Physiotherapist

Leon Mao

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Leon Mao is an Australian physiotherapist who specialises in working with musculoskeletal conditions. He graduated from the University of Melbourne with his Doctorate in Physiotherapy before entering the workforce.

He is now consulting from Hawthorn Physiotherapy as a clinical and telehealth physiotherapist who primarily works with office-based workers and athletes. Additionally, he is also a medical writer who has contributed to companies, such as 24-7 Medcare, ASICs and Bodyment.

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Articles by Leon Mao

Lower Back Pain (Lumbago)

Lower back pain (lumbago) describes pain and stiffness around the lumbar spine. This term describes conditions such as sciatica, muscle spasms, sprains & disc injuries.

What is Retrocalcaneal Bursitis? The Symptoms & Treatment Options

What you need to know about retrocalcaneal bursitis. This guide covers the causes, symptoms, risk factors, treatments & prognosis.

What is a Sprained Finger? The Symptoms & Treatment Options

What you need to know about a sprained finger. This guide covers the causes, symptoms, risk factors, treatments & prognosis.

Infraspinatus Pain: 6 Possible Causes

Infraspinatus pain is common and is most often caused by overuse or repetitive movements of the shoulder and arm. It is related to further disability if range of motion and strength continue to be impaired, affecting sleep and activities of daily living.

Calf Pain: 8 Possible Causes

Calf pain is a common occurrence, often from a mild injury such as a cramp or muscle strain. Injuries to the calf can impact walking, running, and other movements.

Groin Pain: 16 Possible Causes

Young, athletic populations may develop groin pain from a muscle strain or injury. In older age groups, there is a greater risk of developing a hernia or other underlying condition that may cause groin pain.

What is Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylalgia)? The Symptoms & Treatment Options

What you need to know about tennis elbow. This guide covers the causes, symptoms, risk factors, treatments & prognosis.

What is Swimmer’s Shoulder? The Symptoms & Treatment Options

What you need to know about swimmer’s shoulder. This guide covers the causes, symptoms, risk factors, treatments & prognosis.

What is Peroneal Tendonitis? The Symptoms & Treatment Options

What you need to know about peroneal tendonitis. This guide covers the causes, symptoms, risk factors, treatments & prognosis.

Knee Pain

Knee pain is a term used to describe conditions or issues that lead to discomfort around the knee joint. Numerous injuries to structures can lead to knee pain, including the joint, muscle, cartilage and ligaments.

What is Biceps Tendonitis? The Symptoms & Treatment Options

What you need to know about biceps tendonitis. This guide covers the causes, symptoms, risk factors, treatments & prognosis.

The 4 Different Types of Pain

Pain is the body’s way of telling us that we are injured or ill. The nervous system triggers pain to make you stop doing something that may result in severe tissue damage. There are many types of pain, and the experience varies from person to person.

Upper Back and Chest Pain: 8 Possible Causes

There are many different causes of upper back and chest pain. However, there are several physical causes of upper back and chest pain, including injuries to the muscles, joints, bones and ligaments.

Chronic Shoulder Pain: 3 Possible Causes

Shoulder pain can be caused by overuse, muscle strain, or repetitive movements. It can also develop with age, or can be caused by an underlying medical issue. Certain strategies can help reduce the onset of shoulder pain.

Foot Pain: 4 Possible Causes

Foot pain can be caused by overuse, injury, or an underlying medical condition. It can affect any part of the foot including; joints, ligaments, bones and muscles

What is ITB Syndrome? The Symptoms & Treatment Options

What you need to know about ITB syndrome. This guide covers the causes, symptoms, risk factors, treatments & prognosis.

Medial Knee Pain: 7 Possible Causes

Inner knee pain is a term that describes pain on the medial (inner) side of the knee. The knee can be easily injured as it is a complex joint found between the femur (thigh bone), tibia (leg bone) and patella (kneecap).

What is an ACL Tear? The Symptoms & Treatment Options

What you need to know about ACL tears. This guide covers the causes, symptoms, risk factors, treatments & prognosis.

Ankle Pain

Ankle pain is a term used for describing conditions or problems around the talocrural (ankle) joint. Injuries to structures, such as ligaments, bones and tendons can lead to ankle pain.

What is a Corked Thigh (Quadriceps Contusion)? The Symptoms & Treatment Options

What you need to know about a corked thigh. This guide covers the causes, symptoms, risk factors, treatments & prognosis.

Pain in the Ball of the Foot: 8 Possible Causes

The ball of the foot is the part of the foot between the arch and toes. It is made up of the heads of the metatarsal bones, with supporting muscles, ligaments, and soft tissue.

