post

How a Physiotherapist Can Help You Manage Shoulder Pain

by Posted in Physical Therapy

For many people, popping a painkiller is always more convenient than visiting a healthcare professional. However, these treatments only relieve the symptom. It does not address the cause. When it comes to shoulder pain, there is only one I trust – my physiotherapist in Werribee. I know this may sound biased. Allow me to share with you how a physiotherapist can help you manage shoulder pain.

Everything Starts with a Comprehensive Assessment

You may ask why this is necessary when your complaint is about an aching shoulder. I also had the same question. As it turns out, the pain that we feel in our shoulders can be brought about by a variety of reasons. It can be because of poor posture related to our activities of daily living. Stress can also be a major contributor to the occurrence of pain.

Because these ‘things’ are not related to the shoulders, a physiotherapist has to obtain as much information as he can about your health. He will want to know any activities that you have done in the past that may have contributed to the development of shoulder pain. Any history of medication intake, medical or surgical procedures, and other therapies that you may have undergone in the past are also crucial. Everything has got to do with understanding the most likely reason for the shoulder pain.

Part of this assessment is the actual examination of your shoulders. He will look at the position of the shoulder blades. He will ask you to perform a number of movements with your shoulders. This will give the physiotherapist an idea of the limitations in the shoulder joints. He will also assess the strength of the shoulder muscles.

A Physiotherapist Plans Your Care that Addresses the Cause of the Problem

Based on the information obtained during the clinical assessment, the physiotherapist can now come up with a more accurate diagnosis. This is going to be the basis of the formulation of your treatment goals and objectives.

The best part of this is that the physiotherapist will share with you the treatment plan first. He wants to make sure that you understand the goal of treatment, including the different interventions that you are going to undertake.

I find this part to be very enriching. Being able to talk to a physiotherapist regarding how to manage shoulder pain is almost as good as popping a painkiller itself. I can always ask questions about certain things. This is important if ever you want your treatment to be successful.

Provides Appropriate Physical Therapy to Address the Problem

With the plan of care set, the physiotherapist can now focus his attention on your painful shoulders. Everything depends on the goal of the treatment and the main problems that he identified during the assessment phase.

In general, a physiotherapist can teach you how to perform the most appropriate exercises that will address the problem. This is one of the best parts of physiotherapy. There are no pills involved; no side effects to worry about. Best of all, you get to continue with these exercises right in your own home.

I know that many people don’t like the idea of ‘exercises’. However, this is important if you want to address the root cause of your shoulder pain. These exercises do not only relieve pain; they also strengthen the muscles of the shoulders and improve the range of motion of the joints.

In addition to teaching you exercises, physiotherapists can also provide a number of therapies. These can include strengthening exercises, soft tissue releases, and manual therapy. They will help address the pain and discomfort in the shoulders. They’re like your painkillers. The only difference is that you also get additional benefits such as a calmer mind and a more relaxed body.

Personally, I find our interactions very rewarding. I get to understand the reason why I have shoulder pain. I also get a better appreciation of the risk factors that can predispose me to shoulder pain. What I learned from my physiotherapy sessions is that there are some things that I have to modify in my life if want to be free from shoulder pain.

Sure, popping a painkiller is easier than going through the different exercises and lifestyle modification that a physiotherapist will recommend. However, this isn’t going to make the shoulder pain go away for good. Physiotherapy can.

post

How To Find A New Indoor Sports Stadium After Moving To A New City

by Posted in Sports

Settling in a new city is not easy if you do not have friends or family living close by. You can, naturally, search for new friends in the workplace, but finding people with the same interests and hobbies is much better.

As a sports enthusiast, playing various sports is a huge part of my life. In my hometown, I was a member of a few teams that also play competitively. Thus, when I moved, finding a new team or a sports venue where I can play was first on my agenda. Luckily, there are tons of indoor sports stadiums in Australia where I can begin my search.

While playing outdoors during summer is also great, these indoor sports stadiums are where newbies or aspiring players can connect with fellow athletes and teams. In my case, I wanted to play team sports like futsal or soccer. Thus, I needed to find a team to play with. In some stadiums, it is possible to just walk in and join any team playing at the time. However, since I wanted to play competitively, I wanted to be part of a team and local tournaments against other teams in the area.

Finding the right sports stadium is the first step because I wanted one that suits my needs and preferences. As I began my search for my new favorite spot in the city, here are some things I put in mind.

Location

Indoor sports stadiums can be found in many neighborhoods in Australia. Thus, it means you will not need to drive or travel an hour just to get to one. Start by finding the one closest to your place so that you will not waste so much time getting there.

Facilities

Some stadiums are bigger and offer quite a few courts. This means you can play different sports and they have more capacity for teams practicing or playing. First of all, if you prefer a specific sport, check if they have the facility for it or if you are more of a jack-of-all-trades, then opt for one that offers more sports. Another important thing to check out is the changing/shower/locker facilities, as you will naturally spend time there as well.

Opening Times

If you are a working professional, then you will need to check out the opening times to make sure you can still enjoy an after-work game regularly. Most indoor sports stadiums are open longer, which is a good thing. If you are more into going in the morning, then checking the opening times is a must as well. There are places that are more flexible than others, and this is best for those with busy schedules.

Atmosphere and Policies

Playing sports is all about learning teamwork and getting a good workout. Beyond that, it is all about fun. While some competition is important in getting you to play at your optimal level, too much aggression takes the fun out of the game. Moreover, it increases the risk of injuries and other untoward accidents.

I certainly do not want to have to go to work the next few weeks in crutches because of people playing too rough. Some stadiums have a non-aggression policy but even if they do not, you should try out a few games first to see how the people behave. If you feel comfortable with the other players, then you can consider signing up for the team long-term. The referees are also an important part of playing, so find a stadium that has fair ones that promote a fun and safe environment.

Depending on your location and your needs, you might find it easy to find your new “second home“ in the city. As for me, after a little search and trying out a couple of stadiums, I have settled in my new team and am back playing my favorite sports.