Returning to exercise after any length of time off should be done cautiously to avoid the risk of injury or rebound bad habits. Many of us have dealt with time off exercise at some stage. This may be due to injury, travel, time restraints, pregnancy, seasons or motivation. Over the last two years, almost all

Shoulder pain is an extremely common complaint from clients we see in the clinic. We have seen an increase in patients with shoulder pain, particularly related to the rotator cuff, during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is likely due to the rise in working from home, virtual exercise classes and an increase in DIY projects. People

A holistic view of health: Growing up in New Zealand, Māori culture was integrated in my education from a young age. When I studied Physiotherapy at The University of Otago, I learnt about the concept of Hauora. Hauroa is the Māori notion of wellbeing and encompasses four different aspects of health: 1. Taha Tinana:  (Physical

How can we optimise health and wellbeing? Prior to lockdown, I was fortunate enough to attend a presentation by Paul Taylor, a former British Royal Navy Aircrew Officer turned Neuroscientist, Exercise Physiologist and Nutritionist. Paul is also currently completing a PhD in Applied Psychology. An engaging and enthusiastic speaker, Paul presented the latest cutting-edge science when it comes to wellbeing, resilience,

Lockdown aches and pains: Is your neck or back becoming a bit of a problem during lockdown? Well, you’re not alone! We have certainly noticed a lot more people presenting to the clinic with neck and back pain over 2020 and 2021. So what is causing it and what can you do at home? Change

What is neural tension? Neural tension can occur when nerves are not sliding and gliding through tissues as they usually would. The nerves that supply the sensation and movements to your arms and legs are called “peripheral nerves.” When neural tension occurs in peripheral nerves, it can cause areas of referred symptoms into parts of

Plagiocephaly (or misshapen head) is a very common problem that often causes significant parental concern. However, it is also a highly preventable and treatable condition with the right information at the right time. What is Plagiocephaly? Plagiocephaly refers to a misshapen or asymmetrical head shape. It is sometimes referred to as “Deformational Plagiocepahly” or “Positional Plagiocephaly”. A

What type of pain you should be worried about and what you should expect As Physiotherapists, we encounter all kinds of pain and the patients who experience it. I could write a thesis on pain as it is so complex. Instead, I would like to focus on how we, as Physiotherapists, understand and interpret your pain. In

What exactly is Self Care? Self Care is a concept that’s been talked of a lot in the past few years. Often referred to as a ‘buzzword’, it is frequently misunderstood. It is a term used to define a practice that has a lifetime value. Undoubtedly, it is a practice that involves more than simply massages, manicures,

Running takes on many forms! You might notice when out for a run that there are many different running styles around! To understand what I mean, take a look at this short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nu8FlpDSPl4 People have accomplished amazing running races with “technically-poor” running styles.  So how can this be? There’s more than meets the eye when determining what