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By Ethan Farr, Sports Myotherapist & Exercise Scientist Does your teenager get pain below the knee cap at the top of the shin bone? Do they seem to be taking longer to recover from sports events at school, or even need a sick day after a big physical effort like playing a game of footy or running cross country? And if they take a knock to the knee, are they in extreme agony? This could be from a condition called Osgood Schlatters, and its really common in teenagers, especially if they are involved in sports.  What is Osgood Schlatters?
Osgood Schlatters is a common joint condition that affects the knees, especially in adolescents who are going through growth spurts. It's characterised by pain, swelling, and tenderness just below the kneecap, where the patellar tendon (the tendon that attaches the quadriceps to the tibia) attaches to the shinbone. Males are more commonly diagnosed with Osgood Schlatters however, it can affect both males and females at different ages. Typical age ranges for teen boys are between 12-15, and in young girls between 8-12. Osgood’s is also more common directly after a growth spurt and for those who do repetitive movements like jumping and sprinting which pretty much covers all youth sports. What does Osgood Schlatter look like and how can you help your children? Front knee pain with or without swelling, is the leading symptom in this condition and it aggravates during physical activities such as running, jumping, cycling, kneeling, walking up and down the stairs and kicking a ball. Other things that can help identify Osgood Schlatter’s is pain on touching/palpating below the kneecap on the shinbone, in some cases there can be a bony protuberance or swelling or bony projection in the shin, and quadricep tightness is another symptom for the condition. Now how can you help - knowledge is power, as a parent you can track whether your child is in continuous/increased pain after physical activity and if they’ve had a growth spurt recently. If this is the case, pain management is the aim of the game. This can look like slightly reducing participation in sport and icing the knee immediately after sports to help control swelling and pain. Making sure your teenager stretches their quads well in a pre-game or pre-activity warm up will also help to reduce strain on the patellar tendon - we know a lot of kids don't love to warm up thoroughly, but this is really essential to reducing their ongoing pain. Another thing you can do as a parent is book in with one of our Myotherapists for help. We can help reduce swelling and pain in the knee through massage and manual therapy techniques, including more advanced techniques if your teen is comfortable with options like cupping and myofascial dry needling. We can also tape the knee in a way that supports the growing joint and strained tendons, to provide protection and support. Taping decreases loading on the patella tendon reducing pain after physical activity. We can teach stretches for the quadriceps and hamstrings for pre and post sport, we can give exercises to strengthen the vastus medialis oblique (a muscle in the quadriceps group) which has been shown in studies to reduce knee pain. Understanding Osgood Schlatters is crucial for parents of active adolescents with knee pain. Recognising the symptoms—such as knee pain exacerbated by physical activities—and knowing when to seek help are key steps in managing this condition. Our Myotherapists offer effective strategies like taping techniques, targeted stretches, strengthening exercises, and therapeutic interventions that can alleviate pain and support the child's recovery. Taking proactive steps like these can make a significant difference in managing Osgood Schlatters and ensuring that young athletes can continue to enjoy their sports safely and comfortably. If you think your child could possibly be suffering from Osgood Schlatters please get in contact with us or make a booking with us so that we can help support you and your child getting back to doing what they love and being pain free today. Simple Wellness Myotherapy is located at Shop 12B/150 Kelletts Rd, Rowville VIC 3178 or you can call us on (03) 8204 0970. By Ethan Farr, Sports Myotherapist & Exercise Scientist Piriformis syndrome is characterised by pain and discomfort in the buttocks, typically caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve near the piriformis muscle. It can also cause referred pain into the leg, including sharp or aching pain, pins & needles, numbness or tingling in the leg or foot. This is a condition we see often in people who cycle due to the position on the bike, but can also be seen in other highly physically active sports, too.  In over 80% of the population, the sciatic nerve runs deep to and exits underneath the piriformis muscle.
