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In this post, I look at introducing running and a phased return to increase running intensity, which is usually the mechanism that strains the hamstring. In our previous posts, we talked about how hamstrings occur, their severity, and how the location of the injury influences rehabilitation. We also looked at the [...]

In today’s post, we look at whether you should be stretching or strengthening the hamstring.   The answer to this question depends on whether the hamstring injury is sensitive to a stretch or applying a load. When the muscle fibres get damaged they start to repair and join together, just like a scab in the [...]

There is a lot of talk in the media today with high profile sports players out with hammock hamstring injuries and hamstring repairs that are done surgically. What are the types of hamstring injuries that can occur and how can they be managed? First, hamstrings are a group of three muscles at the back of […]

Does ice have a role in managing sciatica? Every week in our clinic, we get patients asking if they should use ice to help sciatica. Ice is an anti-inflammatory, and in most causes of sciatica, there is always an inflammatory component. Therefore, on the face, using ice seems to make sense because it would facilitate [...]

Do different sitting positions affect the pressure on your lower back? The short answer is, yes. They do. Every day in the clinic, patients tell us that how they sit, and what they sit on has a profound influence on the severity of their symptoms. You are often told not to slouch, whether at the […]

What is the big deal with sitting? Why can it cause such a problem? It seems contradictory that sitting can cause problems because it helps in relaxation and does not seem to require much from the energy systems of the body.   Generally, the main function of the intervertebral disc found in between two vertebrae [...]

Virtually every day in our clinic, we will have patients telling us that their back feels better of t’s warm outside or if they have had a hot bath, or traveled to a warmer climate. This is a common report, which makes it hard to believe that people do not genuinely get better from such […]

How do we keep them participating and being retained in maintaining physical activity? I recently became aware of some important work that an Irish man in Sweden is doing. The International Convention of Children’s Rights is looking at restructuring the format of youth sports to be child-cantered rather than [...]

Are stretches a good or bad idea for sciatica? Stretches are not a good idea for sciatica and I will explain why in this post. It is very tempting with acute sciatic pain to think that you can stretch the nerve to try to help the situation. However, nerves are not like muscles, ligaments, or […]

Sciatica affects many people in the world today and is characterised by radiating leg pain and other secondary disabilities. Most patients suffering from sciatica recover fully through receiving primary care but a small percentage may require Secondary care and consequently surgery. In this article, we share with you [...]