Conditions

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Conditions & Injuries Treated

Orthopaedic Physiotherapy +Women's Health +Respiratory Physiotherapy +Neurological Physiotherapy +Physiotherapy and Children +Cancer Services +

Orthopaedic Physiotherapy

MusculoskeletalOrthopaedic physiotherapy is the oldest branch of physiotherapy and is oriented towards the treatment of musculoskeletal ailments. It involves regaining appropriate health and function of structures surrounding the joint regions and normalizing the biomechanics following any injury or orthopaedic disease. The rehabilitation of orthopaedically disabled individuals is also a major area of function.

The role of a orthopaedic physiotherapy specialist are:

  • Impaired posture
  • Impaired muscle function
  • Impaired joint mobility
  • Motor function
  • Muscle performance
  • Range of motion associated with
  • Connective tissue dysfunctions
  • Localized inflammation, such as in muscle pain strain, and muscle tear
  • Primary prevention/risk reduction
  • For skeletal demineralisation

 

What are the treatments?

Based on the results of the assessment, your Chartered Physiotherapist will recommend a treatment programme that has been specifically developed for you, so there is no standard treatment in this area.

Treatment for musculoskeletal conditions may include:
  • Manual therapy
  • Exercises to strengthen weak muscles
  • Stretches to reduce tension in tight muscles
  • Advice regarding activities
  • Discussion surrounding possible lifestyle changes that will help manage the problem
  • Provision of supports/braces

 

Women’s Health

womens-healthChartered Physiotherapists with specialist training in Women’s Health and Continence offer women of all ages physiotherapy treatment for bladder, bowel and pelvic floor conditions. Many also work in the areas of bone health, oncology rehabilitation and in the care of women in the antenatal and postnatal periods.

To work in this area, Chartered Physiotherapists must have completed specialised post-graduate training, in addition to their third level degree qualification. You will find these specialists working in public and private hospitals, in private practice and in the primary care sector, and they typically deal with conditions such as:

 Urinary incontinence
  • Stress Urinary Incontinence
  • Urge Urinary Incontinence
  • Overactive Bladder
  • Male Incontinence
  • Childhood Incontinence
Pregnancy & Postnatal
  • Guidelines on safe exercise during pregnancy
  • Provision of Antenatal Classes
  • Treatment and management of Pelvic Girdle Pain including symphysis pubis dysfunction
  • Low back pain
  • Rib pain/Thoracic Pain
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Postnatal rehabilitation of pelvic floor and abdominals (including Diastasis Rectus Abdominis)
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction·
  • Prolapse
  • Sexual Dysfunction (Dyspareunia)
  • Chronic Pelvic Pain
  • Bowel Conditions
  • Constipation
  • Faecal Incontinence

 

What are the treatments?

Based on the results of the assessment, your Chartered Physiotherapist will recommend a treatment programme that has been specifically developed for you, so there is no standard treatment in this area.

Treatment for pelvic floor/bladder & bowel conditions may include:
  • Exercises to strengthen or release the pelvic floor muscles
  • Manual therapy
  • Advice about healthy bladder and bowel habits
  • Discussion surrounding possible lifestyle changes that will help manage the problem

 

Respiratory Physiotherapy

lungsRespiratory Physiotherapists are specially trained in the management of problems associated with heart and lung conditions such as breathlessness, difficulty clearing phlegm and reduced exercise tolerance.

Conditions in which respiratory physiotherapy may be beneficial include:
  • COPD
  • Bronchiectasis
  • Chronic Bronchitis / Recurrent chest infections
  • Asthma
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Post-operative conditions
  • Breathing exercises
  • Manual techniques to help loosen secretions
  • Positioning to help clear your chest
  • Airway clearance techniques
  • Specific exercise
  • Mobility practice and provision of mobility aids if appropriate
  • Advice and education
Respiratory outpatient programmes include:
  • Pulmonary rehabilitation
  • Cardiac rehabilitation
  • Oxygen review clinics
  • Bronchiectasis clinic
  • COPD Outreach

 

neurologicalNeurological Physiotherapy

The nervous system is highly complex, and includes the brain, spinal cord and nerves to the face, body arms and legs. Damage to the nervous system from either injury or disease can lead to difficulty in controlling movement. Sensation may also be affected, and problems with speech, vision, swallowing, speaking and bowel and bladder control may also present. Mood, ability to concentrate and memory can also be affected. There are more than 600 neurologic diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Muscular Dystrophy, Huntington’s disease and many more.

