What is Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is a science-based health care profession. Its focus is on restoring movement and function to as near normal as possible when someone is affected by injury, illness or by developmental or other disability.
Physiotherapy uses physical approaches to promote, maintain and restore physical, psychological and social well-being, taking account of variations in each individuals health status. After dealing with the initial injury or discomfort, the individual is encouraged and assisted to learn about their body, so that they may take part in the activities they wish to in a pain free and safe manor, maintaining activity levels to enhance a happy and healthy life style.
How does it work?
Physiotherapists work with the soft tissues of the body (muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia) using soft tissue manipulation techniques such as Soft Tissue Release; Myofascial Release; and Trigger Pointing to help relieve muscle tension or spasm. A range of exercise therapies are offered to help the individual to realign and tone the body, for example Pilates exercises are used to encourage postural re-education and help to strengthen and/or lengthen weakened or tight muscles. In the event of soft tissue injury, such as a sprain or strain, Heat, Ice or Ultrasound 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, minimalising the laying down of scar tissue which can restrict movement in the future.
Physiotherapy aims to rehabilitate the body to achieve either pre-injury strength and endurance or to maintain optimal mobility and functionality in the presence of disease. An injury or function specific exercise programme can be designed to achieve this. Additionally, education plays a vital role in order to help the individual maintain mobility and prevent re-injury in the future.
Each treatment program is based on the individual’s situation, is developed to suit your needs and incorporates discussion and advice on developing positive lifestyle changes.
What is it good for?
Physiotherapy is used in the treatment and management of pain or discomfort caused by a wide variety of soft tissue, neurological and biomechanical disorders. From the head down to the toes, physiotherapy can help to improve and maintain movement quality and function to maximise quality of life.
What happens during a treatment?
On your first consultation, lasting approximately one hour, a detailed past medical history will be taken. Your present condition will then be discussed to identify mode of injury, date of onset of symptoms, and aggravating and easing factors. This will be followed by a physical assessment involving observation of your natural posture and noting your current range of movement. The soft tissue involved will be palpated in order to analyse its texture and tone.
Please note that you may be required to remove your outer clothing to enable an accurate analysis of your problem area.
Once a thorough objective examination is complete, findings will be explained and treatment options will be discussed and administered with consent. Advice regarding a Home Exercise Plan will be offered where appropriate.
Follow-up consultations will last approximately half an hour, and will include feedback from the previous session, re-assessment to monitor change in symptoms and continuation of treatment appropriate to your needs.
How may it affect you after a treatment?
Physiotherapy can help with a vast array of problems, how you feel after your treatment will differ depending on which treatment you have. As with many complementary therapies you may notice a slight increase in symptoms 24-48 hours after your treatment session, followed by a decrease in pain or discomfort. You may experience some degree of muscular tenderness initially after some forms of soft tissue manipulation, and if your Physiotherapist works on and around you head, neck or shoulder area, you may feel a little light-headed due to increased blood flow to that area. Symptoms should be transient; to aid healing it is recommended that you take adequate rest and hydration, especially after your treatment. If you have any concerns, please call the Clinic, or Hannah, for advice.
The 10 most common conditions treated
Low Back Pain (LBP)
80% of the population suffer from some form of LBP at some point in their life. Commonly associated with poor posture and/or muscle tone, especially when long hours are spent sitting at a desk. Can present as pain or discomfort in the Lumbar region of the spine (the lower spine) with or without pain radiating down through the buttock, and into the legs, occasionally as far as the knee or foot. Treatment commonly involves postural and ergonomic education, gentle strengthening and stretching exercises, and massage to relieve muscle spasm and tension.
Stiff Neck
Reduced range of movement (ROM) of the head, if untreated can cause further problems of the upper back and shoulders. May present with or without arm pain (pins & needles/numbness), and often associated with headache. Caused by trauma (car accident, fall from bike, sporting injury) or simple movements such as turning quickly, or repetitive head movement whilst in poor postural alignment. Limits movement generally, makes driving difficult (reversing, blind spot check), a general annoyance and can be very painful! Can be helped by gentle mobilisation of the neck, traction, massage to decrease tension/spasm, and ergonomic and postural advice. Cervical (neck) exercises can help strengthen weakened musculature.
Sports Injuries
Various injuries related to various sports!! Commonly seen are shoulder problems in cricketers and swimmers, knee problems in footballers, lower back problems or hip problems in dancers and cyclists, and various problems found in rugby players!!! Management of acute injury through cryotherapy (ice therapy), electrotherapy (ultrasound), rest and taping. Rehabilitation of muscular weakness to return to pre-injury sporting level, sometimes with some sports massage techniques to maintain flexibility and reduce muscle soreness throughout return to sport.
Knee Pain
Often due to sporting injury, poor foot biomechanics, or degenerative disease. Management of supporting soft tissues via massage and strengthening exercises, orthotics as required. Screening of ligamentous or bone damage with appropriate management advice or referral for imaging (X-ray/MRI) via GP.
Hip Pain
Similar to knee pain, can be caused by injury, poor biomechanics or degenerative disease. May experience pain referral from the lower back. Massage and exercise can help to realign the leg to release muscular or nerve tension.
Foot Pain
Commonly due to poor biomechanics. May be associated with imbalance further up the body at the knees, hip or pelvis. Gait analysis (assessment of walking style) and appropriate muscular strengthening and/or lengthening can relieve many symptoms around the foot and ankle. You may be referred to our in-house podiatrist for joint treatment with ready-made or individually designed orthotics to prevent future recurrence of pain. (If you have this type of problem we would recommend you see Hannah Marshall as she specialises in this area.
Shoulder Joint Problems
Very common, especially within the office workers population. Poor desk ergonomics and sitting posture can lead to poor biomechanics of the shoulder joint. Impingement of tendons can cause sharp pinching pain in the joint, inflammation of the joint capsule can limit movement greatly if left untreated. Can present with/without pins & needles or numbness in the arms. Postural education and exercises for the shoulder complex to improve safe and pain free movement of the arm, can prevent future degeneration of the shoulder joint and improve functionality such as reaching up to a high shelf, brushing hair, doing up bra-strap etc.
Elbow Pain
Due to trauma or repetitive strain. Commonly heard of is the golfers or tennis elbow. These are RSI’s (Repetitive Strain Injuries) caused by playing the sports themselves, or by poor use of body posture in the work place. Simply treated with advice to avoid aggravating movements throughout the rest period, taping, ultrasound, and muscular re-education once inflammation has ceased.
Headaches
Commonly attributed to tight musculature around the neck and shoulders which can be brought on by poor posture and/or overuse, stress, or simply carrying too much too often! Eased by gentle massage and manipulation of the neck with appropriate ergonomic advice and exercises.
Postural problems
Developing a good posture for you can help to prevent or relieve nearly all of the symptoms mentioned above!! Pilates is an excellent way of learning good body posture, developing strength, flexibility and encourage relaxation. With physical and psychological health benefits, help yourself to prevent future problems arising by learning how to use your own body effectively to maximise your quality of life. 1:1 sessions and classes available in conjunction with physiotherapy sessions and advice.
