A key focus that I hear from older adults is not only to be fit and healthy, but to feel strong. A lot of times this can be a very daunting thing, well I’m here to tell you to fear not! A lot of exercises that can be done in gyms are very easily transferred to the safety of your own home. In this blog I’ll let you know what to focus on and some ideas about how to best exercise at home. First and foremost just a note about safety: Whether you are new to exercise or have been doing exercise for a long time, extra attention should be paid to making sure you are safe when you are exercising. Have ..read more

What is hypermobility? Hypermobility is present in up to 15% of the population in one form or another. Hypermobility means your joints can move beyond the normal range of motion. Being extra flexible is an advantage in activities such as swimming, dancing, or gymnastics. Most flexible people don’t experience pain or symptoms due to their flexibility. However, others can experience symptoms, and this is when being hypermobile can become problematic. Being hypermobile can come with other symptoms including: – Pain and “stiffness” in the joints – Joints that sub lux/dislocate easily – Fatigue – R ..read more

Hypermobility is present in up to 15% of the population in one form or another. Hypermobility means your joints can move beyond the normal range of motion. Being extra flexible is an advantage in activities such as swimming, dancing, or gymnastics. Most flexible people don’t experience pain or symptoms due to their flexibility. However, others can experience symptoms, and this is when being “flexible” or “double-jointed” can become problematic. In a small percentage of cases, joint hypermobility is just a symptom of a much larger syndrome, such as Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome and Marfan’s Syndrome ..read more

Reformer pilates has become very popular in the exercise and rehabilitation space, but many people don’t know what a reformer is or how it works. This blog will explain the mechanics of the reformer machine and how we use this equipment at Bend + Mend to help our patients achieve their goals. A reformer is a bed-like frame with a dynamic flat platform, called the carriage, which rolls back and forth on wheels within its frame. The carriage is attached to a set of springs on one end that determines how easily the carriage moves. The other components of the reformer include the shoulder pads whi ..read more

There is well documented evidence that exercise is not only safe during pregnancy, but also beneficial. The body undergoes significant changes during pregnancy, often leading to musculoskeletal discomfort and pelvic floor challenges in expectant mothers. Clinical pilates is one way to address these complaints, however as pregnancy advances, pilates must be modified to ensure safety and effectiveness of the program. This blog will detail the common pilates modifications made during pregnancy. Avoid Supine Positions: After 20 weeks of pregnancy, it’s recommended to avoid exercises that require ..read more

At Bend + Mend, all of our pilates patients will undertake a 45 minute Pilates Assessment prior to starting one-on-one pilates sessions or moving into a class setting. These Pilates Assessments are essential to enable the treating physiotherapist to have a comprehensive understanding of the patient’s physical abilities and goals. This blog will detail what to expect in your Pilates Assessment and understand the various components of the assessment and how this guides the physiotherapist’s approach. Subjective Assessment Your Pilates Assessment will begin with a thorough chat with your physio ..read more

“Moving will make my pain worse” Motion is lotion! Staying active will help to improve your back pain and won’t make it any worse, even if you have some pain and discomfort at first. Bed rest was previously a treatment for low back pain but we now know that people with low back pain who remain active do better long term. For recent onset of low back pain, finding the balance between letting the pain settle while still moving is important. Although we can be nervous of doing certain activities such as lifting, twisting and turning when we have low back pain, it is important to remember that our ..read more

At Bend + Mend, we often see clients with injuries that occur as a result of a lack of mobility. We use Pilates equipment to ensure clients move through their full range of motion. This helps to improve flexibility without stressing joints, ultimately enhancing your performance in other activities while also decreasing your risk of injury. Why is mobility important? Good joint mobility is important as it allows us to achieve key functional movements such as climbing stairs, squatting to sit in a chair, or bending over to pick something up. Of course, your optimum mobility will depend on your l ..read more

Well, we made it! 20 years open on the 1st of August 2023! Ever since our humble beginnings in one room in a gym in the old GPO at 1 Martin Place called The Health Club, we have always looked at our practice like a family. We always wanted a place similar to the bar “Cheers”! Where “everybody knows your name”. We love our job. Physiotherapy is a profession where you can really get to know people. We have patients who have been with us from the very beginning. We started our practice in a room in a gym in Martin Place Where we met lots of people and started our first little family. From there w ..read more

During pregnancy many changes occur to the female body. Hormonal and physiological changes can cause musculoskeletal pain conditions to arise. This can lead to a reduced quantity and quality of sleep, increased mental stress and a reduced ability to exercise comfortably. Commonly these complications arise around the lumbar, pelvic, and pubic regions but women can also experience mid back or thoracic and abdominal pain due to the pregnancy. Some studies suggest as many as 30% of pregnant women develop pain severe enough it interferes with their level of function and quality of life. This can be ..read more