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PHYSIOTHERAPY TREATMENT TECHNIQUES
At the Physio Studio, we have assembled a multi-skilled team that provides a wide range of skills and specialisms. These are just some of the specialist physiotherapy techniques that we offer patients at the Physio Studio.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient treatment, and many of the older acupuncture traditions and beliefs are now thought to be irrelevant. Although the modern medical world is devided upon how exactly acupuncture works, many modern studies have shown that acupuncture relieves pain.
The latest theory suggests that needling the acupuncture points stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These chemicals will either change the experience of pain, or they will trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones... [more about acupuncture by clicking here...]
Cawthorne Cooksey Exercises
These are progressive exercises aimed at
• Training the eyes to move independently of the head
• Improving balance
• Practising the head movements that cause dizziness (to help vestibular compensation)
• Improve general co-ordination
• Encourage natural spontaneous movement
You will be assessed for an individual exercise programme to ensure you are doing the appropriate exercises. You will be given guidance on how many repetitions of each exercise to do and when to progress to the next set of exercises. As a general rule, you should build up gradually from one set of exercises to the next. You might find that your dizziness problems get worse for a few days after you start the exercises, but you should persevere with them.
These exercises may be combined with other aspects of Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy, such as particle repositioning manoeuvres/Epley manoeuvre.
Chan Gunn Technique
The Chan Gunn Technique is a total system for the diagnosis and treatment of myofascial pain syndromes (chronic pain conditions that occur in the musculoskeletal system when there is no obvious sign of injury or inflammation). It is written up more fully here under the name Intramuscular Stimulation.... (More about Chan Gunn Technique by clicking here.)
Clinical Pilates
Pilates suits all ages and fitness levels and is particularly beneficial for those with back pain, poor posture, neurological conditions, sports injuries, arthritis, stress related illness and before and after pregnancy.
Modified Pilates is aimed at the clinical population, i.e. those people with specific joint, nerve or muscular problems.
During the first session one of our Bracknell Physiotherapists will assess your specific needs... (more about Clinical or Modified Pilates by clicking here...)
Craniosacral Therapy
What is Cranio-Sacral Therapy (CST)?
When we as humans get stressed, whether it is physically or emotionally, we fire up something called our Sympathetic Nervous System. This is better known as the “fight flight” mode that we automatically go into when we are in danger. When this happens, the blood supply to the body is prioritised to go to the heart, lungs and the muscles needed to fight or flight! Therefore it means less blood goes to other areas, such as the digestive system. If the stressed state is maintained, it can in turn lead to conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
However, the “danger” perceived by the body isn’t just when something life-threatening happens: it can also be when our body goes through a stressful event... (more about Craniosacral Therapy by clicking here.)
Deep Tissue Massage
Do you suffer from?
- Stress
- Tension
- Postural problems
- Sore muscles
If you do, you could benefit from regular deep tissue massage therapy.
Massage can be very helpful for new mothers in helping the body recover from the strains of childbirth. (More about Deep Tissue massage by clicking here.)
Epley Manoeuvre
The treatment of vertigo depends on your diagnosis. With BPPV a manoeuvre known as the Epley Manoeuvre may be performed which moves the calcium crystals through the semicircular canal back to the utricle, through some specific neck and body turning movements. This is a very successful form of treatment and in most cases symptoms will resolve in 1-2 treatments.
People who have vestibular hypofunction following an acute vertigo attack benefit from specific desensitisation, habituation and substitution exercises, often known as Cawthorne Cooksey Exercises. These, when performed regularly, enable the brain to compensate...
(More about the Epley Manoeuvre by clicking here).
Graston Technique
Graston Technique® is effective for treating all soft tissue conditions, whether they are chronic or acute and post surgical. The Graston Technique® offers many advantages to the patient such as:
• Decreases overall time of treatment
• Fosters faster rehabilitation/recovery
• Reduces need for anti-inflammatory medication
• Resolves chronic conditions thought to be permanent
(More about the Graston Technique by clicking here)
Injection Therapy
Injection therapy is the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders by the localised injection of a drug (usually a corticosteroid with or without a local anaesthetic). This approach has been utilised for over 50 years in treating soft tissue and joint injuries and provides patients with immediate and significant pain relief. These steroid injections are very safe, usually painless and normally require just a one off injection.
Injection therapy is very effective in treating:
- Muscle tears of the shoulder, Tennis elbow, Arthritic hand pain... (more about Injection Therapy by clicking here).
IntraMuscular Stimulation (IMS)
IMS is a total system for the diagnosis and treatment of myofascial pain syndromes (chronic pain conditions that occur in the musculoskeletal system when there is no obvious sign of injury or inflammation).
IMS, also known as the Chan Gunn Technique, is grounded in Western Medical Science, and has a solid foundation in its radiculopathic model of pain, which is now supported by many experts in the field...(more about Intra Muscular Stimulation by clicking here).
Manipulation
A manipulation is a technique involving a controlled, small isolated thrust to a joint. The joint is usually placed at the end of its movement, and the manipulation gives a therapeutic effect to the joint structures and surrounding soft tissues.
There may be a popping sound as a small suction pressure... (more about Manipulation as a physiotherapy technique by clicking here.)
Trigger Point Release
Myofascial Trigger points can cause spectacular amounts of discomfort and it has been increasingly acknowledged by therapists that most of our daily aches and pains are actually caused by them… but their bark is much worse than their bite!
With a Therapist's expert knowledge of anatomy and physiology they can easily be released... (more about Myofascial Trigger Point release by clicking here.)
Ultrasound Treatment
Bodily tissue, when exposed to sound waves, will move back and forth. Any increase in the molecular vibration (oscillation) in the tissue will result in heat generation, and thus can be used to produce thermal changes in the tissue.
These increases in temperature of a particular tissue can increase blood flow to the damaged tissue and help initiate the resolution of chronic inflammatory states which can be found in older more persistent injuries and conditions.... (more about Ultrasound treatment by clicking here.)
Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy
VRT can be beneficial in treating vertigo/dizziness. (More about Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy by clicking here...)
See also Cawthorne Cooksey exercises (above) and the Epley manoeuvre (above).