Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Fans Of The Hip


Fans of the hip 
Yes, that's the title of the latest course  I am attending. But I'd like to say that we (staff at Physio and Sports Solutions) are fans of learning too. Yes, we are always striving to be better physiotherapists so we can get better at treating our patients.

At lunch, a fellow physiotherapist at the course was asking me why I wasn't  "growing" or opening more clinics. He mentioned that "lots of people" would want to partner us to have more clinics. To which I said we do not wish to be the biggest (physiotherapy chain of clinics), we just want to be the best at treating the cause of  your pain. That's why we keep learning.The lecturer did a great job explaining how the sacrum sits between the 2 hip bones


Ting Jun is the sacrum sitting between Derek and I (the 2 hip bones) in the picture below. For example if I shift forwards and Derek goes back (to simulate forward and posterior tilt in the pelvis) Ting Jun (the sacrum) will really feel unstable.

See the apprehension in her face
Last day of the course today. Back to work tomorrow.

Sunday, February 18, 2018

Back Pain? Check The Psoas

See the how the Psoas attaches to the spine
Here's a patient who came to our clinic this past week complaining of perpetual low back pain. He seemed more frustrated because he had not been able to do his "normal" exercise for over two weeks. The patient is young medical doctor in his mid thirties and among other things does a thousand sit ups a day (2 sets of 500 each).

At Physio and Sports Solutions, our challenge is always to find out the cause of the patient's problem. (and not just treat the pain). It's quite similar to detective work. We look for clues from the moment they walk into the clinic/ treatment room, how they sit/ stand when we are talking to them.

Next is asking the patient many questions about their condition, their exercise routine (if they have one) and their daily routine followed by a physical assessment.

When he told me about his 1000 sit ups a day routine (in addition to his 12-14 hours of desk bound job), I knew that this was a key component to his pain.

Physical assessment revealed exquisite discomfort to his Psoas and Illiacus muscles among other things. Now the Psoas muscle has been described as "the most important and vital skeletal muscle" in the human body for it connects the spine to the legs.

It is structurally the deepest muscle we have in the core/ tummy. They start at the thigh bone (see picture above) and finish at the 12th thoracic vertebrae and all five lumbar vertebrae. That's how it can cause your back pain!

Any force on the Psoas muscle (muscular contractions) is also thought to support our internal organs and work like hydraulic pumps allowing blood and lymph to pushed in and out of the area. Organs stimulated include the intestines, kidneys, liver, spleen, pancreas, bladder, stomach and the reproductive organs. This is why after my accident, every time my stomach hurts (usually from eating something that my stomach doesn't like), my back hurts too.

These deep organs are often referred to as viscera, and communication from theses organs to the brain is called visceral messaging. (My colleagues Sham, Ting Jun and Aized can do visceral manipulation if you need).
Connection between the diaphragm and psoas
Here's another remarkable fact. Your diaphragm (main breathing muscle) is connected to the spine where the Psoas muscle attaches. The diaphragm's medial arcuate ligament also wraps around the top of the Psoas along with fascia that connects to the other hip muscles.

These connections connect your ability to walk, run and breathe and also how you respond to fear and excitement - a direct influence on your fight or flight response.

So I addressed my patient's Psoas problem and got rid of his back pain without even touching his back.  As a medical doctor he and his previous physio had been attempting to treat his back for over a month with no real improvement. He was totally amazed as everyone else had told him it was his back that gave him problem.

Having back pain and not better after your back is treated? Make sure you get your physiotherapist/ healthcare practitioner to check your psoas and your internal organs/ viscera (although your healthcare practitioner may think you're nuts if they're not trained in that area).

Sunday, February 4, 2018

Kaboom! Went The Bulb


You wouldn't have guessed it from the group picture above. Just before we ended yesterday's lesson, the bulb on the projector exploded with a loud pop! Gave all of us a shock. I kid you not.

I was afraid I had to buy a new projector for today's Day 2 of the Kinesio Taping Assessments, Fundamental Concepts and Techniques (previously know as Kinesio Taping Level 2 or KT 2).

Thank goodness for Amy from Sanctband who kindly agreed to loan me their projector. She went back to the office yesterday and Audrey (who lived nearby their office) picked it up for me. Thanks to Amy and Audrey again!
Diyanah and Audrey my saviour
Other than that the course went smoothly. I had to go through the last bit of yesterday's content to catch up, but it worked out well in the end.

Here are some more pictures from the course.

Working hard
The RI teachers and Sham
Thank you all for coming to the course. Next course is on 16-17th June. Call or email us for details or you can sign up here.

Saturday, February 3, 2018

Incredulous At The Kinesio Taping Course

Agog ...
Yes, that's Mona listening, mouth agape with incredulity at how wonderful our epidermis, dermis (skin) functions when I was explaining about how Kinesio Taping works.

Well, after my re-certification as a Certified Kinesio Taping Instructor earlier in January this year, I felt ready to teach again. I wrote earlier  last year that I wouldn't teach again until I've clarified my doubts (after Kinesio Taping International tweaked the course) so as not to shortchange the participants attending the course.


After going through the basic concepts, it was time for the practical.

Discussing which direction

MDT 12 'o clock with Ryan and Tricia
We will do Day 2 of the Kinesio Taping Assessments, Fundamental Concepts and Techniques (what the course is now called, previously Level 2) tomorrow. Stay tuned.