Precision Physio

🎾 Wimbledon is in full swing... but is your elbow feeling the strain? 🎾

With hours of tennis on our screens and many people inspired to dust off their rackets, it's the perfect time to talk about Tennis Elbow.

Despite the name, tennis elbow doesn't just affect tennis players. It's a common overuse injury caused by repetitive gripping, lifting, typing, DIY, gardening, and many other everyday activities.

🔹 Pain on the outside of the elbow
🔹 Tenderness when gripping objects
🔹 Discomfort when lifting, pouring, or carrying
🔹 Reduced strength in the hand and forearm

Many people assume the problem is in the elbow itself, but often contributing factors include weakness or overload in the wrist, forearm, shoulder, or even poor movement patterns further up the chain.

The good news? Rest alone is rarely the answer. A tailored rehabilitation programme focusing on strength, load management, and addressing the underlying cause can make a huge difference.

If you've been struggling with elbow pain that's stopping you from enjoying sport, work, or daily activities, don't ignore it. Early intervention can help prevent it becoming a long-term issue.

Now, who's your pick to lift the Wimbledon trophy this year? 🏆🎾

This week has been a great reminder that pain isn't always coming from where you feel it.

👣 One client came in with medial (inner) knee pain. After assessment, the knee itself wasn't the main issue. Weakness around the hips and fallen arches were increasing the load through the inner aspect of the knee, contributing to ongoing symptoms.

👣 Another client was struggling with plantar fasciitis. Previous bunion correction surgery had likely contributed to weakness in some of the muscles of the lower limb, alongside fallen arches, placing extra stress on the plantar fascia.

🏃‍♂️ A keen runner was finding it difficult to get back to running comfortably years after an ankle dislocation. Although the injury had healed, lingering stiffness, weakness and altered movement patterns were still affecting performance and confidence.

The body works as one connected system. The site of pain is often just the place that is working hardest to compensate for something happening elsewhere.

That's why a thorough assessment is so important — understanding the root cause rather than simply treating the symptoms.

Are you dealing with a niggling injury that just won't go away? It may be time to look beyond the area that hurts.

🍑 Gluteal Tendinopathy – It's Not Always "Sciatica" 🍑

Do you have pain on the outside of your hip?

Do you struggle to lie on that side in bed, walk for long periods, climb stairs, or get up after sitting?

You may be experiencing gluteal tendinopathy.

The gluteal tendons attach your glute muscles to the outside of your hip and play a vital role in supporting your pelvis and controlling movement when walking, running, and standing on one leg.

When these tendons become irritated, overloaded, or weakened, it can lead to:
✔️ Pain on the outside of the hip
✔️ Pain when lying on the affected side
✔️ Stiffness after sitting
✔️ Discomfort walking, running, or climbing stairs
✔️ Tenderness when pressing on the side of the hip

❌ Rest alone isn't usually the answer. ❌ Stretching aggressively can sometimes make symptoms worse.

✅ The right combination of load management, strengthening exercises, and movement modification can help the tendon recover and become more resilient.

One of the biggest mistakes people make is continuing to aggravate the tendon without realising it – crossing legs, standing with weight shifted onto one hip, or sleeping in positions that compress the tendon can all contribute to ongoing symptoms.

The good news? With the right advice and rehabilitation plan, most people see significant improvement.

If you've been putting up with persistent hip pain, don't ignore it. Getting the correct diagnosis is the first step towards getting back to doing the things you enjoy.

📩 Get in touch to book an assessment and let's get to the root cause of your pain.