The most wonderful time of the year is also the busiest and most dangerous.
Too often, we find clients enter our practice with a few extra injuries after the holiday season. Whether it’s from playing cricket in the backyard or falling off a ladder, accidents often increase this time of year. So, with Christmas fast approaching, it’s important to be aware of the injuries that often occur during the festive season and how you can avoid them.
Be careful with the ladder
From putting the Christmas lights up to cleaning out the gutters, the holiday season is often the time where most accidents involving ladders occur. Not only can these types of injuries be severe, but they can also be fatal. To avoid an accident, ensure that you always wear no-slip shoes, never stand on the top of the ladder and have a friend holding it steady while in use.
The stressful season
From shopping for gifts to seeing the in-laws, the festive season can be a stressful time for some. As we know, stress can significantly impact the body. It can cause the muscles to become tense and stiff, while also being one of the main causes of headaches. That’s why, it’s essential to take time to perform daily stretches that will help you relax the body and mind.
Avoid sitting for long periods
With the holidays season here, many of us are quite happy to sit on the lounge and relax. However, low levels of activity can also lead to acute injuries in the body, especially the back and neck. Ensure that you keep moving every two hours to stretch your legs and circulate your blood to prevent your muscles from becoming stiff these holidays.
PPE for you and your children
From going on bike rides or playing a game of backyard cricket, it’s important to wear the correct safety equipment to avoid injury. We’ve found that Christmas presents are often the leading cause of many injuries. While the family may be excited to test out their Christmas presents, whether it’s a new tool or bike, forgetting to put on a helmet or PPE often results in an accident or injury. To avoid injury, ensure that you put safety first and wear the correct PPE before playing with the new Christmas toys.
Ease into new year resolutions
Trying to kick start your new year resolutions during the festive season? If your goal is to become fitter in the new year, it’s essential that you don’t go too hard too quick. Too often, we find clients enter our practice due to pushing themselves too hard, leading to a strain or tear in the muscles or ligaments.
When starting your new year resolutions, ensure that you start slow and gradually build yourself up to the level you want to achieve. By gradually increasing your load and activity levels by 10%, you’ll be able to achieve your goals without any injury in the upcoming year.
If you or a family member have been a bit too silly this festive season and are experiencing pain – talk to our team today. You can have the confidence knowing our qualified and highly skilled physiotherapists will bring you instant relief and get you back moving in no time.
Call Progressive Sport and Spinal Physiotherapy today on 4721 7798 or email: info@progressiverehab.com.au
At Progressive Sports and Spinal Physiotherapy Penrith, we are able to assess, treat, educate and manage all musculoskeletal injuries. We focus on hands-on treatment, exercise prescription and self management techniques tailored to your specific needs. We utilise evidence based treatments to maximise your outcomes.
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Julian graduated from the University of Sydney in 2020 with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy, achieving First Class Honours. With a strong foundation in evidence-based practice, he has developed a special interest in treating hand and vestibular injuries. His expertise also extends to managing sports-related injuries, especially those common in grappling sports. Having trained in these disciplines himself, Julian brings a unique understanding of the physical demands and challenges involved, allowing him to provide highly personalised care to athletes and active individuals alike.
A firm believer in proactive healthcare, Julian advocates for everyone to prioritise their physical health and take steps to prevent injuries before they happen. His approach emphasises avoiding orthopedic issues, leading an active lifestyle, and ultimately extending one’s health span. Through his work, he aims to empower clients to not only recover from injury but to achieve lasting well-being in their everyday lives.
Elin, is an alumni of St. Edward’s University and holder of a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology, furthered her academic journey by attaining a Doctor of Physiotherapy from Macquarie University in 2022.
Her passion for sports, particularly football (soccer), is evident in both her academic pursuits and personal endeavors. Specialising in the comprehensive well-being of athletes, Elin focuses on restoring them to peak performance while actively preventing future injuries.
Elin’s professional expertise is centered on musculoskeletal rehabilitation, with a specific emphasis on addressing and preventing knee injuries. Her approach integrates expert treatment with a commitment to educating and empowering patients, fostering their active involvement in enhancing their health and overall quality of life.
As an active participant in NPL football with SD Raiders, Elin brings firsthand experience and a profound understanding of the sport’s demands. Beyond the field, she extends her influence by contributing sports coverage over the weekends.
Christopher (Chris) Han graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy, and then completed the Doctor of Physiotherapy program at Macquarie University in 2018. Chris is currently undertaking his PhD at the University of Sydney and Institute for Musculoskeletal Health in the field of low back pain and is due to complete this in early 2024.
Chris is currently an assistant Physiotherapist for the NRL Referees. Chris has previous experience as the head Physiotherapist at Panthers Premier League Netball and a number of elite sporting athletes in the private setting.
Through Chris’ experiences, he has a particular interest in all areas of the body and musculoskeletal physiotherapy, sports, vestibular rehabilitation, and Men’s Health (pre and post prostate surgery).
Suzanne graduated from Western Sydney University with a Bachelor of Health Science (Sports and Exercise Science) in 2015. She then went on to continue her studies at Macquarie University graduating from the Doctor of Physiotherapy post-graduate degree in June 2019.
Since graduating, Suzanne has worked in the local Penrith area in both private practice and Sports Physiotherapy. Suzanne has worked with sporting teams including Penrith District Netball Association, Mt Druitt Rangers (NPL), Penrith Valley Figure Skating Club, and local dance and cheer schools.
Suzanne has a particular interest in working with artistic athletes including cheerleaders and dancers. She has a professional background in both cheer and dance and has previously worked as both a cheer coach and dance teacher. Suzanne’s previous experiences are an invaluable resource to her as a physiotherapist, as she has a thorough understanding of the level of physical fitness and skill acquisition that these athletes must have in order to be successful on stage and in competition.
Suzanne’s other areas of clinical interest reside in lower limb musculoskeletal injuries, spinal pathologies and women’s health.
Nathanial graduated as a physiotherapist in 2012 which saw him work in private practice and hospital settings gaining experience in all areas of physiotherapy including hand therapy, splinting/casting, pre/post-operative care, Men’s Health and general musculoskeletal, occupational and sports physiotherapy. Since then he has gone on to complete further studies in physiotherapy enabling him to be the only dual titled Musculoskeletal, Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist in Penrith.
Nathanial has a strong background in sports physiotherapy achieving accreditation with NSWIS as a service provider and working with many elite sports teams.
Nathanial has a particular interest in working with elite athletes, complex cases and in particular assessment and management of knee, hip and shoulder pain.
Andrea graduated from the Australian Catholic University completing her Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science in 2018 and Master’s of Clinical Exercise Physiology in 2020. After graduating she attained accreditation with ESSA as an Exercise Physiologist.
During her studies she gained clinical experience in both hospital and private practice settings, in cardiac rehabilitation, neurological conditions, cancer and chronic musculoskeletal injuries.
Since working at Progressive, Andrea has a specialist interest in treating musculoskeletal injuries, helping people in the mid-late stage of rehab to get them to return to sport or work. As well as helping people manage chronic conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis and diabetes.