TotalMSK Blog and Self-Care

Jaw pain can occur for multiple reasons, though a common source of such pain is the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ). The jaw is attached to the skull by two such joints, which are complex forms of joint structures. Problems with these joints can occur due to a combination of factors, leading to a variety of symptoms. The full article covers more about TMJ anatomy, causes, symptoms, and treatment options. Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Pain - An MSK Therapy perspective

Many people have heard of or experienced symptoms of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) or Occupational Overuse Syndrome (OOS) to varying degrees. Essentially the two terms cover a group of repetitive or overuse type injuries. The injuries tend to affect the upper extremities, elbows, forearms, wrists and hands. Most people may not be aware that conditions such as Golfer's and Tennis elbow are types of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) and affect many non-golf and tennis players. The general public commonly associates carpal tunnel syndrome with Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). Yet all of these conditions are forms of RSI. There are many possible causes and treatment options, and the full article looks more at these, along with symptoms and prevention. Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) - An MSK Therapy perspective

Bursitis is a condition that can affect almost any joint structure and can either have a clear cause or be more subtle. Joints have small fluid-filled pads called bursae near them. These pads reduce friction between and load between bones and other soft tissues during movement. Bursitis is the term for an inflamed bursa, which leads to pain and restricted mobility. Bursitis of the shoulder or hip is pretty common, and the full article explains more about possible causes and treatment options. General Bursitis pain , shoulders and hips and more

There are many possible causes for hip pain, and one of the more common is bursitis. If left untreated, the condition can quickly become chronic and much harder to resolve. Often the condition can stem from a specific trauma, such as a fall on the hip. Such a fall can lead to Trochanteric Bursitis or inflammation of the Trochanteric Bursa. Bursitis can also be for other reasons, including infections or subtle changes in biomechanics. The full article on Trochanteric Bursitis hip pain - An MSK Therapy perspective looks at common causes, symptoms and MSK therapy treatment options.

Subacromial Bursitis is one of the most common forms of Bursitis and affects the shoulder. Many other painful shoulder injuries may have similar symptoms and can lead to Bursitis if left unaddressed. Shoulders are more susceptible to injuries and in part due to their complexity. The full article explains more about the shoulder anatomy, Subacromial Bursitis, possible causes and treatment options. Shoulder pain and subacromial bursitis

The only bone attachment for the shoulder joint complex is via the clavicle, which consists of a joint at each end. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is the furthest of the two joints from the body and connects the shoulder blade (shoulder) to the clavicle. An AC joint separation involves injury to the joint where the ends of the bones form the joint, effectively resulting in a separation of the bones. The injury often involves some type of force trauma, meaning symptoms and severity of shoulder pain can vary. The full article covers further details, including the injury anatomy, causes, symptoms, and treatment options. Acromioclavicular Joint Separation - Brisbane MSK Clinic

Adhesive Capsulitis is a condition which affects the glenohumeral (GH) shoulder joint capsule and is more commonly known as Frozen Shoulder. The condition often involves stages, where symptoms gradually get worse over time, before eventually improving over a few years. Frozen shoulder can seriously impact activities of daily living, affect sleep and create serious shoulder pain. The full article provides a better explanation of the shoulder anatomy, possible causes, symptoms and treatment options. Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis) - Brisbane MSK Clinic

A Bankart lesion affects one of the internal parts of the glenohumeral (GH) shoulder joint, the labrum. The labrum is a tapered ring of cartilage which surrounds the socket of the GH joint and assists in preventing the ball (humeral head) from leaving the socket. One type of tear to the labrum is known as a Bankart Lesion, which affects the anterior-inferior labrum (effectively the front and lower portion of the labrum). Injury mechanisms can have a direct effect on damage and symptom severity. Such injuries can cause shoulder instability, create shoulder pain, and lead to other conditions. The main article covers further details on the shoulder anatomy, injury causes, symptoms, and treatment options. Shoulder Pain - Bankart Lesion - Brisbane MSK Clinic

Injuries affecting the biceps tendons can often result in shoulder pain. The tendons attach the biceps muscles to bone within the lower forearm and shoulder. Injuries to tendons typically occur due to a specific trauma, changes in biomechanics, or overuse. Symptoms can vary in severity, though often involve pain and impact shoulder mobility. The full article provides further details on biceps tendon shoulder anatomy, condition causes, symptoms, and treatment options. Shoulder Pain - Biceps Tendon - Brisbane MSK Clinic

The clavicle is a relatively small bone and yet a key part of the shoulder joint complex. Fractures or broken clavicle bones typically occur due to force trauma. Injury severity and symptoms also vary according to specific injury mechanisms. Such injuries can severely affect activities of daily living, due to shoulder pain and the resulting impact on mobility. More detailed information covering the shoulder anatomy, injury causes, symptoms, and treatment is available in the full article. Shoulder Pain - Clavicular Fracture - Brisbane MSK Clinic

