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Spondy Spinal Conditions Spondylosis, Spondylitis, Spondylolysis, and Spondylolisthesis are structural conditions that affect the alignment and integrity of the bony parts of the human spine. Spondy- conditions typically occur in the lower back, but due to the lifetime strain, ongoing loading and physical activities, as well as the effect of age- and disease-related deterioration, it is possible for Spondy- conditions to affect other segments of the spine as well. Spondylitis, Spondylosis, Spondylolisis and Spondylolisthesis are distinct conditions that happen to affect similar areas in the human back. Spondylitis Spondylitis is an umbrella term that includes different kinds of inflammatory arthritis. Arthritis is the swelling and inflammation of tissues in and around joints, and so worsening episodes of spondylitis can often go un-diagnosed or otherwise diagnosed as back pain. The symptoms of Spondylitis are similar to those experienced in mechanical lower back pain, and so accurate diagnosis of the issue may take time, review with other medical professionals, and imaging of the spine to rule out more serious or other pathological causes. Spondylosis Spondylosis is similar to spondylitis, being a type of arthritis. However, whily spondylitis develops as a consequence of an autoimmune condition, spondylosis develops due to normal wear and time-based use of the intervertebral discs and the spine as part of ageing. Given that spondylosis and its measurable features develop over time, the incidence of spondylosis in the population increases with age. Spondylosis can arise in the neck, the lower back, and in the upper and lower parts of the ribcage, due to the articulated and mobile nature of these regions. Additionally, as time goes on and symptoms develop, spondylosis can also be accompanied by bone spurs in the regions affected, as well as irritation of the nerve roots exiting the spine due to structural change to the apertures through which these nerves pass. Spondylolysis Spondylolysis refers to a stress fracture defect in a specific part of the vertebrae, which are the bones that make up the spine. This stress fracture is usually caused by repetitive loading over time, or traumatic damage due to impact, disease, strenuous activity, or recreational exercise. The extent to which this stress fracture causes discomfort and symptoms depends on the severity of the fracture itself as well as the mechanism by which the fracture occurred. While structural change is a normal part of growing, living and ageing due to the natural adaptive capacity of the human body, time-related weardown or damage to anatomical structures can cause issues like difficulty standing and walking, bending, changes in strength and sensation in the limbs, and of course, pain. Spondylolisthesis Spondylolisthesis often refers to the progression of another spondy-injury, but it may also may arise independently of any prior illness or injury, or may be congenital. Spondylolisthesis is defined as the displacement of one vertebra over the vertebral body below it, and depending on the extent to which the vertebra is displaced, this may cause different symptoms. Low-grade displacements may present with generalised discomfort. Pronounced displacement may cause severe pain, sensation and stress changes, and other issues that may require medical attention and cause other more serious consequences. Given that vertebrae may move forward, backward, or left and right relative to the segments below them, Spondylolistheses can also be described as anterolistheses, posterolistheses, and laterolistheses, indicating forward, backward, or sideways movement respectively. Regardless of the nature and extent of the condition, physiotherapy intervention can help to assess, diagnose, triage and manage any discomfort as well as take note of the presence or likelihood of serious side-effects or symptoms that warrant further investigation. Management of your discomfort depends on its causative factors, how it feels and changes during the day, what makes it better and worse, and the length of time you have been experiencing that pain. All of these factors will be addressed in your initial assessment, which is the first step toward managing and minimising any pain or discomfort. The treatment you receive will be tailored to address the specific cause of your discomfort, and will focus on minimising pain, maximising your ability to move pain-free, and developing a plan to minimise the risk of a flare-up in the future. At Atlas Physio, we will provide you with education, structured management, and ongoing monitoring of your pain both in-clinic and out. Contact us to arrange an assessment, and to take the first step on a course of corrective care today.

