#Physicaltherapy

Shin splints are a stubborn obstacle for many runners and fitness enthusiasts in Thailand. Fresh insights from kinesiologists point to targeted exercises that relieve pain and reduce the risk of recurrence, making running and other high-impact activities safer and more accessible for the Thai public.

Medial tibial stress syndrome, the medical term for shin splints, affects runners, dancers, and military recruits. In Thailand, where recreational running has surged, both beginners and seasoned athletes still confront shin splint pain along the inner edge of the shinbone. Repetitive stress with insufficient recovery often triggers the discomfort, threatening participation and long-term injury if ignored.

A recent firsthand report in Fit&Well explores four targeted exercises aimed at alleviating stubborn shoulder knots—a problem plaguing office workers, students, and even health-conscious Thais. With rising rates of sedentary lifestyles and remote work in Thailand, the promise of simple movements for shoulder relief has sparked both curiosity and hope among those battling daily aches and pains.

In the article, a fitness enthusiast recounts trying out a set of exercises specifically designed to relieve shoulder knots, sharing their surprise at the tangible improvements experienced after just a short period. The exercises, grounded in yoga and physical therapy principles, target muscle tightness that builds up in the rhomboids, trapezius, and shoulder blade areas—places notorious among desk-bound workers and tech users in Bangkok and across the country.

A recent report in Fit&Well shows four targeted moves to ease stubborn shoulder knots that many office workers, students, and health-conscious Thais experience daily. With more Thai professionals working remotely and spending long hours at desks, easy, practical exercises offer real relief and hope.

The piece follows a fitness enthusiast who tests the four exercises and notes noticeable improvements after only a short period. Grounded in yoga and physical therapy principles, the moves address tightness in the rhomboids, trapezius, and shoulder blade areas—common problem zones for Bangkok’s desk-bound workforce and tech users nationwide.

Pilates has surged in popularity globally and in Thailand, with local fitness centers offering more classes and brands like Virgin Active featuring Pilates prominently in their wellness line-ups.Virgin Active Thailand But what should fitness enthusiasts and health-focused Thais know about the two most popular forms: Mat Pilates and Reformer Pilates? Recent research and expert opinions clarify the benefits, limitations, and best fit for different health objectives—an issue especially relevant as Thais increasingly seek gentler, holistic exercise options.

Pilates has grown popular in Thailand, with more studios, gyms, and wellness programs embracing its methods. As Thais seek gentler, holistic exercise options, understanding Mat Pilates and Reformer Pilates helps people choose what best fits their health goals.

Originating from Joseph Pilates’ system in the early 20th century, Pilates emphasizes slow, controlled movements for core strength, posture, flexibility, and mindful breathing. The primary difference lies in equipment: Mat Pilates uses body weight on a mat, while Reformer Pilates uses a spring-loaded machine that provides resistance. Both approaches offer distinct benefits for different bodies, health aims, and lifestyles.

A new study is shedding light on how people with multiple sclerosis (MS) can best improve their balance—a vital concern for many living with this complex neurological disease. According to Turkish researchers, the most effective balance exercises for MS patients may vary depending on each individual’s specific difficulties, and a personalized approach could be crucial. These findings, published in the journal Neurological Research, promise to refine treatments and physical therapy strategies for over 2 million people worldwide living with MS—including thousands here in Thailand, where MS rates are on the rise, especially among younger adults and women.

Aging knees are a growing concern, but new research and practical guidance are showing how easy, low-cost exercises can make a real difference. Thailand’s rapidly aging population faces higher rates of osteoarthritis and mobility issues, yet simple routines can improve strength and independence. Recent international coverage highlights five easy moves that help knee function without special equipment, making them suitable for home practice across Thai communities.

Knee problems like osteoarthritis involve cartilage wear, stiffness, swelling, and pain. Data from Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health indicates that more than 10 million people aged 60 and over are at risk of musculoskeletal disorders, with knee pain among the most disabling complaints. Urbanization and sedentary lifestyles have altered traditional activities—such as regular walking and floor-sitting—contributing to weaker supporting muscles and faster joint degeneration.

Recent studies and international health news have placed a spotlight on the growing challenge of knee pain among older adults—and the practical exercises that can help. As Thailand’s rapidly aging population faces rising rates of osteoarthritis and mobility limitations, simple, accessible exercise routines offer hope for improved quality of life and long-term joint health. In April 2025, new media reports and expert commentaries from India’s Hindustan Times, along with a round of recent research, emphasized five approachable exercises shown to improve knee strength and function in seniors. This is especially significant for Thailand, where family and community structures are strained by chronic knee problems, contributing to lost independence and spiraling healthcare costs (Hindustan Times; Medical News Today; PubMed Study 2025).

Shoulder knots and chronic upper body tension are everyday struggles for millions of office workers—especially in busy urban centers like Bangkok, where a typical workday means hours at a desk, hunched over a screen. A recent popular feature from Fit&Well describes a firsthand trial of four stretching exercises designed to relieve stubborn shoulder knots, with surprisingly positive, lasting results in less than 10 minutes a day. This personal discovery aligns with a growing body of medical research showing that targeted stretching routines can do far more than provide fleeting comfort—they may actually improve pain, mobility, and quality of life for people suffering from muscle tension or pain linked to poor posture and repetitive activities (Fit&Well, 21 April 2025).

Shoulder knots and chronic tension are common among office workers worldwide, including Bangkok’s bustling corporate scene. A recent feature from Fit&Well shares a personal trial of four stretches designed to ease shoulder knots, with noticeable, lasting relief in under 10 minutes daily. This aligns with a growing body of research suggesting targeted stretching can reduce pain, improve mobility, and enhance quality of life for people dealing with posture-related muscle tension.

New research suggests that personalized balance training, not a one-size-fits-all program, yields the best improvements for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Turkish scientists found that exercise type should target individual balance challenges to maximize walking endurance and stability. The study, published in Neurological Research, has implications for Thailand’s growing rehabilitation services and the millions living with MS worldwide, including many younger adults and women in Thailand.

MS commonly affects balance and walking, increasing falls and limiting daily life. Traditional guidance often promotes general balance work, but the latest findings show benefits vary by the specific balance problem—standing still, moving, walking fast, or enduring longer distances. A customized plan can better address these distinct needs.

A new randomized controlled trial suggests that self-paced, low-to-moderate aquatic exercise can meaningfully improve physical function and mental well-being for people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The six-month study, led by a senior researcher from a regional university in Australia, enrolled 32 adults around age 55 and compared a water-based program to usual activities. The findings offer a cautious path forward for exercise recommendations in ME/CFS, a condition long approached with rest due to concerns about post-exertional malaise (PEM).

A recent breakthrough study suggests that low- to moderate-intensity aquatic exercise can significantly improve both physical and psychosocial well-being in people living with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), bringing new hope for a condition often marked by persistent fatigue and limited treatment options. Published on April 17, 2025, and led by Dr. Suzanne Broadbent, Associate Professor of Clinical Exercise Physiology at the University of the Sunshine Coast, this randomized controlled trial (RCT) challenges the longstanding caution against physical activity for ME/CFS patients—a group that also includes a high proportion of those battling fibromyalgia symptoms.