Suffering from knee pain? Physiotherapy with Helen McLoughlin can help you return to normal activity
Knee pain is a very common issue, which can affect all age groups and people of different activity levels. Your knee pain may have come on for no apparent reason. You may have experienced a recent injury or an injury in the past. No matter what, physiotherapy can help in a variety of ways.
Affecting daily life
There can be a range of reasons why we experience knee pain, from arthritis to a sports’ injury. Injuries can range from a pulled muscle, knee sprain to a cartilage injury.
Our Physiotherapist Helen McLoughlin can help diagnose the cause of your knee pain and help you manage the symptoms.
Helen regularly sees clients whose knee pain stops them from doing day-to-day activities. It can even limit their ability to walk comfortably. Knee pain can often affect sleep and can be very draining to experience over a period of time.
How physiotherapy can help
Your physiotherapy appointment with Helen will include an assessment of your walking, movement and strength. Helen will thoroughly examine your knee and leg, completing a biomechanical assessment.
She will explain to you the anatomy around the knee and the source of your symptoms.
She will discuss with you your goals and what the pain is stopping you from doing. You will also be given timeframes for expected improvement.
Achieving your goals
As well as treating your pain, Helen will provide you with an individual exercise programme dependent on your symptoms and background fitness.
Your goal may be to return to walking for longer distances or to return to a running programme. The advice and exercise programme Helen gives you will reflect this, and your treatment will be tailored to you.
Other aspects of treatment
Your appointment may include other forms of treatment too. This can include kinesiotaping, which is a great way to give sensory ‘feedback’ to the knee while you are experiencing pain. This can help to reduce pain, and improve stability and comfort at the kneecap joint.
Helen can also use deep-tissue massage as part of your treatment. This can be very effective after injury or with localised discomfort of the knee musculature. Massage is recognised as having positive effects on pain and encourages the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers. It also improves muscle flexibility and reduces spasm.
Western physio-focused acupuncture is another area of treatment that Helen can include. With the application of acupuncture needles, sensory nerves in the skin are stimulated. Again, the body is encouraged to release pain-relieving endorphins. It can be a fantastic way to treat knee joint and muscle pain, especially in those with an arthritic knee or with a recent injury.
Moving forwards
How many sessions you will require will depend on your symptoms, how long you have had the problem and the goals that you set. Helen will discuss your treatment plan at your first appointment.
The aim is to help you reach your goals, no matter whether that is to walk longer distances, manage the stairs or return to sporting activity.
To book an appointment with Helen call 0117 3771186 or email info@almavalecentre.co.uk You can also book online at: www.solasphysiotherapy.co.uk
