Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is the treatment of pain and restriction of movement. It aims to improve and restore each of these areas. This may be achieved using various modalities such as soft tissue mobilisation, joint manipulation and massage. These treatments may be complemented by the use of acupuncture, electrotherapy, rehabilitation and exercise to both treat and prevent recurrence of acute and chronic conditions. Patients seeking physiotherapy may be suffering from many different types of injuries. This may include neck and back problems, sports injuries, road traffic accidents causing whiplash and work related problems. A visit to a Physiotherapist should reveal the nature of the problem and a discussion whether treatment may help.
Massage
Whether the tightness is coming from sitting at a desk all day or a sporting activity, a massage will help!
Massage has shown to improve blood flow and reduce swelling, spasms and cramping. Within the physiotherapy environment it has also been proven to relax overused muscles, providing greater joint flexibility and range of movement. This makes a great impact to everyday life as well as sporting performance.
Sports massages are beneficial to maintain and prevent further injury, before an event to increase circulation and warm the muscles, and post- training to flush away waste products.
Rehabilitation
In order to fully recover from injury, sports participants require a carefully planned rehabilitation programme. These are specifically designed to incorporate sport specific movement patterns. The aims of such a programme are:
• Stretch connective tissue – such as tendons and muscles.
• Increase strength and endurance
• Improve co-ordination and balance
• Regain cardiovascular fitness
The programme will be progressive from the beginning to finally return the sports participant to full sporting ability.
Manipulation
Manipulation is one of the modalities used by physiotherapists in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. It can be defined as a technique used to encourage a joint to become more mobile. It is used as part of the patient’s management package rather than a total treatment. The physiotherapist will determine your suitability for this treatment.
Ultrasound Therapy
Therapeutic ultrasound is a treatment that has been successfully used by physiotherapists for 50 years to treat soft tissue injuries. Ultrasonic waves cause a high speed vibration of the cells by contact between the machine and the skin using a water based gel. The patient generally will feel nothing during treatment. This treatment is used to increase blood flow, reduce muscle pain and spasm, stimulate the production of collagen and reduce scar tissue.
Interferential Therapy
Interferential Therapy (IFT) is traditionally described as a low frequency brought about by electrical currents crossing each other. The treatment is not unpleasant and the patient experiences only a mild tingling sensation. The treatment encourages cellular changes depending upon the frequencies selected. Many conditions can be treated where inflammation and pain is present e.g. sports injuries, arthritic conditions, bruising and swelling. It can also be used to speed healing following surgery, fractures and manipulation.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture has become an integral part of complementary therapy and Physiotherapy in the UK. It is used to treat a wide variety of conditions, including: stress, anxiety, insomnia, headache, migraines, general aches & pains and back / neck pain. Very fine needles are inserted in or close to the affected area, which can relieve pain and reduce muscle spasm.
Electro Acupuncture
Electro acupuncture is also used at Mike Varney Physiotherapy. This involves connecting the needles to a device, which generates electrical pulses using small clips. Electro acupuncture uses two needles at a time so that the impulses can pass from one needle to the other. This produces a similar tingling sensation to the interferential therapy, which is not painful. Several pairs of needles can be stimulated simultaneously, usually for no more than 30 minutes at a time.
IMS (Intramuscular Stimulation)
Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) is a form of acupuncture that is particularly effective in treating long term conditions. IMS is also becoming increasingly popular for the relief of short term pain, with many top football clubs using the technique. IMS differs from usual forms of acupuncture, by targeting shortened muscles and trigger points (knots) within the muscles. These are often the cause of referred pain. This form of acupuncture releases the knots and the shortened muscle fibres, to provide pain and joint relief.
Radial Shockwave
Radial Shockwave Therapy has impressive results for chronic tendon injuries. A shockwave is a mechanical wave that initiates an inflammation-like response in the tissue that is being treated. The body responds by increasing the blood circulation and metabolism in the area, which in turn accelerates the bodies own healing process.
The shockwave is delivered into the body via the applicator and radiates out, extending to the entire treatment area. Radial shockwave therapy usually requires between three and six treatments, one week apart for optimal results. Most patients feel the results immediately after treatment and can continue to feel the effects several weeks later. Shockwave therapy is included within Physiotherapy treatment sessions, thus making the treatment the most competitively priced within the region. Conditions best treated:Tennis and Golfers Elbow, Frozen Shoulder, Patella Tendonitis, Achilles Tendonitis and Plantar Fasciitis. More info
Kinesio Tape
You may have noticed kinesio tape being worn by popular athletes including David Beckham, Tom Daley, Gareth Bale and most recently Novak Djokovic at the Australian Tennis Open.
Kinesio tape is a water resistant tape made out of a high cotton material and has the thickness, weight and flexibility of the skin. We believe that kinesio taping is beneficial for both athletes and those who don’t participate in sport, due to its ability in pain reduction and supporting weak joints.
During inflammation the space between the skin and muscle is reduced, causing compression and pain. Kinesiotape has a role in reducing inflammation, being applied to increase the space between the skin and muscle. This improves blood flow and lymphatic drainage, which in turn enhances recovery. In contrast to other taping techniques, Kinesiotape does not restrict the movement of the skin, joints or muscles. Instead, it encourages the bodies own healing mechanism. More info
Mike Varney Physiotherapy is accredited by several of the trade associations including the Chartered Society of Physiotherpists, Physio First, the AACP and the HPC and are registered with most private medical healthcare companies.
