I am treating a large number of people at the moment that have come to us after putting up with headaches for years. So how do you know if you need physio or migraine medication?
 It’s tricky as many people have migraines that have some component from the neck, and some have neck headaches that mimic migraines.

An easy way to start thinking about it is to ask:

• Do I have pain in my neck at the same time as my headache?
  
• Is the headache on 1 side (but not always is this the case)?
  
• Is it worse after certain positions either at work or maybe sitting at the laptop at home?
  
• Am I getting pain into my eye?
  
• Is it worse after sleeping?
  

Not always will these mean that it is from your neck (cervicogenic) but it’s a good place to start.

Many of my clients are coalminers that have problems when looking up for long periods of the shift or sitting on an IMCO, looking one way or another whilst driving. (I still haven’t worked out why the seat can’t spin around). Or, when they go home they sit on the lounge with their head turned slightly one way for an extended period of time - (NB check your TV set up or don’t sit for long or preferably both). Lack of sleep, exercise and a poor diet can also contribute to ongoing pain.

So what can you do about it?

• Take note of when and where you get the pain, time of day, severity etc. (a headache diary is helpful here.
  
• Change position regularly: If you’ve been looking up take a break and do a different job, get out of the IMCO and stretch, get out of your chair and move.
  
• Exercise daily: I know that you might walk miles underground at times, but you also sit in that crib room and on the transport in and out. The fitter and stronger you are, the less back and neck pain you will have.  
  
• For the gym crew out there: look at your form and position of your head when doing weights. You’d be surprised what changing your head position can do to headaches
  
• Undertake some neck stretches: Nothing crazy like twisting your head around with your hands to get the clunk, just look both ways and ear down to each side for starters
  
• Get a good sleep in, especially for those on night shift
  

If your headaches and neck pain continue and you’ve tried those simple tricks, a physiotherapy assessment can determine if it is from your neck. It’s a quick and simple way to screen your headaches. If we are worried about anything, we will send you back to your Dr for scanning/medication.

Approximately 80-90% of people with headaches originating from their neck will get relief from physio. So, don’t put up with it any longer.

Your partner will be happy and so will your head.

With the exciting news of gyms reopening this weekend, it is more important than ever to remember to ease back into exercise post-coronavirus. It is advised when returning to gym programs, to take 30 percent off your weights for the first few sessions, before adding 10 percent each week thereafter.

It is also important to remember to stretch, warm up, and cool down (especially in these winter months). Look after your form, check your posture, and if you are having problems, pop in to the practice to have a chat to one of our Physios or EP, or have a chat to a local PT.

Let’s go and support our local gyms who have been doing it tough these last few months.

Kids who are involved with sport often experience knee pain related to the tracking of the knee cap and/or growing pain underneath the knee cap.

To help this:
- strengthen muscles of the inner quads
- stretch the hamstrings
- get the correct shoes (we often recommend ASICS)

Kids with heel pain? This is generally correlated with an increase in activity and/or growth spurts. Often the diagnosis of this is Sever’s Disease. This is a common cause of heel pain, particularly in young and physically active people. Between the ages of 8 and 14 years the leg bones experience a period of growth. This may lead to heel pain during or after physical activity.

So what can be done to help settle this pain?
- Relative rest; you don’t need to stop everything, but you want to reduce activity levels
- Ice
- Foam rolling/Calf stretches; be careful not to over-stretch though! Seek advice from a Physio if you have any concerns/questions in regards to this
- Supportive shoes

If these simple steps don’t help, it may be worthwhile to have a chat with one of our Physios here at Tablelands Physio for some professional advice (02) ‪6352 3131‬, or your local Physiotherapist.

Sore knee? Here is a really simple exercise to do early after you have hurt your knee. The main aim is to increase movement of the knee and activate the quad muscle, which is the protector of the knee. Roll up a towel and give it a go!

Stiff neck from sitting at your desk? Here are some simple tips to relieve soreness and stiffness from being stuck in one position for a long time.