Tennis Physio and Sports Physio at Physiologix
At Physiologix we know sports injuries. Three of our physiotherapists have been involved with The Australian Tennis Open, working with international elite athletes of incredible calibre; this is the very highest level of tennis physio. Another of our physios works with Brisbane level Netball. Our sports physios are highly experienced, with post graduate university training.
We would like to welcome Maria to our Physiologix Team. She has recently arrived to Brisbane from a year of travel around Australia with her husband and small children.She has worked as a tennis physio contracting for Tennis Australia for the past 10 years. She has been also been involved at the Australian Open Women’s Tennis for the past 7 years. She has worked at the New South Wales and Queensland Tennis Academy and multiple tournaments around the country. Besides being a tennis physio, Maria has also been involved with state Netball, AFL, Athletics and Rugby Union.Maria has a passion to getting her clients back to their favourite activity. She enjoys helping people understand and taking control of their injuries by tailoring exercise programs that can work in each personal situation. Maria enjoys keeping up to date regarding the latest Physiotherapy evidence and she particularly enjoys helping mums return to sports after children. Maria completed her Physiotherapy degree in South America in 2007, Since then she has worked in private practice for over 13 years including Sydney, Victoria and Wollongong regions. Maria Jose and her family enjoy the outdoors, regularly camping and hiking around this beautiful country. She likes to keep healthy by cycling, running, swimming and playing Tennis.
We would also like to congratulate Gena Wallis (Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist) who is returning to us after travelling to Dubai as one of only two Tennis Australia physios to be working with the female athletes. She has then been in Melbourne helping with the International athletes progressing through quarantine – what an incredible experience to be working in sport at this extremely complex time.
To see any of our tennis physios or sports physios, please call us on (07) 3511 1112, make a booking or email us from our website physiologix.com.au
Top Tips from The Tennis Physio at The Australian Tennis Open
With 2020 being the 13th year Kirsty McNab, Sports Physiotherapist, is working as the physio for the Womens Draw at the Australian Tennis Open, and with Gena Wallis, Sports Physiotherapist, working at the $60K follow up tournament to the AO in Burnie, Victoria, here are a few tips on keeping players in top condition as they go deeper in the tournament, or are having to follow straight up into another high level event
RECOVERY – is everything. From treatment of ongoing issues, to recovery bathes, to compression garments, to massage, to rehydration and meals, to sleep…..you name it….all things that the physios work with the players to ensure happen well.
NIP IT IN THE BUD – any niggles get jumped on immediately. Understanding what, why and how of something the player is experiencing helps guide what is best treatment. This is not just hands on treatment, but exercise rehab, changes in equipment, whether resting is best (not something anyone ever wants to hear), do the sports physicians and doctors that work on site need to be involved
WORK AS A TEAM – the physio has to get everyone involved that they feel the player needs to ensure the very optimal management, that may be the sports physicians, the massage therapists, the recovery centre team, the dietician, the podiatrist, their own support team and coach – everyone is on site if the player needs it. Keeping these players at their best is very much a team effort.
Enjoy the rest of the Tennis
Exercise, Equipment Pilates and Movement for Health
The importance of exercise in improving health comes through time and time again in research. This may be from things like cancer through to back pain or chronic pain conditions, for example fibromyalgia. A recent study looking at exercise in older athletes in the British Medical journal stated the following: "Engaging in regular physical activity may be one of our best 'life enhancing medicines' and should be used extensively".
In this study higher intensity exercise was found to be more beneficial than moderate intensity exercise, following a twice a week program, at home or in a class setting. Being given a set program helped gain more motivation and compliance from participants. At Physiologix, we are passionate about getting you moving. In our stunning private gym area, with state of the art pilates and rehabilitation equipment, we run an extensive timetable of small, pilates classes where you will have your own individualised program to follow. We also run small physio supervised classes for those needing a little more help and support.
Here is a snapshot of a few pilates based exercises and why we might be doing them.
