Category: Health

Although the body has amazing healing powers, it can take a long time to heal from injuries. Physiotherapy can speed up the process and get you back to doing your favorite things much sooner.

Physiotherapists use manual therapy techniques to relieve pain and stiffness, improve movement and promote wellness. They also offer modalities like heat/cold, electrical stimulation and ultrasound to boost circulation and reduce inflammation.

1. Reduced Pain

Pain can be a major factor in reducing your quality of life, but physio Bruce offers a variety of techniques to reduce pain and improve mobility. Also they can help manage chronic pain issues without the need for surgery or opioids, which can have serious side effects.

Physiotherapy can reduce the pain of an injury by improving joint mobility, decreasing stiffness, and reducing inflammation. In addition, physiotherapy can increase strength to help take pressure off the injured area, making it easier to move around and perform daily tasks.

Many people find that they can manage their pain with a combination of medication and physiotherapy. In some cases, the pain is so severe that taking medication is not possible. However, this approach is not a long term solution for many individuals. Using medications long-term can have negative side effects and even cause addiction in some cases.

Physiotherapy can speed up the healing process by offering a range of techniques to reduce the pain and inflammation caused by an injury. This includes acupuncture, massage, manipulation, and exercises. In addition, at-home exercises can help reinforce the work done in a physical therapy session and improve muscle strength, flexibility, and overall function. The key to long-term results is practicing consistently and following your therapist’s guidelines. For best results, try to practice the exercises and stretching sessions at least 2-3 times per week.

2. Increased Mobility

The goal of Physiotherapy is to help you regain movement and increase your range of motion after an injury. Your physical therapist will develop a treatment plan that includes manual therapy, exercises and education to help you get back on your feet.

Physical therapists use their knowledge of rehabilitation sciences, anatomy and kinesiology to assess and treat patients who have a wide variety of musculoskeletal problems including muscle aches and pains, joint mobility and chronic movement issues such as arthritis. They also work with patients with neurological problems such as stroke, spinal cord injury and Parkinson’s disease and other conditions including cardiovascular and respiratory disorders such as asthma and pulmonary fibrosis.

One of the ways that physical therapy helps improve mobility is by increasing blood circulation to the injured area. This helps reduce swelling and enables the body to heal faster. In addition to stretching and exercise, physical therapists may apply heat or ice to the affected areas to reduce inflammation.

Over time, your physical therapist will gradually increase the intensity of your exercises as your mobility improves. This will push the muscles in the operated area to work harder and strengthen them. This will help you recover faster and improve your quality of life after surgery.

3. Better Sleep

Getting enough sleep is important for a number of reasons. It helps maintain healthy weight, lowers risk for diabetes and heart disease, promotes mental sharpness, and strengthens your immune system. It is also critical for injury recovery because it increases the production of growth hormones that repair tissues and build muscle, which accelerates healing.

During the deep stages of sleep, known as non-REM sleep, your pituitary gland secretes growth hormones, which help repair injured muscles and regenerate cells. When you aren’t getting enough sleep, this process slows down and it is harder to recover from injuries.

Another way that good sleep is important for injury recovery is because it reduces inflammation, which in turn improves tissue repair and boosts energy levels. This is because when you don’t get enough sleep, inflammatory chemicals, such as cytokines and interleukin, are released into the bloodstream, which can damage tissue and inhibit its ability to heal.

As part of their treatment, physical therapists and physical therapist assistants can provide strategies for improving sleep. This may include recommending non-pharmacological techniques for sleep promotion, such as stress reduction and developing a bedtime routine. They can also teach patients how to better position themselves in their beds so they can get more restful sleep, as well as instructing them on proper posture while sleeping. They can even help a patient determine if an underlying issue is contributing to poor sleep, such as anxiety or depression.

4. Increased Self-Esteem

Low self-esteem is a significant risk factor for poor mental health and can be exacerbated by feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, anxiety, depression or stress. It can also lead to addictions as a way of escaping negative emotions. Fortunately, physiotherapy has been shown to reduce low-self esteem and increase confidence. Its positive effects on mood, memory, and sleep promote a healthy outlook on life and boost mental resilience.

The goal of physiotherapy is to restore function and mobility, manage pain and improve body image. It can also enhance the performance of athletes and help them reach their full potential. In addition, physiotherapy can be used as a tool for goal setting, which can help individuals build their confidence and feel more in control of their recovery.

Moreover, regular exercise can be an effective stress-reduction technique. It releases feel-good endorphins, boosts self-esteem, and relieves depression and anxiety. It also increases levels of dopamine, which is known to improve motivation and movement.