Symptoms

Most people will present with a combination of symptoms depending on the type of condition they are suffering from. Below is a list of possible symptoms (this list is not exhaustive):

  • Functional limb weakness
  • Blackout/ attacks
  • Sensory symptoms
  • Pain
  • Tiredness/ fatigue
  • Sleep problems
  • Poor memory/ cognition
  • Dissociation
  • Worry/ panic
  • Dizziness
  • Headaches
  • Low mood
  • Facial spasm
  • Visual symptoms
  • Problems walking
  • Slurred speech
  • Swallow problems
  • Word finding difficulties
  • Bladder problems
  • Bowel problems
  • Functional jerks and twitches

 

Treatment

Following a full individual assessment, Sarah will suggest a treatment and management plan to target your specific needs. Treatment may involve stretches, exercises, and regular standing or walking.

As most neurological conditions are often progressive in nature, a Chartered Physiotherapists can also offer advice on problems which occur at any stage of the condition.

Physical fitness and stamina are often major contributors to loss of independence and disability. Physiotherapy treatments are aimed at improving strength, endurance and flexibility.

 

Expertise

As a Chartered Physiotherapist Sarah has a great deal of specific clinical experience in the management of neurological conditions.

She will provide an expert treatment plan for your pain as well as prescribing specific exercises that you can often do at home. They will use a variety of evidence based therapies and treatments to help you manage your condition, keeping you at your very best.

 

Physiotherapy and Children

Chartered physiotherapists working in the area of paediatrics are  concerned with all aspects of Physiotherapy relating to the needs, care and well-being of the sick and developing child and his/her family. A child is defined as under-18.

 

Conditions Treated by a Paediatric Physiotherapist

Paediatric physiotherapists treat many conditions similar to those in general physiotherapy practice. However, there are many pathologies which are related almost entirely to children.. Some of these may be recognised at birth, while others may become apparent later in the child’s development.

 

Conditions common to paediatric practice include:
  • Developmental delay
  • Respiratory conditions
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Neural tube defects (Spina Bifida)
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Progressive neuromuscular disorders
  • Motor dysfunction
  • Learning difficulties
  • Rheumatology
  • Weight management
  • Developmental coordination disorder
  • Mental health disorders
  • Congenital syndromes
  • Talipes
  • Arthrogryphosis
  • Postural problems
  • Osteochondritis
  • Congenital absence/shortening of limbs
  • Trauma/injury
  • Orthopaedics
  • Erb’s palsy
  • Burns & plastics

 

Where do Paediatric Physiotherapists work?

Paediatric Physiotherapists work in many different settings, including hospitals, clinics, special schools, primary care teams, educational and developmental centres  – along with the child’s own home. They also work in private practice.

 

How is physiotherapy given to children?

Treatment given by the Physiotherapist is based on an accurate assessment of the child followed by an individual treatment programme. The treatment programme includes explanation and instructions as appropriate to the child, the parents and those responsible for the child’s development.

Paediatric practice takes into account the fact that the child is not a small adult, but a developing human being.

Cancer Services

As a Chartered physiotherapist, Sarah is experienced in the assessment and treatment of a wide range of physical problems that might develop as a result of cancer.

Some of the ways Sarah can help her patients:

  • to regain function following surgery or radiotherapy
  • to manage symptoms such as pain, breathlessness, fatigue
  • to overcome muscle weakness as a result of cancer treatment
  • to solve problems caused by brain and spinal tumours, e.g. balance and coordination