So which exercise is best for you?

To cycle, or run or walk – that is the question $1 I recently came across this article in the New York Times, which briefly discusses the pros and cons of common exercise. I thought I would lay out some of the reasons for choosing or avoiding various forms of aerobic exercise. The three forms of exe...

Pain tales – the over sensitive nerve

In July's version of 'pain tales' we looked into nerves and how they send messages to the brain (and back again). Nerves conduct messages from our muscles, skin and joints as electrical impulses to and from our brain. Even the brain itself is made up of trillions of nerves and connections, and then...

Draft timetable Term 4 - Sydney CBD

Pilates and ‘mindful’ movement

$1, Yoga and Feldenkrais can really capitalise on the practice of mindfulness Mindfulness is originally a Buddhist term and is used a lot in clinical psychology for reducing stress, anxiety and depression. It is all about being in the present moment and allowing your thoughts, feelings and sensation...

Pain tales – How relaxation brings pain relief

We've discussed how the brain can produce a pain experience when it perceives a threat. Threatening inputs, memories and circumstances can also lead to a stress response, which many in turn worsen your pain. Today we'll talk about how relaxation brings pain relief – but first, what is stress? We've...

Set your exercise goals and go for it!

Tabitha shares her personal feelings about taking on the running challenge Until four months ago, I could not have conceived of calling myself 'a runner' – I was sure that it was something obviously, even inherently impossible. I'm not sure what made me so sure, since I've led a fairly active life a...

Why is relaxation essential in pregnancy and as a new mother?

Make time for yourself In pregnancy and after the arrival of your baby, even a short relaxation time each day will make a big difference to your stress levels and feelings of tiredness that can seem overwhelming. This time spent relaxing can also increase your ability to cope and aid in a better ove...

Exercise of the Month: The neck stabilisers

Discover the 'core' muscles of your neck – the deep neck flexors We are all aware of the role of the deep abdominals, pelvic floor and diaphragm as postural support muscles for the lower trunk and pelvis. These act together and in balance to support and stabilise the gentle curves of the lumbar spin...

Nerves, danger messages and pain

Ion channels, receptors and action potentials Last month we began to explore the role of nerves in the pain experience. We talked about 'nociception' – danger messages that a nerve or nerves will send to the brain. You may recall that these electrical impulses themselves are not a 'pain message' and...

What is a cause of pelvic pain?

Pelvic Floor and Pelvic Wall Overactivity We know that the pelvic floor muscles are a hammock-like group of muscles within our pelvis that extend from our tailbone to our pubic bone and fan out to our sit bones. These pelvic floor muscles exist to support our pelvic organs as well as to provide pelv...