Headache Headaches are pain experienced in any part of the head, on both sides of the head, or in just one location. Half of all adults will experience a Headache in any given year, and the severity of this headache can vary. Headaches are the result of a complex collection of factors that all combine together to produce pain. Because of this, headaches are classified by their causative factors. Primary Headaches refer to Migraines, Tension Headaches, Cluster Headaches, and Other Kinds of Primary Headache. Primary Headaches tend to be longstanding, episodic, and are believed to be due to factors related to the blood vessels and nerves within the brain and spinal cord. For this reason, assessment of Headache Pain believed to be due to a Primary Headache will involve an assessment of the neck. Secondary Headaches are Headaches that arise from a separate injury or incident. Trauma from a whiplash injury, blunt-force to the head, or trauma to the neck can cause Headache Pain. Disruption of cervical spine and cranial bloodflow due to a stroke, artery pain or vascular disorder can also cause Headache Pain. Headaches can also be caused by infection, damage to or irritation of the facial nerves, or by blood pressure changes. Headache assessment and treatment is complex because of the number of anatomical, neurological and personal factors that contribute to Headache Pain. Headaches are the result of lifespan, lifestyle, occupational and physical characteristics combining to produce discomfort. Additionally, stress has been proven to be a major contributing factor in Headache Pain. With this in mind, your treating Physio may discuss psychologist referral if appropriate. Management and assessment of Headache Pain depends on the cause of the pain, how it feels and changes over the day, what makes it better or worse, and the length of time you have been experiencing the pain. All of these factors will be addressed in your initial assessment, which is the first step towards minimising and managing any pain or discomfort. The treatment you receive will be tailored to address the specific cause of your Headache Pain, and will focus on minimising pain, maximising your ability to move pain free, and developing a plan to minimise the risk of a flare-up in the future. At Atlas Physio, we will provide you with education, structured management, and ongoing monitoring of your pain both in and out of the clinic. Contact us to arrange an assessment, and to take the first step on a course of corrective care today.

Repetitive Strain Injury Repetitive Strain Injuries (also called RSI's) are overuse injuries. Occupational Overuse Syndrome (OOS) is another name used to describe RSI. Overuse injuries occur after doing the same movements over and over again, without giving the body time to recover from the stress of having executed those movements. Most Repetitive Strain Injuries are felt in the upper limb and forearm, as we need to use our arms in order to engage with the world and complete tasks. However, overuse injuries can also be felt in the back and hips, especially when our jobs require repetitive lifting or handling of items in awkward postures, as well as in the knees and feet for those of us who need to work standing up and moving. Repetitive Strain Injuries feel different depending on where they occur in the body. Some RSI pain can be dull, deep below the skin and can persist throughout the day. Other RSI pain can be sharp, almost electric pain, and reproducible only in specific circumstances. This variation in symptoms and presentation is due to the unique nature of everyone's anatomy, as well as the ways in which we interact with the world around us. Because of this, it is always worth having the pain investigated, regardless of how long it has been persisting. Repetitive Strain Injuries are tricky to manage because the discomfort often occurs as a consequence of everyday activity like working, walking, or even attending to personal care during shower and dress. Additionally, weakness that comes with RSI pain can only be addressed by strengthening the muscles in the affected area. This isn't easy unless the inflammation and pain have already been managed, which means that some patients need to refrain from using their affected limbs and joints until the discomfort has eased, strength has returned, and the limb is ready to work again. Management of RSI pain is a process that involves addressing physical, occupational, personal, and lifestyle risk factors to minimise pain and maximise function. The treatment you receive will be tailored to address the specific cause of your Repetitive Strain Injury, and will focus on minimising pain, maximising your ability to move pain free, and developing a plan to minimise the risk of a flare-up in the future. At Atlas Physio, we will provide you with education, structured management, and ongoing monitoring of your pain both in and out of the clinic. Contact us to arrange an assessment, and to take the first step on a course of corrective care today.

