Introducing Physiotherapy at the Complementary Health Care Clinic, Exchange Street, Norwich.
In July of 2008 I was delighted to have been invited to join the inspirational team of therapists practicing at the Complementary Health Care Clinic in Norwich, and to be able to add Physiotherapy and Pilates to the outstanding repertoire already offered. I am also thrilled to have been asked to write this article as it offers me a great opportunity to introduce myself and explain a little bit about the work that I do.
So, What is Physiotherapy?
Since joining the Complementary Healthcare Clinic, many people have asked me, what is Physiotherapy exactly and what can it offer me? Well, in my opinion, Physiotherapy can be applied to almost any circumstance and individual. In essence, it is a science-based healthcare practice which aims to optimise an individuals physical capacity in order to achieve realistic goals. This can be applied to any person, on any level. This means that if you are experiencing pain and/or disability that is effecting you living your life the way you want to live it, Physiotherapy may be the right treatment for you. In short, Physiotherapy can assist in the rehabilitation of many physical symptoms associated with illness, trauma and ageing.
Physiotherapists have an indepth knowledge of Anatomy: the muscular, skeletal and nervous systems in particular. When you experience pain or disability due to arthritis, a pulled muscle, pins and needles in a limb (just three of hundreds of examples), it is the job of the physiotherapist to try to discover what has been disrupted, why it has been disrupted and how to create the best internal environment to help assist rapid and accurate healing. Heat, ice or electrotherapy may be applied to help ease pain, reduce inflammation, and encourage healing. Once pain and/or inflammation has reduced, movement can help to achieve correct alignment, length and strength of soft tissues. It is important to help rehabilitate the body to achieve either pre-injury strength and endurance or to maintain optimal mobility and functionality in the presence of disease. It in this phase that an injury or functional specific exercise programme is called upon. Additionally, education plays a vital role in order to help the individual maintain mobility and prevent re-injury in the future.
Looking from another angle, when possible, prevention is always better than cure. So, whether you are pregnant, dealing with disease, a busy office worker, sport mad, or a new parent, anyone who requires general postural or exercise advice, or sport specific or work related ergonomic assessment, Physiotherapy may be of interest to you.
Author: Hannah Marshall
I completed a combined degree in the Science of Sport & Exercise and Contemporary Dance at the University of Roehampton, London. My interests in movement analysis and exercise prescription led me to undertake a Masters Degree in Physiotherapy at the University of East Anglia, Norwich. I have a diploma in Sports Massage Therapy and am trained by the Australian Physiotherapy and Pilates Institute. Currently I deliver Physiotherapy and Pilates at the Complementary Health Care Clinic on Exchange Street and work as an Orthopaedic Physiotherapist at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.
Personally, my work uses a combination of exercise prescription, electrotherapy (ultrasound), manual therapy (movement facilitation and sports massage therapy) and education. Physiotherapy requires the individual to accept responsibility for their own rehabilitation by encouraging engagement in exercise at home and consideration of postural advice throughout daily activities. Education therefore plays a big role in the delivery of my treatment as I strongly believe that if you have an awareness and understanding of how your body works and what may have caused your pain or disability to occur, you will be able to focus your energies more directly to help your body heal and prevent possible re-injury.
The benefits of a Combined Health Care Clinic.
One of the most exciting prospects of working within the Complementary Health Care Clinic is the feasibility for treating injuries in a holistic manor. Have you ever had a physical ailment which you have wanted to seek help in treating but have not known which therapy to go to? Within the Clinic, a variety of Health Care Professionals can collaborate to find resolutions to a variety of problems. Recently, I have found great benefit in working with Robin Crowly, the resident Podiatrist, in treating a client for persistent foot pain. I envisage many more opportunities wherein combined assessments and sharing of knowledge will be greatly beneficial to the client. In addition, this means that you can feel confident in approaching the Clinic and feel sure that you will be directed to a therapist which best suits your needs.
