Rectus - Adductor Syndrome

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It is the syndrome in which the muscles or tendons of the lower abdominal wall weaken. The location of the pain is in the inguinal (groin) region of the abdominal wall, where the "classic" inguinal hernia also appears.

Symptoms:
  • Pain in the lower abdominal muscles
  • Pain in the groin
  • Feeling of heaviness in the area of the abdominal muscles as well as the adductor muscles
The symptoms are aggravated by activities/sports in which there are movements of speed, turning and bending of the trunk (football, basketball, volleyball). The symptoms may worsen by coughing and sneezing.

Treatment:

Refrain from any sporting activity, anti-inflammatory treatment, ice therapy, physical therapy with isometric exercises and stabilization exercises of all muscle groups in the area.

Stress Fracture

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A stress fracture occurs when force is exerted on a particular point of the bone, persistently and for a long time. Unlike common fractures that require a violent mechanism of injury, a fatigue fracture occurs without serious injury. It is essentially a manifestation of an overuse syndrome.

The most common fatigue fractures are located in the tibia and the lower leg.
Treatment:
  • Discharge of the member
  • Physical therapy
  • Proper diet
  • Taking medications that promote fracture healing
Prevention tips:
  • Rest: the rest periods must be sufficient for the healing of minor injuries that occur during training.
  • Alternation of exercises: is a correct training tactic for uniform exercise of the athlete and avoiding the monotonous burden of a specific area of the body.
  • Equipment: Timely replacement of worn shoes, racket, tartan, etc.
  • Training: Trust experienced and qualified trainers/gyms and don't hesitate to report any unusual symptoms during exercise.

Fascial Nerve Paralysis

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It is damage to the facial nerve which is responsible for the mobility of the facial muscles. The most common etiology is idiopathic and is called Bell's palsy or 'chilling paralysis'.

It is probably due to a transient swelling. It is believed that this swelling is caused by sudden exposure to cold and for this reason it is called 'chill paralysis'. The nerve can also be affected by some viruses such as those of the common cold.

Other causes: meningitis, inflammation of the inner ear, skull fractures, tumors, infection by the herpes zoster virus, poisoning, diabetes etc.

The clinical picture is characterized by paresis or paralysis of the muscles of the half face corresponding to the affected nerve. This results in the drooping of the corner of the mouth and the inability to tighten the eyelids.

Treatment:

Medication is given immediately to remove the swelling. In case of unsatisfactory restoration of the nerve's function, physical therapy treatment with electrical stimulation of the affected nerve is necessary.

Plantar Fasciitis

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The plantar fascia is a bundle of fibers that connects the lower surface of the heel to the metatarsals. It helps maintain the shape of the foot and arch. Like the string of a bow, it connects the back to the front of the foot, playing an important role in all its functions, including standing, walking and running.

When it is affected it causes pain and this is the condition we call "plantar fasciitis". The pain typically occurs in the morning, at the first step after the person gets out of bed and generally after a period of rest.

The most frequent causes have to do with prolonged or increased loading of the plantar fascia, very tight gastrocnemius, very high or low arch and over-pronation of the foot, obesity, etc.

Treatment:
  • Pause any activities for a few weeks and avoid standing for long hours and walking on a hard surface
  • Stretching
  • Ice therapy
  • Shock wave therapy
  • Dry needling

Pain with change of weather

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The pain that occur is usually either from arthritis or from different post-traumatic conditions and is most often located in the knee, hip, wrist and shoulder.

Hippocrates argued that changing weather and humidity can cause pain in already stressed parts of our musculoskeletal system.

Why is this pain caused?

It has been observed that atmospheric air pressure is responsible for the appearance of symptoms, including headache and mood swings. Most often, pain occurs in people who have some rheumatic condition, that is, in joints of the skeletal system. Also, pain can occur in old injuries, such as fractures in the arm, leg or in diseases of the spine.

These conditions can now be treated in natural ways through physiotherapy.

Fibromyalgia

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It is a syndrome characterized by diffuse musculoskeletal pain, tenderness and other general symptoms such as sleep and emotional disturbance.

Symptoms:

Diffuse pain, fatigue, hypersensitivity to touch, light, sound and memory disturbances. Fibromyalgia pain is described as constant and deep.

