Shin splints and stress fractures are common injuries among athletes, especially endurance athletes. But how do you know which one you're suffering with? Here we explain the differences between the two, plus how to prevent and treat them. 　　Shin splints vs stress fractures: what's the difference? 　　A shin splint or medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) is an inflammation of the...

　　With many injuries and conditions, having pain for a long time can be normal. However, if you've had an injury or pain has started with no real cause and it doesn't seem to be getting any better, when is the best time to get help? 　　Let's take a look at the potential causes of pain, how long you should expect...

　　The days are slowly getting longer and we're on our way into the business end of the season for triathlons. 　　This means lots of you would have started increasing your training to get ready for some of the first outdoor races in the UK. As training picks up, we commonly start to see more injuries such as: 　　Muscle strains 　　ITB...

　　We've surely all experienced this during our exercising journey – the dreaded jogger's nipple. Thankfully, there are myriad ways to treat it and also, more importantly, prevent it. James Witts provides everything you need to know about this run-ruining condition… 　　What is jogger’s nipple? 　　Jogger’s nipple is the polite way to describe your nipples becoming sensitive and chafing after a...

　　The diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis can be alarming for active people. Osteoarthritis is a term that tends to elicit fear and concern, as our association with the term overall tends to be a negative one. 　　We all know of someone (often elderly) who experiences pain and resultant functional constraints due to joint osteoarthritis (knee or hip). 　　However the diagnosis of...

　　Broadly speaking, the main leg muscles used in triathlons are the gluteals (bum), quadriceps (front of the thigh), hamstrings (back of the thigh) and calf (lower leg). 　　The gluteals are used to extend your hip when running and walking. The quadriceps are a group of powerful muscles that extend the knee and help to flex the hip. The hamstrings extend...

　　A trapped, or pinched, nerve in your shoulder can quickly stop your training in its tracks and, in some cases, cause debilitating pain. 　　So below, Rachel McCulloch, a rehab specialist and physiotherapist at Six Physio, offers a complete guide to this common athlete ailment, covering its causes, symptoms and, most importantly, treatment… 　　Why/how do you get a trapped/pinched nerve in...

　　Suffering from motion sickness and nausea is fairly common among swimmers, especially in the open water. 　　But it is also possible to suffer from motion sickness in the pool. One reason for this is that you may be excessively moving your head around. 　　Along with slowing you down and making life more difficult, the additional movement from the head will...

　　Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a group of drugs that are used commonly to reduce pain and swelling. The most recognisable of these are ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac. 　　Ibuprofen and naproxen are everyday painkillers that can be purchased over the counter in any pharmacy. They can dampen down and help to alleviate the symptoms experienced during short-term bouts of pain,...

　　We all know how incredible the muscles in our body are and what they can allow us to do, but they can also be used to aid injury recovery. Here we look at how… 　　How can muscle contractions help us recover from injury? 　　Muscles are attached onto our bones by tendons, working together in pairs in a cyclical way. While...

　　Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS), also known as lateral hip pain or trochanteric bursitis, is a common and painful condition which affects the outer side of the hip and thigh. It occurs when the tissues which lie over the outside of the hip bone (greater trochanter) become irritated. 　　The soft tissues that attach to the outside of the hip include...

　　Swim regularly but got a wound and wondering if it’s safe to continue swimming? Here, doctor and Swim England clinical advisor Dr Hussain Al-Zubaidi shares the answers and explains how to waterproof a wound for swimming. 　　Swimming is a great way to stay active and enjoy the water but it’s essential to take proper precautions when you have a wound...