Post Surgical Physiotherapy Post-Surgical Physiotherapy refers to any physiotherapy intervention undertaken following, and in the context of, surgical management of a problem. Timely physiotherapy intervention in the form of post-surgical rehab has been established as a highly effective means of ensuring a good outcome following surgery, minimising the risk of an adverse outcome, and best preparing someone to meet the demands of their lives. Post-Surgical Physiotherapy can be conducted as soon as less than twenty-four hours of an operation, depending on the surgeon's orders as well as the state of the patient following the procedure. This physiotherapy is routinely conducted within the hospital, on ward or in a specific rehabilitation gym designed to provide a safe and supportive environment in which exercise can be undertaken, and where patients can be monitored and cared for in the event of an issue. After leaving the surgical ward, patients may receive physiotherapy treatment in a rehabilitation ward where they stay for the duration of their treatment, via a home-visit service in their place of residence, in a hospital clinic during daytime appointments, or in a community rehabilitation center. There are many options for someone to receive physiotherapy treatment following surgery, some of which may be more or less favourable depending on the type of surgery that has been performed and the best management plan following the procedure. It is common for patients who are already seeing a private physiotherapist prior to their surgery to maintain contact with and involvement from that same clinician after their surgery. This ensures continuity of care, appropriate patient management, and minimises the likelihood of information loss or confusion due to multiple handovers between professionals and clinics. Your private practitioner will liaise with the surgical team and other staff as needed to ensure appropriate management. Management of your discomfort depends on its causative factors, how it feels and changes during the day, what makes it better and worse, and the length of time you have been experiencing that pain. All of these factors will be addressed in your initial assessment, which is the first step toward managing and minimising any pain or discomfort. The treatment you receive will be tailored to address the specific cause of your discomfort, and will focus on minimising pain, maximising your ability to move pain-free, and developing a plan to minimise the risk of a flare-up in the future. At Atlas Physio, we will provide you with education, structured management, and ongoing monitoring of your pain both in-clinic and out. Contact us to arrange an assessment, and to take the first step on a course of corrective care today.

Osteoporosis Osteoporosis is a condition in which the mass and strength of the bones in the human body is decreased, either due to disease, dietary deficiency, lack of activity, or some other cause. The bones of the human body are continuously remodelled, built up and decomposed over the course of our lifetimes. From our pre-natal infancy to the day we die, our bones are constantly changing. Bones grow longer during adolescence and puberty, are built up with excess minerals that are taken in during diet, are reinforced in response to the rigour of physical work and exercise, and are deconstructed in times of sickness, poor health, and ageing. Over the course of our lifetimes, the physical demands that are imposed on our bodies in order to live in the world are reflected in our bones, such that the skeletons of ancient men and women can be examined to tell the stories of their lives and their history. Osteoporosis occurs when the rate at which bones are broken down exceeds the rate at which bones are built up. Bone buildup is driven by external forces which stimulate the activity of bone-fortifying cells, growth due to adolescence and puberty, as well as the effect of hormones such as testosterone and oestrogen. Bone breakdown is a normal process that is a part of bone health; bones that are only built up but never broken down can become hyperdense, which can cause issues. However, when the rate of bone breakdown exceeds the rate of bone buildup, and this is maintained over a period of time, the loss of bone mass can increase the risk of fracture, infection, and pain. Ongoing bone breakdown has the same effect as degrading the foundations of a building - the building is still occupied but less stable, and poses a risk to the people inside. Bone breakdown can be accelerated by many different factors, which can be due to lifestyle-related, ageing-related, and disease-related factors. The most typical lifestyle-related driver of increased bone breakdown is decreased physical activity. Decreased physical activity results in decreased physical force on the bones and joints, which deprives bone-building cells of stimulation and diminishes their activity. Other lifestyle factors that increase the risk of osteoporosis are inadequate amounts of dietary minerals like calcium and phosphates, increased alcohol intake, and cigarette smoking. Age-related and disease-related factors include long-term use of corticosteroid medication, thyroid