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Acupuncture for Back Pain
10 Apr

Acupuncture for Back Pain

Back pain is a very common issue. In fact, 8 out of 10 people will complain of back pain at least once in their lifetime.

Unfortunately, back pain can quickly become a chronic condition if left untreated, impacting on your daily lives. The hope that the pain will pass is usually mis-founded.

Everyone’s back pain is different, and therefore a tailored back pain physiotherapy plan is key in order to solve the root of the problem.

One method that is proving more and more popular for relieving painful symptoms as part of an overall treatment plan is acupuncture. Acupuncture for back pain is a proven treatment methodology, backed up with substantial clinical and research evidence.

 

How Acupuncture can help Back Pain

Over 2500 years ago, the Chinese started using acupuncture as a form of pain relief.

Acupuncture basically involves inserting needles into certain areas of the body. These points are connected by, so called meridians, which are pathways through the body that create the flow of the body’s energy, known as Qi (“chee”). By stimulating these points, you can correct the imbalances in your body and improve the flow of energy.

Over the years, acupuncture has also become more and more used in Western society. Chinese acupuncture theories remain clearly present but have been developed into what is commonly referred to as Medical Acupuncture.

Medical acupuncture involves finding painful trigger points in your body and using the fine needles to stimulate them. By stimulating these areas of the body, this triggers the release of chemicals into the muscles, creating an alteration of pain and allowing a sense of well-being to be restored.

 

What is involved?

The needles are inserted either at the site of the pain, away from the pain or a combination of both.

Treatment time with acupuncture can vary depending on the type of pain and tolerance of the patient; for example from just a few minutes to up to 30 minutes.

After the needle is inserted, your physiotherapist with gently stimulate the needles by rotating them and making an in and out movement, to increase the effectiveness of the treatment.

 

Benefits of Acupuncture for Back Pain

  • Pain relief
    • Muscle
    • Joint
    • Headaches
    • Nerve
    • Dental
  • Improves sleeping quality
  • Aids with stress relief
  • Promotes a general wellbeing
  • Assists with decreasing inflammation

 

How many acupuncture sessions should I have if I suffer from Back Pain?

Everybody is different so this will depend on you, your Physiotherapist, your condition and how you respond to initial treatment.

Sessions should not usually exceed 2 times a week.

 

Contraindications of Acupuncture for Back Pain

Unfortunately Acupuncture is not for everybody and some of the following conditions may prevent you from being eligible for treatment or may mean the Physiotherapist should proceed with caution:

  • If you have ever experienced a fit, seizure, faint or if you have epilepsy;
  • If you have a pacemaker or any other electrical implant;
  • If you have a bleeding disorder e.g. haemophilia;
  • If you are taking anti-coagulants or any other medication;
  • If you have damage to heart valves, or have any risk of active infections;
  • If you are pregnant or trying to conceive;
  • If you have a known metal allergy – specifically to stainless steel;
  • If you have a needle phobia;
  • If you have a known infection or poor skin condition in the area to be treated;
  • If you have a deficient or weakened immune system;
  • If you have diabetes;
  • If you have low blood pressure;
  • If you have been prescribed any medicine;
  • If you have cold/flu symptoms or feel generally unwell.

 

How long until you see improvements?

Again, this will vary from person to person.

Some people feel the benefits right after the session, while for others it will be a more gradual process and may take a couple more sessions before you feel any real improvement.

 

Acupuncture safety and side effects

Acupuncture is very safe if performed by those who have been trained in it, such as registered physiotherapists.

However, some side effects may be present after a treatment session. Such as:

  • Pain at insertion of needle
  • Slight bleeding or bruising when removing the needle
  • Drowsiness
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Dehydration

 

 

Prehab Exercise
18 Feb

Prehab Exercise

Prehab Exercise

 

Prehab is a way to injury-proof yourself and learn how to get your body ready for the workout demands you are about to put it through.

With the summer now not so far off, a lot of people want to start getting in shape and shift those extra winter pounds.  But you can’t run before you can walk. You might have been a great athlete a couple years back and were able to lift heavy weights or run a marathon. But it doesn’t mean that you can now – you need to prepare your body, to prevent injury. And this is exactly where prehab exercise is key.

 

What is Prehab?

