Physiotherapy
What are the origins of Physiotherapy?
What will a session involve?
At your first appointment, you will have an assessment to determine the best treatment methods for you. This will be based on your needs, stage of injury (acute, subacute or chronic), personal goals.
The treatments used can include:
- Massage (soft, deep tissue, sports massage, Swedish)
- Education and Advice
- Exercises
- Manual therapy techniques (including Mulligan therapy)
- Functional Neurology Techniques (Proprioceptive Deep Tendon Reflex)
- Physical Stimuli Treatments (such as Laser Therapy).
What is Mulligan Therapy?
The Mulligan Concepts is a manual therapy approach developed by Brian Mulligan from New Zealand. The technique involves manual ‘repositioning’ of the affected joint by the therapist to restore function and remove pain as the patient moves through their range of motion.
Mulligan is a gentle, non-painful method that can give quick results in improving range of movement and decreasing pain.
What is Proprioceptive Deep Tendon Reflex (P-DTR)?
The method of Proprioceptive Deep Tendon Reflex (P-DTR) was founded and developed by orthopaedic surgeon and neurologist Dr. Jose Palomar and has been successfully used in clinical practice for several years. P-DTR is the first neurological manual therapy based on neurology, neurophysiology, biomechanics and basics of Applied Kinesiology.
P-DTR uses manual muscle testing to assess the nervous system and how it changes in split seconds with different types of stimulus. These stimuli are picked up by nerve receptors and relayed to the brain, this information is computed and then signals are sent back out to the body.
When an injury, operation or illness occurs the nerve receptors that tell our brain what has happened can be left sensitised. This sensitivity can lead to muscles in the area, or in other parts of the body, becoming either weak or hypertonic (meaning working too hard). This can lead to pain. P-DTR is able to locate these sensitised nerve receptors and treat them, therefore correcting the muscular problem and decreasing pain.
P-DTR is a very gentle approach, does not require any physical strains.
It can help you to understand the root cause, decrease your pain and improve your range of movement.
What does the Cold Laser Therapy do?
Cold laser therapy is low-intensity laser therapy that stimulates healing while using low levels of light.
The light is targeted to the painful area to trigger chemical changes that help damaged cells recover and regrow. It can be particularly helpful for tendinitis, muscle and ligaments sprains, acute inflammation, and bursitis.
Depending on the area being treated, you and your physiotherapist may wear special goggles to shield your eyes during the treatment. You may experience a warming feeling during treatment – but it is not painful.
What can Physiotherapy help with?
Physiotherapy is tailored to your needs, and the range of techniques used can help with:
- Chronic Pain
- Back, Neck and Shoulder Pain
- Knee Problems
- Ankle Pain
- Hip Issues
- Tennis Elbow
- Tendonitis
- Bursitis
- Healing from Injury and from an Operation
- Fibromyalgia.
What can I expect after the session?
Some treatments such as deep-tissue massage, mobilisation might cause some pain during and 24-hours post treatment beofre you feel the full benefits.
How many sessions will I need?
How much does it cost?
- Initial assessment: £60 for 45 minutes
- All follow ups: £45 for 30 minutes
Useful Links
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy: www.csp.org.uk
Meet the Practitioners
Contact the Alma Vale Centre to find out more, or to book your initial consultation:
Or visit the Alma Vale Centre to speak in person.