disease, Crohn's disease, and problems with vitamin D metabolism, all of which impact the health of bones and joints and increase the risk of fracture or other injury. Osteoporosis increases the risk of fracture of bones in the body, and these fractures can be life-threatening depending on the bone that has been broken and the impact that the break has on a person's ability to care for themselves. A fracture of the dominant arm can diminish a person's ability to feed, dress, wash and care for themselves. A fracture of the long bone of the thigh usually requires surgical intervention and in-center rehab. A fracture of the spine in the ribcage, neck, or lower back can be catastrophic in the immediate period, and ongoing over extended periods of time due to structural changes that impact how the muscles and limbs move. In the community and in private clinics, osteoporosis is managed through a combination of structured exercise, advice regarding activity modification, and education regarding lifestyle choices. Osteoporosis is rarely due to a single cause, so treatment of the disease is also management of the individual. Comprehensive management will examine all the likely contributing factors that have resulted in the diagnosis of osteoporosis, and work to address them all individually. This is why other professionals like a dietitian, doctor, personal trainer or exercise physiologist may be involved in ongoing management. Management of your discomfort depends on its causative factors, how it feels and changes during the day, what makes it better and worse, and the length of time you have been experiencing that pain. All of these factors will be addressed in your initial assessment, which is the first step toward managing and minimising any pain or discomfort. The treatment you receive will be tailored to address the specific cause of your discomfort, and will focus on minimising pain, maximising your ability to move pain-free, and developing a plan to minimise the risk of a flare-up in the future. At Atlas Physio, we will provide you with education, structured management, and ongoing monitoring of your pain both in-clinic and out. Contact us to arrange an assessment, and to take the first step on a course of corrective care today.

Jaw Pain Jaw Pain is a general term that refers to any kind of pain or discomfort felt in the Jaw. Jaw Pain is a common problem that people experience, and may affect three in five people over the course of their lives. Jaw Pain is felt in one or both sides of the jaw, though you may feel the pain in areas of your face, the head, and in your neck if there is inflammation which irritates the nerves. Because of the number of nerves that pass over and around the jaw, pain may be felt in the head, eyes, neck, lips, and within the teeth. Jaw Pain may last from weeks to months depending on the nature of the pain, the cause, the progression, and the speed with which treatment is sought. Jaw Pain is caused by irritation of the Jaw Joint, also called the Temporomandibular Joint. The specific cause of the pain depends on many factors like the age of the person experiencing the pain, their occupation, whether the pain was caused by an accident or started rapidly, as well as other variables. Jaw Pain can come about due to grinding of the teeth (also called Bruxism,) following dental surgery, following infection or illness, and following trauma. Jaw Pain can also be caused by stress. Psychological stress can result in physical behaviours like grinding the teeth during waking or sleeping hours, and clicking or locking of the Jaw Joint. Stress can also have an adverse effect on pain, as well as affecting the effectiveness of treatment performed in clinic. With this in mind, if stress is suspected to be a contributing factor to your Jaw Pain, appropriate referral will be discussed. Jaw Pain may be experienced as a constant pain on one or both sides of the Jaw. Additionally, Jaw Pain may be accompanied by clicking, grinding, and locking of the jaw joint if there is weardown of or damage to the internal strutures or capsule of the jaw joint. Jaw Pain commonly presents with a headache as well as neck pain. During your assessment, you will be asked whether or not you experience headaches, and if so, the frequency and nature of your discomfort. You will also be assessed for evidence of grinding of your teeth, and if so, if you have sought input from a dentist. Management of Jaw Pain depends on the cause of the pain, how it feels and changes over the day, what makes it better or worse, and the length of time you have been experiencing the pain. All of these factors will be addressed in your initial assessment, which is the first step towards minimising and managing any pain or discomfort. The treatment you receive will be tailored to address the specific cause of your Jaw Pain, and will focus on minimising pain, maximising your ability to move pain free, and developing a plan to minimise the risk of a flare-up in the future. At Atlas Physio, we will provide you with education, structured management, and ongoing monitoring of your pain both in and out of the clinic. Contact us to arrange an assessment, and to take the first step on a course of corrective care today.

