Manual therapy includes the physiotherapist applying varying degrees of pressure, usually to a joint, for therapeutic purposes. These techniques, known as mobilizations are performed under the control of the client who can ask the therapist to stop at any time. Manipulations are used less frequently and are more sudden applications of force to the joint for therapeutic purposes. The therapist will explain the purpose and nature of the manipulation and obtain client consent prior to performing any manipulations. Manual therapy techniques can provide effective treatment when practiced by qualified physiotherapists.

Soft tissue techniques involves the stretching, massaging and other ways of manipulating soft tissues (muscles, capsules, ligaments and scar tissue etc) for therapeutic purposes.

Massage (Sports Massage or Therapeutic Massage) involves manipulation of the soft tissues of the body such as muscles, using specific techniques such as effleurage and transverse frictions. The different techniques have different aims such as decreasing tension within a muscle or breaking down adhesions.
Sports massages are beneficial to those who regularly engage in activity at all fitness levels but also beneficial to people who have sore muscles from exposure to prolonged postures such as sitting for many hours in front of a computer. Sports massage has many benefits such as improving circulation, increasing lymph flow and promoting muscle relaxation. Massage is a natural therapy and has many benefits both physical and psychological. Massage works on many levels and is a versatile and effective treatment method for minor injuries, injury prevention and stress relief. In a complementary role (in conjunction with other therapies) massage can aid recovery as part of its wide ranging benefits.

Exercise therapy includes Core Stability and is the staple of the physiotherapist’s ‘Toolkit’. When followed, an exercise programme given by your physiotherapists will help strengthen and return you to normal function. Compliance with exercise prevents recurrence of problems and limits the number of treatment sessions you need to attend.

Core Stability This refers to ‘core’ muscles whose strength is vital as a base of support for efficient and effective limb movements. Most commonly this refers to the pelvic floor, deep abdominals and deep spinal muscles in the back region but other muscles are involved in core stability of the pelvis, neck and shoulder. Good core stability is vital for dancers and sports people’s optimal performance and is important in everyone. Core stability exercises form an important part of physiotherapy management. For those who wish to continue and advance their core stability. Pilates is an enjoyable system of exercises performed in individual or class groups specifically for this purpose.

Acupuncture stimulates the body’s natural defence mechanisms to heal and relieve pain. It is one of the oldest recorded forms of medicine having been used for over 3,000 years in China. It involves the insertion of very fine sterile (and single use) needles into strategic parts of the body. Some physiotherapists use acupuncture for pain relief, healing and general wellbeing alongside the other techniques mentioned above to provide a complete package of health.

Dry needling is the insertion of acupuncture needles into trigger points (tight, painful, dysfunctional points) in muscles in order to relax and lengthen the tissues and reduce pain.

Advice given by your physiotherapists may help prevent recurrence of your problems and limit the number of treatment sessions you need to attend. It is usually in the form of recommended exercise, joint protection, sporting technique and such.

ELECTROTHERAPY

Not used very often as there is usually a manual technique which is more effective, however electrotherapy machines do occasionally assist in the relief of pain and promote healing. Perhaps the most well known of these is ultrasound which is the application of sound waves which has a deep massaging effect on cells, useful with very localised swellings or deep painful inflammations.

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