Services

Mc Kenzie Therapie

The objective of the McKenzie Technique is to reduce pain, return mobility and day to day function by providing tools to help manage pain.

The 3 step process of assessment, treatment and prevention is individualized and based on McKenzie’s philosophy around the classification of the condition and symptoms.
The McKenzie Technique is used worldwide as an effective process of analysis, treatment and prevention methods utilized for all musculoskeletal issues. It has been proven to help with conditions such as:

• Neck pain.
• lower back pain.
• Pain in shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee or ankle joint.
• Hernia.
• Lumbago.
• Sciatica.
• Sacroiliac joint pain.
• Degenerative disc disease.
• Spinal stenosis.
• Radiating pain.
• Sprains /strains.

Dry Needling

Dry needling is widely used for the treatment of muscle tightness or spasms, as well as chronic pain. Dry needling is the placement of a fine needle into a trigger point (the knots in muscles).

Nothing is injected into the body, the changes in muscle tightness and pain occur predominately due to a change in the neural system known as the needle effect.

Dry needling can be used for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, including:

1. Neck, back and shoulder pain.
2. Tennis elbow, carpal tunnel, golfer’s elbow.
3. Headaches.
4. Jaw pain.
5. Buttocks pain.
6. Sciatica.
7. Muscle tightness, spasms, strains.

Joint Mobilization

Joint Mobilization Techniques

When a specific joint is injured the physical therapist will often use manual techniques to help aid in the healing process.

Mobilization techniques focusing on correcting altered biomechanics by mobilizing joints during active movement are utilized. The goal is to re-train the restricted and painful movement in a joint, without presence of the original complaints.

Joint mobilization is used for:

1. Limited joint mobility.
2. Joint pain during movement.
3. Post-surgical rehabilitation.
4. Following immobilization, e.g. after wearing a cast.

Soft Tissue Mobilization

It is important to recognize the role of muscles and their attachments around the joints. Muscle tension can occasionally decrease once joint motion is restored, however many times the spasm will continue to be present.

In such cases, muscle tension should be addressed or the joint dysfunction may return. The goal of soft tissue mobilization is to break up inelastic or fibrous muscle tissue such as scar tissue from an injury, move tissue fluids, and relax muscle tension.

The therapist will localize the area of greatest tissue restriction. Once identified, these restrictions can be mobilized with a wide variety of techniques. These techniques often involve placing a traction force on the tight area with an attempt to restore normal texture to tissue and reduce associated pain.
Conditions for which STM is usually used:

1. Epicondylitis.
2. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
3. Plantar Fascitis.
4. Tendinitis (Rotator Cuff, Patellar, Achilles).
5. Neck Pain.
6. Scars.
7. Ligament Sprains.
8. Muscle Strains.
9. Myofascial Pain and Restrictions.
10. Musculoskeletal Imbalances.
11. Ankle Sprains.
12. Back Pain.
13. Trigger Finger.
14. Joint Replacements.
15. IT Band Syndrome.
16. Shin Splints.

Kinesio Taping

Kinesio tape facilitates the body’s natural healing process, preventing sports injuries, while allowing support and stability to muscles and joints without restricting the body’s range of motion.

Kinesio tape mechanisms may include strengthening weakened muscles, improving circulation of blood and lymph by eliminating edema or bleeding beneath the skin, decreasing pain through and by relieving abnormal muscle tension.

Indications for Kinesio Tape:

1. Muscular facilitation or inhibition.
2. Carpal tunnel syndrome.
3. Lower back pain.
4. Various knee conditions.
5. Shoulder complaints like rotator cuff injuries.
6. Muscle injuries.
7. Whiplash.
8. Tennis elbow.
9. Plantar fasciitis.
10. Pre and post-surgical edema.
11. Ankle sprains.

Posture Re-Education

Posture is one of the most important factors affecting the physical and mental status of the individual. Posture is influenced by familial disposition, anatomical structural impairments, poor postural habits, and occupation.

Ideal posture means the body is in balance with minimal stress and loading on joints and muscles. Bad posture is often a downward spiral because your body typically compensates for bad posture with even worse posture.

Advantages of a good posture:

1. Fewer general aches and pains.
2. Better sporting performance.
3. Keeps bones and joints in the correct alignment.
4. Decreases abnormal wearing, therefore preventing arthritis.
5. Decreases the stress on ligaments.
6. Prevents the spine from becoming fixed in abnormal positions.
7. Prevents fatigue.
8. Prevents strain and overuse.
9. Prevents backache and muscular pain.
10. Improves confidence.
11. Improves digestion.
12. Easier breathing.

