Low back pain is one of the most common reasons patients walk through the doors at Marna Physiotherapy in Armstrong Creek, Waurn Ponds and Ocean Grove. While it can feel debilitating and even frightening, the latest clinical evidence suggests that our understanding of back pain is evolving. We no longer see it as a "broken" part that needs fixing, but rather a sensitive system that needs careful recalibration. If you are struggling with a "tweaked" back, chronic stiffness, or

Only part of the picture? Imaging can be a very useful tool to help guide diagnosis and to 'rule out' any nasty pathologies. However, imaging should be interpreted with caution. Imaging can reveal lots of ‘structural changes’ that may be present in individuals with or without pain. Pain is complex and should not be directly associated with the amount of structural damage. Many studies have examined the imaging findings of asymptomatic (pain free) and symptomatic individuals (

Exercise and Osteoarthritis: Are You Wearing Out Your Joints? One of the most common concerns for people with osteoarthritis (OA) is that exercise, and in particular weight-bearing or strength training, might actually make their joints and pain worse. The good news? Research consistently shows the opposite! OA is the most common type of arthritis, with hips, knees, hands and feet being the most affected areas. It is a condition that affects the whole joint, including the musc

What Does an Exercise Physiologist Actually Do? You may have heard of an “Exercise Physiologist” before, but you would be surprised how many people are not quite sure exactly what we do, or how we might differ from physiotherapists or personal trainers. Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEP) are “university-qualified health professionals who prescribe, deliver and adapt movement, physical activity, and exercise-based interventions to facilitate and optimize health status, fu