Kim Grossett Physiotherapy

27/11/2025

The basics of DOMS, for athletes, parents of athletes and fans of sport.

For the full article, just click the link below, where you can read all the details beyond this infographic.

https://www.scienceforsport.com/delayed-onset-muscle-soreness-doms-what-is-it-and-how-can-it-be-minimised/

23/11/2025

Is Your Back Pain Really Matches Your MRI Results? What the Science Says

▪️ It is widely known that low back pain has a high prevalence in industrialized countries, affecting up to two-thirds of adults during their lifetime.
▪️ When back pain strikes, advanced imaging like MRI is often used to determine the cause.
▪️ However, the findings on these scans can be highly misleading.
▪️ A systematic review examining imaging features of spinal degeneration in 3110 asymptomatic (pain-free) individuals found that many commonly identified degenerative features are likely just part of the normal aging process and are unassociated with low back pain.

▪️ The Shocking Prevalence of Degeneration in Pain-Free Spines

▪️ MRI is highly sensitive in detecting degenerative changes.
▪️ The systematic literature review found that the prevalence of these changes increases significantly with age in people who have no back pain.
▪️ For example, look at how common these findings are, even among people who are completely asymptomatic:

▪️ Disk degeneration is common in younger adults and extremely common in older adults.
▪️ Disk bulge becomes increasingly prevalent with age.
▪️ Disk protrusion appears in a notable portion of both younger and older asymptomatic individuals.
▪️ Disk signal loss increases dramatically with advancing age.
▪️ Facet degeneration becomes more common with age.

▪️ The data shows that even in relatively young adults (30–39 years of age), half or more have disk degeneration, height loss, or bulging.
▪️ For individuals 60 years of age or older, findings like disk degeneration and signal loss are present in nearly all asymptomatic individuals.

▪️ The Risk of Misinterpretation

▪️ When advanced imaging is used to evaluate low back pain, features such as disk degeneration, disk protrusion, and facet hypertrophy are often interpreted as the causes of the pain.
▪️ This interpretation can trigger medical and surgical interventions that are sometimes unsuccessful in alleviating symptoms.
▪️ The systematic review concluded that many imaging-based degenerative features should be viewed as normal aging, not necessarily pathologic processes requiring intervention.
▪️ Prior research has also failed to find a consistent association between low back pain and many MRI findings.
▪️ In fact, one study found that a composite MRI score for degenerative changes did not correlate with the intensity of low back pain or disability in candidates for disk prosthesis.

▪️ The Crucial Takeaway

▪️ To avoid misleading diagnoses and unnecessary treatment, the sources emphasize the importance of context: Imaging findings must be interpreted in the context of the patient’s clinical condition.
▪️ Knowledge of the high prevalence of these findings in similarly aged asymptomatic individuals is crucial for both providers and patients when assessing the clinical significance of an MRI report.
▪️ If degenerative spine findings are seen incidentally—for example, a disk herniation at a level that doesn't correlate with physical examination findings—they should likely be considered normal age-related changes.

18/11/2025

The sacroiliac joint (SIJ) can move, but only a little and that tiny movement is essential for upright walking and standing. Because the SIJ sits at the centre of the body, it has to handle huge amounts of force from above and below. Every time we take a step, it manages shear. If it were highly mobile, we’d constantly lose stability through the pelvis.

Instead, humans evolved a relatively stiff but still dynamic SIJ: stable enough to keep us upright, yet mobile enough to absorb force. Compared with joints like the hip, though, its movement is minimal.

People sometimes feel pain around the SIJ, and this often gets labelled as “instability.” But true instability is rare. Pain here is far more likely tied to sensitivity, irritation, or a history of trauma, not bones shifting out of place. Even in hypermobile individuals, attributing symptoms to SIJ “alignment” doesn’t hold up, because the joint simply doesn’t move much.

Assessing SIJ motion or sacral alignment is also extremely unreliable. Pelvic anatomy varies widely, and the bony landmarks we depend on aren’t consistent from person to person. So the idea that we can detect a “misaligned sacrum” with our hands just isn’t supported.

Language matters. Telling people they’re “out of alignment” can create fear and fragility, making them feel unfit to move, exercise, or participate in daily life.

Yes, the SIJ is mobile to a small degree, and that varies between individuals. But it is also one of the most stable joints in the body, reinforced by incredibly strong ligaments. The likelihood of a genuine SIJ “misalignment” in the average Pilates client is extremely low.

Let’s stop fear-mongering and start helping people move with confidence.

Movement is medicine

Tom

04/11/2025

11/09/2025

05/09/2025

We are finally open, and we can't wait to see you.

Let’s go Run/Walk For Life Kyalami!

02/09/2025

Stretching exercises for Travelers
Stretch at various times throughout your journey to help your body feel less stiff and tight.

11/05/2025

With a unique pivot lumbar support system and contoured frame, our medically endorsed NetOne High-Back Office Chair (black frame) ensures optimal lower back support.