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Kinesio Taping Treatment
20 Apr

Kinesio Taping Treatment

We have all seen athletes and celebrities flaunting fancy, colourful tapes on their bodies and
wondered what they are. These tapes are called ‘Kinesio tapes’ that are used by
physiotherapists.

What is Kinesio Taping?

Kinesio Taping Method is used as an adjunct therapy by physiotherapists,
wherein tape is attached directly over the affected areas for a variety of
therapeutic benefits. There are various techniques to apply the tape based on
the concern. It is used as an additional tool to support the rehabilitation process.
This is a simple process however, it requires a thorough assessment and
planning by the physiotherapist. It should only be performed by Physiotherapists
certified in Kinesio Taping.

What is taping used for?

  • relieve pain
  • improve joint stability
  • reduce injury recurrence
  • prevent injury
  • reduce strain on injured or vulnerable tissues
  • correct faulty biomechanics
  • inhibit muscle action
  • facilitate muscle action
  • enhance proprioception
  • compress in the presence of oedema or lymphatic drainage
  • promote healing
  • improve local circulation

 

What is the tape made of?

Kinesio Tape is a thin, non-latex stretchy, waterproof cotton tape. It is as stretchy as
human skin. It uses heat-activated glue and is wearable for a few days even while
taking a shower or exercising. It also has a grid-like pattern which makes it
breathable.

Is it safe?

If you have extremely sensitive skin, the tape might cause some irritation. Other than
that, Kinesio taping is safe for all.

Contraindications for taping?

We cannot perform taping on patients with underlying malignancies, infections, and
open wounds.

 

Our physiotherapists are certified in Kinesio Taping. If you would like to know more
about taping, contact us or book an appointment.

How to improve your posture and rounded shoulders
02 Jul

How to improve your posture and rounded shoulders

In our latest blog we explain how to improve your posture and rounded shoulders, one of our most common patient complaints. 

The term rounded shoulders is used to describe a resting shoulder position that has moved forward from the body’s ideal alignment. In Rounded Shoulders, there is an imbalance of tension between the muscles that pull the shoulder blades forwards and the muscles that pull the shoulder blades backwards. It generally involves the scapula being in a position of Protraction:

  • Lateral glide
  • Anterior tilt
  • Internal rotation

The hunched postures you continually adopt throughout the day disrupts the normal balance of muscular activity in your shoulders.

Daily tasks that may contribute to rounded shoulders include:

  • using a smartphone or tablet
  • using a computer or laptop
  • sitting for long periods
  • driving a vehicle
  • bending over repeatedly
  • carrying heavy objects all day

Rounded shoulders are part of overall bad posture, and they can get worse if left untreated.

The good news is that, in most cases, rounded shoulders can be easily fixed or prevented.

Just as the muscles and joints have been trained to hunch forward, they can be retrained to find the correct resting position.

How to improve posture:

  1. Door chest stretches
  2. Shoulder blade squeeze
  3. Wall stretch
  4. Cat and camel poses
  5. Lateral side stretch
  6. Planks
  7. Pulls ups or seated rows

How Physiotherapy Can help to improve your posture:

Here at Total Restore Physiotherapy we can provide a postural assessment, advice about your posture, hands on treatment to release the affected muscles and exercises to help you improve your posture. The advice will be specific to you and therefore will consider your occupation, and other factors/activities. This will allow you to implement our advice into your day.

Get in touch

If you are suffering from bad posture and rounded shoulders and want to know how to improve your posture, then give us a call on 0161 8333008 and make an appointment with one of our Physiotherapists. We are located in the city centre in the Royal Exchange Building just off St Ann’s Square.

Shoulder Pain Exercises
03 Jan

Shoulder Pain Exercises

The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the human body. There are many causes for shoulder pain and you may have acute or chronic episodes. Pain can be caused by different parts of the shoulder, the bursa, the joint itself, tendons or muscles surrounding it. There are a lot of things you can do to help your shoulder pain such as:

  • Stay active and mobile – although movement can bring on pain, the worst thing you can do is stop moving your shoulder, this could lead to bigger issues such as, frozen shoulder;
  • Improve your posture – Be aware of how you are carrying yourself, bring your shoulders back and sit up straight whilst at your desk;
  • Use painkillers to ease the pain (e.g. paracetamol, ibuprofene);
  • Do not lift heavy weights above 90 degrees if you are in pain;
  • Stay warm during the cold season (arthritis gets worse in the cold);
  • Do exercises for your shoulder pain (increase flexibility/mobility and strengthen the muscles around the joint)

Shoulder pain exercises

 

Pendulum

  • Make circular movements in all directions
  • 2×10 each direction

Pendulum - shoulder pain exercises

Shoulder Circles 

  • Make circular movements in all directions with your shoulder
  • 2×10 each direction

shoulder pain exercises - shoulder circles

Flexion 

  • Raise your arm as far as you can slowly to achieve full range of motion
  • 2x8reps
  • Use a weight if you are looking to increase strength

shoulder pain exercises - flexion

Shoulder abduction:

  • Raise your arms above your head as far as you can (achieving 180 degrees)
  • Add weight when you feel comfortable
  • 2x10reps

shoulder pain exercises - shoulder abductor

Passive Shoulder abduction:

  • If you are having difficulty achieving full movement actively, use a stick/broom to help achieve full movement passively
  • 2x10reps

shoulder pain exercises - passive shoulder abductor

Scapula setting:

  • Lie down on your stomach and try to bring your shoulder blades together by squeezing them
  • 2x8reps

shoulder pain exercises - scapula setting

Isometric holds (Internal/external rotation):

  • Use a doorway or wall to push the back/palm of your hand in to the frame making an internal/external rotation movement
  • 5x10second holds each direction

shoulder pain exercises - isometric holds

Sleeper stretch

  • Lie on your injured shoulder and perform an internal rotation movement
  • 5x10second holds

shoulder pain exercises - sleeper stretch

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

 

 

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
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.

What to expect from your physiotherapy treatment
23 Nov

What to expect from your physiotherapy treatment

If you are thinking of taking physiotherapy lessons there are plenty of things that you may be seeking answers for, or you may be undecided whether the treatment is good or bad for you. Physiotherapy is a responsive kind of treatment which is very beneficial to patients if done in the right manner and the right schedule followed to the core. Read more »