MAR
25th
25th
What is Pilates?
The Pilates method of training is based on the original works of German born Joseph Pilates who designed a series of exercises that used both physical and mental techniques to condition the body.
His method of exercise was devised for actors, dancers and athletes. In the 1920’s he used his studio in New York to run exercise programmes to help build strength, improve posture and increase flexibility.
In recent years Pilates has gone from being virtually unknown to becoming popular in studios, health clubs and private classes.
What is Modern Pilates?
Modern Pilates brings his work into the 2st Century by using all the latest research and knowledge we have about safe and effective exercise.
Developed by physiotherapists and fitness experts, Modern Pilates classes aim to re-balance the body by improving posture, muscle tone, flexibility and core stability.
The slow and controlled approach to exercise that Modern Pilates adopts can also help to relieve stress and tension, help with back problems, assist in injury rehabilitation and improve body awareness.
Who is Modern Pilates suitable for?
Modern Pilates is suitable for all ages and abilities and is particularly recommended for the
following :-
Back and neck problems
Poor abdominal tone
Recovery from musculo-skeletal injury
Osteoporosis
Pelvic floor problems
Stress
Poor posture
ME (myalgic encephalisis)
MS (multiple sclerosis)
Following childbirth
Modern Pilates classes are ideal for the first time exerciser, clients returning to exercise after injury or childbirth and for those who live a busy and stressful lifestyle.
Where can I find out more about Pilates?
We would recommend you discuss your Pilates requirements with Janet Butler who is an Advanced Pilates Instructor, having completed an extensive training taught by physiotherapists.
We have worked closely with Janet since 1993 firstly as a fitness instructor and more recently as an Advanced Pilates Instructor. We have found Pilates to be of great benefit to all our patients particularly those recovering from neck and back pain helping them to regains their optimum flexibility and postural control.
Janet has suffered from back pain herself following years of teaching high impact exercise and knows firsthand of the considerable benefit of the Modern Pilates method of exercise.
Modern Pilates – Educating Minds to Strengthen Bodies
Why not give Janet a call on 01524 833154 or 07968 372 039
JUL
28th
28th
We are pleased to be able to inform you that this practice has been recognised as an Approved Physiotherapy Provider in the newly formed BUPA Physiotherapy Network.
Our Clinic Provider Number is: - 81027111, you may be asked for this when authorising your treatment with Bupa. All our Physiotherapists (Carol Forrest, Iain Briggs and Helen Seward) are covered under this agreement and provider number.
This means that payment for your treatment fees will be paid by Bupa directly to us, but it also means that there are a few new pieces of information that we will need from you.
In short we need you to provide us with:-
The name of the policyholder (if different to the patient)
The policy number
The authorisation code that you will need to have obtained from Bupa before treatment can commence.
The requirements under the new Bupa Physiotherapy scheme make this information necessary.
In addition you need to be sure that your policy covers you. This is because, although we submit invoices directly to BUPA, we will have to seek payment from you for any amount not covered under the BUPA policy e.g. if there is an excess. We feel it is important that you are aware of this commitment at the beginning of your treatment.
JUL
22nd
22nd
Typically the neck is caused to jerk backwards then suddenly forwards as in a rear end collision but it may be the other way around if you are unlucky enough to run into the back of another vehicle.
The pain following an injury may come on instantly in which case you should attend your GP or a Casualty unit for an assessment. More often than not the initial pain is not too severe and developes over the first 36 hours. This is usually a good sign that there is no serious damage to the neck and that the symptoms are simply following the normal soft tissue inflammatory cycle.
If you have had a high impact collision, have been unconscious, complain of headaches, dizziness or confussion you should attend a casualty unit as soon as possible.
Joints prefer to be moved gently rather that immobilised following this type of injury. It is better to control the pain with an over the counter painkiller or anti-inflammatory medication to allow you to get on with life as near to normal as you can. See your Doctor if you need something a little stronger.
A hot or cold pack can be useful to reduce pain and spasm and allow more movement in your neck and shoulder girdle muscles.
If your symptoms are not lessening after 5 days of self help measures, consider having an assessment by a Chartered Physiotherapist. We are experts in helping you manage this type of problem and will be able to direct you with self help techniques and advice on an appropriate exercise regime.
If necessary we can also give you a few sessions of hands on treatment such as electrotherapy, massage, mobilisation and manipulation to speed up your recovery.
Try to remember that your pain does not mean you have a serious problem. You can control your pain with over the counter medication, which in turn will let you re-establish normal movement in the neck speeding up your recovery. Try to get back to work as soon as possible. A couple of weeks off work should be plenty unless you are advised otherwise by your Doctor or Physiotherapist.
Please remember be positive and stay active.
APR
8th
8th
Pain is often a sign that you are ill (e.g. appendicitis), or that an area of your body is injured (e.g. broken arm). However, sometimes people have pain even though an injury or illness has fully healed up.
An understanding of the healing process can help us to work out the best way to treat healing or healed tissue. It can also help us to see some of the reasons why we may feel stiffness even years after injury/operations.
Unlike a machine the human body can heal itself. With few exceptions every kind of tissue heals in the same way e.g. bone heals by making new bone, ligaments/muscles/skin heal with gristle (scar tissue).
Healing begins immediately after as injury has taken place, and there are several different stages of healing.
