Sunbury Physiotherapy Centre

Have you got a sore back or neck? Have you sustained a sporting or other injury? A physiotherapist may very well be able to help! Physiotherapists are experts in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Sunbury Physiotherapy Clinic was established in 1986 and has provided care to Sunbury & Gisborne residents and surrounding areas ever since. The clinic has been accredited by the Australian Physiotherapy Association, a process that promotes excellence in all aspects of physiotherapy care provision.

Consultation is by appointment between 8 a.m.-7 p.m. weekdays and until noon on Saturdays. Appointments are also available Tuesday and Friday mornings and Thursday afternoons at the Gisborne Medical Centre. A doctor’s referral is not required to attend physiotherapy.

The Practice offers a comprehensive range of physiotherapy services, these include:

The Practice also offers other allied health services which include:

• Podiatry
• Psychology
• Hand Therapy
• Massage Therapy
• Rehabilitation
• Hydrotherapy

Watch this space to find out the latest news and articles from Sunbury Physiotherapy Clinic.

SHIN SPLINTS

        “Shin Splints’ refers to the pain or discomfort felt over the front of the lower leg.  This pain is felt as result of repetitive micro-trauma to either the bone (tibia), the muscles that attach to the bone, to the tendons in the lower leg or a combination of all these.  In the most severe cases the repetitive trauma, when affecting the bone, can lead to a stress fracture.

          Shin splints is an overuse injury in which the body does not adapt to repeated stress placed upon the tibia and its close relations.  This leads to inflammation, which is the body’s response to injury.  This inflammation causes pain, swelling and warmth to the injury site.  If the aggravating factors persist the injury worsens.

          CAUSES:

1.      Footwear – may be inappropriate for the specific sport or individual’s foot.

2.      Sudden changes in training habits.

3.      Poor foot posture and biomechanics.

4.      Lack of sport specific conditioning.

5.      “Tight” achilles tendons.

6.      Direct trauma, such as a blow to the shin.

7.             Over training.

TREATMENT:

Physiotherapists look both at the immediate management of the injury and the underlying causes.

The immediate aim of treatment is to reduce the pain, reduce the inflammation and restore normal muscle strength and flexibility.

The long term goals are to prevent further flare ups of the pain.

This can be achieved by mapping out:

1.      A warm up/warm down program.

2.      Strength program.

3.      Stretching program.

4.      Advice re: footwear.

5.      Advice re: good training which must include cross training.

Shin splints, if left unchecked, will worsen and result in the sportsperson having to stop his activity.  If managed properly, the athlete can continue his activity whilst the natural repair process proceeds.