Wry Neck Wry Neck refers to a series of conditions that result in a painfully twisted and tilted neck. Wry Neck may be present from birth due to congenital or anatomical factors, and is referred to as permanent Wry Neck. Wry Neck may also occur during the course of everyday life for people who do not have any predisposing anatomical factors, and this presentation can be quick to resolve. Some people go on to develop recurrent Wry Neck symptoms that eventually become chronic, requiring ongoing management and treatment to ensure their appropriate care. Wry neck can be inherited, developed in the womb, and can arise from damage to the muscles of the neck or the arteries that supply those muscles with blood. Wry Neck Pain can also be caused as a result of other diseases, such as an ear infection or a cold. Wry Neck that develops as a consequence of other illness is generally quick to resolve, though has the potential of becoming recurrent if not properly addressed and managed. Wry Neck may develop slowly, and be characterised by symptoms such as head and neck stiffness, difficulty aligning the head, headache, and dizziness. Management of Wry Neck depends on the cause of the pain, how it feels and changes over the day, what makes it better or worse, and the length of time you have been experiencing the pain. All of these factors will be addressed in your initial assessment, which is the first step towards minimising and managing any pain or discomfort. The treatment you receive will be tailored to address the specific cause of your discomfort, and will focus on minimising pain, maximising your ability to move pain free, and developing a plan to minimise the risk of a flare-up in the future. At Atlas Physio, we will provide you with education, structured management, and ongoing monitoring of your pain both in and out of the clinic. Contact us to arrange an assessment, and to take the first step on a course of corrective care today.

Your NDIS Plan NDIS Plans are the backbone and basis of all treatment you receive as an NDIS client. An NDIS plan outlines a client's goals, and how the NDIS, community and private services, and the government all work together to achieve those goals. In order to do this, the NDIS plan considers a client's individual life circumstances: information about a client like disability, living situation, family and social networks, and other factors related to their lives and their unique situations. By considering these factors, the NDIA makes sure that the services they provide are reasonable and necessary: that those services will improve the quality of life and participation of the person for whom they are approved. The NDIS plan is a comprehensive assessment that states what you want to achieve, how you want to achieve it, what resources the NDIA are providing to assist in that process, and how those resources are allocated among multiple categories of potential spending. NDIS plans are developed in consultation with the NDIA through one or more meetings in which all of these factors are considered. Having a developed and authorised NDIS plan is essential to receiving physiotherapy support as an NDIS client. Having an NDIS plan in place means that your goals have been accepted by the NDIA and can be used to determine what therapy you receive as well as guide its input, and that funding can be allocated to things like sessions of treatment, purchasing equipment, and working with other services as needed. An NDIS plan is designed to provide clarity to you as the client and to the professionals and services with whom you work, so that the money you spend is done so transparently and with accountability, and is spent in a way that supports the things that you want to achieve. When you receive physiotherapy services as an NDIS client, the treatment you receive will be reviewed against your goals, your plan, and your timelines to make sure that what is done is relevant to you. This may mean discussing the goals in the plan and how physiotherapy treatment can help achieve those goals. This is important because physiotherapy treatment and management is much more than exercise - your physio can add value to your life and help you achieve your goals by advocating for services, by referring you to other professionals who may be helpful, by ordering equipment and by preparing reports for the NDIA and for anyone involved in your care. The important thing behind all of this is that all of those activities are guided by and in service to your NDIS plan. Having an NDIS plan means that you have been approved to receive funding from the NDIA to support the goals you want to achieve in your life. This opens the door for you to access services like physiotherapy in a supportive and flexible manner, and ensures that those services are effective within the context of your goals and the things you want to achieve. Your NDIS Plan is your plan for success, and by working with your physiotherapist in line with that plan, you can achieve your goals successfully and sustainably.

