The Optimal Physio Blog
Keep up to date with useful advice, news, offers and much more direct from the Optimal team!
Does road running cause knee osteoarthritis?
A lot of our patients who attend with knee osteoarthritis believe road running is bad for them and it is harmful. So does road running really cause osteoarthritis? Knee pain affects nearly 50% of people over the age of 50, and in 25% of those people it become a...
The 7 occasions should you get a sports massage for low back pain?
When should you get a massage for low back pain? And more important when should you not get a sports massage for low back pain? Picking the right treatment at the right time is not easy. Your back feels stiff, achey every day. It always feels tempting to get a...
When to Know If You Should Get an X-Ray or MRI for Your Back Pain?
As a patient, understanding when to seek advanced imaging like X-rays or MRIs for your back pain is crucial for receiving appropriate and timely treatment. While both X-rays and MRIs are valuable diagnostic tools, they serve different purposes in assessing...
5 Simple Steps to Resolve Plantar Fasciitis and enjoy walking and running again
How common is Plantar Fasciitis? Plantar fasciitis, plantar faciopathy or plantar heel pain (all terminology gets used interchangeable despite different definitions existing) affects 15% of all running injuries in the foot. It’s estimated that one in ten people will...
What is a Frozen Shoulder and How Long Does it Take to Heal? (Because most people we see don’t know the truth!)
What everyone who has a suspected frozen shoulder ought to know - but nobody takes the time to explain it to them. Do you suffer from pain in your shoulder a suspect it is a frozen shoulder? Has this developed gradually over time and are you over 40 years old? Do you...
The 6 differences between private physiotherapy and the NHS, and why shouldn’t I just wait on the NHS?
The 6 Major Differences Between Private Physiotherapy And The NHS The media has been discussing how people are now turning to private physiotherapy and private healthcare because they have been waiting for months just to get an appointment, and then told it will be...
What is Shockwave Therapy and can it help me?
Shockwave Therapy now available in Largs and Clarkston Have you ever suffered with a chronic (long term) tendon problem? Have you tried a long rehab plan, stuck to it like glue and only partially recovered? Do you want to get rid of that annoying ache and not have to...
Why do knee’s get more painful in the winter? Plus 6 Top Tips to Reduce Knee Pain
Do knee's really become more painful in the winter or is it just a myth? Plus 6 Top Tips to Reduce Knee Pain this winter. We have definitely left the long summer nights behind, autumn is coming to an end and winter is on its way. The cold, dark, damp weeks and months...
10 ways to boost your immune system.
Have you heard any of those phrases yet? You know the ones when the season and the clocks change and we hear things like 'the nights are fair drawing in' or ' 'there is a real chill in the air today'. This usually means other things change too - your mood, your sleep...
Osteoarthritis – When should you get a joint replacement?
When should you get a joint replacement if you have Osteoarthritis? We all know that the NHS is under immense pressure. Our better, healthier and wealthier lives are leaving a legacy of longer and longer waiting lists meaning some patients are unable to access...
How to ease a stiff neck and the 1 thing you need to sleep well all night!
If you are not sleeping because of a stiff neck or neck pain, your day is harder and it could be slowing your recovery. Neck pain or a stiff neck when you wake up is very common particularly as we get older. Our lifestyle and occupation often contribute to the...
Is your neck pain all in your head?
How headaches could be a symptom of neck pain. Headaches that originate from neck pain are one of the most common type of headaches. They can occur at any age but most commonly present in patients between the age of 20 and 60. The pain associated with this condition...
We hope our posts helped you get some advice, learn a little about your condition, or just taught you something you didn’t know!
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