Physiotherapy Treatments

Passive traction or gliding movements applied to joint surfaces that maintain or restore the joint play (distraction, sliding, compression, rolling and spinning) normally allowed by the capsule, so that normal roll-slide joint mechanics can occur as a person moves.

Muscle soreness or tightness is common and be caused by a range of things including stress, posture, sport or exercise, or after surgery. When muscles become overactive they can cause pain, fatigue, headaches, and restricted movement.

One of the most effective ways to relieve muscle tightness is through massage. Massage works both physically and mentally in helping relax tight or overactive muscles, by increasing the blood flow to the area and stretching the fibres through the manual therapy.

Rehabilitation is a set of interventions that are needed when someone is experiencing or is likely to experience limitations in their everyday functioning. These limitations can be because of ageing or a health condition, including chronic diseases or disorders, injuries or traumas.

These interventions could include exercises referring to a structured programme and depending on the type of injury you have sustained, your programme will include any number of movements, of which may be strengthening exercises, mobilising, pain relief techniques and functional skills.

Dry Needling Therapy is also known as Trigger Point Dry Needling or Myofascial Trigger Point Dry Needling. It is a process in which thin needles are inserted into the trigger points or tight muscles of the body. The main purpose is to improve tissue healing and restore muscle function. Muscles in our body sometimes develop knotted areas called trigger points which are quite sensitive and can be painful when touched. These needles are used to stimulate the tissue and not to inject the medication.

The patient may experience different sensations, muscle soreness, aching, a muscle twitch, etc. when being needled which is considered to be a good sign. The needles may be placed deeply or superficially, for shorter or longer periods depending upon the type of pain being treated

Heat increases blood flow to the area where heat is applied. This increases the supply of oxygen, proteins and nutrients to the area which will speed up repair. Heat therapy is most effective when the pain or tightness has been there for a longer period, which may have caused the muscle to spasm.

Heat treatment has several other benefits including:

• Reduction in longer-standing pain
  
• Reduction in joint stiffness
  
• Muscle relaxation
  
• Increased flexibility

The main benefit of cold therapy is that it lowers the metabolic rate at the sight of the injury. This helps the tissue to survive during the period following injury.

It is best to apply cold therapy immediately after an injury for not longer than 15-20min. This can be repeated every 3 hours in the first 24 hours.

This will also help to with:

• Pain relief
  
• Reduced swelling
  
• Reduced bleeding or bruising
  
• Reduced muscle spasm

Kinesio Tape is made of stretchable material so as not to restrict movement as normal bandage will do. The tape aids in proper blood flow and lymphatic drainage.

As you move, the tape, skin and connective tissue (or fascia) over the muscle or tendon also move, and this creates space for lymphatic fluid to flow and cleanse the inflamed tissue. With the muscle supported, the person will find an increased awareness of the area which will improve the correct functioning of a particular muscle.