Little Ones, Big Milestones
Is your baby, or a baby you know, needing a little extra help with rolling, sitting or crawling?
We’re excited to announce that our Paediatric Physiotherapists here at St Leonards Physiotherapy are planning a new small-group baby class at St Leonards Physiotherapy, with just four little ones per session.
A relaxed, supportive space to help babies develop the skills they need as they work towards their next big milestone.
When? The proposed classes will be on Wednesdays at 10am
Want to hear when bookings open? Join the waitlist and be the first to know!
Managing Diabetes with Exercise
Missed the live session or want to revisit the insights?
Watch the recording of our recent webinar with Physiotherapist Jacques O’Hearn, for an in-depth look at the condition and how it can be managed and improved with exercise via the BEAT IT program.
Term 4 Class Pricing
With Term 4 just around the corner, we wanted to let you know about our updated class pricing.
Casual classes
- $45 per class when paying on the day
- 5-Class Pass: $42.50 per class
Permanent class bookings
- 1 class per week: $425 per term
- 2 classes per week: $850 per term
Group Therapy
- $55 per session
These prices will apply from the beginning of Term 4.
Want to learn more or purchase a 5-Class Pass? Get in touch with our friendly reception team today; we’d be happy to help.
Shin Splints: Do You Really Need to Stop Training?
That familiar ache along your shins can be frustrating, especially when your training is going well.
Shin splints are common in runners, dancers and anyone who has recently increased their training load. But does shin pain mean you need to stop completely?
Not necessarily. The key is understanding what’s causing it, knowing how much load your body can handle, and recognising when shin pain could be something more serious.
In our latest article, we explain:
- Why shin splints happen (and why “too much, too soon” is often the culprit)
- How to tell shin splints from a potential stress fracture
- Whether you can keep training while they settle
- The simple load rule that can help guide your training
- How to build stronger, more resilient shins for the long term
Read the full article to find out how to keep moving without making your shin pain worse.
The Education Quarter
Understanding Muscle Cramps: Why They Strike and How to Ease Them
If muscle cramps keep catching you out, whether mid-run or in the small hours, our team can help you understand why and what to do about them. Cramps are common, usually harmless, and often very manageable once you know what is driving yours. Here is what is going on.
What a Cramp Actually Is
A muscle cramp is a sudden, involuntary contraction of a muscle that will not let go, often in the calf, foot or thigh. It can be briefly intense and leave the muscle tender afterwards. For all the drama, the muscle itself is rarely harmed. It is more like a temporary miscommunication between nerve and muscle than any kind of damage.
Why they happen (it is not always dehydration)
The old story blamed dehydration and lost salts, but current thinking leans more towards muscle and nerve fatigue. When a muscle is worked hard, tired, or asked to do more than it is used to, the signals that normally keep it relaxed can become overexcited, and it clamps down. That is why cramps often show up late in a long effort, or when you have ramped up training quickly. Hydration and warmth still play a part, they are just not the whole story.
Night cramps and pregnancy
Cramps that strike at night, particularly in the calf, are very common and tend to increase with age. They are also a familiar visitor during pregnancy. These are usually harmless, if thoroughly annoying, and often respond to the same simple strategies as any other cramp.
How to ease one in the moment
When a cramp hits, gently lengthening the muscle is usually the fastest relief. For a calf cramp, straighten the leg and draw your toes up towards you, or stand and lean gently forward. A light massage and some warmth afterwards can settle the lingering tenderness. Ease it out gently rather than forcing anything.
Reducing how often they happen
Over the longer term, building the muscle’s capacity helps most. Gradually conditioning the muscles you use, easing into new training rather than leaping in, staying reasonably hydrated, and gently stretching before bed if night cramps are your pattern can all reduce how often they turn up. Consistency tends to beat intensity here.
When to check in with someone
Most cramps are nothing to worry about. It is worth a professional opinion, though, if they are frequent and severe, always in the same spot, linked to weakness or swelling, or simply disrupting your sleep and training. There is usually plenty that can be done to help.
If cramps are getting in the way of your training or your sleep, have a chat with our team. We can assess what is contributing and build a plan to help settle them; call or book online.