1) Bleeding - - this stage lasts about 10 minutes. Blood vessels are damaged whenever tissue is damaged. Bleeding soon stops as the blood clots. The blood can spread out under the skin (i.e. forms a bruise).
2) Inflammation and Swelling - this stage lasts up to 10 days. Within 10 mins of injury inflammation begins. The blood supply to the area is increased and chemicals are released, causing the area to go red and feel hot. At the same time a fluid called serum (which comes from the blood) builds up. Serum is a thick, sticky, yellow fluid which contains protein. This protein will eventually form scar tissue.
The body tends to produce so much serum that it causes swelling e.g. sprained ankle. As serum is sticky, it binds the tissues in the injured area so that they cannot move easily and feel stiff.
Consequently, during this stage of healing it is important to gently move the area to minimise stiffness and swelling, and to help the serum to be absorbed once it has done its job. Movement can be started very gently, with frequent rest periods, and gradually built up.
3) Repair - begins 2-3 days after injury and continues for 3 months. The protein in the serum joins together to form scar tissue, which repairs the gaps left by the injury. From 3 weeks after the injury the scar tissue begins to contract and tighten. It is therefore important to stretch the healing tissue to increase its elasticity and strength.
Unfortunately, healthy tissue can become glued to the serum making the area stiff and tight so it is important to keep moving.
4) Remodelling - 3 months onwards. The scar tissue changes, for example a scar on the skin turns from purple to white. Movement of the area helps the process of remodelling and helps to stretch and strengthen the scar tissue.
5) Contraction - starts at 2 months and is ongoing
The scar tissue tightens and shortens. It continues to occur as the years go by.
However, it is never too late to stretch the scar tissue and make it more flexible and supple.
In summary: Most tissues heal by making scar tissue, and this process is complete by 3 months. There is usually some sensitivity left within the tissues. However, healed but scarred tissue can become less sensitive once it is stronger and more elastic.
Different tissues in the body heal at different rates. It depends on the site and size of the injury, the blood and nerve supply to the tissue and the age of the person.
So, if your body has healed up properly, there is no need to think it is damaged or fragile. Gentle exercises and getting back to everyday activities (but pacing it) is good for you.
APR
8th
8th
Physiotherapy concentrates on restoring movement and strength, by using a combination of exercises, mobilisation and manipulation. Electrotherapy can be used to reduce inflammation. All this helps to reduce pain and restore function.
Disc problems: Your "intervertebral discs" sit between the vertebrae (bones in your back). This is a common cause of pain, as bending your back or having poor posture of the back/neck, puts more pressure on the back wall of the disc which can lead to a prolapsed disc or "slipped disc" (i.e. the disc can leak out into the surrounding tissue). This can be very painful and often limits your movement to one side i.e. you may be able to take your back/neck to the left but not the right. The prolapsed disc can also press on a nerve which can give you pain/pins and needles or numbness/weakness in your arm/leg.
Physiotherapy can help to reduce the disc protrusion by using, manipulation, traction and exercises.
Spondylolysthesis is a condition wherein one vertebrae slips forward on the other. This can be a very small slip, which can leave you pain free with no symptoms. Conversely, it can be a larger slip, which could put pressure on the spinal canal and nerves, causing pain and possible pins and needles/numbness.
The most accurate way to diagnose this is by having an X-ray. However, some therapists can feel a "dip" in your spine when you are standing, which could indicate a possible spondylolysthesis.
Rheumatoid Arthritis is a rare condition in which your body mistakes its normal tissue for foreign tissue. Therefore, your own immune system attacks your healthy tissue, causing pain and inflammation in your joints. More than one joint is affected in RA, so if you only have neck/back pain, you are unlikely to have RA. Normally the small joints in your hands and feet are involved. It is more common in women than men, and is normally diagnosed when the patient is young i.e. in their 20s or 30s.
"Whiplash" is caused when your head is quickly whipped forwards and backwards e.g. when in a car crash/on a fairground ride, etc. This overstretches your muscles and joints, causing inflammation and pain. It may also affect your disc, which can lead to more severe problems. However, most whiplash injuries will get better over time provided they are kept moving and postural advice is followed. Sometimes treatment is needed to speed up the recovery process.
Osteoporosis is a condition that tends to effect post-menopausal women, although it can affect men. New bone is formed all the time and old bone is reabsorbed by our bodies. Osteoporosis occurs when old bone is absorbed quicker than new bone is made. This makes your bones more brittle and more likely to fracture (break). It is diagnosed using a bone scan of the heel, although some advanced cases can be seen on X-ray. It is a painless condition; therefore osteoporosis itself cannot cause pain.
Posture is talked about frequently. Poor posture can be a cause of pain in itself (e.g. stretching of muscles or putting pressure on a disc, by sitting in poor position) or it can prevent other conditions from healing fully (e.g. whiplash injuries often do not get better because the muscles are repeatedly stretched by poor postures).
Pregnancy is also a potential cause of neck and back pain. During pregnancy, more pressure is put on the back as the pelvis is pulled forwards. This can cause pain in the back and the pelvis, which normally resolves after giving birth. This can also happen if you are overweight.
Finally, muscle spasm: our muscles can go into "spasm" when in pain for any of the reasons listed above. The muscle tightens in order to try to protect the joint, which is painful. However, this contraction in itself is painful. It can often be relieved by heat/stretches/relaxation.
