Hip: Ligamentum Teres

This week we discuss another hot hip topic in the sporting world - ligamentum teres and it's role in hip pain. Alicia discusses the clinical anatomy of ligamentum teres, evidence supporting it's structure and function and the role it plays in hip pain. 

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Flexion relaxation response & low back pain

The flexion relaxation response is a phenomenon where the lumbar erector spinae muscles become silent at the end of lumbar flexion, and is an important part of being able to achieve full range. This blog explores the FRR and offers simple and easy treatment strategies for patients with low back pain. 

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Can we pick the clinical signs of excessive sleepiness & sleep disorders?

There is a strong bidirectional relationship between sleep disorders and serious medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, depression, hypertension and cerebrovascular disease. The purpose of this blog is to broaden your knowledge about common sleep disorders and to understand what questions can be incorporated into the subjective examination to improve patient assessment and identification of sleep disorders. 

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Can the risk of Vertebral Artery Dissection be determined with pre-manipulative screening?

Cervical manipulation has inherent risks. One of the the most dangerous adverse effects following cervical manipulation is vertebral artery dissection (VAD). For the past two decades, functional pre-manipulative screening tests have been used by Physiotherapists to identify patients at risk of vertebral artery insufficiency (VBI). Many experts in the field of VAD and cervical manipulation have started to question the clinical validity of these tests and currently there is great uncertainty if the tests themselves are potentially dangerous enough to cause VAD. 

This blog aims to review the risk of cervical manipulation, the clinical presentation of VBI and the current assessment recommended by the Australian Physiotherapy Association. I'm also pleased to include the thoughts and recommendations of Dr. Mark Percy, Specialist Radiologist from MIA Lilydale, Victoria. 

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San Francisco slopes & stairs slaughter my soleus

How often do you assess the function of the calf muscle in lower limb injuries and what strategies to you give your clients for home-based exercises? Inspired by my own experience from the past 3 months in San Francisco, walking over 10km a day, this blog explores the clinical anatomy and functional significance of the calf muscles.

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Cervicogenic dizziness & Sensorimotor Dysfunction

Cervicogenic dizziness is a non-­specific symptom of altered orientation in space and disequilibrium and is differentiated from specific causes of dizziness such as vertigo and vertebra-­basilar artery insufficiency. It is thought be a result of altered afferent inputs which affect sensorimotor control and our sense of balance. This blog aims to introduce sensorimotor function and cervicogenic dizziness. Following blogs will explore the distinguishing features, differential diagnosis and targeting physiotherapy interventions. 

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