Early divisions of the sciatic nerve can predispose patients to piriformis syndrome, with these branches passing through either below or above the piriformis muscle. Runners, cyclists, and rowers are at the highest risk for piriformis syndrome due to their engagement in activities that involve pure forward movement. These activities can weaken the hip adductors and abductors, which are crucial for opening and closing the legs. The piriformis muscle can become tight from prolonged sitting, a common issue among working people, and this is particularly pertinent for long-distance cyclists, who are exposed to two of these predisposing factors. Additionally, the repetitive motion of cycling primarily engages the hip flexors and extensors while neglecting the hip abductors and adductors. This imbalance can further strain the piriformis muscle and contribute to its tightness. Furthermore, the posture adopted during cycling—leaning forward with hips flexed—can exacerbate the compression of the sciatic nerve against the piriformis muscle. This compression can result in pain, numbness, or tingling that radiates down the leg, mimicking symptoms of sciatica. For long-distance cyclists, who spend extended periods in the saddle and engage in pure forward movement, the risk of developing piriformis syndrome is heightened. The combination of prolonged sitting, repetitive motion, and muscle imbalance underscores the importance of preventive measures such as proper bike fit, regular stretching routines targeting hip muscles, and incorporating cross-training activities to maintain overall muscular balance. By understanding these predisposing factors and implementing appropriate preventive strategies, cyclists can mitigate the risk of developing piriformis syndrome and maintain their performance and comfort during cycling activities. How we can help: Myotherapy supports through the focus on addressing muscle imbalances, tightness, and overuse issues that commonly afflict cyclists due to the repetitive nature of their sport. Techniques such as deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy, myofascial dry needling, and myofascial release are effective in releasing tension in these muscles, improving flexibility, and restoring proper alignment. These therapies can enhance blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, which aids in the removal of metabolic waste products and reduces inflammation. This can significantly accelerate the recovery process after intense cycling sessions or competitions. By incorporating regular remedial massage or myotherapy sessions into their training regimen, cyclists can proactively manage muscle tightness and imbalances. This proactive approach not only helps in preventing injuries like piriformis syndrome but also promotes overall muscle health and performance efficiency. So if you would like to not only reduce any pain you experience or reduce your risk of overwork injuries whilst also improve your cycling performance make sure you book in with me for an assessment and to start your treatment plan. I'm available Tuesdays 8am-12pm, Thursdays 12.30pm-7pm, and Sundays 9am-3.30pm at Simple Wellness Myotherapy. We are located at Shop 12B/150 Kelletts Rd, Rowville VIC 3178 or you can call us on (03) 8204 0970 By Ethan Farr, Sports Myotherapist & Exercise Scientist Plantar Fasciitis is a condition that has piqued my interest as I have also suffered from it and since I have had it I have grown a passion in treating it and fighting it off for good. But what is Plantar Fasciitis? Plantar Fasciitis is a musculoskeletal disorder characterised by heel pain that is exacerbated by weight-bearing activity and after extended periods of rest or sedentary behaviour - but what does this mean in english?  Fundamentally Plantar Fasciitis is a long term (comes up repeatedly over a few months) pain at the bottom of the foot this can be heel or arch of the foot. It is worse after sitting or lying down, and it is most commonly felt first thing in the morning when you get up from bed but can be brought on after long periods of walking or standing.
Studies have shown that Plantar Fasciitis affects 10% of adults in their lifetime and is most common in individuals between the ages of 40 and 60 years old, but can affect a younger population of habitual runners or those that are just highly active. Where does it come from/ how do you get it? Plantar Fasciitis is multifactorial but has commonly been linked with; High impact exercise; Obesity; prolonged standing/sitting; flat feet; occupational use of equipment like heavy safety boots; and is highly prevalent in runners. Common practice for the treatment of Plantar Fasciitis includes stretching and exercises for the muscles around the ankle and sole of the foot, as well as using orthotics for the shoes you wear, and potentially using a glucocorticoid injection (Ouch). Did you know that there is another treatment option focusing on pain management making it much easier to do everything you need to do day to day without that constant ache in the feet nagging at you - but what is this miracle cure? Say hello to myofascial dry needling or MDN for short, MDN is a technique used by myotherapists and other healthcare professionals to treat myofascial pain and muscle tightness. It involves inserting acupuncture needles into trigger points (or “knots”) in a muscle to stimulate a healing response and release tension. Not to be confused with acupuncture, which is based on traditional Chinese medicine and focuses on balancing energy flow, MDN targets muscular issues directly, aiming to alleviate pain, improve range of motion, and promote healing. Many studies have supported the notion that MDN can be used in the treatment of Plantar Fasciitis and some studies have found that the use of MDN on the gastrocnemius and soleus (muscles in the calves) had a statistically significant (≥95% of participants experienced improvement) reduction in plantar fascial pain moderate (2 weeks post treatment) to long term (4 weeks post treatment) for most subjects. What does this mean for you? With reduced pain you are able to do the exercise needed to help strengthen and support your ankle and heel meaning if you take an active role post treatment your Plantar Fasciitis may not come back. For others who may not be capable to be more active in their recovery the ability to be pain free for up to 4 weeks is enough and they can seek regular maintenance treatments monthly or bimonthly to control pain. Ready to take the first step towards relief from Plantar Fasciitis? Book your session at Simple Wellness Myotherapy today and experience the transformative benefits of myofascial dry needling. Take charge of your recovery and bid farewell to foot pain for good! Simple Wellness Myotherapy is located at Shop 12B/150 Kelletts Rd, Rowville VIC 3178 Contact us on (03) 8204 0970 Our Rowville clinic is open 9am-6pm every Sunday! We have two fantastic therapists who work on a Sunday:  Ethan Farr - Sports Myotherapist & Exercise Scientist Ethan is an excellent rehabilitation focused therapist. He has a wealth of experience with exercise centred injury recovery, and is building a fantastic reputation for his hands on treatments. He loves to help people with non-surgical recovery of sporting injuries, including things like:
 Duke Autret - Myotherapist Duke is a Myotherapist and Remedial Massage Therapist, with qualifications in Pilates. He is passionate about encouraging movement as medicine, and providing outstanding care to help people in pain to regain better mobility and live a more painfree life. He loves to help people with things like:
Book a Sunday AppointmentOnline booking for a Sunday appointment is easy - check our availability and book in advance, our Sunday sessions are popular!!
Simple Wellness Myotherapy is located at Shop 12B/150 Kelletts Rd, Rowville VIC 3178 Contact us on (03) 8204 0970 |
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Simple Wellness Myotherapy & Osteopathy
Shop 12B/150 Kelletts Rd, Rowville VIC 3178 |
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