Treatment

Injuries can occur at any age, at work, at home or at play.  The main objective is to return to normal as soon as possible and early advice and treatment will help achieve this aim.

If you are in any great pain, or the patient is either very young or elderly, then you should consider visiting you nearest Hospital Emergency department in case the injury or problem requires urgent medical treatment.

In general, the treatment will be arrived at by the following set of events:

• An assessment to uncover what problems you are experiencing
• An examination to discover the symptoms you are currently having
• The diagnosis to identify the clinical condition causing your problems
• The treatment to apply specific remedies to promote the affected areas to begin healing

If you are in a great deal of discomfort - but feel it is not necessarily a hospital emergency - you may find some  simple first-aid techniques give you the vital relief before you can contact me to make an appointment.  These techniques are the first step in helping your own body to repair itself.

The Assessment

Before any treatment, the physiotherapist will carry out a detailed subjective history to evaluate and analyse signs and symptoms.  It is vital to treat the whole patient, the individual, and not just the condition.  To this end, time must be spent on assessment, meticulous examination and clinical diagnosis.  Questions which may be covered include those about:

• work and hobbies and how they are affected by the problem
• the position and type of pain being experienced
• activities and positions which aggravate or ease the pain
• general health and current medication
• the incident leading up to the symptoms
• any previous history of similar problems.

The Examination

The examination may well include:

• observation of the position for the injured part
• movements of the joints related to the symptoms
• tests of muscle strength imbalance and extensibility
• passive movements of the affected joints
• palpation of the soft tissue
• test for neutral body mobility

• a neurological examination (if appropriate)

The Clinical Diagnosis

Using a range of differential diagnoses skills, we will be able to make an assessment of the patient's problem, then discuss the findings and plan the treatment with the patient.  Likely problem tissue injuries are:

• Ligaments  (Whiplash, Sprained ankle, Twisted Knee)
• Tendons and Muscles  (Repetitive strain injury, Achilles tendonitis, Frozen shoulder, Tennis/Golfer's elbow, Strains, Bruises, Torn muscles & tendons)
• Joints  (Slipped disc, Sciatica, Neck and Back problems, Dislocations, Osteoarthritis)
• Bones (Lost function following a fracture)
• Posture (Re-education and ergonomic advice)
• Techniques (May be manual or mechanical)

The Treatment

Following a detailed examination, the findings will be discussed with you and a treatment plan drawn up and explained to you.  Treatment plans are specific to each patient for the injuries they have received.  The plan will cover your treatment from initial consultation right up until your have recovered from your injury and have returned to full fitness.

You are welcome to be accompanied during the treatment if you wish.

Treatment is painless and may include:

• mobilisation (the gentle loosening) of a joint
• manipulation (the stronger passive movement) of a joint
• traction (for the stretching) of tendons, ligaments and joints
• exercise (for the strengthening) of muscles
• education (for the correction) of poor posture
• massage (for the relaxation & increased circulation) of soft tissue
• electrotherapy (for aiding the repair) of soft tissue,  e.g. ultrasound, interferential, laser, short-wave diathermy, TNS.

First Aid Techniques

If you are suffering from a strain, sprain or bruise, you may find the following suggestion  helpful.

Do:-

Do not in any circumstances:-