Lower Back and Hip Pain: 3 Possible Causes

ack pain can range from a mild ache to a more severe, debilitating pain. Sometimes back pain refers to the hips, and less often, hip pain can refer to the lower back because of their anatomical proximity.

Causes of a Pinched Nerve in the Lower Back

A pinched nerve in your lower back (lumbar radiculopathy) is a condition caused by pressure on the lower back nerves. It can be painful, affecting the area where it originated and one or both lower limbs from the hips, legs, calves, and even the feet.

What is Golfer's Elbow? The Symptoms & Treatment Options

What you need to know about golfer's elbow. This guide covers the causes, symptoms, risk factors, treatments & prognosis.

Scheuermann’s Disease: Causes, Signs & Treatment Options

What you need to know about Scheuermann’s disease. This guide covers the causes, signs, treatments & prognosis.

Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain is a term used to describe conditions or issues that lead to discomfort around the shoulder joint. Injuries to structures, such as the joint, tendon and ligaments can give rise to shoulder pain.

What are Ligament Injuries? The Symptoms & Treatment Options

What you need to know about ligament injuries. This guide covers the causes, symptoms, risk factors, treatments & prognosis.

Middle Back Pain: 5 Possible Causes

Middle back pain is a term that describes discomfort between the neck and the lower back, known as the thoracic region.

Elbow Pain

Elbow pain is a term used for describing conditions or issues leading to discomfort around the elbow joints (humeroulnar and radioulnar joints).

What is Tendinopathy? The Symptoms & Treatment Options

What you need to know about tendinopathy. This guide covers the causes, symptoms, risk factors, treatments & prognosis.

Arm Pain: 8 Possible Causes

Arm pain is a broad term that describes any pain or physical discomfort that is experienced in the arm. It can affect any part of the arm, including the shoulder, elbow, or wrist.

What is Pes Planus? The Symptoms & Treatment Options

What you need to know about pes planus. This guide covers the causes, symptoms, risk factors, treatments & prognosis.

Bone Pain and Tenderness: 8 Possible Causes

Bone pain is different from muscle pain as the tenderness cannot be felt on the flesh. On the other hand, it should not be confused with joint pain as bone pain describes discomfort along bones and not between bones.

Back Pain in the Morning: 5 Possible Causes

Waking up with back pain in the morning can be frustrating. The symptoms may only last for a couple minutes after walking around for a bit, or may continue throughout the rest of the day.

Back Pain When Breathing: 12 Possible Causes

Back pain from breathing describes any discomfort, aches or soreness around the spine that worsens with breathing. This can extend from the lumbar spine (lower back) to below the cervical spine (neck).

What are Shin Splints? The Symptoms & Treatment Options

What you need to know about shin splints. This guide covers the causes, symptoms, risk factors, treatments & prognosis.

Scoliosis: Causes, Signs & Treatment Options

What you need to know about scoliosis. This guide covers the causes, signs, treatments & prognosis.

Jaw Pain: 4 Possible Causes

Jaw pain is a broad term that describes the conditions affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and surrounding areas. The TMJ is a hinge joint that connects the mandible (jawbone) to the temporal bone (part of the skull).

What is Whiplash? The Symptoms & Treatment Options

What you need to know about whiplash. This guide covers the causes, symptoms, risk factors, treatments & prognosis.

Ice Pick Headaches: Causes, Signs & Treatment Options

Ice pick headache, also known as primary stabbing headaches or ophthalmodynia periodica, is a type of headache characterised by sudden, sharp bouts of pain.

Common Causes of Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is defined as pain that persists greater than three months. Chronic pain is not just the typical aches and pains usually experienced by the general population.

What is Patellar Tendonitis? The Symptoms & Treatment Options

What you need to know about patellar tendonitis. This guide covers the causes, symptoms, risk factors, treatments & prognosis.

What is an Acute Wry Neck? The Symptoms & Treatment Options

What you need to know about an acute wry neck. This guide covers the causes, symptoms, risk factors, treatments & prognosis.

What is Plantar Fasciitis? The Symptoms & Treatment Options

What you need to know about plantar fasciitis. This guide covers the causes, symptoms, risk factors, treatments & prognosis.

How to Treat a Stiff Neck?

Fortunately, there are several home treatments that are readily available to help you get rid of your stiff neck. Additionally, physiotherapy can also help with a range of neck pain conditions if symptoms keep persisting.

What is Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)? The Symptoms & Treatment Options

Repetitive strain injury (RSI) is a term for overuse injury which causes pain or uncomfortable condition to the muscles, tendons and nerves.

