Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a group of inherited connective tissue disorders that can affect the skin, joints and other tissues throughout the body. One of the most common forms, hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS), is associated with generalised joint hypermobility, joint instability, pain and fatigue. For people with EDS or significant joint hypermobility, exercise can sometimes seem counterintuitive. If your joints already move further than average, should you re

Shoulder pain can make everyday activities surprisingly difficult. Reaching into a cupboard, putting on a coat, lifting weights or lying on your affected side can become uncomfortable, particularly when pain disrupts your sleep. One possible cause is calcific shoulder tendinopathy, a condition in which calcium deposits develop within the tendons of the rotator cuff. Although these deposits can sometimes be present without causing symptoms, they can also be associated with sig

Pain on the inside of your ankle or foot can have a number of causes, but one condition that is often overlooked is tibialis posterior syndrome. The tibialis posterior is an important muscle and tendon that runs along the back of the lower leg and passes behind the inside of the ankle before attaching to several bones within the foot. It plays an important role in supporting the arch of the foot, controlling foot movement and helping to stabilise the ankle when you walk, run

Getting injured is frustrating at any age, but recovering from an injury in your 40s can feel different from bouncing back in your 20s. You may notice that soreness lingers longer, stiffness is more noticeable, or that returning to your normal routine takes a little more patience. The good news? Being in your 40s doesn't mean you're destined for a slow recovery. With appropriate treatment, rehabilitation, nutrition, sleep and sensible progression, many men continue to recover

If you spend many hours working at a computer, you may have noticed a rounded appearance developing around the base of your neck. It is sometimes referred to as a “buffalo hump”, particularly when there is a visible prominence where the neck meets the upper back. But is poor posture really responsible — and can it be reversed? Is it actually a buffalo hump? Not necessarily. The term “buffalo hump” is often used to describe a visible prominence at the lower neck, but several d

For many years, the standard advice following an acute injury was to reduce inflammation as quickly as possible. This often meant using ice, rest and anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen. Our understanding of injury recovery has changed. Inflammation isn't simply something that needs to be stopped — it is an important part of the body's natural healing process. Why do we need inflammation? After an injury such as an ankle sprain, muscle strain or tendon injury, infl

Being naturally flexible can seem like an advantage, but for some people, excessive joint movement can contribute to pain, instability and repeated injuries. Hypermobility exists on a spectrum, and for some people it forms part of a condition such as hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD) or hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS). What is hypermobility? Joint hypermobility means that one or more joints can move through a greater range than is typical. Many people are hyperm

Most episodes of lower back pain and sciatica are not emergencies and will improve with appropriate treatment. However, there is a rare but serious condition called cauda equina syndrome (CES) that requires urgent medical assessment. Knowing the warning signs can help you recognise when back pain or sciatica needs immediate attention. What is cauda equina syndrome? The cauda equina is a bundle of nerves at the lower end of the spinal cord. These nerves supply the legs, bladde

Ankle sprains are one of the most common sports injuries. They often occur when the foot rolls or twists suddenly, stretching or tearing the ligaments around the ankle. Although many ankle sprains improve within a few weeks, returning to sport too quickly can increase the risk of persistent pain, weakness and recurrent sprains. A structured ankle sprain rehabilitation programme can help restore movement, strength, balance and confidence. 1. Protect the ankle and control sympt

Focused shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that is increasingly being used for persistent tendon, muscle, joint and bone-related problems. It can be particularly useful when an injury has failed to improve with conventional treatment and is limiting activity or affecting everyday life. What is focused shockwave therapy? Focused shockwave therapy uses high-energy acoustic waves to deliver mechanical energy into a specific area of the body. Unlike radial shockwave th

When you injure a muscle, tendon or ligament, the first priority is often to reduce pain and restore movement. Treatments such as stretching, massage and joint mobilisation can be useful tools, particularly when stiffness or restricted movement is limiting function. But there is an important distinction between making an injured area feel better and making it capable of handling the demands placed upon it. For most soft tissue injuries, stretching and mobilisation alone are u

When people injure their knee, the focus is often on the painful structure — the meniscus, ligament, tendon or joint. But one of the most important factors influencing recovery is often the strength and function of the quadriceps muscles. The quadriceps are the large muscles at the front of the thigh. They play a crucial role in straightening the knee, absorbing forces during activities such as walking, running and landing, and controlling movement when the knee bends. Resear

Yes — sometimes, but not always. For many people living with persistent muscle, tendon or joint pain, exercise and progressive strengthening can play a major role in recovery. But the idea that you can simply “strengthen your way out of pain” is an oversimplification. Why strengthening can help When pain has been present for weeks or months, people often reduce their activity because movement becomes uncomfortable. Over time, this can lead to reduced strength, confidence and

Getting back to running after an injury can be frustrating. You may feel ready to run again, but returning too quickly can cause symptoms to flare up and potentially delay your recovery. So, how soon should you return to running after an injury? There isn't a set timeline The right time to return depends on the type and severity of the injury, how long you've had symptoms and how well your body is coping with everyday activities. Rather than focusing on a specific number of d

Have you ever injured your back, knee, ankle or shoulder years ago, only to find that the same area starts hurting again? It can be frustrating when an injury you thought you'd recovered from suddenly seems to return. But yes, an old injury can sometimes contribute to pain years later — although it isn't necessarily the original injury that is causing the problem. Why can an old injury cause problems? After an injury, the body adapts. You may unconsciously change the way you

If you've been considering shockwave therapy for a stubborn tendon or musculoskeletal problem, you may be wondering what the treatment actually feels like. The good news is that shockwave therapy is generally well tolerated, and your practitioner can adjust the treatment intensity according to your symptoms and tolerance. What does shockwave therapy feel like? During treatment, a handheld applicator delivers controlled acoustic waves into the affected area. You will usually f

After exercise, it’s normal to experience some aches and stiffness. But how do you know whether it’s simply muscle soreness or whether you’ve actually injured yourself? What does normal muscle soreness feel like? Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) commonly develops after unfamiliar or more intense exercise. It usually appears 12–48 hours after training, particularly when you've increased your training load or introduced a new exercise. You may notice: General muscle aching

If your knee hurts when walking downstairs, but feels fine during other activities, you’re not alone. This is a common complaint and can be particularly frustrating when everyday activities such as using stairs, squatting or getting up from a chair become uncomfortable. Why does going downstairs hurt? Walking downstairs places a relatively high load through the knee joint. Your quadriceps muscles have to work eccentrically — controlling your body as you lower each step. If th

When you're dealing with ongoing pain or a sports injury, it's natural to want answers. Many people assume that an MRI scan will reveal exactly what is wrong and provide a clear explanation for their symptoms. MRI scans are incredibly useful tools, but they are not a complete picture of your injury. They are one part of the assessment process—not the whole answer. Understanding what an MRI can and cannot tell you can help you make better decisions about your recovery. What Is

If you've been struggling with persistent muscle tightness or pain, you may have heard about radial shockwave therapy as a treatment option. Despite its name, shockwave therapy doesn't involve electric shocks. Instead, it uses high-energy acoustic (sound) waves to stimulate the body's natural healing processes. But how does it actually help ease muscle tension? The answer is more complex than simply "loosening tight muscles". Radial shockwave therapy appears to influence the