Regardless of your age or condition, physiotherapy can speed up the healing process by improving your physical well-being. It helps you recover faster and reduces your pain. It can also boost your confidence and give you a better sense of your own strengths, so you can face challenges in life with resilience. To get started, make an appointment with a physical therapist.

Our feet are complex structures with 33 joints. Podiatrists treat foot and ankle problems, ranging from sprains and fractures to bunions and ingrown toenails.

Podiatrists also help with a variety of other conditions, such as Morton’s neuroma (numbness, burning, and the sensation that there is a pebble in your shoe). They may recommend surgery or prescribe shoes with better support.

Plantar fasciitis

Your feet are complex structures with many bones, tendons, and ligaments that have to work together perfectly. But when one or more of these parts become inflamed, it can make walking, standing, and even running painful. If you’re experiencing heel pain due to conditions like plantar fasciitis, finding relief is essential. Angus Chard Foot and Leg Pain Centre, specializes in diagnosing and treating foot ailments like plantar fasciitis. They can provide targeted treatments such as pain-relieving shots and customized orthotics to alleviate discomfort and restore mobility.

Another common foot problem is flat feet, which happen when the arches in your feet don’t form properly during childhood. The condition can cause your foot to collapse, causing pain when you walk or run. Your podiatrist might prescribe special footwear or orthotics to fix this problem.

Podiatrists can also treat sprains and fractures of the ankles and feet, which are common injuries in sports. They also perform surgery on the bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments of the feet and ankles when necessary. They can also correct hammer toes, bunions and shortened tendons, and design plaster casts and strappings for immobilization of fractures, sprains and other injuries.

Achilles tendonitis

The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in your body, connecting the calf muscles to the heel bone (calcaneus). It’s used when you walk, run and stand on tip-toe. If you have Achilles tendinitis, the tendon is swollen and tender to the touch. It’s also stiff and painful when you first get out of bed or after long periods of inactivity. The pain may increase if you exercise or stretch your legs.

The condition is diagnosed by taking a history and doing a physical examination. Your podiatrist may also use other tests, including X-rays and ultrasound scans. These help them see how the bones in your ankles and feet are aligned. They also look for signs of injury, such as swelling or a bone spur (a hard bump on the back of the heel).

Treatment options include rest, ice and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications. They may also recommend wearing supportive shoes with a heel lift and using a night splint. You can also try calf stretching exercises and physical therapy.

Posture and foot problems can exert strain on your body, heightening the risk of falls. As adept podiatrists specialize in addressing foot and ankle issues. They offer invaluable guidance on enhancing your posture and can prescribe orthotics tailored to support your feet, ensuring even weight distribution. By alleviating strain on your feet and ankles, this approach enhances balance and mitigates the likelihood of injury.

Overpronation

Overpronation is a condition that causes the foot to roll inward too much during walking and running. This can put extra strain on the feet and other parts of the body. It is a common problem among people who do a lot of exercise or work on their feet. It can also cause pain in the feet and ankles, hips, knees, and back. It is important to visit this podiatry clinic in Winston Hills if you have overpronation. This can help prevent or treat symptoms.

Overpronating can be caused by genetics, age, and injury. It can also be aggravated by poor shoes or exercise habits. Overpronating is most commonly seen in people with flat feet. It can be diagnosed by looking at the foot while standing. If the line from your heel to your shin points toward the inside of your foot, you have overpronated.

Overpronation can be treated with the use of arch supports. These can be custom made or over-the-counter and are placed in your shoes. They can reduce your overpronation and relieve the stress on your feet, knees, and other parts of the body. Your doctor may also recommend stretches and exercises to improve your balance and posture. They can also prescribe shoes with a firm midsole, which can reduce overpronation. They can be found in sports stores and shoe shops.

Posture problems

The way you stand, sit and move has a direct impact on the condition of your feet, knees, hips, back and neck. Poor posture can cause uneven pressure on muscles, bones and tendons. It can also cause additional stress on joints which may lead to pain and injury. Optimal posture distributes weight evenly and minimizes structural wear and tear.

Foot problems such as flat or overpronating feet, crooked toes and deformities such as bunions and hammertoes can alter the way you walk, leading to imbalances in the feet and lower body that may affect your posture. Other foot issues such as a noticeable difference in leg length can also alter the way you walk and balance, leading to compensatory issues elsewhere in the body.

Podiatrists can recommend the correct footwear to prevent and manage many of these conditions, improving your gait and posture. They can also advise on exercises and stretches to strengthen muscles, increase flexibility and improve stability in the feet and lower legs. In addition, they can provide shockwave therapy and dry needling for chronic conditions that may be causing or contributing to your posture problems. These therapies can help reduce discomfort and speed recovery.

Chiropractors use a variety of hands-on treatment methods. These include palpation which involves feeling the spine and muscles for areas of tightness or restriction. Manual muscle testing helps chiropractors determine how well specific muscles work by comparing their response to different pressure applied to the muscles.

