingement (Front of Ankle Pain)
- Posterior Ankle Impingement (Back of Ankle Pain)
- Pes Planus (Flat Feet)
- Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Muscle Injuries
Nerve-Related Ankle Pain
Children & Youth Conditions
Systemic Conditions That Can Cause Ankle PAin
Soft Tissue Inflammation
Other Useful Information
Common Sources of Shin Pain & Injury
Shin Pain
Achilles Injuries
Calf Pain
- Calf Muscle Tear
- Calf Pain - Overview
Muscle Injuries
Systemic Conditions
Neurological Conditions
Sources of Calf Pain
The most common sources of leg pain include a calf muscle strain (torn calf), Achilles tendinopathy and leg cramps.
Other sources of calf pain can include the following:
Calf Muscle Strain
Other Muscular Conditions
Achilles Injuries
- Achilles Tendinopathy - (tendinitis/tendonitis)
- Achilles Tendon Rupture
- Retrocalcaneal Bursitis
Shin Pain
Systemic Conditions
Neurological Conditions
What Causes TMJ?
TMJ dysfunction is considered a multifaceted musculoskeletal disorder. The most common causes of TMD include:- Masticatory muscle dysfunction,
- Derangement/displacement of TMJ articular disc
- Bruxism: nocturnal grinding of teeth leads to increased pressure in TMJ and asymmetrical movement.
- Occlusal Problems: Poor bite, Asymmetrical or Retrognathic (underbite, overbite) .
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- Mandibular malalignment is secondary to an occlusal appliance or orthodontic treatment.
- Removal of wisdom teeth,
- Prolonged mouth opening, e.g. dental procedure,
- Poor cervical posture,
- Myofascial pain,
- Neuropsychological factors,
- Stress and
- Whiplash and other less common causes include trauma (e.g., blow to the chin), infection, polyarthritic conditions, tumours, and anatomical abnormalities.
TMJ Dysfunction Classifications
The common presentations of TMJ dysfunction classify into three clinical diagnostic groups:
- Jaw muscle disorder characterised by painful movement.
- Articular disc displacement.
- Arthralgia or arthritis.
What is the Cause of Jaw Clicking?
Clicking jaw is a sign of articular disc displacement, which is commonly treated by a TMJ physiotherapist. Clicking can occur during jaw opening, closing or both directions. Please seek the clinical assessment of TMJ physiotherapist for a specific diagnosis and treatment plan.Common Sources of TMJ Dysfunction or Jaw Pain
TMJ or jaw pain can occur as a result of various multi-factorial reasons. Most TMJ dysfunction resulting in jaw pain or clicking jaw results from two leading causes: jaw opening or closing.TMJ Dysfunction - Abnormal Opening
Most TMJ dysfunction that occurs results in an inability to open your jaw fully or symmetrically. Luckily nearly all opening dysfunctions respond exceptionally quickly and favourably to physiotherapy assessment and intervention since teeth occlusion is not an issue.TMJ Dysfunction - Abnormal Closing
Closing dysfunction can be due to both a teeth occlusion and an inability of the TMJ to close normally. If the problem is simply a stiff joint or poor muscle timing, then physiotherapy treatment will be very successful. However, if teeth occlusion issues exist, then you will be referred to a dental surgeon for a bite occlusion assessment.Potential Causes of TMJ or Jaw Pain
What is the Best Treatment for TMJ Dysfunction?
The best treatment for TMJ does vary based upon the clinical diagnosis, the TMJ dysfunction and the chronicity. TMJ opening disorders are more likely to be successfully treated with jaw movement improvement techniques. The techniques may include jaw muscle massage, dry needling/acupuncture, muscle stretch/relaxation/coordination exercises or joint capsule stretching techniques that are provided by your physiotherapist. Your dentist is usually involved in the management of TMJ closing disorders such as bruxism (teeth grinding) due to the addition of teeth occlusion. In some cases, an occlusion splint or bite plate can help. If you are unsure what treatment direction is best for you, we recommend that you seek the advice of your TMJ physiotherapist for pain, clicking or lack of motion when opening your mouth your dentist for problems when you clench your teeth. Either way, seek the advice of your TMJ health professional who will refer you on to the most relevant health professional suitable for your TMJ condition if they feel it is in your best care. After your TMJ assessment, your physiotherapist will commence corrective treatment if appropriate. TMJ physiotherapy usually is very successful for the treatment of TMJ opening disorders due to the problem being a movement disorder that is affected by your muscle and joint control.How Quickly Does Physiotherapy Relieve TMJ Dysfunction?
The good news is that your TMJ physiotherapist will start treating your TMJ dysfunction, muscle tightness or coordination issue that same day as they assess you. If your TMJ dysfunction is one of the categories that physiotherapy assists, you'll usually leave the clinic with very significant improvement or full resolution after your very first treatment consultation. Alternatively, if we assess you and discover that your TMJ dysfunction will not respond to physiotherapy, we'll happily refer you to the most appropriate health professional to assist you in achieving the quickest result.TMJ Treatment Prognosis
Prognosis is favourable in the vast majority of patients treated conservatively, and symptoms may improve without treatment. (Michelotti A, 2010). Field 2012, found that with conservative TMJ physiotherapy treatment, 75% of the TMD group resolved their condition within three months, which is certainly consistent with our clinical results. The vast majority improve within a few weeks of commencing TMJ treatment. This result compares to a more sluggish resolution in the non-physiotherapy treatment group studied by Rammelsberg in 2003, who found that spontaneous resolution occurs in a 33% of TMD sufferers over five years.Locked Jaw Treatment
A locked jaw can be both temporary or permanent. Your TMJ physiotherapist is usually able to unlock your locked jaw via gentle manipulation. Should manipulation fail, you may require an Oral Surgeon to perform a manipulation under anaesthesia or another surgical procedure known as an arthrocentesis (joint washout). In chronic cases, open surgery may identify or remove any physical obstructions, in the permanently locked jaw, but this is relatively rare.TMJ Physiotherapy Treatment & TMJ Exercises
TMJ exercises and treatment may include:- Posture improvement and neck treatment
- Relaxation exercises
- Muscle lengthening or jaw muscle massage
- TMJ joint mobilisation
- TMJ movement pattern and timing correction
- Passive, active-assisted, active exercises
- TMJ stabilisation exercises
- Dry needling or acupuncture.
Summary
Every case of TMJ dysfunction is different. Please check with your Craniofacial or TMJ physiotherapist for their professional opinion.TMJ Dysfunction - What to Avoid?
Until you seek the advice of your TMJ physiotherapist we recommend the following: AVOID:- uncontrolled, wide-opening, e.g. yawning,
- biting hard foods, e.g. carrots, apples,
- eating burgers or hard rolls,
- chewing gum,
- nail-biting,
- jaw leaning,
- stress, and
- clenching pens, pencils, pipes or cigars.
Common Ligament Injuries
Knee Ligament Injuries
- Knee Ligament Injuries
- ACL Injury
- PCL Injury
- MCL Sprain
- LCL Sprain
- Posterolateral Corner Injury
- Patella Dislocation
- Superior Tibiofibular Joint Sprain