The 'Scooter' on the reformer is a great exercise to work on hip stability and strengthen for glutes and legs. The idea is to keep your body weight and your balance on the supporting leg, as you kick back with the other leg. Yet it is amazing how many people have done this in Pilates workouts for years before coming to us and felt the exercise more in the front of the thigh…..totally missing the point of this exercise!!! A few little tricks and this becomes one of the best buttock muscle activation and strength exercises there is.
The ‘Step Back’ on the wunda chair is one of the functional exercises that we use during our physio rehab and the Pilates classes. Depending on the springs that you are using, you can have more or less support to step up, so we can always adapt the exercises for your level.
This is a fantastic exercise to strengthen your glutes and legs, and work on your balance and full body control.
Pilates is not only about rehabilitation. You can also work really hard! Our pilates instructors have a fitness background to help you to reach your fitness or sporting goals. This 'long stretch series' is an example of a challenging core work.
Our ability to mix rehab and pilates equipment together at Physiologix allows us to progress and challenge you. In this case, the addition of the BOSU for Kneeling Chariot/Lat Pull creates an added challenge by being on an unstable surface. Your deep core stabilisers need to work harder to maintain stability without compromising posture.
Motivated? No matter how unfit or fit you are, no matter what your injuries or health issues, at Physiologix we will get you moving. Get in to see our Sports and Exercise physios to get an individualized program for yourself, either to do in one of our many classes, or to do from home.
What Makes Champions at the Australian Tennis Open
Kirsty McNab (Sports Physiotherapist) is an extremely experienced and valued member of the Australian Open Team, working as one of four Tennis Australian Physiotherapist for all the female athletes competing at the Open. 2018 marks her 11th year on the job. Here she talks about some of the things that make Champions at a Tennis Grand Slam.
This year I had the wonderful and very privileged experience of working with the great Billie-Jean King. This year marked her 50th year since winning the women’s singles Australian Open in 1968, one of the 39 Grand Slam Titles she won in her incredible career. As she says, great champions aren’t just made by what they do on court, but also what they do off court. Making time to give back to your profession, to supporting others less fortunate around you, to always taking time to appreciate all those that help you be where you are in life, to fight for what you believe in and put in the effort to change even the smallest thing, are all lessons I think we can learn from.
What else makes these champions? Dedication and hard work are everything. Hours go into the gym and on court training. But hours also go into rehabilitation. Every minor and major ache is checked out and a routine put in place to ensure it is nipped in the bud. This means regular sports massage, self trigger pointing, pool recovery, hours of small, specific physio exercises to keep the body working perfectly, stretching sessions with the physio. Many of these athletes spend several hours a day, every day with us in the treatment rooms under Rod Laver Arena.
Whiplash
Whiplash is an injury that occurs to the spine, especially the neck, with sudden rapid movement. This is usually after a car accident, but can occur with collisions in sport or with a blow to the head or body.
Often the pain does not start until a few hours after the incident. The pain often then continues to escalate over the next few days. Initially you may experience neck pain and stiffness. This extends to all the muscles around the neck, often going into the front of the neck and around the throat, as well as the back of the neck. A bad headache will often set in. Vision can be affected and people often feel a “bit out if it”. You may experience pins and needles into the face or arms. The pain may often be accompanied by nausea. At all times the injury should be checked medically with your GP or at the hospital. A decision will then be made as to whether an x-ray or MRI is indicated. This will check there is no bone damage.
In the first few days good, strong medication will help control the pain and reduce the muscle spasm. A hot pack is usually best to use, keeping it on as much as you can, as this will help to relax the muscles further. Gentle pain-free movement will help to keep the joints from stiffening. Physiotherapy at this time releases tight muscles and mobilises joints to get them moving again.
