Treatments

BACK PAIN – NECK PAIN – MUSCLE STRAINS – LIGAMENT SPRAINS
JOINT PAIN – MUSCLE WEAKNESS – TIGHT MUSCLES

After a brief history of your symptoms and points of relevance has been taken, a physical assessment will be carried out to determine a diagnosis. Following this, treatment, rehabilitation and home advice will be given to help you return to full functional fitness in the shortest, safest time.

Soft Tissue Massage
Soft tissue massage uses a variety of therapeutic techniques to relax stiff, tight muscles and flush away exercise-induced toxins. This aids pain reduction and improves joint-mobility. Deep and transverse massage techniques help break down ‘knotty’ tissues and are very effective. Sports specific massage can also be used to activate and stimulate muscles in preparation for events. Maintenance massages are also available to help relieve stress, stiffness and muscular aches.

Richard in La Manga looking after Cambridge University AFC

Peripheral Joint Mobilisation
Joint mobilisations are evidence based techniques used to treat injuries occurring at a joint. They are effective at decreasing pain and stiffness whilst increasing range of motion.

Spinal Mobilisation
Spinal mobilisations are proven techniques used to mobilise the spine to help relieve back pain, stiffness and increase range of movement.

Electrotherapy
Electrotherapy techniques include ultrasound, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and interferential.

Ultrasound is used for the treatment of acute and chronic injuries and works by stimulating cellular activity which contributes to the rate of healing. Ultrasound is a form of mechanical energy, which causes vibrations between the molecules within the tissue of the injured area. This speeds up the healing process and reduces the levels of pain.

TENS offers pain relief by way of the ‘pain gate mechanism’ which means pain is blocked by stimulation of nerves that conduct sensations at a faster rate than those transmitting pain. TENS is applied through superficial electrode pads over the painful area.

Interferential uses medium frequency electrical currents which summate to produce low frequency currents that are of therapeutic benefit. Interferential is used to reduce pain, reduce swelling, increase range of movement to a joint and can be used to help re-educate wasted muscles via muscle stimulation.

Cold Therapy
Cold therapy uses different forms of cold modalities including ice packs, crushed ice, ice immersion and ice massage to help manage pain, swelling and inflammation during the acute phase of healing.

Heat Therapy
Heat therapy is the use of wheat sacks, hot water and heat packs to aid the treatment of chronic injuries by stimulating the area metabolically to combat stiffness.

Biomechanical Screening

The screening process is a series of tests using video analysis and hands-on techniques to assess biomechanical function and determine if there are any predisposing factors increasing the risk of injury or reducing performance levels. The results allow our Sports Therapists to prescribe a tailored exercise programme to best meet the athlete’s objectives inclusive of reducing injury risk and optimising performance.

Rehabilitation and exercise prescription

INCREASE STRENGTH – IMPROVE JOINT STABILITY – RE-EDUCATE GAIT
RE-TRAIN BALANCE – CORE STABILITY – WEIGHT LOSS OR GAIN 
IMPROVE PERFORMANCE – PREVENT INJURY

Once assessment, diagnosis and initial treatment have been administered, our main priority is to return you to your pre-injury level of fitness or indeed beyond. Rehabilitation includes stretches, self massage/mobilisations, balance work, cv training, strength training and sport specific functional drills.

Rehabilitation is tailored to the level of recovery required by the individual and the injury itself. Rehabilitation techniques are incorporated through all stages (early, intermediate, late and pre-discharge) of recovery.

Early Stage
This stage involves decreasing pain, swelling and stiffness and improving range of motion. This is achieved with simple and safe exercises.

Intermediate Stage
This involves moving the patient through partial weight bearing exercises towards full weight bearing and normal daily activities.  Restoring bilateral range of motion and beginning strength training are important components of this stage.

Late Stage
This stage will see the client full weight bearing and moving into jogging and running and multi-directional activities that incorporate speed, agility and coordination.

Pre-discharge Stage
In this stage the client is approaching a return to full physical fitness and pre-injury strength. This is achieved using functional exercises and training drills specific to their sport.

Exercise Prescription
Exercise Prescription is an outlined programme of exercises which can be used for rehabilitation of injuries, weight loss, fitness improvements and injury prevention. Exercise prescription is a one on one service, providing exercises, motivation and professional advice.