Prehab exercise has “recently” become a big thing amongst the general population, and all gyms should be reinforcing it.

Prehab exercises should be personalised, and form part of an individual program focused on your needs. It should be adjusted as your workout habits change and your body changes with it. It should be based on a sport specific exercise program for athletes or for those who are just looking to improve their fitness levels with classes or a new gym membership.

“The aim is to balance strength, stability, and range of motion throughout the body, matching left and right, front and back, upper and lower.” – Carly Wheatley

 

Who needs Prehab?

Everybody!

You get stuck in your daily routines, sitting at a desk for long periods, or standing on your preferred side, etc. But what happens when you have to do something differently and your body is not ready for this? What happens if you are an athlete but you just spent the summer or even just 2 weeks taking some time off? Your body compensates or gets detrained and it doesn’t take much for one jolt or one wrong twist or turn to give you an injury. Underused muscles weaken and overused ones become tight, meaning these structures become vulnerable to injury. This happens to everyone!

 

Where to get help with a Prehab Exercise Programme?

When you think of Physiotherapy, you probably think of someone who helps you after you have suffered an injury. This is true, however that is not all we do.

Our main focus is to treat and prevent further injuries from happening, but we also focus on helping you with never getting an injury in the first place.

We are firm believers that adding an extra 10-15 minutes to your workout routine of getting your body set and ready for the demands you are about to put it through is key to helping you prevent injuries.

A prehab exercise program helps you by activating, mobilizing and stabilizing joints, key muscles and unstable/weak areas you might have.

Everyone should be evaluated and screened before being given a prehab exercise program. This should include biomechanical observations, medical history; present medical health status, an objective assessment on range of motion, balance, strength and proprioception.

Besides Physiotherapists, you can get a prehab program designed for you by the following professionals:

  • Sport Rehabilitator/therapist
  • Athletic trainer/therapist
  • Personal trainer (if they have extensive knowledge in these areas)

Prehab exercise – our self-help advice:

  • Use dynamic stretches before you start your workout (e.g. single leg glute bridges, monster walks with a band to get those glutes firing, etc)

    • Static stretching after your workout if you want
  • Make sure your prehab program focuses on core strength, stabilization and balance exercises.
  • Combine your prehab with a healthy diet, good sleeping patterns and cut out bad habits that weaken your body such as, smoking, drugs, heavy drinking and unnecessary amounts of sugar.
  • There is no “one-size fits all” when it comes to Prehab. Do not copy your gym buddy’s routine, seek assistance and learn what is good for you.
  • Heavy weight session:

    • Focus on dynamic stretching for the joints and muscles you intend to be using;
    • Joint mobilizations;
    • Activate muscles and stabilizers you will be using.
  • Running:

    • Open chain activities (e.g. Leg swings);
    • Single leg dynamic stability exercises.
  • Work from the bottom up;
  • SEEK help with your tailor made Prehab program and get started the RIGHT way!

 

Get in touch

If you’re looking to become more active, or are an athlete that has taken a break for whatever reason, then get in touch with us to create you a prehab exercise programme that will stop you from getting injured by pushing your body too hard without making sure that it is ready. Call 0161 833 3008 or email info@totalrestore.co.uk.

Tennis Elbow Treatment
02 Dec

Tennis Elbow Treatment

Tennis Elbow Symptoms and Treatment

What is tennis elbow?

Tennis elbow is usually the result of every day activity, and you don’t have to play tennis to suffer from it. Tennis elbow or in medical terminology, Lateral Epicondylitis, is a tendinopathy, which means it affects the tendons of your forearm that extend your wrist and fingers. The cause of tennis elbow isn’t exactly known. Most experts believe it is due to small tears that develop in the wrist extensors tendons that can be caused from repetitive movements and overuse. A sudden movement or poor technique in a sport can also cause it, most commonly in racket sports

 

Tennis Elbow Facts

  • 1-3 people get tennis elbow in every 100 people
  • More common in ages 40-50
  • Most common in your dominant arm
  • It can last between 6 months to 2 years, depending on the severity and if left untreated
  • If you have had it once you are more likely to get it again later on in life.

Tennis Elbow Symptoms

  • Pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow and down the muscles in the forearm
  • Pain worse when gripping objects or shaking someone’s hand
  • Pain when lifting objects or extending your wrist
  • Weak grip
  • Stiff & swollen elbow

How can Physiotherapy help tennis elbow?

