What conditions can be treated?

  • Back and neck pain/ injuries
  • Knee Pain and injuries
  • Sciatica, referred or radiating pain
  • Headaches
  • All joint, ligament and muscle problems
  • Sports injuries
  • Work related injuries e.g. RSI conditions
  • Rehabilitation after operations or fractures

What treatment methods are available?

  • Joint mobilisation and manipulation
  • Massage
  • Electrotherapy e.g. Ultrasound
  • Techniques to release tight muscles and activate poorly functioning muscles
  • Re-training efficient movement patterns
  • Exercises to address muscle imbalance
  • Mobilisation of neural structures
  • Biomechanical assessment and treatment
  • Ergonomics – work station assessments
  • Hydrotherapy (facilities not provided)
  • Acupuncture for pain relief
  • Pilates
  • Reiki – using gentle touch to balance the energy flow in the body
  • Taping and strapping

What is a Biomechanical assessment?

Biomechanical assessment is used to find and eliminate the cause of pain and to identify and improve limitations to sports performance - see the Val D'Isere section above for more details.

 

 

 

 

 

 

What to expect from your physiotherapy appointment


It is your body, your injury and your treatment time so it is important that throughout assessment and treatment you feel that your needs are being met. The following is an outline of what to expect from your Physiotherapy sessions.

  1. Thorough analysis for accurate diagnosis i.e. the ‘initial assessment’
    This involves taking your past medical history and asking you details about your injury. Your movements and postures are then observed and joints, ligaments, muscles and nerves tested to see what is damaged. Physical examination will normally involve undressing. Shorts are useful if you have come in with a back, hip or leg complaint. If you feel uncomfortable about undressing please tell your physiotherapist and your assessment will be adapted accordingly
  2. Advice and information
    The assessment findings,, the expected time scale for treatment and recovery and your treatment options will be discussed in as much detail as you require.
  3. Treatment to relieve pain and dysfunction and speed up the healing process in the injured structures
    This is the ‘hands on’ part of the treatment and is usually the main bulk of a treatment session. Techniques may include joint mobilisations/ manipulation, massage, mobilisation of neural structures and electrotherapy e.g. ultrasound and acupuncture
  4. Prevention of recurrence and optimising sports performance
    Techniques to release tight muscles and activate poorly functioning muscles, recommendations for simple adaptations to equipment, lifestyle and fitness regime/ sports for long term prevention of injury and sports performance, specific exercises to retrain inefficient biomechanics.

Will I be told to stop doing my sport?


Lucy has a huge amount of experience treating high level sports people, including professionals. She realises that sport and exercise are an important part of life and, in some cases, a way of life. It is therefore unusual for Lucy to advise someone to halt their training programme because this often causes more harm than good. The only time that this would be recommended is if further, long term, seriously debilitating damage would occur without rest. In the majority of cases it is merely necessary to make adjustments to a training programme and in some cases no interruption is necessary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common misconceptions about physiotherapy…

CP = Chartered Physiotherapist

The misconception

The reality

Physiotherapists only treat muscle problems

CPs are all qualified in the assessment diagnosis and treatment of joints, ligaments, nerves and muscles.

Physiotherapists do not treat backs and necks

CPs are highly trained and skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of back or neck pain.

Physiotherapists do not manipulate joints like osteopaths and chiropractors

CPs often use small amplitude movements on joints - ‘mobilisations’ and sometimes large amplitude movements - ‘manipulations’. The latter often cause cracking noises.

A doctor has to refer me to see a physiotherapist

You can see a physiotherapist without a doctor’s referral.

I have to see the physiotherapist my doctor recommends

You are entitled to choose your physiotherapist, even if they are not recommended by your doctor. You can stop seeing your physiotherapist or request a second opinion at any time.

Physiotherapy immediately following an injury causes more damage and should be avoided.

CPs are trained to know the difference between harmful and beneficial movements. For example, in the first few days of a knee ligament injury it is important to do exercises to avoid muscle wasting to avoid further instability of the knee, prevent delay in returning to sport and cause secondary problems like anterior knee pain. However, if the wrong exercises are carried out then more swelling pain and damage can result. This is why you need a good physiotherapist to show you what to do!

I will get better anyway so why bother with physiotherapy?

Your body has an amazing ability to heal but sometimes needs help to ensure you return to optimum performance. For example, if you sprain your ankle the pain and swelling will normally resolve with time. With physiotherapy this time can be reduced. Physiotherapy can also reduce long term problems. For example, with time your ankle might feel unstable or ache when on your feet a lot. This may be due to the joints and new ligament fibres being slightly out of place. A physiotherapist can use techniques to prevent and treat these problems.

The title ‘Chartered’ Physiotherapist does not mean anything.

You can only use the title ‘Chartered Physiotherapist’ if you have completed a 3-4 year course in Physiotherapy, can prove that you comply with strict professional standards and are registered on the Health Professions Council.

What conditions cannot be treated?

Lucy may suggest consulting another health professional such as a GP, Orthopaedic Consultant, Rheumatologist, podiatrist or another therapist. She would do this if she considered that you would benefit from a different kind of treatment, a second opinion or further investigation- like a scan or x-ray. For example, if there is a possibility that you may have a fracture she will not treat you until the area has been x-rayed.

   
 

   
   
 
© Copyright Lucy Macdonald 2006. Site design by Saturn Innovation
Recognised by BUPA, PPP and most Insurance Companies
Accredited and qualified through official Physiotherpy channels including The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and Accupunture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists
Contact:
lucy@lucymacdonald.co.uk
UK: + 44 7769 653 715
France: +33 67 79 38 230