Wimbledon - What Injuries do the Players Struggle With
Gena Wallis, Physiotherapist at Physiologix, works extensively with tennis. She is involved with the Queensland Tennis Academy as well as covering many tennis events in Brisbane. She also writes for a well known physio website and here she revewis an article all about injuries at Wimbledon:
Injuries in professional tennis are common due to the high loading demands on the body.
Tendon Injuries at the Aussie Open 2015
This is my 8th year working at the Australian Tennis Open in Melbourne. And it is always an exciting, action packed few weeks, with very little time to sit down! Every year the level of competition gets higher and higher. The Australian Open is the first Grand Slam of the year. The players have had their time off for the year, before entering into a grueling preseason training. As a result we see a huge amount of tendon injuries, not usually seen at other events.
Lessons from 2016 Australian Tennis Open
For the ninth year in a row Kirsty McNab, Sports Physiotherapist, from Physiologix, in The Gap, has worked at The Australian Tennis Open as one of four Tennis Australian physios working with the women. Kirsty works in a room adjoining the changing rooms, treating any of the players that require pre or post match management, as well as providing long term programs for the athletes as they go on to other tournaments. Here are a few things that Kirsty has to share with a few tips we could all learn from:
Working At The Australian Tennis Open
Kirsty McNab is the owner and head physio of Physiologix Therapy Solutions based at the Gap Health and Racquet Club. This year was the fifth year that she worked at the
Tennis elbow (in tennis players)
Tennis elbow (TE) affects up to 40-50% of all tennis players in their lifetime. In tennis, repetitive strokes place large demands on the wrist extensor muscle group. Backhand strokes have been shown to invoke higher stresses on the elbow than forehand strokes.
The force imparted by the ball onto the racquet during a backhand stroke is transmitted via wrist extensors to the common extensor tendon origin on the outside of the elbow. When overloaded greater than capacity, the tendon begins to break down and lead to tissue disruption, hence the feeling of pain and weakness around the elbow.
Are you doing the best for your shoulders?
Many people think about the shoulder joint when they are recovering from a shoulder injury or when they want to strengthen their arms. But most people forget their scapula, or shoulder blade. The scapula fixes our shoulder to our body. It is the base that ensures we can position our arm exactly where we want it to go. It transfers strength from the trunk to the arm making the arm stronger. Failing to strengthen this area is guaranteed failure with your shoulder strength program and a high likely hood you are heading for a shoulder injury.
Shoulder Injuries and The Australian Tennis Open
Every year for 3 weeks in January, Kirsty McNab, Sports Physiotherapist, owner of Physiologix, upstairs at The Gap Health and Racquet Club, is buried under Rod Laver Stadium at The Australian Tennis Open, working with the players, based in their main changing room.
The Australian Open – Tips On Knees
Day 1 of the Australian Tennis Open and I hope you will be enjoying some of the performances these amazing athletes will be putting on. Watching you will see many of the athletes with their knees taped. In such a fast moving, dynamic game, the stresses and strains these players place on their knees is intense and many of them have early arthritic changes. Tape can be used in a multitude of ways to change the alignment of
Do you have the same knee injury as Rafa Nadal?
If you have pain at the front of the knee just below the patella (knee cap) you may have patellar tendinopathy. Rafa has fought long battles with his knees and patella tendinopathy throughout his career. It is no wonder when you look at the stress tennis puts on Rafa’s knees with his “never stop” attitude to move on court. Patellar tendinopathy is common in athletes who perform a lot of repetitive jumping, change of direction and deceleration movements such as tennis and other sports including basketball and volleyball. The patella tendon becomes subject to forceful repetitive
Knee Pain
1. What is patellofemoral pain (PFP)?
Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is pain surrounding or underneath the patella (knee cap). The pain can be sharp or dull and achy and can come and go during and after activity. Pain usullay occurs with activities such as squatting, lunging, running and going up and down stairs. There may be some associated swelling or puffiness around the knee and you may hear some abnormal clicking from the knee. In some cases you may feel weak or unstable like the knee’s giving out.
