The hamstring is found along the back of the thigh and comprises of a group of muscles that extend the hip (backwards movement of the leg) and flex (bend) the knee. A hamstring strain, sometimes called a pulled hamstring, is very common in sports that involve sprinting such as football, rugby and hockey and it …
Groin injuries most commonly involve the adductor muscles that go from the pelvis to the knee and help to bring the leg in toward the body. These muscles are used during sports that involve sprinting, kicking and twisting such as football and soccer. A strain(tear) in the adductor muscles can occur during these activities. Symptoms …
Commonly called “herniated disc” or “ruptured disc” (or misleadingly called “slipped disc”), one of the common conditions we treat is disc prolapse. The spinal column is made up of several bones called vertebrae. Between these vertebrae are discs which prevent the bones from rubbing against each other during movement and act as shock absorbers during …
Most people will suffer from back pain at some point in their lives. Back pain is common among athletes who strain their back muscles or it may be the result of spinal injuries such as fractures or sprains. Accidents, falls and direct blows to the back can also cause back pain. However, many people report …
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the four main ligaments in the knee. It binds the back of the thigh bone (femur) to the front of the shin bone (tibia). If the ACL is damaged the knee becomes unstable and may feel like it is “giving way”. An ACL injury is very common …
A prescription painkiller could make a big difference for those suffering from acute pain. But is it necessary to put these chemicals into your body? Can they cause harm? At what point do the disadvantages outweigh the benefits? Take the case of a patient with chronic arthritis, painfully trying to manoeuvre through her daily activities. …
Do you have muscular or joint pain? Do you have pain or limited movement following surgery, an accident or an injury? Do you have back or neck pain or suffer from headaches? Is a cardiac condition hindering you from performing your normal activities of daily living? Are you suffering from arthritis? Do you experience difficulty …
Whiplash is a very common injury that can affect anyone. Whiplash occurs most frequently during rear-end motor vehicle accidents. When the body is struck from behind, the neck sharply extends backwards then flexes forwards past its normal range of motion and with excessive force causing a whiplash. This injury can cause damage to muscles in …
We are familiar with the expression “my foot has fallen asleep”. This sensation is caused by a change in the functioning of a sensory nerve and is known in medical circles as paraesthesia. It can occur in any part of the body but is most common in the fingers and feet. In the former, it …
Sciatica is a common condition that causes pain to radiate in the buttocks and groin, down the back of the leg and into the foot. This pain is the result of compression of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve can be compressed by a herniated lumbar intervertebral disc or as a result of disc space …
