For most people, the heels of their feet are an unremarkable part of their anatomy. They serve their purpose without complaint, and any discomfort can be linked to a specific activity, which is easily cured with rest. People affected by plantar fasciitis aren't quite so fortunate. The heel pain associated with plantar fasciitis can range from mild to debilitating, and its constant presence can begin to affect your quality of life.

If you're suffering from a musculoskeletal condition such as lower back pain, tennis elbow, foot pain or a sports-related injury, you may be wondering whether a visit to the physiotherapist is worth it. Indeed, there's a lot of confusion that comes with physiotherapy treatment. Physiotherapists are professionals who can examine your medical history and current condition to recommend an effective treatment plan. They also provide valuable tips on how you can maintain proper physical activity without compromising your health.

If you're training to run your first long-distance race, for example, a marathon, then putting in the miles is one of the key aspects of training. You'll be putting your legs under a lot of stress, which can lead to tears, tight muscles and problems throughout your body. To avoid this, you will need to have suitable warm-up and cool-down routines, supplemented by a good stretching regime and in some cases, if you're injured, suitable exercise physio treatment.

When the skeletal muscles in the legs contract without relaxation, muscle cramps or spasms will occur. This contraction can be quite painful, and the reaction is involuntary and uncontrollable. Usually, cramps occur due to the overuse of muscles. If your legs are fatigued, the muscles might experience involuntary contraction. In other cases, dehydration or the lack of sufficient electrolytes can trigger the contraction. Other possible causes of cramps include muscle injuries, muscle inflexibility and hostile environmental conditions.

Being part of any competitive martial arts club is tough and challenging, placing a toll on your body that you may not experience in other sports. It's therefore imperative that you look after yourself, and ensure that your joints, tendons and muscles are well catered for. Often larger clubs will have in-house physios who are on hand to offer advice and support. However, if not, there are a number of things you can do to protect yourself against injury when training on a daily basis, 

If you have been experiencing back pain, you should think about consulting a physiotherapist for treatment. In general, most forms of back pain are caused by strain or stress. Therefore, the discomfort can be resolved through massage or other types of physio for back pain. If you have chronic back pain, you should consider making changes in your lifestyle. The right health choices can help you minimise back pain and prevent recurrent of problems after physio.