What physiotherapy treatments are available at Elmwood?
After your initial assessment, your physiotherapist will discuss treatment options that may be most effective for you. At the core of any treatment plan is a patient’s involvement in their own care, through advice, empowerment and participation in their treatment, it will improve the effectiveness of an overall holistic care plan. If physiotherapy is not indicated at the time of attending the clinic, advice on appropriate medical management can be offered or referral to specific medical professional can be arranged.
Your personalised treatment plan may involve some of the treatment choices listed here:
- Exercise Therapy - Movement without pain is a cornerstone for healthy living. When applying therapeutic exercise techniques, it addresses the way we interact with our environments. Exercise by definition is completed to attain a goal, this may be trying to complete a marathon or walk to the shops without pain. If we have the flexibility, strength, joint position sense, balance, co-ordination and endurance then we can achieve more and complete tasks with greater ease. If exercise is indicated as part of your treatment, building this into your daily routine may be beneficial to adopt positive habits in managing your complaint or injury. We ensure that you can be at your best so to enjoy life to the utmost.
- Spinal and Joint Manual Therapy; Mobilisation & Manipulation - Keeping joints moving through their full range of movement helps in keeping the joint stimulated and healthy. Stiff or painful joints may result in a cycle of limiting movements for the joint resulting in continuous episodes of stiffness. In a sporting environment stiff joints may not benefit an athlete trying to be at their peak to perform. Prevention is better than cure and keeps your joints supple and free to move maximising your potential.
- Therapeutic & Sports Massage; Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy - A hands on approach can be very beneficial to assist towards relaxation for tired or tense muscles.
- Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) - This involves localised electrical stimulation of muscles in treatment of muscle weakness. A weakness in a muscle or group of muscles can be as a result of several different injuries or a period of disuse (such as prolonged bed rest). If NMES is indicated to assist in regaining full strength in the affected area your physiotherapist will discuss this option with you. This therapy can also be completed at home with a portable unit.
- Low-Level Laser Treatment - Laser has evolved as a safe adjunctive treatment which assists in tissue healing and pain relief. Low-level laser has also been used in the treatment of joint stiffness for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
- Sports Strapping & Taping - Taping is a therapy technique to support or unload painful joints to assist in moving with reduced pain. This form of treatment can also be used as an aid to retrain position sense in joints for postural control. Sporting populations often use taping techniques to assist for participation
- Trigger Point Dry needling - This treatment technique uses acupuncture needles to release specific trigger points in muscles. This can be both deep and superficial to the muscle. Trigger point release has been linked to myofascial pain patterns with referred pain throughout the body.
- Biomechanical Assessment & Orthotic Prescription - This includes evaluation of different movement patterns in the body, exploring how force is distributed across joints of the body. Starting with static postures and then bringing in functional tasks and movements, treatment will be directed towards improving efficiencies in moving with greater freedom and ease. Unloading joints for short term relief and improving control and strength can assist in improving a lasting performance. Orthotics may be used to compliment treatment of pain in feet, knees, hips or back.
- Personalised Pilates Programmes - Progressive exercise programme based on Pilates concept exercises (effective and targeted for whole body strength). These individualised programmes are good to use as a home exercise routine. An exercise regime to work the whole body or to compliment training programmes.
