Physiotherapy is a conservative treatment approach that is proven to be helpful for people who have injuries, illnesses, or medical conditions that limit their ability to move. This is why many primary care doctors refer their patients to physiotherapists at the first signs of a problem. A customised physiotherapy program can help you return to your prior level of functioning while teaching you the skills you need to prevent further injury and safeguard your overall wellbeing. Here are five ways it may benefit you:
Avoid surgery – If physiotherapy successfully eliminates your pain or heals your injury, then you may no longer need surgery. Even in cases when surgery is still required, pre-surgery physiotherapy makes you stronger and puts you in better shape so that you can recover faster afterwards.
Eliminate or at least reduce pain – Exercises and manual therapy (including soft tissue and joint mobilisation) combined with electrical stimulation, ultrasound, acupuncture and other such methods can relieve pain as well as restore joint functions. These therapies have also been proven to prevent pain from coming back.
Improve mobility – Physiotherapy can greatly help you if you have trouble moving, walking, or standing—no matter how old you are. The strengthening and stretching exercises help recondition your body so that you can move independently. A therapist can customise an individual care plan that allows you to safely do the activities that are important to your life.
Manage diabetes – Physiotherapy is a useful addition to an overall diabetes management plan because exercises can help keep your blood sugar under control.
Prevent falls – Are you at high risk for falls? A physiotherapist can design exercises that carefully and safely challenge your balance so that you can deal with real-life situations. These exercises may also improve your coordination assistive devices that you might require for safer walking.
For access to expert care and state of the art hydrotherapy and physiotherapy facilities for treating a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, visit the London Physiotherapy and Wellness Clinic. They have an active approach to improving performance and physical health, incorporating hydrotherapy and advanced strengthening equipment into fulfilling their patients’ physiotherapy needs.
The clinic provides aquatic physiotherapy (hydrotherapy) for early rehabilitation in cases where traditional approaches will not work. Hydrotherapy sessions at the London Physiotherapy and Wellness Clinic are very effective, not only in relieving muscle pains, but also depression, arthritis, headaches, joint problems, and even acne. Water—which can store and transmit energy and heat—is used as a healing agent, combined with cutting edge therapy and exercise techniques.
Patients exercise in water during these hydrotherapy sessions in London and Essex. The water’s buoyancy supports the body, helping relieve stress on the joints. The intensity and mode of hydrotherapy treatment can be modified based on the individual’s condition and goals. The hydrotherapy specialists of the London Physiotherapy and Wellness Clinic can work in tandem with the doctors of their patients to ensure the best results.
The physiotherapists of the London Physiotherapy and Wellness Clinic provide sports physiotherapy treatment for athletes, but that’s not all. They also serve patients who have suffered from a stroke or are dealing with Parkinson’s disease. Patients who are recovering from a heart attack can also benefit from the care and support provided by the clinic.
The London Physiotherapy and Wellness Clinic has the latest equipment for friction free scientific strength training, spine strength testing, and many more. Their biofeedback pelvic floor training equipment is non-invasive and is the first of its kind not only in London but in the UK. The clinic likewise provides preventative treatment including sports specific conditioning for athletes in varying skill levels. Postural training and ergonomic advice is offered a part of their back and neck pain service.
If you participate in athletic activities, then you are putting more stress than usual on your body—stress that can eventually cause injuries. You need to be extra vigilant, especially as you get older. Consult a physiotherapist at the first sign of trouble. Here are some of the most common sports injuries that can be resolved through proper sports physiotherapy.
Plantar Fasciitis
Often caused by poor technique or improper footwear, this condition can be debilitating. Your physiotherapist may relieve the stiffness and pain by rolling your foot over a ball and using ‘hands on’ techniques like massages to stretch the fascia. Plantar fasciitis is reversible and treatable. In fact, about 9 out of 10 patients report significant improvement within two months of treatment.
ACL Strain
Hyperextending or twisting your knee can cause ACL strain. Treatment will depend on your condition’s severity, so visiting a physiotherapist is essential. After the assessment, your therapist will recommend exercises and treatments aimed at healing and strengthening the area around the knees.
Ankle Sprain
This common sports injury requires the RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) treatment for reducing inflammation and pain. Be sure to visit a sports physiotherapy clinic to have the condition assessed further. The therapist may recommend exercises to help you not only recover but also diminish the chances of your ankle sprain recurring.
Lower Back Pain
Most athletes experience lower back pain at some point. This condition can be set off by a long list of reasons, including improper form when shifting or lifting. Seeking the help of a sports physiotherapy clinic is essential if you want to remain active. A therapist can teach you proper techniques, stretches, and strengthening exercises that will help prevent further issues. Physiotherapists play an important role in injury prevention and can recommend specific injury prevention programs that keep you out of harm’s way while improving your sporting performance.