Some types of force trauma injury can result in impact injuries to parts of the glenohumeral (GH) joint. One such injury can result in a Hill-Sachs lesion, where impacting of the humeral head (ball) against the socket (glenoid fossa) of the GH joint results in a dent forming in the humeral head (ball). Symptoms can vary according to injury severity, though shoulder pain and shoulder complex instability are common, which can lead to the formation of other conditions. Further details, including the anatomy of the injury, possible causes, symptoms, and treatment, are covered in the full article. Shoulder Pain - Hill-Sachs Lesion - Brisbane MSK Clinic

Breaks to the upper arm (humerus) can vary in degree of complexity and severity. Humerus fractures typically occur due to force trauma, though the exact injury mechanism can vary hugely. However, the forces involved in causing a humeral fracture will also affect other tissues and structures, including the shoulder complex. Hence, such injuries can also result in shoulder pain and reduced mobility. The full article provides further details covering injury anatomy, causes, symptoms, and treatment. Shoulder Pain - Humeral Fractures - Brisbane MSK Clinic

Impingement syndrome can vary in severity, though it often involves shoulder pain and restricted mobility to varying degrees. Normal pain-free movement of the shoulder relies on multiple components of the shoulder complex working seamlessly together. However, injuries or changes to individual soft tissue components or structures of the shoulder complex can impact biomechanics. Such changes can then result in additional soft tissue loading and inflammation, creating pain and impinging on specific shoulder movements. The full article provides much detail covering shoulder anatomy, causes, symptoms, and treatment options. Shoulder Pain - Impingement Syndrome - Brisbane MSK Clinic

There are many parts to the glenohumeral (GH) shoulder joint; one such part is the labrum. The labrum is a tapered ring of cartilage which is attached to the rim of the GH joint socket (glenoid fossa). Injuries to the shoulder can lead to damage to the labrum and a labral tear, resulting in shoulder pain and instability. As with other shoulder injuries, symptom severity can vary based on the injury mechanism. Further details on causes, symptoms, treatment options, and shoulder anatomy are covered in the full article. Shoulder Pain - Labral Tears - Brisbane MSK Clinic

The shoulder complex consists of multiple joints, with three of these joints being synovial bone-on-bone joints with hyaline cartilage covering bony contact surface areas. Healthy hyaline cartilage is smooth and reduces bone-on-bone friction within such joints and also assists with shock absorption. Shoulder joint osteoarthritis results in degenerative changes to the cartilage, resulting in restricted mobility and shoulder pain. The full article provides further details about shoulder complex anatomy, possible causes, symptoms, and treatment options. Shoulder Pain - Osteoarthritis - Brisbane MSK Clinic

There are a large number of muscles within the shoulder joint complex, and the pectoral muscle (pectoralis major) is one such muscle. Muscle strains occur when fibres making up the muscle are torn due to trauma. Injury severity can vary according to injury mechanism, impacting both shoulder pain, symptoms, healing time, and mobility. More details covering injury anatomy, causes, symptoms, and treatment options are available in the full article. Shoulder Pain - Pectoral Muscle Strain - Brisbane MSK Clinic

The rotator cuff consists of four relatively small muscles which attach from points on the scapula to points on the upper arm (humerus). Muscle tears or strains can vary in severity, based on injury mechanism, which can impact symptoms. Shoulder pain and restrictions in mobility are common with rotator cuff tears. Possible causes, symptoms, injury anatomy, and treatment options are covered in more detail in the full article. Shoulder Pain - Rotator Cuff Tears - Brisbane MSK Clinic

Unlike rotator cuff tears, rotator cuff tendinopathy affects the tendon portion of the rotator cuff muscles. The four rotator cuff muscles are attached to specific parts of the scapula and upper arm (humerus) via tendons. Injury to these tendons can result in shoulder pain, restrictions in mobility, and a gradual worsening of symptoms if left unaddressed. The full article provides further details covering shoulder anatomy, injury causes, symptoms, and treatment options. Shoulder Pain - Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy - Brisbane Clinic

In medical terms, a subluxation is a partial joint dislocation, whereas a dislocation involves the bones forming a joint completely separating. There are three such synovial bone-on-bone joints within the shoulder complex, with the largest being the glenohumeral (GH) joint. A classic shoulder dislocation typically involves the GH joint. Such injuries can vary in severity due to cause, though typically involve shoulder pain and restricted mobility. The full article provides further details on symptoms, causes, shoulder anatomy, and treatment options. Shoulder Pain - Dislocations - Brisbane MSK Clinic

Shoulder instability can occur for multiple reasons, resulting in consequences for the overall shoulder complex. Individual joint integrity and stability rely on multiple components working seamlessly together. Damage or changes to any of the individual components can result in joint instability, shoulder pain, and mobility. Shoulder anatomy, causes, symptoms, and treatment options are discussed more in the full article. Shoulder Pain - Shoulder Instability - Brisbane MSK Clinic

Headaches can have many causes, types of symptoms and levels of severity. Many types of headaches can have identifiable and straightforward reasons, which are manageable with the proper treatment and preventative strategies. Muscular and myofascial tension can play a major part in the onset of many types of headaches and associated pain. Even migraine headaches can have a musculoskeletal origin. The full article on Headache Treatment - An MSK Therapy perspective goes into far more detail, along with other related topics.