Stroke KNOW THE SIGNS OF A STROKE FACE: Is your or someone else's face drooping? Are they drooling out of the corner of their mouth? Is one of their eyes more or less open than the other? ARMS: Can you or the other person hold both of your arms out in front of you, and keep them at the same height? Are there tremors? Is there pain, sluggishness, or does one arm keep dropping? SPEECH: Is your or another person's speech slurred, slowed, or incoherent? Do you feel like you can coordinate your mouth to make the words? Do you feel like you can form a sentence, and another person can understand it? TIME: Every minute counts. Stroke patients who receive treatment in the first hour have the best chance for surviving, and the best outcomes after their stroke. CALL YOUR EMERGENCY NUMBER IF YOU BELIEVE YOU OR SOMEONE IS HAVING A STROKE A stroke is a medical event in which the tissues of the brain are damaged, either through a bleed in the brain or through stoppage or interruption of the bloodflow to an area of the brain. The brain is responsible for controlling conscious and unconscious elements of normal human function. It is the seat of control of the central and peripheral nervous systems, is responsible for maintaining normal bodily function as well as interacting with the world in a controlled and coordinated manner, and is the source of our perception of the world, our personalities, and our selves. It is the single most energy-hungry part of the body, consuming glucose, oxygen, and other fuel materials from the blood, and is therefore served by a robust and well-reinforced network of arteries, nerves, and small vessels whose function is tightly regulated. Given its importance, the brain is separated from the main circulatory system by the blood brain barrier, which finely controls bloodflow to the brain, filters the blood passing through and around the brain, as well as preventing infection of the brain itself by outside pathogens. Because of its importance and centrality to normal human life, damage to or changes in the brain have the potential to have immediate, significant, and permanent consequences that require ongoing management. In a stroke, bloodflow to the brain is disrupted in one of two ways. One form of stroke occurs when there is a sudden or sustained disruption to the bloodflow to a part of the brain, starving that part of the brain of blood, oxygen, and nutrients. This is called an ischaemic stroke, and can occur over time or very quickly. An ischaemic stroke that occurs as a result of change over time is usually accompanied by signs of age or lifestyle-related factors like narrowing of blood vessels due to the buildup of plaque inside the vessels, narrowing of vessels due to chronic blood pressure changes, and other changes that may occur in cases of uncontrolled chronic conditions like diabetes, other cardiovascular disease, or some other illness. An ischaemic stroke that occurs very quickly is commonly caused by blockage of a blood vessel by a solid mass like a clot, a globule of fat, a bubble of air, or some other obstruction to normal blood flow. This obstruction is called an embolus, and an embolus can travel within the blood vessels until it flows down a vessel too small for it to fit, eventually causing a blockage. When this blockage occurs in the heart, it is called a heart attack, when this blockage occurs in the brain, it is called a stroke. The second type of stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, resulting in a bleed into the brain that isn't filtered by the blood brain barrier, and which floods the area. This is called a haemorrhagic stroke, and can be caused by factors that build up slowly or which occur quickly. Slow-building factors that contribute to haemorrhagic strokes include old age, with strokes occurring in the elderly, as well as gender, with these strokes more likely to occur in men. Another longterm risk factor in the development of a haemorrhagic stroke is elevated blood pressure, which strains the tissues of the small blood vessels of the brain to the point where they rupture. These blood vessels themselves may be at risk if there are deformities in their constitution. Deformities in the blood vessels of the brain are called Arterio-Venous Malformations, and the presence of these malformations has the potential to cause bleeds in the brain. Haemorrhagic strokes can also occur with short notice, most commonly due to a spike in blood pressure which places sufficient strain on the small vessels that causes them to burst, resulting in a bleed. An example of this is an increase in blood pressure that occurs when exerting oneself when lifting, or an increase in blood pressure due to stress. Regardless of the cause, strokes cause damage to and changes in the brain. These changes may be fast-resolving if a person who is experiencing a stroke is admitted to hospital, diagnosed, triaged, and managed with