Physiotherapy can help you in multiple ways to overcome this elbow pain that is interfering with your work or sport. Physiotherapists can help ease your mind by giving you the proper diagnosis and giving you some education on the pathology and advice on how you can get better.

Tennis Elbow PHYSIO Treatments

  • Soft/Deep tissue release to the wrist extensors
  • Acupuncture to these structures
  • Home exercise program focused on stretching and strengthening
  • Ultrasound therapy
  • Taping techniques for pain relief

Tennis Elbow Self-Help Advice

  • Rest, but not fully as you do not want your elbow to stiffen
  • Avoid repetitive movements that cause pain
  • If it is not possible to avoid a movement, take regular breaks
  • Avoid gripping and lifting objects

    • If not possible, lift with palm facing up
  • Hot and cold packs

    • Hot for stiffness
    • Cold for inflammation and pain
  • Give yourself a massage in the painful area
  • Keep moving
  • Take painkillers if necessary
  • Stretching and strengthening  exercises for your wrist extensors
How To Prevent Muscle And Joint Pain In The Winter
22 Nov

How To Prevent Muscle And Joint Pain In The Winter

We detail 13 ways to prevent muscle and joint pain in the winter when temperatures drop.

It is that time of year again where you just want to cozy up by the fireplace while sipping on some hot coco and spending some time with the family. However, for those of you who suffer from joint and muscle pain, this cold season can really be difficult and aggravate those aches while making you feel not so jolly.

If you are someone who suffers from arthritis you are not crazy to think it gets worse when the temperature drops. There is a real reason for why this happens. Besides the fact that it is harder to stay active and physically motivated during the cold periods there is a scientific reason for your worsening joint and muscle pain. According to a medical Professor from the University of Harvard, Robert Jamison, this can be explained not necessarily by the cold, rain or snow but a change in the barometric pressure.

What is the barometric pressure you are probably asking?

This is the atmospheric pressure. In other words, this is the force exerted onto a surface by the weight of the atmosphere. High barometric pressure pushes against the body externally, preventing internal tissues from expanding. This is what happens in warm temperatures. When the temperature drops the barometric pressure drops with it and the tissues tend to expand, which allows them to put pressure on our nerves that control our pain signals. This triggers the pain and makes these wintery days feel unbearable on our joints and muscles.

So here are 13 tips to keep your aches and pains from getting worse during the Holidays:

1. STAY WARM: especially head, hands and feet

2. Beat the winter blues and STAY active inside
a. Walk indoors
b. Swim indoors/Hydrotherapy
c. Pick up some weights

3. AVOID strenuous activity

4. Go to a Yoga or Pilates class or stretch while watching your favorite Christmas movie

5. Use the stairs instead of the elevator

6. Stay Hydrated

7. Try not to gain those extra holiday pounds and STICK to your DIET

8. Stock up on bubbles and enjoy a nice warm bath

9. Get yourself some Vitamin D supplements

10. Invest in a good pair of winter boots so you do not slip and fall during this icy period

11. Fish Oil tablets have been shown to reduce inflammation

12. Treat yourself to a nice massage

13. AND do not miss any of your physiotherapy appointments!!

Signs To Look Out For That You Should See a Physiotherapist
27 Jun

Signs To Look Out For That You Should See a Physiotherapist

Signs To See a Physiotherapist

Physiotherapy is not a treatment that is meant only for elite athletes, or people who are recovering from an injury. You can use the treatment to improve your health in numerous ways. Here are the signs to look out for that you should see a physiotherapist:

– Loss of Balance

Loss of balance may be caused by problems with your inner ear. Typically, the structures in your ear are a vital part of the balance system of your body (called the vestibular system). Any issues or conditions that affect your inner ear can end up leaving you feeling a wide range of symptoms like vertigo, dizziness plus balance disturbance, which are often difficult to live with.

If you have these symptoms, a physiotherapy treatment known as vestibular rehabilitation can overcome the above symptoms. After evaluating your specific need, your physiotherapist can design effective series of eye, neck and head exercises that will help retain your CNS (central nervous system) to recompense for the inner ear issues.