Achilles Tendinopathy - Is It Your Achilles Heel
The Achilles tendon is the thick band of tissue that joins the lower part of the calf (the muscles at the back of the lower leg) to the heel. These muscles play an essential role in pushing off the ground when walking and running but also in absorbing forces as you land. Sudden increases in the amount of exercise you are doing, especially where there are larger forces involved, for example, running further, running uphill, playing more tennis etc, can often result in the break down of the Achilles tendon. This results in Achilles Tendinopathy.
Ankle sprains… Not so simple
Ankle sprains are one of the most common lower limb injuries in sports. There is no such thing as a simple ankle sprain however only 55% of patients seek medical treatment for an ankle sprain. Many people underestimate the severity of the injury which may lead to persistent symptoms, recurrent ankle sprains and chronic ankle instability (CAI). CAI encompasses multiple insufficiencies that have occurred due to inadequate rehabilitation of the ankle. The ankle can become weak, feel unstable or stiff and cause difficulty balancing or walking/running on unstable surfaces. In sports is can begin to affect performance with less ankle stability and decreased ability to perform changes of direction or cutting manoeuvres. It can also affect confidence levels and certain movements or sports may be avoided due to a fear of re-injury.
The Classic Sprained Ankle.
Many people experience a rolled ankle at some point in their lives. It can be the result of a sudden turn in sport, a bad step off the sidewalk or even just tripping over thin air.
Strong Ankles - Sprains and Strains
The ankle and foot are an amazing complex that mould to the surface of the ground and allow the body to move in the direction of our choosing. Given it is such a slim, small structure in comparison to the rest of our body, it has to be incredibly strong, durable and flexible.
Taping in Sport
Many of you are I hope tuned in to watch the Australian Tennis Open over the next 2 weeks. You will see many of the players wearing different types of tape, some of it helping them get through matches, maybe preventing injuries from getting worse, and often to prevent an injury from occurring.
Seven load management tips to help prevent tennis injuries
Inconsistent training and exercise loads is one of the most common reasons why tennis players get injured. Many tennis injuries can be avoided by adhering to the following guidelines:
Recovery – Do As The Pro’s Do
Gena Wallis has been working for Tennis Australia at the Pro Tour $25,000 Tennis tournament last week at Tennyson. For these elite athletes, jumping onto an injury early is everything. Here are a few tricks we could all learn from.
Playing Tennis in the Heat: How to Manage
Exercising in Queensland during summer is hot work! The body sweats to get rid of internal heat effectively. Sweat is mainly water but also contains important electrolytes sodium and chloride and a small amount of potassium. If the loss of fluid and electrolytes with sweating is not replaced it may cause cramps, heat exhaustion and decrease exercise performance. The following article written by Dr Bergeron of the US Tennis Association includes recommendations for how to manage
Massage - There ain't a tennis player who would go without it.
Massage – there ain’t a tennis player that would go without!
The (Evil) Foam Roller
Physiotherapists often prescribe the use of a foam roller for a variety of different injuries. It’s usually quite uncomfortable while rolling, but after gives a great feeling of space and mobility.
Sore muscles after Exercise? You may have DOMS.
Sore Muscles After You Do Exercise? You May Have DOMS!
Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, or DOMS, is the fancy name for the pain and discomfort that is experienced the day after exercising. If you’ve taken some time off or even just changed up your routine a bit, your body is vulnerable to a few days of soreness.
8 Physical Demands of Tennis
8 physical demands of tennis and what you need to improve your game:
-By Gena Wallis (Physiotherapist at PhysioLogix)
- 1.Cardiorespiratory fitness: Tennis is a stop/start sport that requires many repeated short explosive bursts of energy with average point durations of 6.3 seconds on hard court for high performance players. The predominant energy system used is 90% anaerobic and 10% aerobic however the variability of playing style, point duration, recovery times between points and overall match durations will require players to be trained both anaerobically for performance and aerobically for recovery during and after play.