Treatments

Our starting point of elderly rehab and mobilisation is ‘gait analysis’ which is used to assess, plan, and treat individuals with conditions affecting their ability to walk/activities of daily living. Commonly used in sports biomechanics to identify posture-related or movement-related problems resulting from injuries, gait analysis provides a comprehensive study of human motion and solutions to problems in mobility, using the skills of trained observers, augmented by instruments measuring body movement, body mechanics, and muscle activity.

Muscle imbalance occurs when the relationship between tone, strength, and size of the muscles around a joint are uneven resulting in one group of muscles becoming much stronger than another. Muscle balance is generally controlled by two different types of muscle groups – stabilisers and mobilisers. Stabilising muscles hold joints in the correct position and mobilisers are bigger muscle groups that create movement around our joints. We can help patients with muscle imbalance through a structured program of strengthening exercises and therapy.

Loss of the ability to move about safely and independently is quite often a deeply frustrating experience for people. However, restrictions on one’s freedom of movement can be mitigated with the support of specially trained rehabilitation workers. We offer individual assessments and one to one training on the use of appropriate walking aids, offer advice on independent travel, route planning, road safety, use of public transport and general confidence building.

Falls and fall related injuries are among the most serious and common medical problems experienced by older adults. Nearly one-third of older people fall each year, and half of them fall more than once. Underlying problems such as osteoporosis, decreased mobility and slow reflexes, means that falls often result in hip fractures, head injuries and even mortalities in older adults. Accidental injuries are the fifth most common cause of fatalities in older adults. 75% of hip fracture patients experience incomplete recovery and a deterioration in overall health. We can help in the rehabilitation and recovery of injuries sustained through falls.

Neuro-rehabilitation is a complex process to aid recovery from a nervous system injury, and to minimize or compensate for any functional shortcomings resulting from it. In extreme cases such as those caused by severe spinal injury or brain damage, the patient and their family’s ability to function normally, their life styles and well-being are all seriously compromised. In dealing with this difficult situation, individuals and their families often struggle to change and establish a “new way of living”. Physiotoday is able to help in such instances through a rehabilitation programme specifically tailored to each unique individual need.

Joint mobilisation is a manual therapy intervention, a type of passive movement or manipulation of a skeletal joint. It is usually aimed at a ‘target’ synovial joint with the aim of achieving a desired therapeutic effect. When applied to the back and spine, it is known as spinal mobilisation. These techniques are often used by chiropractors, osteopaths, occupational therapists, and physical therapists.

Repetitive strain injuries (RSI’s) – also known as cumulative trauma disorders, or CTD’s – of the soft tissues are becoming increasingly prevalent and account for a significant proportion of disability and impairment related costs. Soft tissue therapy (STT) is primarily used to assess, treat and manage soft tissue injury, pain and dysfunction of the neuro-musculoskeletal system. Licensed health care professionals who typically provide soft tissue manual therapy include massage therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists and some chiropractic, osteopathic and naturopathic doctors. Our range of soft tissue therapy includes:

• Massage
• Muscle Energy Techniques
• Trigger Point release
• Deep Tissue Frictions (DTF)

It is important that your exercises should be tailored to your level of fitness and abilities and not be too painful. While some personal trainers believe that the more painful the better, we believe that this is not necessarily the best for your body or injury. In fact, pain inhibits muscles from performing to their optimum capabilities. Hence painful exercise is actually counter-productive which is why we are able to prescribe an exercise regime that will get you to the level of fitness without undue stress and strain on your body.

Electrotherapy is the use of electrical energy as a treatment and is given in a variety of treatments, including the use of electrical devices such as deep brain stimulators for neurological disease and the use of electric current to speed up wound healing. Additionally, “electrotherapy” or “electromagnetic therapy” also covers a range of alternative medical devices and treatments.

Acupuncture is a form of complementary and alternative medicine and a key component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Acupuncture is the stimulation of specific points along the body. It involves the application of heat, pressure, or laser or penetration using thin needles. Traditional acupuncture involves needle insertion, moxibustion, and cupping therapy. Stimulating specific acupuncture points corrects imbalances in the flow of “qi” or energy through channels known as meridians. Most commonly used for pain relief, acupuncture treatments on offer are:

• Western acupuncture
• Acupressure (stimulation of pressure points without the use of needles)

Sports massage has a number of benefits including preventing injury, restoring mobility to injured muscle tissue, boosting performance, maintaining the body in overall better condition and extending the life of your athletic career. Sports massage is a simple, commonly used form of therapy popular in sport. The benefits and effects of sports massage include better blood circulation, lymphatic drainage, stretching muscle tissue and breaking down scar tissue.

Taping and strapping techniques are commonly used by physiotherapists, athletic trainers and sports therapists in the treatment, support and prevention of sports injuries. Taping is used to give extra support and reassurance to injured joints and soft tissues. Various taping and strapping materials can be used depending on the type of injury or support required.