Oct’24 news: Feeling the Pinch?

Did you know that low back pain affects 1 in 6 Australians? With a population of 26 million and growing, that’s approximately 4 million Aussies out there suffering with pain that can in some cases, severely affect your day-to-day function and lifestyle.

Welcome to this month’s newsletter! This month we take a look at some insights into managing the painful pinch caused by thoracic outlet syndrome, we touch on ways that we can help elevate workplace wellness, and we also recap our recent lower back pain workshop. Plus, don’t miss our take on why calf strength is super important for your overall mobility. 

Enjoy.

Elevate Workplace Wellbeing

Calling all business owners. Did you know that we offer comprehensive services tailored specifically for businesses to help employees thrive? At St Leonards Physiotherapy, we see a lot of patients for workplace-related injuries, whether those be on-the-job accidents or just poor ergonomics that have led to aches and pains.

As part of our commitment to improving workplace health and reducing injuries, we offer a variety or business and individual workplace assessments, including:

Pre-Employment Functional Assessments:
In these 45-minute assessments, we assess individual ability to perform a role, including a detailed report on musculoskeletal health and fitness.

Workplace Ergonomics Education and Assessments:
We offer two packages to enhance employee wellbeing:

1. 1. 1. Roaming Workstation Assessment: This includes an educational workshop on optimal workstation setup and a quick assessment to identify common ergonomic issues.
      2. Detailed Individual Assessments: This package dives deeper, providing personalised recommendations and reports for those with specific musculoskeletal concerns.

While our workplace services are designed to support organisations, we also offer individual services like physiotherapy and ergonomic assessments. Our Ergonomics and Workplace Injury Package combines physiotherapy and workstation assessments, either virtually or physically, to help manage and prevent ergonomic related injuries.

For more information about how our workplace services can foster a healthier, more productive environment for your team, head to our website or contact us today.

The Essentials of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Don’t Let Lower Back Pain Get in Your Way!

The Education Quarter

The Importance of Calf Strength

Don’t skip leg day. Or maybe we should say don’t skip mixing leg work into every day… Calf strength is vital for balance, stability, and overall movement. If something feels off—whether it’s difficulty with a calf raise on one leg or pain in your lower limbs—our physiotherapists are here to help you get back on track and back to leg day!

Call (02) 9438 1782 to make an appointment with our physiotherapists at St Leonards Physiotherapy.

The role of calf strength in daily movement

The gastrocnemius and soleus, the two primary muscles in the calf, work together to support your body weight, propel you forward, and stabilise your posture in nearly every daily movement.

Every step you take engages your calf muscles. When you push off the ground, the gastrocnemius contracts, providing the force needed to propel your body forward. Weak calves can lead to inefficient walking patterns, increased fatigue, and pain in the feet, ankles, or knees. Strong calves on the over hand enhance stability, reduce falls, and improve coordination.

What can go wrong?

Calf muscles are susceptible to a variety of issues.

• • Muscle strains and tears: Overuse or sudden movements can lead to calf strains or even tears.
  • Achilles tendon injuries: The Achilles tendon connects your calf muscles to your heel bone. Tendinitis or a partial tear in this tendon can limit your ability to push off with your foot.
  • Nerve compression: Sometimes, issues like nerve compression in the lower back or leg can lead to muscle weakness or a sensation of heaviness in the calf. This can make simple tasks, like performing a calf raise, challenging.
  • Tendinopathy: Chronic tendinopathy, particularly in the Achilles tendon, involves the degeneration of tendon tissue. This condition can make your calves feel weak and sore, especially during physical activity.

How physiotherapy can help

We’re here to identify and treat these calf-related issues. When you visit St Leonards Physiotherapy, we’ll conduct a thorough assessment to pinpoint the exact cause of your discomfort or weakness and deliver a tailored treatment plan.

Take the first step towards recovery

Don’t let calf pain or weakness hold you back. Call (02) 9438 1782 to make an appointment with our physiotherapists at St Leonards Physiotherapy today. And don’t forget to follow us on social media for more tips on staying healthy. We’re on Facebook and Instagram.

Information provided in this email (including text, graphics, images, outbound links, and other material) is for informational purposes only. It is general in nature and is not to be used or considered as a substitute for personalised professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your qualified health provider regarding any symptoms, medical conditions, or treatments and before undertaking any new health care regimen.