Gynaecological specialist Dr Simon Clarke from Cove Medical answers our questions about endometriosis. What is endometriosis and why does it cause pain?Endometriosis is a progressive, chronic, oestrogen-dependent condition, in which cells similar to those that line the inner cavity [endometrium] of the uterus grow in locations outside the uterus. Most commonly this occurs in the … Continue reading Your endometriosis questions answered
Calm and in control in the birthing suite
Hypnobirthing is a modern practice that helps mothers and their birthing partners remain calm and in control during delivery of their baby.
Looking after your orthopaedic health
In the St John of God Murdoch Hospital Emergency Department, our nurses and doctors commonly treat patients suffering with orthopaedic trauma.
Treating Achilles Tendinopathy
The Achilles tendon is the largest and strongest tendon in the body. As you can imagine, it is pivotal in all aspects of lower limb propulsion and copes with high levels of load on a daily basis. Benjamin Hodgetts, Functional Sports Podiatrist and Strength and Conditioning Coach at Sportsmed Murdoch, says one of the most … Continue reading Treating Achilles Tendinopathy
Is dying painful? The truth about pain in the final stages of life
Many people fear that the process of dying is very painful, however new Australian research shows that our loved ones are not likely to suffer with severe pain at the end of life. A recent study of almost 19,000 Australian patients in the terminal phase of their illness, showed that more than 50% of patients … Continue reading Is dying painful? The truth about pain in the final stages of life
Acupuncture – alongside, not instead of
The reason most of us end up in an emergency department (ED) is because we’re in pain. In fact, up to 75% of us present to ED some level of pain. Often, when a patient arrives in pain, he or she is given the most appropriate painkiller. This can vary from paracetamol and anti-inflammatories, to … Continue reading Acupuncture – alongside, not instead of
Heed Your Heel Pain
Have you woken up in the morning, swung your feet over the side of the bed, and felt a stab of pain as you transfer your body weight to your feet for the first time that day? Or maybe you feel stabbing heel pain, numbness or tingling throughout the day when you get up and … Continue reading Heed Your Heel Pain
Defining pain
The International Association for the Study of Pain defines pain as an “unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage”. Acute pain is experienced when a stimulus causes a person’s pain, for example, a knife’s cut or a broken bone. It usually lessens or resolves when the stimulus is removed and the tissue damage has healed. The time … Continue reading Defining pain
Our pain is our own
How we experience pain is unique to each of us. Some of us feel pain very intensely and some of us feel it to a lesser degree. At times, we feel pain intensely and at other times, we don’t. According to experts, a number of different factors contribute to the way we experience pain, including genetics, the intensity of previously … Continue reading Our pain is our own
Managing pain
The World Health Organisation developed the analgesic ladder in 1986 to provide a framework for physicians to use when developing treatment plans for pain. The analgesic ladder helps medical practitioners prescribe the right medication for their patient’s pain. Starting with simple medications and adding strong pain medications allows the pain medications to work together for maximum benefit with the least side effects. Professor … Continue reading Managing pain