This survey compares how often graduate chiropractors use certain technique systems to treat common spinal musculoskeletal conditions.

1. Spinal Manipulation

Spinal manipulation, also known as manual therapy, involves moving and jolting joints to relieve pressure on nerves, muscles and ligaments. It has been used for thousands of years, with writings dating back to 2700 B.C. The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates promoted manipulative techniques and wrote of their successes with neck pain.

Spinal manipulative therapy has been shown in multiple studies to decrease pain, increase movement and flexibility and improve posture. Studies also show that spinal manipulation can be helpful for patients with a wide variety of conditions including lower back pain, sciatica, arthritis, herniated discs and headaches.

In spinal manipulation, a practitioner uses their hands to apply a sudden force to a joint near the end of its passive range of motion, causing a cracking sound similar to the popping noise you might hear when you crack your knuckles. In some cases, practitioners will use an activator instrument to perform the spinal manipulation. The technique is also known as spinal mobilization or hands-on treatment and can be performed by  chiropractor Essendon, osteopaths and some physical therapists.

2. Spinal Traction

The spinal traction technique involves stretching the spine and muscles. This type of treatment can alleviate neck and back pain and improve posture. It can also reduce weakness, inflammation, numbness, and tingling in the extremities.

While most people associate spinal manipulation with chiropractic, it is a common treatment among physical therapists and osteopathic physicians as well. This is because traction can help with a wide variety of pain conditions, including sciatica.

Activator Method

Developed by chiropractors, the Activator Method is a hand-held spring-loaded device that delivers a quick impulse to spinal joints. The speed of the impulse prevents the patient’s muscle from tensing in response to treatment, which is a common reaction with many manual manipulation techniques.

Experiential and/or spinal traction are used to address joint fixation in joints outside the spine, such as the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle. During this technique, the chiropractor may use a weight to provide force. Generally, the weight is started low and increased over time. It is believed that traction helps with alignment of the joint and allows for the release of trapped air/gas.

3. Flexion Distraction

This form of therapy manipulates your spinal discs, which are located between the bones of your spine. Without these spongy discs, your vertebrae would rub against each other causing pain and stiffness. Flexion distraction helps reduce intradiscal pressure by gently stretching the spine to separate the vertebrae and allows the spongy discs to return to their healthy state.

The chiropractor uses a segmented table known as the Leander Table to perform the manipulations on your back. The table moves as the chiropractor adjusts and manipulates your spine.

Flexion Distraction is a safe and effective treatment for low back pain, herniated or bulging discs and for stenosis in the spine. It also increases spinal motion and restores function in the spinal joints. It is not a painful procedure and patients often feel immediate relief.

This technique combines several techniques, including traction. It creates negative pressure in the space that pulls the herniated or bulging disc back into the spine, maintaining healthy discs through imbibition. It has a robust body of research that includes federally funded biomechanical studies and high-level randomized clinical trials.

4. Cox Flexion Distraction

Spinal misalignments, like herniated discs, spinal stenosis and degenerative spine conditions can cause pain and discomfort. Structural issues in the spine can also affect nerve function and lead to numbness, tingling or weakness. This can impact your quality of life and cause severe problems if left untreated.

Cox Flexion Distraction is a technique that uses a specially designed treatment table to gently stretch the lower spine. This stretches the spine and increases space between the vertebrae, decompressing the spine and decreasing pressure on the discs, which in turn can decrease nerve compression and pain.

With the patient lying face down on the Cox treatment table, the doctor will place a hand above the affected spine segment to stabilize the spine. The chiropractor then slowly lowers the lower half of the table, producing a suctioning effect in the spine which relieves the herniated or bulging disc, reduces stenosis and takes pressure off of the nerve. This is a gentle and effective treatment for spinal injuries such as disc herniations, sciatica, spondylolisthesis, facet syndrome and more.

5. Drop Table

Also called Cox Technique or decompression manipulation, this method is used to treat conditions related to the lumbar spine. This adjustment doesn’t require much force, and it helps take pressure off injured spinal nerves, herniated discs, scoliosis, and facet joint pain.

Drop table technique, which is also known as Thompson terminal point, involves specialized treatment tables that have padded sections that can be cocked up a fraction of an inch and then dropped when the chiropractor applies a quick force to the patient’s body. This assists the thrust and enables chiropractors to get both hands on the patient during the spinal examination.

This method is particularly effective in treating conditions like sacroiliac joint dysfunction, as it enables the chiropractor to adjust the pelvic bones while the patient is in a seated position. It is also beneficial for patients who are wary of hands-on diversified adjustments, or who have limited range of motion in their neck or lower back.