– You Cannot Move as Easily as Before

If you have noticed that you do not feel as flexible or your movement is not as easy as it normally is (for instance, you cannot touch your toes any more), you should see a physiotherapist. A physiotherapist can assess the issue and then provide you with a series of exercises for strengthening your supporting tissues and relaxing your muscles, which allows you to gradually increase your flexibility.

– Pain Lasting Longer than 7 Days

If you experience any soreness or back pain that lasts more than 7 days, you should see a physiotherapist, especially if it is aggravated by sneezing or coughing or restricting your movement.

Physiotherapists are capable of isolating any injuries and then prescribe a rehabilitation programme that will help you or refer you to the suitable specialist if they suspect your pain is a sign of something more sinister.

Treatments for pain include manipulation, massage and exercises for helping you support the damaged body part better plus prevent the injury from occurring again.

– You Have Started to Urinate Uncontrollably

UI (Urinary incontinence) also known as involuntary urination is a very common condition; approximately 3 to 6 million people are suffering from this distressing problem to some extent in the United Kingdom.

It’s more common in women than men, and the condition becomes more likely as people get older; however, that does not mean that people have to live with UI forever. There are generally two main types of UI: urge incontinence and stress incontinence. Stress incontinence occurs when the bladder is under pressure; for example, when you sneeze or cough. Urge incontinence happens when urine leaks as the patient feel a sudden strong urge of passing urine, or soon afterwards: most people suffer from both.

If you are looking for physio in Manchester, you should visit Total Restore. All our physiotherapists are chartered as well as registered with the HPC (Health Professions Council). Our focus is on restoring movement plus function to your body following dysfunction, operation, illness or injury.

Sports Therapy vs. Physiotherapy
26 Mar

Sports Therapy vs. Physiotherapy

It is a common issue that many people are confused between the services of a physiotherapist and a sports therapist. The confusion usually affects people when they require the services of one of these two professionals. However, you are not to blame: in practice, they seem to deal with solving related problems that may concern sports massage physiotherapy. In this article, you will be able to understand which service to go for and when.

sports therapy vs. physiotherapy

Sports Therapy vs. Physiotherapy – What’s the difference?

Sports Therapist

The sport therapy experts mostly specialised in musculoskeletal disorders. They are capable of handling issues such as injuries and pain control. Additionally, they offer preventive and rehabilitative solutions to injuries and pains. The experts operate under the Society of Sports Therapists, a body that regulates their professionalism. For an expert to serve as a sports therapist, they must undergo a three-year course degree that covers the musculoskeletal system, pain revival and body injury prevention and maintenance.

Physiotherapist

Normally, the physiotherapy experts deal with disabilities, injuries and illness. Their works are to help in general body maintenance, which includes manual therapy, movement, education, exercise and offering advice to the clients. Typically, they efficiently handle people of all ages. A physiotherapist must be a graduate of a three-year course that equips them with the knowledge to treat neurological, neuromusculoskeletal, back pains, respiratory and the cardiovascular problems. They must meet the standards set by Health and Care Professions Council. The HCPC is a body that controls all physiotherapists through a set of standards.

The Differences

The two professionalisms coincide with the treatments they offer. However, they are distinguishable professionals in the following ways:

  • Sports therapist specialise mostly in dealing with athletes. They play a significant role in enabling them to prevent injuries before they attend their respective sports. They achieve this through various massage and nonmedical treatment options. However, physiotherapist deals with a wider range of people and issues. They have a more medical knowledge that enables them to deal and treat diseases that are neurological and respiratory in addition to control of pains and solving the musculoskeletal problems.
  • As the sports therapy deals with sports massage physiotherapy such as restoration of the musculoskeletal system for the athletes, enabling them to recover quickly, the physiotherapy aims at helping people to live comfortably and enable them to work with good physical fitness and body problems that would instead distract and derail them from work.

Choosing the Right Specialist

Despite the differences between the two specialists, it’s entirely your choice who should address your body issues. But with the above information, you can quickly make the right decision concerning your requirements. However, you must consider the experience of the experts before hiring their services. Have they dealt with similar cases like yours? Total Restore gives you sports massage physiotherapy such as muscle pains, injuries, fractures, strains, arthritis and tendonitis among many other problems. Experience and professionalism is the key to getting the best services.