Lower Back Pain When Sitting: 6 Possible Causes

Low back pain is a common but painful condition that affects the lumbar region of the spine (the lower part of the back). Most people experience some form of lower back pain at some point in their lives.

Neck Pain

Neck pain is a term used for describing conditions or issues that lead to discomfort around the cervical spine (neck). Injuries to structures, such as muscles, nerves and ligaments can lead to neck pain.

Hip and Leg Pain: 5 Possible Causes

Pain in the hip or leg can be caused by many different conditions, including muscle strain or arthritis.[2] Sometimes, the pain is temporary and will resolve with time. In other situations, it can become chronic.

What is Cervical Radiculopathy? The Symptoms & Treatment Options

Pain in the neck and shoulder can arise from a variety of different injuries or conditions. One common cause is a pinched nerve from the upper spine, also known as cervical radiculopathy.

What is a Hamstring Strain? The Symptoms & Treatment Options

What you need to know about hamstring strains. This guide covers the causes, symptoms, risk factors, treatments & prognosis.

What is a High Ankle Sprain? The Symptoms & Treatment Options

What you need to know about high ankle sprains. This guide covers the causes, symptoms, risk factors, treatments & prognosis.

Degenerative Disc Disease: What You Should Know

Degenerative Disc Disease happens when the spinal discs cushion the vertebrae lose their thickness and degenerate over time.

What is Pes Anserine Bursitis? The Symptoms & Treatment Options

What you need to know about pes anserine bursitis. This guide covers the causes, symptoms, risk factors, treatments & prognosis.

Heel Pain After Running: 5 Possible Causes

Two of the most relevant causes of heel pain are 1) being overweight in inactive people, and 2) having spurs (bony growths) on the heel(s).

Acute Lower Back Pain: 4 Possible Causes

‘Acute’ lower back pain refers to the sudden onset of pain in the lumbar (lower) region of the spine (below the ribs, above the buttocks) that can last from a few hours to a few weeks.

What is Morton’s Neuroma? The Symptoms & Treatment Options

What you need to know about Morton’s Neuroma. This guide covers the causes, symptoms, risk factors, treatments & prognosis.

What is Hip Bursitis? The Symptoms & Treatment Options

What you need to know about hip bursitis. This guide covers the causes, symptoms, risk factors, treatments & prognosis.

Vertigo - A Balanced Guide

What you need to know about vertigo. This guide covers the causes, signs, treatments & prognosis.

Forearm Pain: 8 Possible Causes

Forearm pain is categorised by symptoms such as; stiffness and difficulty lifting items. These symptoms can come from several different conditions, ranging from osteoarthritis to injury or other underlying medical conditions.

Wrist Pain

Wrist pain is a term used for describing conditions or issues leading to discomfort around the radiocarpal joint (wrist joint). Injuries to the nerve, ligaments, tendons and joints can lead to wrist pain.

What is a Bulging Disc? The Symptoms & Treatment Options

What you need to know about a bulging disc. This guide covers the causes, symptoms, risk factors, treatments & prognosis.

Heel Pain: 7 Possible Causes

Heel pain describes any discomfort in or around the heel. It can occur suddenly, but often develops gradually over time and it can make walking uncomfortable. Overuse injuries, such as plantar fasciitis or tendinopathy, can cause heel pain.

What is Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy? The Symptoms & Treatment Options

What you need to know about rotator cuff tendinopathy. This guide covers the causes, symptoms, risk factors, treatments & prognosis.

What is Shoulder Impingement? The Symptoms & Treatment Options

What you need to know about shoulder impingement. This guide covers the causes, symptoms, risk factors, treatments & prognosis.

Heel Pain in the Morning: 5 Possible Causes

Heel pain describes any discomfort around the heel, starting from the sole to the back of the ankle. One common complaint is that people experience heel pain in the morning, especially after getting up from bed.

Osteoarthritis: Causes, Signs & Treatment Options

What you need to know about Osteoarthritis. This guide covers the causes, signs, treatments & prognosis.

What is Sciatica? The Symptoms & Treatment Options

What you need to know about sciatica. This guide covers the causes, symptoms, risk factors, treatments & prognosis.

What is Achilles Tendinopathy? The Symptoms & Treatment Options

What you need to know about Achilles tendinopathy. This guide covers the causes, symptoms, risk factors, treatments & prognosis.

Upper Back Pain

Upper back pain is a term used for describing conditions or issues that lead to discomfort between the base of the neck and the thoracic spine (ribcage area).