Chronic Pain can occur for many reasons and affect many areas of the body. Usually, some form of trauma leads to Chronic Pain if tissue structures cannot heal as normal. Sometimes the Chronic Pain exists from the moment of the initial trauma and, on other occasions, develops over time due to changes caused by the initial trauma. Pain is only really referred to ask Chronic, once it has been present for over three months in duration. Dealing with such Pain involves taking a holistic approach, in more complicated cases, a multi-disciplinary approach. Chronic Pain conditions are far more complex than just the physical pain aspect. The full article on Chronic Pain - An MSK Therapy Perspective looks at the topic in far more detail, along with other highly related areas.

Back pain is invariably something that the vast majority of the population will experience at some point in life. Symptom severity and can vary from person to person, as can the duration of back pain episodes. There are multiple possible causes of back-related pain and not purely mechanical or soft-tissue based. The article on back-pain looks in more detail at some possible causes and treatment. General Back Pain treatment, causes, help - An MSK Therapy perspective.

Busy modern-day life and the increasing use of smart devices can take a toll on our musculoskeletal system and especially our necks. Terms such as "text neck" have become popular as a means of describing the specific occurrences of neck pain. The article "Neck Pain - An MSK Therapy perspective." looks at several possible causes of neck pain and some strategies to help limit, or avoid some of the effects of such problems. Neck Pain treatment, causes, help - An MSK Therapy perspective can be found here.

The article about healing and scar tissue is the third in a series of four related articles, the others being the topics of adaptation, trauma and biotensegrity. The bodies survival strategy to repair instead of to regenerate tissues has connotations for adaptation, biotensegrity, injury prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. For further details, please view the link on Scar Tissue healing and treatment.

The article on Biotensegrity is the second in a series of four related articles, the others being the topics of adaptation, trauma and healing. Biotensegrity looks at how everything in the body is connected and how changes in compressive and tensile forces can impact us. Changes in Biotensegrity have connotations for injury prevention, recovery, training and general musculoskeletal health. Read more here Biotensegrity and its relevance - An MSK Therapy perspective.

The article on adaptation is the first in a series of four highly related and overlapping topics, the others being the topics of trauma, healing and biotensegrity. Musculoskeletal adaptation looks at how our bodies respond and adapt to various forces, which has connotations for injury prevention, recovery, training and our musculoskeletal health in general. Further details here Soft Tissue Adaptation to activity and injury - An MSK Therapy perspective.

Stress is a relatively common fact of modern day life, and the human body has always had to deal with “stress” in one form or another. Not all “stress” is bad and “stress” can prove to be very positive. To combat the negative impacts of too much “stress,” one needs to understand something about the “Human Stress Response”. Learn more about Stress (Part One), the Individual, Wellbeing, Performance and the Workplace.

The second part of the article about “Stress, the Individual, Wellbeing and Performance”looks at the mid to long-term effects of excessive “stress” on the human body, various bodily systems and human performance. Find out more in Stress (Part Two), the Individual, Wellbeing, Performance and the Workplace.

The third and final part of the “Stress, the Individual, Wellbeing and Performance”related article looks at possible interventions to mitigate or reduce the impacts of perceived and sustained levels of “stress”. Stress (Part Three), the Individual, Wellbeing, Performance and the Workplace here.

Any crisis can prove hugely challenging and stressful, both physiologically and psychologically. The Coronavirus Covid-19 situation is no different and fear, uncertainty and the changes that everybody has to make all add to the stress. Yet, some people seem more resilient and able to cope much more effectively than others in a similar situation. People deemed as resilient appear to have common shared characteristics and behaviours, which may indeed explain why they are more resilient. Resilience becomes more critical over time and, as one weathers the storm, but storms do end. The full article Resilience in the face of adversity, uncertainty - covid-19 looks in much more detail at the behaviours and characteristics found in resilient people and how they may help us deal with stress.

There are many possible reasons for neck, shoulder, and back pain. However, how we sleep and our sleeping position can contribute to such issues and assist in relieving existing problems. Simple changes in how we sleep and support the weight of our head and neck while sleeping are worth the effort in terms of preventative measures. Adopting a neutral and supported head position while sleeping is easily achievable without expensive pillows. The article Sleeping position and pillow height explains why a neutrally supported head position is preferable and how to easily achieve such a sleeping setup.

During the Coronavirus (covid-19) situation, many people are currently home-working, which may present many new and interesting challenges. The home-working computer setup survival guide aims to help people avoid some common mistakes that one can easily make while working from home. Life will be stressful enough for many people, without the addition of some easily avoided additional musculoskeletal related aches and pains. The article not only covers ideal computer setups but also highlights the importance of other aspects of home-working and separating work from home life. The full article on Coronavirus (covid-19) Ergonomic computer setup and home-working survival guide can be read here.

Self-myofascial release (SMFR) involves using techniques a trained myofascial release therapist performs in a self-treatment context. However, there are significant differences between the types of tools and the application of methods in a self-treatment context versus professional treatment. Effectively, there are more limitations in what is achievable in a self-treatment context, though treatment can still prove effective. The full article about Self-Myofascial Release (SMFR) techniques and tools provides useful hints and tips.