This area of Physiotherapy management and treatment involves the whole of the Neuro-musculo skeletal system, which involves joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons and nerves and their interactions in the functioning of a synergistic brilliantly designed creation. Where the Physiotherapy comes in, is when this synergistic system breaks down.
The Practice provides comprehensive assessment and treatment of these general orthopaedic conditions including:
- Individualised treatment protocols
- Sports injuries due to overuse or trauma
- Spinal conditions with or without neural involvement such as sciatica
- Peripheral joints that may be painful, stiff, swollen or sprained
- Soft tissue injuries such as those of the muscles, tendons or ligaments
- Headaches and dysfunction of the tempero-mandibular joint (TMJ)
- Treatment for patients with chronic pain
A couple of common areas that fall within this very broad category of Physiotherapy are:
Back Pain
Low back pain physiotherapy can be a complicated business the lumbar spine is made up of 5 large vertebrae with discs positioned in between each of the vertebrae. Exiting at each vertebral level are a pair of spinal nerves, these nerves supply motor and sensory information to the lower limbs with each individual nerve responsible for different areas and muscles of the lower extremities.
There are many muscles and ligaments passing through, as well as attaching to and from the lower back, so between the joints, discs and all these muscles, ligaments and nerves it means there are multiple structures that operate as potential sources of low back pain. If you are looking for relief and long term management of low back pain, then physiotherapy treatment is a great way to effectively and efficiently deal with your low back pain. The Physios at Rob & Kim Sims Physiotherapists Inc are trained to treat the cause not just the symptoms.
Potential Causes Of Low Back Pain
Some common contributors to the cause of low back pain can include poor posture, being poor dynamic or stationary posture, weak core muscles and degenerative conditions.
Sciatica is a regular complaint seen in the Practice that the physiotherapy practitioners see. Sciatica is a set of symptoms that can be caused by irritation or compression to one of the lumbar spinal nerve roots that make up the sciatic nerve. Sciatic pain is typically felt in the lower back, buttocks and/or varying parts of the leg and foot, in addition to pain, numbness, pins and needles, tingling, muscular weakness may also be felt or noted in the lower extremities. A diagnosis of sciatica does not give an indication of what is irritating the nerve root it is just a set of symptoms that suggest the nerve root is being irritated.
Prolonged poor sitting posture is a common cause of ‘sciatica’ and is a problem with many office bound workers, the symptoms of which are often a result of the impact that prolonged stress has on a number of structures within the lower back, including the increased pressure that poor postures place on the lumbar discs. Physios in the Practice are very experienced at getting to the root cause of this and developing a wholistic management plan to deal with this often debilitating condition.
Common Low Back Conditions
The Practice will commonly see a variety of other low back pain conditions, including conditions like spondylolysis which is common in adolescents who over train in activities such as rowing, tennis, diving, martial arts and gymnastics. Spondylolisthesis when one vertebra slips forward in relation to an adjacent vertebrae, as well as vertebral instability where there is abnormal movement between a bone in the spine and the one next to it, as well as lumbar disc injury which is a very common complaint in the 30-50 year old age bracket requiring low back pain physiotherapy.
Whatever the condition having the right combination of strength and flexibility around your spine is vital for a well functioning low back and the long-term health of your spine. Our Physiotherapy Practitioners are qualified, experienced physiotherapists ready to help you achieve the right combination for your spine to help eliminate your low back pain.
Cervico-Thoracic Spine, Migraines And Headache Management Physiotherapy
Headaches and migraines can be a debilitation condition and are one of the most common ailments in Australia effecting a high percentage of the population. With persistent headaches taking painkillers to relieve the headache is only a temporary strategy of headache management. Headaches can result due to a variety of reasons for example stress, poor posture, accidents, whiplash, medications, dietary irregularities… making taking painkillers just a ‘band aid’ approach.
Cervical Headache Presentation
Cervical headaches are typically described as a constant, a steady, dull ache. They can be unilateral or effect both sides. Some patients will describe the headache as a pulling or gripping feeling, or like a tight band around the head. More commonly the headache is felt at the base of the skull and can refer to the front of the head, to the temple area or over and behind the eyes.
The onset is typically gradual and may slowly get worse over time, being present for days, weeks even months and sometimes there may be a history of an trauma such as whiplash type injury or repetitive trauma associated with work or sport.
Headache Management Physiotherapy Better Than Pain Killers
You don’t need to be consistently resorting to painkillers for your headaches, at RKS Physiotherapists we take a detailed history and carefully assess for potential headache triggers to determine the cause of your headache. Addressing any musculoskeletal dysfunction in your neck, upper back and shoulders we can help to relieve headache and migraine symptoms. Using further preventative measures including postural, sleeping and ergonomic advice as well as any necessary targeted exercises our goal is to keep you both headache and painkiller free.
Therapeutic Modalities used in the Practice
- Manual therapy techniques of joint mobilisation, joint manipulation, myofascial release, soft tissue (muscles and tendons), and neural tissue mobilisation to improve movement, tissue mobility, and to reduce stiffness and pain
- Dry needling to reduce pain
- Protective and therapeutic sports taping techniques
- Electrotherapy include ultrasound, TENS and interferential current to reduce pain and swelling
- Exercise and rehabilitation of movement to achieve goals and improve levels of function
- Gym and home exercise prescription
- Biomechanical analysis to enhance movement patterns
- Postural education and ergonomic advice
- Patient education for various pathologies and for chronic pain
- We also stock a small range of products, and can order therapeutic products that patients may require