As physiotherapists, we pride ourselves on our “hands-on” approach with our patients. We are respected in the field of health as having excellent manual skills. However, we may also make the most of electrotherapy modalities as an effective adjunct to our hands-on treatment. The most commonly found electrotherapy machines in physiotherapy practises are laser, ultrasound …
Ice therapy (cryotherapy) is the use of ice in the treatment of acute and chronic injuries. The application of ice is an important step in the RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) protocol following acute injuries. Ice is the recommended treatment modality immediately after an injury for its ability to reduce inflammation and swelling in the …
Exercise prescription forms an integral part of most physiotherapy rehabilitation programmes. Exercise is essential to recovery from sports injuries, following surgery, after an acute trauma such as from a fall or fracture, in the management of acute and chronic low back pain, neck pain and headaches and in the treatment of long term conditions such …
The word acupuncture comes from the Latin word for needle (acus) and it means “puncturing of bodily tissue for the relief of pain”. Physiotherapy use of acupuncture in the form of dry needling is often confused with the Eastern medicine practice of acupuncture. While Chinese acupuncture is based on healing through correcting the energy flow …
The game of tennis is one that requires endurance, flexibility and good overall fitness. Many people become injured while playing tennis either from a sudden impact or from overuse of muscles and joints. Beginners are very likely to suffer injury as are those who take up tennis for the first time later in life. Some …
Surfing can be an exhilarating experience and in recent years it has become an increasingly popular water sport. However, it can be hazardous especially if you are starting out or if you are not physically fit. Even seasoned surfers may push their skills to the limit by tackling bigger waves and making daring manoeuvres that …
The game of squash is a high-impact, fast-moving one that lends itself to a lot of injuries, some of which may be severe. Apart from the injuries that can occur from moving around the court, players also become injured from contact with the ball, body contact with an opponent, their opponent’s racquet and even the …
Rugby is a tough, fast-moving sport that incurs many injuries from tackling and scrummaging. Many rugby injuries can be avoided with the use of protective gear but others may be unavoidable. Some of the more common rugby injuries are: Contusions and lacerations These represent a high percentage of rugby injuries. A contusion is another name …
Netball is a game that calls for fast movements, lots of jumping and throwing and quick changes in direction. As a result, injuries of the foot and knee are very common. Being physically fit is not enough. Athletes should practise good jumping and landing techniques as well as warming up thoroughly and cooling down after …
Mountain biking is a fast, exciting sport that is gaining popularity. The type of injuries depend on the type of mountain biking you do, with downhill biking having a higher incidence of injury than biking on flat terrain. Injuries may be acute and traumatic or those resulting from overuse. However, as in any other sport, …
