Brain Teasers

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Agrodome Ngongotaha Send your photos to [email protected] What Are Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis? PHYSIO DIRECT One of the primary roles of the spine is to What are the symptoms? protect the spinal cord. This means that the spine needs to be strong while maintaining Many people with spondylolysis and the flexibility required for a movable trunk. spondylolisthesis may be asymptomatic, While the spine is very sturdy, spinal which means they perform their normal injuries do occur. Health professionals often activities without experiencing any use terms to describe and classify injuries symptoms. However, when symptoms do Brain Teasers of the body, two of these terms that you occur, common complaints are pain and may have heard are Spondylolysis and tightness, much like a muscle strain, Spondylolisthesis. spreading across the lower back. This pain may be eased by bending forwards and What are they? aggravated by walking, running or leaning backwards. Spondylolysis refers to a stress fracture of the pars interarticularis of the vertebra. This In more progressive cases of is the part of the vertebra that connects the spondylolisthesis, the shift of the vertebral body of the vertebra with the rest of the body can cause narrowing of the spinal vertebra that surrounds the spinal cord. A canal that can lead to nerve compression. separation of this fracture where the body This may cause hamstring tightness and of the vertebra is displaced forwards or even numbness and weakness of the lower backwards is called a spondylolisthesis. limbs, affecting gait and daily activities. 1. Trace the pattern above with a pencil in one continuous line Spondylolisthesis is a progression of How can physiotherapy help? without taking the pencil point spondylolysis and is given grades to off the paper. classify its severity. Both spondylolysis and Your physiotherapist will work closely with spondylolisthesis commonly affect the you and any relevant medical professionals fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae, found at You are not allowed to cross to determine exactly what is needed for the base of the lower back. your particular condition. Severe instability the line or go over any part of it twice. What are the causes? in the spine may require stabilization surgery, however, this is rare, and in most Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis can be cases symptoms of spondylolisthesis can Did You Know? a result of trauma with the spine being be improved with regular physiotherapy You are taller in the morning and moved forcefully into extension, particularly management. gradually lose height throughout in younger people. Certain sports such as the day as gravity acts to gymnastics, football and weightlifting Physiotherapy that focuses on compress the cartilage in your require repetitive backward movements of strengthening and improving the flexibility body. the spine and this can eventually lead to a of both the lower back and the abdominal stress fracture of the pars interarticularis. muscles has been shown to have positive Growth spurts in teens have also been effects on both pain and function for those known to be responsible for the with symptomatic spondylolysis and development of these conditions. spondylolisthesis. Speak to your physiotherapists for more information In older adults, common causes of regarding your individual condition. spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis are degenerative changes in the spine due to aging, osteoporosis, infection or even a tumour. Some people have a genetic vulnerability in this area of their spine making them more susceptible to developing spondylolysis and then spondylolisthesis.

Focus On… The pain is often progressive, becoming help to adapt your training program to a worse with shorter distances. Eventually, level that is optimum for you. A period of Shin Splints shin splints can severely impact activity relative rest may be recommended along levels as the pain becomes too severe to with a targeted strengthening and What is it? continue exercise. stretching program for any tight or weak muscles. Medically known as Medial Tibial Stress What are the causes? Syndrome, shin splints is a term used to Switching to low-impact activities such as refer to pain along the inside of the tibia or Shin splints are predominantly seen in swimming, cycling and yoga may also shin bone. The exact pathology that runners who increase their distances help to maintain fitness during recovery. causes the pain of shin splints is unclear quickly, often while training for an event. Your running technique will be analyzed and imaging such as ultrasound produces Activities that require repetitive weight and any training errors may be corrected. similar results when compared to persons bearing of any kind, such as marching or When getting back into your training who don’t have shin splints. The pain of high impact sports have also been shown routine, it is usually recommended that shin splints is usually felt over the area to cause shin splints. Although the distances are not increased by more than where two particular muscles insert into the pathology of shin splints is unclear, studies 10% per week as this allows the tissues tibia. These are Tibialis Posterior and have been able to identify certain risk of the body to react to the increased Flexor Digitorum Longus, these muscles factors that may predispose someone to demands and adapt accordingly. act to extend the foot and toes shin splints. These include; respectively. None of the information in this • An abrupt increase in activity level newsletter is a replacement for proper Despite having an unclear pathology, this • Improper footwear and support medical advice. Always see a medical can be a debilitating condition that can • Higher BMI professional for advice on your impact activity levels significantly. The pain • Training on hard or uneven individual injury. can be quite limiting and may even be an surfaces early warning sign of a stress fracture and • Tight calf muscles this will need to be ruled out by a medical • Flat feet professional. • Increased external rotation range What are the symptoms? of the hips • Females are more likely to Shin splints are typified by persistent leg develop shin splints than males. pain, usually the inside of the shin, halfway • Prior history of shin splints down the lower leg. The pain might be felt • Wearing or having worn orthotics during exercise or directly after. Some people experience a dull ache over their How can physiotherapy help? shin that lasts for quite a while after exercise stops, while for others the pain The first step for your physiotherapist will may be sharp and fades quickly. be to address any contributing factors and

Kale, Brussel Sprout and Almond Salad Ingredients: Physio Direct 12 Brussel Sprouts Rural physio at YOUR doorstep 3 Tbsp. Sliced Baking Almonds 1 cup chopped Kale ¼ cup shaved Parmesan Cheese 2 Cloves of Garlic, Crushed Dressing: 2 Tbsp. Red Wine Vinegar 2 Tbsp. Olive Oil Salt & Pepper Raetihi Taumarunui 1. Preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius or 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Chop brussel sprouts in half and place on a baking tray lined with baking Murupara Putaruru paper. Sprinkle sprouts with olive oil, salt and pepper, add garlic and cover Ohakune Matamata with almonds. Rotorua Ngongotaha 2. Roast brussel sprouts in the oven for 20-30 minutes until slightly brown. Prepare kale by chopping into small pieces and placing in a medium sized Oxford Belfast salad bowl. Te Aroha Westport 3. Prepare salad dressing by whisking together olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt and pepper. Mix brussel sprouts, almonds, kale and dressing together P: 0800 55 55 123 gently in the salad bowl.

4. Sprinkle thin slices of Parmesan cheese over salad and serve. For locations go to www.physiodirectnz.com Serves Two.