Thursday 11 October 2012

Reasons to See a Physiotherapist

Physiotherapists are experts at helping people treat physical pain and injury. In addition to assisting with pain relief, by using specific techniques they can manipulate injured areas to help the healing process.

There are many new technologies on the horizon that a physiotherapist may use to address symptoms for improvement, which can also completely heal an injury and eliminate pain. Below outlines some of the many different reasons that seeing a physiotherapist can be very beneficial.

Chronic Pain

Physiotherapy is very beneficial for people who have common conditions such as:

  • Arthritis, osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis
  • Painful joints
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Heel and foot pain
  • Elbow or shoulder pain
  • Ligament, muscular fractures or sprains
  • Ankle sprain or pain
  • Neck pain
  • Back pain, due to injury, infection, wrong posture, or
  • Muscular soft tissue injuries

Injuries

People experience many types of physical injury. Often, it is not clear what the level of damage is at the outset. While it is most natural to attempt to let the body heal on its own, some injuries prevent that from occurring. This is why it is advisable to see a physiotherapist right away, even if you are unsure of the extent of the injury, rather than waiting until the pain increases. The sooner an injured person sees a physiotherapist, the more expediently he or she can get a treatment plan in place that could manage and eliminate pain, while correcting body damage.

Immediate Pain Management

After any kind of discomfort or pain begins, it is advisable to see a physiotherapist as soon as possible. The first point of pain is a critical time and immediate attention not only starts the healing process, but when pain and injuries are less aggravated when treatment begins, further damage may be stopped. In addition, physiotherapists instruct patients about how to manage each recovery stage, which is critical to accelerate healing.

Surgery

People who have had surgery, particularly on any extremity, can greatly benefit by seeing a physiotherapist. One example is a broken bone that has been reset. In that case, it is imperative to assure that you visit a physiotherapist for, at the very least, several few weeks.

Chronic Injury

Chronic injuries usually last six months or more. Some injuries take a long while to recover. Chronic injuries are often related to muscle tightness or weakness, due to imbalances that were never adequately addressed. In addition, people who suffer from chronic pain can find it beneficial to discuss their issues in social media forums and find a physiotherapist to assist them.

Pain During Exercise

People who routinely injure themselves while exercising often have caused damage to their bodies. These issues can be corrected by seeing a physiotherapist, who will conduct a screening to determine the cause of pain. Remedies will be offered, along with instruction to help ensure the same issues do not return.

Minor Pain and Injuries

Through the years, people can accumulate small and presumably insignificant pain and injuries. This can contribute to muscle weakness and tightness so that joints stiffen or become loose. Underlying issues usually contribute to causing a non-optimal habit of movement or pattern, which further contributes to more body part breakdown. A physiotherapist can conduct a comprehensive screening for:

  • Flexibility and strength
  • Assessment of movement patterns
  • Developing individualized treatment programs
  • Advising on recommended, as well as activities to avoid

Other Benefits of Physiotherapy

Aside from the obvious pain management and injury correction that physiotherapy provides, one of the great benefits of treatment is the lack of drug use. Pain killers often damage the body and cause addictions that people struggle with later. The treatment is completed at the body’s pace, which usually means that patients do not have to rely upon anti-inflammatory or pain medication.

Finding a good physiotherapist is quite simple and can be done using social media outlets and searching through forums to find a professional who best suits your needs.

Remember that neglecting pain or an injured area contributes to chronic pain, weakness or recurrence of injury. This is why it is important to seek the assistance of a physiotherapist as soon as pain or injury occurs.

Tuesday 2 October 2012

5 Types of Back Pain Treatment

Back pain is a common ailment that ranges from mild to serious. It can occur in your lower back, upper back or anywhere along your spine. Common causes of back pain include improper lifting, strained muscles, bulging disks, sciatica and arthritis. Spinal infections and tumors can also cause back pain in rare cases. Fortunately, there are a number of effective ways to treat this condition.

Home Care
Mild back pain resulting from minor injuries or strains can usually be treated at home. Ice packs and over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, can provide pain relief and reduce inflammation. Heating pads can help relieve sore muscles. Avoid doing strenuous activities since this can make your condition worse. Resting for a couple of days is alright, but you should avoid prolonged periods of rest after this point since this can slow your recovery. It’s important to call your doctor if you have severe back pain or pain that lasts longer than three days.

Physical Therapy
You might need physical therapy to help you recover from a severe back injury or to help you cope with chronic back pain. Physical therapists use several types of treatment methods, such as ice, heat and electrical stimulation, to relieve pain. They also help patients strengthen their back muscles and become more flexible once the pain subsides. These exercises help patients recover and lower the risk of having back pain return.

Medication
Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, usually help back pain that is mild to moderate. You might need prescription muscle relaxants to relieve back pain if over-the-counter medications don’t work. Your doctor might prescribe codeine or another narcotic to provide short-term relief for severe back pain. If you’re dealing with chronic back pain, antidepressants like amitriptyline might help. Your doctor might try cortisone injections if other forms of medication haven’t been effective. Cortisone reduces inflammation, although this relief typically only lasts for a few months.

Spinal Manipulation
Spinal manipulation, also known as chiropractic adjustment, is usually used for lower back pain. It’s done by making a joint move farther than usual but not to an unnatural degree. Although chiropractors typically perform spinal manipulation, physical therapists and osteopathic doctors with the right training can also use this form of treatment. Chiropractic care might also include massage, stretching and electrical stimulation to help relieve back pain.

Surgery

Most cases of back pain don’t require surgery. Your doctor might recommend it if other treatment methods don’t work or if the pain spreads down your leg or is associated with muscle weakness. Surgery might involve joining or fusing two vertebrae, removing part of a spinal disk or removing part of a vertebra. Fusion helps reduce pain, but it can also lead to a higher risk of arthritis in your vertebrae. Partial disk removal relieves pain by getting rid of the disk portion that is putting pressure on a nerve. Partial vertebra removal gets rid of bony growths that press on your nerves or spinal cord.