Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy uses knowledge of the anatomy, physiology and functional movement of the body to detect an imbalance in the musculoskeletal system which is the source of your pain. This pain may be from a specific trauma or injury or it may develop for no apparent reason.
A lot of sports injuries will develop from a specific trauma and the treatment will normally involve soft tissue management, joint mobilisation and an injury specific stretching and strengthening programme. It is important to rehab this injury with sports specific exercises and introduce a gradual increase in intensity and load through the injured area.
Common examples of sports injuries that we treat include hamstring/calf/quad injuries, sprained ankle, rotator cuff/shoulder impingement, back pain, knee injuries and Achilles pain.
We will eventually return the person to full sports participation and if required liaise with the coach, manager and/or parents throughout this process.
It is not just sports men and woman who develop injuries or areas of pain. You are just as likely to develop spinal pain ie neck, thoracic or low back pain from sitting at a desk or in the car for long periods.
Repetitive strain injuries are becoming more prevalent especially as our work demands long hours using a keyboard or mouse. This can develop over use injuries in the muscles of the forearm or shoulder, especially where bad posture is a feature too. The treatment will work locally on these overworked muscles to heal and relax them and will also take into account your work station design.
Examples of work related pain that we can treat include; headaches, neck pain, back pain, sciatica, shoulder repetitive strain (rotator cuff) and tennis elbow.
In short your Physiotherapist will provide you with the advice, hands on treatment and education to restore you to as best as possible pain free state.