In the last blog I discussed how to recognise that a concussion has occurred. I identified that recognising a concussion and removing the player from play are the first and most important responsibilities of those present. However, the subsequent management of the player in the following days and weeks is also crucial in their safe […]

Player concussion has become a widely discussed topic in contact sports in recent years. The increased incidence of serious head injuries, especially at amateur level, where appropriate medical expertise is not always present is a worrying concern. Thankfully both the IRFU and GAA are addressing the issue and there has been a surge of information […]

An Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury is the tearing of a large ligament inside your knee joint. The ACL, one of two ligaments that cross in the middle of the knee, connects your thighbone (femur) to your shinbone (tibia) and helps stabilize your knee joint. Causes An ACL injury most commonly occurs during sports that […]

Waterford Chartered Physiotherapy clinic encounters many shins splints sufferers at two specific times in the year – late January when people have hit the roads with renewed vigour after the over-indulgences of Christmas and mid Summer when the ground gets hard and field game players have increased games. The term “shin splints” refers to pain […]

Rotator cuff injuries are one of the most common causes of shoulder pain. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint, keeping the head of your upper arm bone firmly within the shallow socket of the shoulder. Symptoms The pain associated with a rotator cuff injury may: Be […]

A bunion is generally considered as an enlargement of the joint at the base and side of the big toe. Bunions form when the big toe bends towards the others causing the joint to become larger. The bunion can become painful, and in many cases arthritis and stiffness can eventually develop. Severe cases often need […]

The staff in Waterford Chartered Physiotherapy Clinic have many years of experience in rehabilitating patients back to full health following knee replacement surgery. Knee replacement surgery can take the form of a Total Knee Replacement (TKR) or Partial Knee Replacement depending on the extent of arthritis in the joint. The orthopaedic consultant will decide on […]

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS), or Runner’s Knee, got it’s nickname for an obvious and very unfortunate reason – it’s very common among runners! It is one of the most common conditions which presents to Waterford Chartered Physiotherapy Clinic and seems to affect exercisers across a broad spectrum – from recreational walkers and joggers to elite […]

Achilles tendon pain, commonly known as Achilles Tendinopathy, is one of the most common presenting conditions at Waterford Chartered Physiotherapy Clinic. The achilles tendon is a large tendon at the back of your heel which merges with the calf muscles and is very commonly injured in activities such as running, dancing and gymnastics. Achilles Tendinopathy […]

Whiplash Associated Disorder (WAD) is a common injury sustained with any high velocity impact event such as a car accident, sports injury or blow to the head from a falling object. The most common cause of WAD is a car accident, in which one car is struck from behind or the side by another. The […]

There has been a noticeable increase in the number of children and teenagers presenting with neck and back pain for physiotherapy in recent years. In my opinion a more sedentary lifestyle is partially responsible for this trend. However, the impact of heavy school bags cannot be ignored as a significant contributing factor. The provision of […]

The use of computers in the workplace has increased dramatically in recent years with a transition from more physically challenging to sedentary working conditions. This change to more static work postures, often in front of computers for prolonged periods, has lead to an increase in the number of work-related neck and upper limb injuries. Even […]

Are you pregnant and unsure about how to exercise during pregnancy? Are you worried that exercising will harm your baby? Are you confused about the best forms of exercise during pregnancy? Our advice – DON’T WORRY, it’s a lot more straight forward than you think! Exercising during pregnancy is not only safe, but beneficial for […]

Orthotics are custom-made inserts for your shoes that aim to address any biomechanical issues with your feet. In my clinical experience, orthotics can be highly effective in helping resolve pain in the back and lower limbs. However, prescription with orthotics is not a “quick fix” and makes up only part of the rehabilitation programme. Clients […]

Stretches for Hamstrings Tight hamstrings are a common feature in many of the injuries we treat in Waterford Chartered Physiotherapy Clinic. Tight hamstrings can contribute to hamstring strains, low back pain, sciatica and pelvic dysfunctions. Stretches for hamstrings can be quite uncomfortable and noticeable improvements in your flexibility will take a good 6 weeks. There […]

The New Year brings about resolutions for a healthier lifestyle, so many of us are hitting the roads and gyms more at present to burn off those extra calories consumed over Christmas. However, many the enthusiastic New Year exerciser is left frustrated when they are unable to continue with their new exercise regime due to […]

The Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists describes what a Chartered Physiotherapist is: “The title “Physiotherapist” alone is not evidence of a formal qualification in Physiotherapy. A Chartered Physiotherapist is a specialised member of the health care team. We are recognised by the medical professions and the Department of Health. The title “Chartered Physiotherapist” and the […]

Calf Muscle Stretches Tight calf muscles are a very common finding in my clinical practice in Waterford Chartered Physiotherapy Clinic and can be considerably disabling for keen walkers and road runners where the calf muscles are especially dominant. Most people are aware of the generic stretches for the calf muscles but only a minority of […]