Contrary to what some people may think, selecting a physiotherapy centre can call for a lot of thought and time. While a treatment may be perfect for your relative or friend, it might not necessarily be the best for you. If all you are searching for a physiotherapy centre for exercise, then any physiotherapy centre in London can work, but if you are looking for a physiotherapy centre that specialises in offering you a better quality of life and health, then you need to be very careful before shelling out your hard-earned cash.
Here are some things to consider when choosing a physiotherapy centre in London:
Location and hours Nowadays there are numerous physiotherapy centres in London that are open seven days a week, all year round. If you’re are someone with a very hectic schedule, this type of physiotherapy centre is the best for you. Also, a centre near your home or work will usually be far more manageable than one located far away.
Cleanliness This is very crucial, as there are some physiotherapy centres in London that will have an exotic look and feel, making you feel at ease. However, some clinics may not be so clean, and will leave you thinking twice before going inside.
Amenities Your need & treatment should determine the type of physiotherapy centre you choose for your treatment. Are you looking for help with muscle pains, sports injuries, orthopaedic treatment or hydrotherapy? If the physiotherapy centre has these things, you should inspect them thoroughly to make sure it’s right for you before signing up.
Staff This crucially very important. Look at the work ethics and experience of the staff. Are they qualified with all the required details and certifications? Are they attentive to your needs, helpful with any questions, and courteous to you?
Cost Most physiotherapy centres in London have a nominal tariff, meaning you can get proper treatment and relief without spending a large amount of money. Make sure to check the cost before choosing your clinic, and starting your treatment.
Injuries are an integral risk for all players and athletes. Whether professional or amateur athletes are prone to injuries of joints, ligaments, the nervous system and the muscles. But many of those injuries can be easily treated by effective sports physiotherapy. Sports injury physiotherapy in London comprises focused treatments, including specific exercises for injuries or massage to improve the process of healing. Specialised training helps sports physiotherapists to understand the cause of pain and the cure for that cause rather than simply telling about the symptoms.
How does London Physiotherapy and Wellness Clinic help? The experienced team of professionals at London Physiotherapy and Wellness clinic works with all players and athletes to heal and treat injuries, helping players to recover as quickly as possible. London Physiotherapy and Wellness Clinic physiotherapists train extensively in the treatment of sports-related injuries, understanding all characteristics of how the elements of the human body work together. The experienced team of physiotherapists there understand that pain in an area can be caused by injury to some other part of the body.
How It Works Once the team of physiotherapists identify the actual injury cause the physiotherapy of the player will begin. They carefully analyse and understand the injury, so that they can determine the best plan of action for the fast and better recovery of the player. The sports physiotherapist at the London Physiotherapy and Wellness Clinic in London and Essex does not work in a vacuum. But they work as a whole member of team known as team wellness, who are highly qualified with a huge working experience.
Physiotherapy is a conventional treatment method that has been proven to provide aid for people suffering from illnesses, medical conditions and injuries. That is why several doctors, after finding out about any related problems, refer patients to physiotherapists. A properly oriented physiotherapy for Joint Pain program can help you to regain the functionality of the affected body part while helping you to prevent any further injury. Henceforth, providing proper safety for your overall wellbeing, but how does physiotherapy help? Let us look at some benefits:
No Need for Surgery If you have a major injury that really needs surgery, consider asking your doctor whether physiotherapy will help. Physiotherapy can successfully eliminate pain and other injuries. Even if there is a case of surgery, physiotherapy before the surgery can help you remain stronger and recover quickly afterwards.
Eliminate Pain Conventional physiotherapy exercises and techniques like ultrasound, electrical stimulation, acupuncture and several other methods can help reduce pain. It can help restore joint function and is proven to prevent the pain from coming back.
Better Mobility Consulting a good Physiotherapy clinic like London Physiotherapy and Wellness clinic can help you recover quickly. Especially if you have trouble with mobility – walking or standing, as the exercises help the body to move independently. An experienced physiotherapist can make a customised plan to help you recover more quickly. Manage diabetes – Physiotherapy is a useful addition to an overall diabetes management plan because exercise can help keep your blood sugar under control.
Prevent or Control Diabetes It is a known fact that diabetes can be easily controlled through proper lifestyle changes and exercise. Physiotherapy can really help you to recover and control diabetes effectively.
Aquatic therapy involves the use of a specially designed pool to perform manual therapy, exercises, gait training, and sensory integration. It utilises the water’s properties to provide a safe, invigorating, and functional atmosphere in restoring normal movement. There are many reasons to choose a hydrotherapy treatment in Essex, and here are just a few of them:
Buoyancy: Reducing Stress on Joints
This property of water reduces the force of gravity on your body by as much as 80 per cent (at a chest-high level). This type of environment allows you to move without the stress that your body typically receives from your daily life. Buoyancy also decreases the compression of gravity on your spine. A physiotherapist can use hydrotherapy to improve your range of motion by reducing the force that gravity exerts.
