Pathophysiology & Symptomology of Migraine Headaches

I'm sure you are all aware that different headache types exist as different clinical entities, but do you know the distinct features of each that aid in our differential diagnosis? Do you know what mechanisms underlie the headache felt in a migraine and what an aura actually is?

The purpose for this blog is to delve deeper into the specifics of primary headaches such as migraine with and without aura and TTH with the aim of better differentiating them from other headache types and recognising red flags.

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Neurodynamic Solutions for the Lower Quadrant

In September I attended the lower quadrant course run by Michael Shacklock in LA. This course covered well known tests such as the slump test, straight leg raise and it’s variations. It was great to review these tests, improve my specificity of handling and then apply the results to treatment scenarios. The aim of this blog is to share a few of the many tips that I took away from the course.

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Contralateral Knee Extension - a New Advance in Slump Test

This week we discuss new information about the normal response of painfree subjects during the slump test. Shacklock and his team (2016) have been studying the impact on contralateral knee extension and the resulting movement of the lumbar neural tissues during the slump test. Insightful and enlightening results!

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Flexion relaxation response & low back pain

The flexion relaxation response is a phenomenon where the lumbar erector spinae muscles become silent at the end of lumbar flexion, and is an important part of being able to achieve full range. This blog explores the FRR and offers simple and easy treatment strategies for patients with low back pain. 

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Hip: Illuminating Iliopsoas

This blog explores the clinical anatomy of the anterior hip, manual therapy tips for releasing iliopsoas and stretches/mobility exercises for treatment of anterior hip tightness and pain. 

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Seronegative spondyloarthropathies & inflammatory low back pain - Part 2

Part 2 reviews the definition and diagnosis of seronegative spondyloarthropathies and inflammatory low back pain. It then continues to explore aspects of assessment, treatment and medical imaging more deeply. What drug therapies are involved? What is the gold standard for medical imaging? How should we adjust our treatments for this spectrum of low back pain disorders? All are valid questions to consider. 

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