The Team at focus on physio are passionate about helping to empower you in achieving optimal physical health and wellness!
Hi Everyone
Spring is here. IT IS TIME TO SPRING INTO LIFE and get ACTIVE! There are limitless possibilities available to improve your physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. This issue is focusing on prevention of illness with good tips for nutrition, breathing, relaxation and the importance of doing regular exercise.
Also we welcome our new Physiotherapist Bruno Rebello, who is a senior postgraduate physiotherapist with huge experience in sports medicine rehabilitation, orthopaedics for adults and children. He is particularly passionate about preventative safe training methods for the adolescent athlete and the biomechanical management through those years of growing. Bruno will be part of the physiotherapy services in the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
Read on and don’t forget to take a look at our limited SPRING OFFERS .
Anne Power
HEALTH & VITALITY
All that is living moves constantly. We are part of the natural world and the mystery of life. The choices we make can greatly impact on our health and wellbeing. The pace of life can be fast and stressful. Often the body and mind simply is not at peace and even a good night’s sleep is not possible. Think how hard it must be for children to go to sleep if their minds are too active from using electronic devices late at night.
Take time for yourself, practice being a human “being” instead of a human “doing”. Have a relaxing bath after a tough day at the office or home, breath and feel your body unwind. Quieting the mind and body is not only used in sports medicine, but encouraged in MBA courses.
As physiotherapists we are commonly asked about what can be done for stiffness of aching joints with wear and tear (osteoarthritis) arthritic symptoms. There is increasing awareness of the effects of ageing in the body which leads to our tissues having to deal with acidity. Nutritionally there is a wealth of information now on eating more foods which have an anti-inflammatory effect (i.e.tumeric) or an alkaline effect on the body tissues. Having healthy smoothies are easy to make and you don’t need to use milk. Reducing sugar in your diet reduces fatty liver syndrome and helps to reduce complications of cholesterol overload on the cardiovascular system. Thin people who sit all day and are not active can also develop pre diabetes type 2 i.e. insulin resistant bodies. Be active if you are sedentary! Walk at least 3 -4 times a week for 30 minutes.
Drinking Alkaline Water is also great for reducing the inflammatory nature of tissues with age. Our office Alkaline Water system is called Zazen – it’s affordable and if you order one through us we are able to pass on a discounted price to the customer. (Ask Anne).
PHYSIOTHERAPY
It might be that you want to have a pain free back so you can play with the kids, or you are frustrated you can’t hit the golf ball as far, or that your neck pain and headaches are affecting your concentration at work, or that your sporting child is complaining of aching knees/ankles, or that your child is developing poor posture with adolescent growth and the use of electronic devices. Physiotherapy is a natural and professional way to guide you to better physical outcomes for your family.
Once the acute stage of tissue inflammation settles, progression to the restorative stage commences with increased movement possible and gradual implementation of remedial exercise. Obtaining the best possible outcome to managing a chronic problem often requires diligent ongoing self management with regular exercise plus or minus periodic top ups of treatment to avoid deterioration. If you “don’t move it you loose it” – the body needs regular stretching and light movement to keep the physical tissues and circulation of nutrients/waste products optimal and improve postural control. Be realistic, physiotherapy is not a quick fix. If it has taken a long time to get out of shape, it needs a gradual process to get back in shape- the same as with weight reduction – Mother Nature needs time to alter. Physiotherapists can guide you as you SPRING INTO ACTION!
HYDROTHERAPY from our indoor heated pool (34°)
Are you frustrated that arthritic stiffness is affecting your ability to “get going” in the morning? The answer to improving arthritic conditions is hydrotherapy exercise. Warm water is your friend. The buoyancy of water enables problem joints to be unloaded and muscles can work easily, minimising pain. The cartilage is nourished and exercises can be done without the fear of falling over. Muscles strengthen around arthritic joints and functional movement improves. Individual programs address specific problems and accelerate recovery following spinal/large joint trauma or surgery such as total hip/knee replacements. Whilst many patients prefer to work on their individual programs, our group programs are an excellent way to get stretched, get strong, get fitter and have FUN! Take advantage of our Spring into Action hydrotherapy offer Tel: 5564 9009
PILATES
Osteoporosis is major thinning of the matrix of our bones and comes with age. Bones need good nutrition but also compressive loading exercises to stimulate bone regeneration. If your bone density is thinning (osteopenia), you can’t stand on 1 leg for 10 seconds, your back aches with gardening or housework, you feel sluggish and out of condition –you need Pilates. Pilates incorporates breath control, concentration, stability strengthening of your “core”, stretching of tight muscles and joints, improvement of exercise fitness and sculpturing of posture. Take a look at our Spring into Action offer and receive a discount off your next massage.
MASSAGE
Our dedicated team are ready to help you rejuvenate, relax and iron out those tension knots. Choose from deep body work as part of you injury prevention program around competitive sports or Aroma Touch massage which combines high quality aromatherapy oils for a deeply relaxing massage if you are stressed/ill or Reiki to support you through stressful times or Pregnancy massage. Gift Vouchers are available for those dear to you. Spring into Action exercise offers include a discounted massage.
BEGINNERS YOGA
Yoga improves your energy levels, flexibility, strength, balance, ability to relax and strengthens your immune system. Yoga incorporates breathing, stretching and holding poses. Why not feel great and look great? Bookings are essential.
Mid Back Pain and Physiotherapy – October Clinic 2015
The thoracic spine, the part of the spine that starts just below the neck to half-way down the back, is often a neglected part of the body, which is surprising considering that it is as prone to stiffness as other parts of the spine, but not so surprising since it is a difficult area of the body to stretch.
A stiff thoracic spine can cause pain between the shoulder blades but can also cause excess loading of the lumbar spine, the neck and shoulders, which in turn can lead to pain in these areas as well as headaches. In really extreme cases, a stiff thoracic spine can lead to an unsightly condition known as Dowager’s (or Bison’s) Hump, which is a thickening of the soft tissues at the base of the neck.
Like so many other modern-day problems resulting from work, people who spend hours either in the car or sitting poorly in front of computer screens are particularly prone to thoracic stiffness, and the attendant problems this can cause. People with poor posture are also at risk. On a more general level, since the thoracic spine provides much of the rotation and extension of the spine required for athletes, anyone that plays sport is likely to find their movement restricted and performance limited by stiffness in this part of the spine. Injuries in other parts of the body may well follow as a result.
The Physiotherapist will take a thorough history and provide a physical exam. After the assessment, the Physio will develop a plan to correct the underlying problems. These will be explained to the patient and then perform it by applying precise and gentle techniques to the specific areas of malfunction.
Conservative treatments Physiotherapists may use are:
- Mobilisation and manipulation to help relieve pain and improve function.
- Massage to help reduce muscle tension and pain and improve blood flow.
- Dry needling/Acupuncture promotes healing and pain relief.
- Electrotherapy such as ultrasound, laser, interferential, TENS
- Hot and cold packs to reduce pain and stiffness.
- Patient education on correct posture, chair and workplace ergonomics.
- Exercise prescription to stretch and strengthen the muscles of your back, shoulders, and stomach to help increase your flexibility, strength, and balance. Your physio may teach you an exercise program so you can do it at home.
- Rehabilitation is very important to prevent the pain from becoming chronic. Many patients are relieved from their mid back pain after a few visits and some patients benefit in maintaining physiotherapy care regularly because it keeps their bodies in optimum condition.
Physiotherapists are a key healthcare professional to reduce mid back pain. If you are suffering from pain or know someone with pain, seek help early, the longer delay in starting the treatment, the longer time it takes to recover.