Many common health conditions are very effectively treated with acupuncture, including back pain, general stress and fertility problems. Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine, sterile,…

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Conditions that can be helped by physiotherapy – pregnancy related:

• Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction
• Rectus Diasteses
• Stress & Urge Incontinence
• Hip Pain
• Back Pain and Sciatica
• Sacro-iliac Pain
• Carpal Tunnel

Other Physical Discomforts that can be helped by physiotherapy – not directly pregnancy related:

• Abdominal surgery recovery
• Hysterectomy recovery
• Incontinence
• Minor Prolapse in Pelvic area
• Keloid Scarring and adhesions post surgery

Services Offered

• Exercise Plans – appropriate exercise in Pregnancy/ Postnatal/ Post surgery
• Pilates
• Electrotherapy
• Vaginal Cones
• Electrostimulation/ Biofeedback/ Re-education for the Pelvic Floor Muscles
• Acupuncture
• Pregnancy Massage

What to Expect from the Assessment & Treatment

On the first visit, a thorough assessment of your physical condition will be carried out to try to establish the cause of the problem. A physical assessment will follow a set of specific questions and then a treatment plan will be formulated. This may include a mixture of physiotherapy manual techniques and specific exercises. Subsequent sessions will be guided by the plan.

This is a very commonly used term for general aches and pains, but a specific diagnosis can only be given following X rays or other imaging like MRI or CT scan or blood tests. There are many form of arthritis, osteo arthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) are the most common forms. OA usually affect the hips, knees, wrist and finger joints, whereas RA can be more general. OA is often referred to as wear and tear and is the less serious form. Joints suffering from OA can be swollen, painful and stiff as a result of the gradual wearing away of the cartilage or cushioning of the joint. In the case of the hip and knee, joint replacement is very successful and the outcomes are generally very good, especially in the case of the hip, knee and shoulder.

Physiotherapy will assist in maintaining muscle strength and flexibility around the affected joints as well as pain relief.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) can affect many joints and is more inflammatory in nature, Treatment has progressed well in recent times and medication as well as gentle physiotherapy can help manage the condition

A transport disorder of the lymphatic system: Lymphoedema (swelling) occurs when lymph flow is impaired. Either damage, obstruction or absence of vessels can lead to dysfunction of the lymphatic system. This can result in the accumulation and stagnation of lymph in the tissues. Most often limbs are affected, but lymph oedema can also occur in the face, neck, abdomen or genitals. Tissues with lymphoedema are at risk of infection and susceptible to progression. Lymphoedema is a treatable and manageable condition.

Types of Lymphoedema and Causes:

1. Developmental (inherited) disturbance of the lymphatic system (primary lymphoedema)
2. Acquired damage of lymphatic vessels and/or lymph nodes (secondary lymphoedema)

1. Primary Lymphoedema occurs in women more often than men. In most cases it is found on one side and is pronounced more distal. If it occurs on both sides, there is normally and asymmetry. Primary lymphoedema can be further classified according to the type of occurrence (congenital: already manifest at birth – lymphoedema praecox: occurring before the age of 35 – lymphoedema tardum: occurring after the age of 35)
2. Secondary Lymphoedema can occur following surgical removal of lymph nodes or radiation therapy in the treatment of cancer. Secondary lymphoedema can also occur as a result of the following:

• Post-operative (e.g. after plastic or venous surgery).
• Post-traumatic (e.g. trauma which leads to injury of large lymph collectors such as open fractures, burns, wounds).
• Post-inflammatory (e.g. rheumatic diseases, sinusitis, recurrent phlebitis).
• Post-infection (e.g. recurrent cellulitis, inflammation of the lymph vessels, inflammation of lymph nodes).

Treatment involves decongestive therapy:

Manual Lymph Drainage – Patients receive Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) to remove excess fluid and protein from the tissues. The MLD is performed to open lymphatics in the unaffected regions so these can help to drain the affected area. MLD stimulates lymphangions to increase their activity, which results in a decompression and emptying of obstructed lymphatic channels.

Exercise – Effective lymph flow depends on sufficient muscle and joint activity, especially if the functionality of the lymphatic system is compromised. Decongestive exercises are most effective if performed while the patient wears compression garments or bandages, which are also essential components in lymphedema management.

Skin Care and Hygiene – Good skin care plays an essential part in the treatment of lymphoedema. Daily skin cleansing with antibacterial washes and neutral balanced pH lotions will help to eliminate possible bacterial and fungal growth and so minimise the possibility of repeated attacks of cellulitis or lymphangitis.

Breathing – The lymph transport in the Thoracic Duct (Ductus Thoracicus) is mainly caused by the action of breathing. Taking into consideration that this duct transports 4 litres of lymph per day explains the importance of diaphragmatic breathing to help increase transport of lymphatic fluid.

Tension headaches:

Tension headaches are one of the most common causes of headaches. The common causes are; poor posture, stress, fatigue, poor sleep, irregular diet and eyestrain.

Signs & symptoms:

• Pain can be described as a constant pressure on both sides of the head
• Radiate from the back of the head, neck and eyes. It is usually described as
• Mild or moderate in nature and can last for 4-6 hours in duration.

 Physiotherapy aims to address the causes of the headache and reduce the pain and discomfort associated with it.

(BPPV) Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo:

BPPV is the most common cause of vertigo. The symptoms can vary from

• Mild to intense dizziness.
• The vertigo is worst when moving the head is certain positions, lying down, turning or sitting up in bed
• Imbalance when walking, standing or bending.

A simple physiotherapy technique can relieve up to 80% of the dizziness with 1 visit if BPPV is the cause of the dizziness.

Bell’s palsy is the paralysis of muscles of the face which comes on quickly. This normally improves significantly within 10 days.

Signs & symptoms:

• It can affect the eye and mouth especially
• causing difficulties with closing the eye
• Problems with eating.

Physiotherapy and acupuncture can be helpful in treating Bell’s palsy. Prompt treatment can help speed up recovery.

Slipped disc:

A disc prolapse in the neck is a common cause of neck pain.

Signs & symptoms:

• Severe neck pain, with
• Associated shoulder and arm pain.
• Weakness or loss of sensation in the arms or hands.

The common causes of neck pain are prolonged computer work, over-head activities and poor sitting posture. You can attend for physiotherapy treatment which will aim to relieve the pain and discomfort using advise on posture, manual techniques and home exercises.

Thankfully is a very rare occurrence in sporting events. A suspected broken vertebra (spinal bone) is a medical emergency that requires urgent treatment by appropriately qualified healthcare professionals.