The Physio Diary

Introduction Do your knees ache when climbing stairs, squatting, or even sitting for long periods? Or maybe you’ve noticed a dull pain around your knee, or even a grinding, popping, or clicking sensation that makes you hesitate before moving. You could be experiencing Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) – commonly known as “ runner’s knee .” What is Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Runner's Knee)? Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is pain felt at the front of your knee or just behind your kneecap. It usually happens when your kneecap doesn’t move smoothly as you bend and straighten your knee. Think of your kneecap like a train that’s supposed to glide nicely along a track. If it shifts slightly off track, it can rub or press on the tissues underneath it. Over time, that irritation causes the dull, annoying ache you feel – especially when climbing stairs, squatting, or getting up from a chair.  Symptoms you might notice include:  Pain behind or around the kneecap, es...

Introduction You did the X-ray. You did the MRI. You held your breath waiting for the results. You were ready for the “real” explanation. Then you heard it: “Everything looks normal.” And yet…it still hurts. So now you’re confused. Maybe even frustrated. If nothing is “wrong,” why are you in pain? Let’s talk. Your Pain Is Not a Photograph A scan is a picture of structure. It shows bones. Discs. Joints. But pain is not just about structure. Pain is a protective response created by your nervous system. It is your brain’s way of saying, “Something might not be safe.” Notice we said might. Because pain is about protection–not just damage.  Research shows something interesting: many people walk around with disc bulges, degenerative changes, and arthritic findings…and feel absolutely nothing. Meanwhile, someone else can experience intense pain with a scan that looks completely “normal.” Why? Because imaging does not always explain pain. And that does not mean your pain is fak...

Introduction Let's talk about that back pain.  Not the “I slept funny” kind.  Not the “I sat too long at work” kind.  We are referring to the one that starts from the lower back…then travels down your bum…slides into your thigh…and sometimes even reaches your foot. When pain moves like that, it may not be ordinary back pain. It could be sciatica – a condition that affects millions worldwide. Understanding what it is, why it happens, and what you can do about it is key to relief.  What Sciatica Really Is  Sciatica, also called lumbar radiculopathy, occurs when a nerve in the spine in the lower back becomes compressed. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body which runs from the lower back, through your hips and buttocks–down to each leg. Hence, when compressed or irritated, pain often follows that pathway.  The key feature of this condition is the radiation of pain. Unlike the typical lower back pain which stays at a spot or near the sp...