Hydrostatic Pressure: Enhancing Circulation and Breathing
Referring to the force applied to your body by the water, hydrostatic pressure can aid in reducing oedema, improving circulation, and even in decreasing blood pressure. Hydrostatic pressure can also be used for resistance (to strengthen and tone muscles) and to improve your breathing capacity. Proper hydrotherapy allows your chest muscles to get used to expanding more, so you can breathe better in your daily life.
Optimal Water Temperature: Promoting Relaxation and Flexibility
The best hydrotherapy and physiotherapy clinics use an optimum aquatic temperature to help your tissues to relax as well as improve flexibility. The perfect temperature also lets you focus on your movements comfortably. Hydrotherapy allows your physiotherapist to create a challenging yet safe setting for you to start and progress in your rehabilitation program.
The versatility of hydrotherapy has been shown to be useful in treating patients suffering from fibromyalgia, gait dysfunctions, rotator cuff injuries, plantar fasciitis, ankle sprains, post-surgical conditions, low back pain, and many other conditions. Be sure to go to a physiotherapy clinic that can customise a water-based treatment plan based on your medical problem and overall condition. The best hydrotherapy clinics can even work with your doctors to ensure optimum results.
Hydrotherapy Treatment in Essex, a specialised form of physiotherapy, utilises water’s unique properties to assist in pain relief and mobility enhancement for various conditions, including arthritis, post-operative recovery, and rheumatic complaints. Unlike regular swimming, hydrotherapy involves specific exercises performed in a warm-water pool, typically maintained at temperatures between 34–36 degrees Celsius. This warm environment aids in muscle relaxation and pain alleviation, making it an effective treatment modality.
The buoyancy of water supports body weight, reducing stress on joints and facilitating easier movement. This property is particularly beneficial for individuals who find land-based exercises challenging due to pain or limited mobility. Additionally, water provides natural resistance to movement, which helps improve strength and coordination.
Hydrotherapy Treatment in Essex
Hydrotherapy Treatment in Essex is highly versatile and can target multiple joints in a single session, making it suitable for patients with widespread joint issues. It is commonly recommended following joint replacement surgeries and for conditions such as back pain and various forms of arthritis.
In Essex, several clinics offer hydrotherapy services tailored to individual needs. For example, Spire Hartswood Hospital in Brentwood provides aquatic physiotherapy designed to relieve pain, promote relaxation, mobilise joints, and improve general fitness. Similarly, Physio Home in Colchester offers hydrotherapy sessions to aid pain relief and restore movement for those unable to participate in land-based physiotherapy.
When considering hydrotherapy treatment in Essex, it is vital to choose a clinic that provides bespoke programmes conducted by trained physiotherapists. These professionals can create a treatment plan that aligns with your specific condition and rehabilitation goals, ensuring a safe and effective recovery journey.
Sports physiotherapy is a highly specialised branch of physiotherapy dealing with injuries related to athletes, including football injury physiotherapy in London. From broken metatarsals to dislocated shoulders, proper physiotherapy in London can help you recover from a host of injuries you might get on the football field. Below are just some of those injuries:
Dislocated shoulder
Colliding with another player or falling can cause your arm to be forced or pulled from its joint, dislocating it. Intensive physiotherapy will follow any surgical stabilisation your doctor might do. You and your sports physiotherapist will work on regaining flexibility and muscle strength to lower the risk of another dislocation in the future. Recovery can take anywhere from 2-6 months.
Groin strain
When the adductor muscles (located on the inside of your thighs) are stretched beyond their limit, they tear and cause groin strain. This can happen when you do side steps or stretch for the ball. Immediate treatment involves“protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation” (PRICE protocol) to reduce swelling and bleeding. This will be followed by sports physiotherapy, which may involve gentle stretching, muscle strengthening and soft tissue work.
Hamstring strain
Your hamstrings refer to the group of four muscles at the back of your thigh. Overstretching during rapid and explosive movements (such as sprinting) can cause them to tear. After the PRICE protocol, you might need to undergo sports physiotherapy involving soft tissue work, gentle stretching, and muscle strengthening.
Broken metatarsal
The metatarsals refer to bones in the feet that sometimes break because of excessive contact, rotational force, and overuse in football. You might need to wear an air-cast boot to take the weight off the foot and let it heal. Your sports physiotherapist will work with you to maintain your fitness, balance and coordination as well as your muscle movement and strength as you recover.