What is De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis? The Symptoms & Treatment Options

What you need to know about de Quervain’s tenosynovitis. This guide covers the causes, symptoms, risk factors, treatments & prognosis.

Causes of Muscle Aches & Pains (Myalgia)

Myalgia, commonly known as muscle aches or pain, is a common condition that describes soreness or aching in the muscles. Almost everyone has experienced some form of muscle ache or pain, especially after a new exercise.

Arthritis: Causes, Signs & Treatment Options

What you need to know about arthritis. This guide covers the causes, signs, treatments & prognosis.

What is Osteitis Pubis? The Symptoms & Treatment Options

What you need to know about osteitis pubis. This guide covers the causes, symptoms, risk factors, treatments & prognosis.

Causes of Myofascial Pain

Myofascial pain is a term that describes symptoms related to the myofascia. Tender focal points can develop in the underlying tissue, known as trigger points. These areas are sensitive to compression, and pain can radiate from these points.

Should I Use Heat or Cold for Pain?

Typically, ice is used for injuries where there is inflammation and swelling. On the other hand, heat helps ease muscle pain, stiffness and increase blood flow for recovery.

Ankle Pain Before and After Running: 3 Possible Causes

What you need to know about ankle pain from running. This guide covers the causes, symptoms, risk factors, treatments & prognosis.

Leg Pain: 13 Possible Causes

Leg pain describes pain in any part of the leg, from the ankle joint, right up to the hip. It can involve the muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones and joints with a variety of different injuries leading to leg pain.

Sharp Lower Back Pain: 13 Possible Causes

Sharp pain in the lower back can be caused by muscle strains, injury to the spine or nerve irritation. In addition, medical conditions in the kidneys and other organs can cause referred pain to the low back.

Groin and Hip Pain: 8 Possible Causes

There are many causes of hip and groin pain, including the joint, bones, muscles and tendons. As a result, it can be hard to determine which part of the hip and groin might be causing the pain.

Physiotherapy vs Exercise Physiology in Australia - Who Should I Choose?

Physiotherapists are the most recommended allied health practitioners by GPs in Australia

Physiotherapist vs Chiropractor in Australia: Who Should I Choose?

Physiotherapy is the number one referred allied health service by GPs in Australia.

What are the Medicare Rebates for Physiotherapy in 2022?

An Enhanced Primary Care Plan, or EPC for short, is a treatment plan that your doctor can create for you, helping you access various treatment options through Medicare.

What is the Difference Between a Strain and Sprain Injury?

The term 'strain' is used to describe a tear or rupture in a muscle or tendon. In comparison, 'sprain' relates to a tear or rupture of ligaments.

What's the Difference Between a Grade 1, Grade 2 & Grade 3 Injury?

The grading of injuries can be classified numerically from 1 to 3. Grade 1 typically represents more minor injuries, grade 2 with more extensive damage and grade 3 are the most significant.

What's the Difference Between a Bulging Disc and a Herniated Disc?

Bulging discs describe the outwards protrusion of the outer layers called the annulus. The inner contents of the disc spill outside during a disc herniation.

What is the Difference Between a Headache and a Migraine?

Migraines are a collection of neurological symptoms, such as headaches and aura (i.e. sensitivity to light), which occurs and resolves over several days. In comparison, headaches describe pain or discomfort around the head.

What is the Difference Between Acute and Chronic Pain?

Acute pain is usually short term (less than 3-6 months) and is generally easier to pinpoint. In comparison, chronic pain describes long-term pain that has lasted more than 3-6 months

What to Expect When You See a Physiotherapist

Physiotherapists help you get the most out of life. They help you recover from injury, reduce pain and stiffness, increase mobility and prevent further injury.

What is the Difference Between a Tendon and a Muscle?

The muscle is composed of contractile tissue that shortens and lengthens to produce activity. While tendons are primarily made up of connective tissue, connecting muscle to bone.

What is the Difference Between a Muscle and a Ligament?

Muscles are active structures made up of contractile tissue which contract and relax to produce movement. Ligaments are passive structures made up of connective tissue which link across joints to provide stability.

What is the Difference Between a Tendon and a Ligament?

A ligament is a band of elastic tissue that provides stability to the joints by connecting two bones. While a tendon is a fibrous structure that connects the end of a muscle to the bone.

Causes & Types of Neck Pain with Headaches

Neck pain and stiffness is a common cause of headaches. In fact, approximately 70% of people who experience headaches complain of neck pain. Many structures of the neck can get irritated, strained, or compressed, resulting in a headache.

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