The causes are unknown. A trauma or emotional stress or even a disease may be responsible.

Most researchers agree that there is a disorder in the transmission of nerve impulses in the central nervous system.

Treatment:
  • Relaxation techniques, diet and exercise play an important role in treatment.
  • Α gentle exercise program with stretches helps maintain muscle tone and reduce pain and stiffness (swimming, cycling, walking and hydrotherapy), therapeutic massage, acupuncture, gentle aerobic exercise, yoga.

Respiratory Physiotherapy

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Respiratory physical therapy is a technique that through a series of chest clearing techniques, along with exercises, teaches the patient resting positions to maximize the functional capacity of their lungs.

The goal is to unclog the patient's airways and help them return to physical activity and exercise.

Respiratory physiotherapy is indicated for diseases that have affected the respiratory system, such as:
  • Chronic bronchitis
  • Emphysema
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Asthma
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Pneumonia
  • After complex chest surgeries (heart, lungs)

Meniscus Tear

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A meniscus tear is one of the most common knee injuries. Anyone can suffer a meniscus tear, but athletes and especially those who participate in team sports (such as basketball, soccer, and volleyball) are more susceptible.

The menisci (inner and outer) are two hard, elastic anatomical formations composed mainly of water and collagen fibers.

They have a horseshoe shape and are inserted between the articular surfaces of the tibia and femur. They mainly serve to absorb loads and improve the contact of the femur with the tibia while helping to stabilize and lubricate the knee, making its movement smoother.

The mechanism of meniscal tears is usually the loading of the bent knee with simultaneous flexion.

 The most common symptoms are:

  • Pain on the inside or outside of the knee (corresponding to the torn meniscus)
  • Swelling and stiffness
  • Bruising or impingement of the knee when there is a dislocated piece
  • Feeling unsteady

Inflammation

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The inflammation process is an important stage in healing. But when the inflammation is prolonged then it can cause discomfort and irritation in the affected area.
Symptoms of inflammation:
  • Pain
  • Redness
  • Immobility
  • Swelling
  • Increased temperature
 
Inflammation is categorized as acute or chronic.
 
Acute inflammation is one that begins quickly and becomes severe in a short period of time. Signs and symptoms usually only appear for a few days, but may persist for a few weeks in some cases.
 
Chronic inflammation refers to long-term inflammation that lasts for several months, even years. It can result from an inability to eliminate the factor that caused the acute inflammation, due to some autoimmune disorder or repeated irritation of the area.

Ankle Sprain

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Ankle sprain is the traumatic tear (cross section) of various ligaments of the joint, but without fracture of the bones. Sometimes, an ankle sprain coexists with a bone fracture, so it is a mixed traumatic injury.

There are 3 degrees of sprain:

1st degree sprains: Slight tear, sprain of ligaments
2nd degree sprains: Partial rupture of the ligaments
3rd degree sprains: Complete rupture of the ligaments

Symptoms: Pain, edema (swelling), stiffness, lameness (the person limps) and hematoma (2nd + 3rd degree)

Frozen Shoulder

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Frozen shoulder or adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder, is a distinct clinical condition, with main characteristics of sudden or gradual chronic pain in the shoulder and limitation of all movements of the joint, both active and passive, in all directions, without particularly pathological findings in the x-rays of the shoulder.

Acute stage:
There is sudden night pain. The mobility of the shoulder joint is limited and particularly painful.

Subacute stage:
Pain subsides slightly, mobility remains limited, periarticular muscles atrophy, and there is permanent stiffness. All movements of the upper limb are performed exclusively by the scapula.

Impingement Syndrome

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Impingement syndrome is an overuse shoulder injury. It is created by the friction of the rotator cuff tendons with the acromion which is a bony protrusion of the shoulder blade above the upper arm (humerus). Thus the tendons impinge, become irritated and inflamed as they pass through the subacromial space. This leads to pain, weakness and loss of movement in the shoulder joint.

Trigger Point

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The myofascial trigger point or trigger point is a hypersensitive point in the muscle, which is characterized as active when it is painful on pressure or projects (reflects) pain to some area of the body far from it, while limiting the mobility of the area and reducing muscle strength.

Treatment:
  • Shock Wave Therapy
  • Ischemic pressure
  • Dry Needle