Most viral fevers cause joint pains (called arthralgia), usually affecting the small and large joints of the patient’s upper and lower limbs. If the pain persists long after the fever is gone, then the condition may be called post-viral arthritis. Yoga and physiotherapy (hydrotherapy in particular) can help alleviate the pain.
Post-viral arthritis may be caused by the dengue virus, enteroviruses, alphaviruses, hepatitis viruses including, cytomegalovirus, HIV virus, rubella and mumps viruses, Epstein Barr virus, herpes simplex virus, or variants of these. The condition should last no more than a few days. However, it may cause crippling symptoms and may even mask more serious types of arthritis. Proper diagnosis is, therefore, important.
Most patients exhibit symptoms of post-viral arthritis in the later phase, usually when the fever has long subsided. They may experience swelling and pain in the joints in the legs and hands. Some patients also feel uncharacteristic stiffness in their joints, most notably in the mornings.
In most cases, the blood’s parameters remain normal except for mild decreases in platelet and white cell counts. This is why post-viral arthritis is a clinical diagnosis, in most cases. Some patients exhibit elevated ESR and CRP. If symptoms last more than a few days, the doctor needs to rule out rheumatoid arthritis, undifferentiated arthritis, and other such conditions.
In typical cases, doctors need to reassure the patient that the post-viral arthritis symptoms are unlikely to progress into a serious condition because they are self-limiting. Arthritis associated with viral infections do not lead to currently-recognised forms of chronic diseases and is therefore non-destructive.
Physiotherapy and yoga have been shown to be useful in many cases of post-viral arthritis.
Mobilising, strengthening, and stretching exercises are often effective in keeping the joints working optimally. Post-viral arthritis causes muscle weakness and joint stiffness, thereby affecting a patient’s day-to-day activities. A physiotherapist can assess the muscle strength as well as the range of movement in the patient’s joints, and then advise on exercises and techniques to resolve the condition.
A hydrotherapy pool is typically used so that the patient can perform the guided movements in warm water. Most patients find it easier to exercise in the water. The warmth soothes the muscles, and the water supports the weight of the patient, facilitating the movement of joints and muscles without strain. Hydrotherapy is also beneficial for those who have back pain, psoriatic arthritis, or osteoarthritis.
About the Author:
This article is written by Arjun Viswanath, the Clinic Director of London Physiotherapy and Wellness Clinic. London Physiotherapy and Wellness Clinic is an outpatient rehabilitation centre. Their staff includes clinical specialist physiotherapists and sports therapists. Their therapists have worked with all age groups and successfully helped them to recover from their injuries easily. They also offer special programs for youth athletics as well as for pregnant women.
Before heading to a physiotherapy clinic, you might find it useful to familiarise yourself with the most effective treatment methods used by physiotherapists for different ailments.
Note that these are general assessments and should not be taken as professional medical advice.
1. Manual Physiotherapy Methods for Injury Recovery
Physical therapists use hands-on approaches such as massage, stretching, and strengthening exercises to help a patient’s body relearn proper mechanics and movement. Manual therapy is one of the primary methods to remove restrictions in movement and help patients move better overall. Manual therapy often forms the backbone of a physiotherapy methods plan.
2. Ice Therapy as a Physiotherapy Method for Inflammation
Injuries with swelling and inflammation Ice constricts blood vessels after application. Cold therapy can reduce (and even prevent) swelling immediately following the injury. It can also leave the affected joint more mobile, thereby enhancing manual therapy.
3. Heat Therapy to Support Physiotherapy Treatment
Injuries that involve tightness and muscular spasms For injuries involving soft tissues like tendons, muscles, and ligaments, the application of heat can decrease pain while increasing mobility. Heat therapy makes tissues more pliable so that the therapist can stretch the area better.
4. Ultrasound – A High-Tech Physiotherapy Method
Connective tissue injuries The use of sound waves that are undetectable to the human ear helps a patient’s body generate from within, helping loosen up tissues to prepare for exercise and manual therapy. Therapists use an ultrasound wand to apply sound waves safely and directly to the skin.
5. Low-Level Laser Physiotherapy Method for Pain Relief
5. Low-Level Laser Effective for: Connective or muscular tissue injuries This method involves the use of specific wavelengths of light in stimulating healing. Everything happens well below the skin, so the patient does not feel anything. Low-level laser treatment can reduce inflammation, pain, and muscle fatigue, allowing the therapist to manipulate the joint more easily.
6. Traction as a Non-Invasive Physiotherapy Method for Disc Issues
6. Traction Effective for: Disc herniation Traction involves separating the patient’s vertebrae to less compression on the disc cartilage and give nerves more space. Many studies demonstrate that traction can reduce pain experienced by patients with herniated lumbar discs. It’s a viable choice for those who don’t want to undergo surgery.
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