utmost expedience. If there is a delay in diagnosis, if the damage is catastrophic, or for any other reason, there may be ongoing consequences of the stroke. The consequences of a stroke may be difficult to predict accurately - a stroke is a medical event that doesn't just affect the area of the injury, but which has the potential to affect other parts of the brain with time as the brain changes to compensate and as the after effects of the injury evolve. Strokes can affect peoples' personality, their perception of the world, their fundamental senses, their cognition and mental function, and their movement and balance. Because of the potential of a single medical event to have such profound and long-lasting consequences, strokes are never managed in isolation by one person or profession, but always within a team of disciplines that address all potentially changed domains of function, including physiotherapists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, social workers, home support workers, and of course the medical team which may include a consultant or a surgeon. Management of a stroke may go further than the hospital admission, with a person being eligible for support at home that includes carers, at-home medical support and management, or even modification of the home to support safe movement and engagement with a familiar environment. Physiotherapy management of strokes is a deeply involved and studied domain of practice. The most common treatment provided is physical rehabilitation with a neurological aspect, designed to promote appropriate and sustainable posture, increase the ease of movement and decrease the risk of falls, to restore and maintain the strength of the body, and to conduct these interventions in coordination with other disciplines to ensure the best possible outcome for the person under care. This management can be undertaken in hospital, in a private clinic, or in the home, depending on the progression of the condition, propriety of the patient to engage with therapy, and practicality of the service delivery plan, as well as any additional considerations that may arise. The problems presented by strokes are too numerous and nuanced, and the scope of physiotherapy to support the wellbeing of a stroke patient is too broad to be accurately described in one article, but rest assured that if there is a problem presented by a stroke or other brain-related neurological event, there is a physiotherapy discipline and a physiotherapist who can help. Management of your discomfort depends on its causative factors, how it feels and changes during the day, what makes it better and worse, and the length of time you have been experiencing that pain. All of these factors will be addressed in your initial assessment, which is the first step toward managing and minimising any pain or discomfort. The treatment you receive will be tailored to address the specific cause of your discomfort, and will focus on minimising pain, maximising your ability to move pain-free, and developing a plan to minimise the risk of a flare-up in the future. At Atlas Physio, we will provide you with education, structured management, and ongoing monitoring of your pain both in-clinic and out. Contact us to arrange an assessment, and to take the first step on a course of corrective care today.

Dry Needling Dry needling refers to the use of solid needles inserted into specific regions of the body, that produce physiologcal effects at the level of muscles which result in decreased pain and stiffness. ​ The term dry needling refers to the use of solid, non-injector needles in a similar manner to acupuncture. Dry needles are different from wet needles, which use a hypodermic proboscis and are used in the injection of saline, local anaesthetic or corticosteroid. The important thing to remember is this: dry needling uses solid needles, not injection needles. ​ Dry needling is applied to trigger points, which are specific areas in muscle that have become tight due to excess activity or injury. The insertion of a dry needle into this trigger point is believed to increase blood flow to the trigger point, resulting in the relaxation of tight muscle fibers thanks to the addition of fresh oxygen and nutrients, which results in pain relief. ​ Dry-needling is not an end-all treatment, and its use will depend on the nature of your problem and its context. Dry-needling treatment will not be applied in isolation, and will be combined with prescribed exercise, stretching, and other physical modalities to best address the source of your discomfort. ​ Not every patient will be appropriate for dry needling. Dry-needling in the clinic will be used depending on the discretion of your treating clinician as well as the nature, history, and context of your presenting discomfort. Feel free to discuss this treatment with your clinician, either in appointment or during your initial consultation.