Postural Treatments

CPS Certified Posture Specialistt
Certified Posture Specialists assess and educate their clients in all areas of posture and body alignment. CPS evaluate the anatomical structures of the vertebral column and other extremities, review how poor posture and body alignment develop, and how this condition can increase the chances of postural dysfunction, back pain, and risk of injury. CPS teach their clients methods to correct alignment, reverse patterns, improve posture, relieve back pain and train people through cognitive methods and exercise movements.

PRT Certified Resistance Training Professional
Resistance training is based on the principle that muscles of the body will work to overcome a resistance force when required to do so. Using the proper techniques and equipment, and following the advice of a qualified trainer will help you exercise safely and avoid injury. It is important to maintain correct posture and body positioning to reduce the risk of injury at all times. Professional resistance trainers teach, analyze, and perfect resistance training movements for their clients. They teach clients how to perform biomechanically safe and effective resistance exercises and develop training programs to correct posture and body alignment and avoid exercise-related injuries.

Exercise Therapy

Physiotherapeutic exercises are important in the recovery of clients with musculoskeletal conditions or disorders. Physiotherapists prescribed exercises are generally employed to specifically target muscle deficiencies, and to help rehabilitate after an injury or surgery.

The type of exercises required will depend on the stage of recovery and the underlying cause of the condition. Range of motion exercises will be performed if muscle tightness or other factors limit the available range of motion. Strengthening exercises are usually done for weakened muscles e.g. after immobilization or to prevent future injury. Balance is often impaired after injuries or surgical interventions. Therefore balance exercises can be integrated in the rehabilitation program.

Physiotherapist-prescribed exercises are designed to improve movement and function, with other benefits including:

1. Increased bone strength.
2. Increased physical work capacity.
3. Increased joint range of motion or flexibility.
4. Improved sense of well-being.
5. Increased muscular strength.
6. Improved glucose regulation.
7. Decreased blood pressure.
8. Increased lean muscle mass and decreased fat stores.
9. Reduced pain.
10. Reduced stress levels and levels of anxiety.

Cupping Therapie

What is cupping?

Cupping therapy is an ancient technique where suction cups are applied on the skin to relieve muscle tension and reduce pain.

A vacuum is created with a cup on specific muscles of your body, this allows for increase blood circulation, allowing the muscle to relax. It allows for excess toxins to be carried away and for nutritional bodies to be absorbed better. Because of the vacuum that is created, nerves are stimulated which can help reduce pain by local stimulation of endorphin and histamine release.

Cupping can be used with the following complaints:

1. Stiff and painful muscles.
2. Joint pain.
3. Headaches/ migraine.
4. Shoulder, back and neck pain.

The treatment can be painful, nevertheless it is an effective method to reduce pain and muscle tension. After the treatment, the appearance of bruises is normal and those will disappear within days. The recovery time usually gets shorter with every treatment.

The treatment is not always suitable for clients with high blood pressure or varicose veins and during pregnancy.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound is a passive modality that involves directing mechanical vibrations towards an injured part of the body. Ultrasound is used in the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries in order to increase metabolic rates, decrease muscle spasms and pain, increase circulation and increase soft tissue elasticity.

Indications for therapeutic ultrasound:

1. Pain relief.
2. Reduction of muscle spasms.
3. Localized increase in blood flow.
4. Increase range of motion of contracted joints using heat and stretch techniques.

Electronic Muscle Stimulation

Electrical stimulation uses an electrical current to cause a single muscle or group of muscles to contract. Contracting the muscle via electrical stimulation helps strengthen the affected muscle.

Along with increasing the muscle strength, the contraction of the muscle also promotes blood supply to the area, which assists in healing.

Indications for EMS are:

1. Relaxation of muscle spasms.
2. Prevention or retardation of disuse atrophy.
3. Increasing local blood circulation.
4. Muscle re-education.
5. Maintaining or increasing range of motion.
6. Breakdown of scar tissue and adhesions.

Interferential Current:
Interferential current is a treatment to aid in the relief of pain and the promotion of soft tissue healing. Small electrical impulses are induced into the tissues in the area of pain. The low-frequency stimulation induces the body to secrete endorphins, which are the body’s natural pain killers. IFC also decreases local swelling and helps restore motion.

Indications for IFC:

1. Symptomatic relief of acute and chronic pain.
2. Relaxation of muscle spasms.
3. Increase of blood flow.
4. Prevention or retardation of atrophy in post-injury type conditions.
5. Muscle re-education.