5 Signs you might need Physiotherapy.

Pains and aches are common, whether it is a twinge after exercising or stiffness in joints caused by an injury, or any specific health condition. While most are transitional or temporary and can be remedied with over the counter painkillers, some type of pain or limited movement might require assessment and treatment by a physiotherapist. A physiotherapy rehabilitation program can help individuals return to their prior level of functioning and recommend lifestyle changes that can improve overall health and wellbeing.

 CB Physiotherapy lists down 5 signs that you need to seek a physiotherapist:

 Lack of balance: If you have trouble keeping your balance and your coordination is off, a physiotherapist can find the underlying issue and treat it. Often, a loss of balance is caused by issues in the structures of the inner ear—known as the vestibular system. A physiotherapist can treat your inner ear issues with vestibular rehabilitation. With physiotherapy, you can restore your balance and coordination and get back to living your life without impedance.

 

·        Chronic pain: If you have pain that lingers for more than a few days and is interfering with your ability to work and do other regular activities, you should see a professional. A physiotherapist will determine the underlying issue and help to relieve your pain, such as with physiotherapy treatment for neck pain. Physiotherapists can work with you to assess the issue and provide a targeted exercise and rehabilitation program that will ease your suffering and get you back to your best.

 

·        Delay in Recovery: As injuries heal, the pain should eventually go away. But sometimes the pain remains and becomes chronic. If you have an injury that hasn’t healed properly, a physiotherapist can assess the problem and create a targeted exercise and rehabilitation program to ease your pain and prevent the injury from recurring. Pain treatments include pain education, manipulation, massage, and exercises that will support the damaged body part.

 

·        Reduced Mobility: Mobility issues include reduced flexibility and feelings of pain or stiffness that get in the way of moving in specific motions, such as bending over, touching your toes, or extending your arms to reach upward. If you feel limited in your mobility and can’t move as easily as you used to, physiotherapy exercises can target the muscles and tissues in the problem areas, relax the muscles and strengthen supporting tissues to help increase your flexibility and mobility.

 

·        Uncontrolled Urination: If you experience sudden, intense urges to urinate or you urinate when you cough, sneeze or laugh, you may have urge incontinence, stress incontinence, or a combination of both. Incontinence is fairly common, especially as we get older. Physiotherapy exercises for incontinence include pelvic floor exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor and reduce incontinence.

When to avail Physiotherapy at home?

Taking Physiotherapy at home service is quite common these days. When you are looking for physiotherapy treatment. It is particularly beneficial to avail such service when patient is bedridden and going to a clinic nearby is not possible. A physiotherapist can come to the patient's home for assessment/diagnosis as well as for treatment which may consist of daily sessions. Even if a patient can visit a physiotherapy clinic, home physiotherapy can be opted by patients for their convenience and in many cases it can be a better alternative than visiting clinic.

Following are some cases for which you should be preferring the physiotherapy at home service.

Bed Ridden Patients: In this case it is a no-brainer and physiotherapy at home is the only choice. The only thing you can do try to find the best physiotherapist near your location who has expertise in treating the relevant condition.

Chronic Condition:  For chronic conditions requiring long time treatment, it is advisable to avail home care physiotherapy. Normally it is important to not miss physiotherapy sessions and daily visits from a physio can ensure that your treatment is going on schedule.

Elderly patients:  Elderly patients usually require someone to take them to clinic. If it is a one-time treatment you can visit a clinic but for multiple sessions, it is better to have a physiotherapist visit your home for treatment.

Scheduling problems: If you have a hectic schedule, in that case home physiotherapy can be planned as per your schedule. Not only will this save you travel time but also avoid wait times at the clinic.

Neurological Conditions: Your Home presents a comfortable setting for the treatment of neurological conditions like stroke. Other than patient family members also get educated about the exercises which can be helpful in the overall treatment

Post-Surgery / Post Injury Rehab: If you or your loved ones are recovering from a surgery/injury, travel can be a hindrance in healing process. Home physiotherapy is a comfortable way to speed up your rehab process.

Once you have decided to opt for physiotherapy at home, make sure that you are selecting the right physiotherapist for the treatment. You can check some tips on how to choose a physiotherapist here.

Other than that, make sure that the modalities given to you and devices used by a physio are all medically approved.

CB Physiotherapy provides physiotherapy at home across all major cities in India.  

This article was First Published on CB Physiotherapy

How to choose a physiotherapist? 6 Things to consider.

Physiotherapists like any other health professionals are governed by strict service standards and have different areas of expertise. Whether you are suffering from a specific health condition or have suffered an injury choosing an ideal physiotherapist is really important. A poorly selected physiotherapist may result in delayed treatment outcomes, greater cost, and potential feelings of frustration. The physiotherapist you choose should be able to understand your health condition and determine treatment goals.

There might be a good number of physical therapy experts offering services near you. It important for you to pick out the physio/physiotherapy clinic best suited to treat you.  Here is a list of 5 things you should consider while selecting a physiotherapist for you or for your loved ones.

 1.     Qualification: It is essential to check that your physiotherapist is fully qualified and fully accredited just as when you deal with any health professional. A physiotherapist is required to have completed a degree from an approved educational institution. Make sure that you check the qualification of your physiotherapist before your treatment begins.

 2.     Expertise: Physiotherapy covers a wide area; you should seek out a physiotherapist with the relevant qualification for your particular problem. So, if you have a bad back, see someone who specializes in musculoskeletal conditions, and if you are recovering from heart bypass surgery see an expert in cardiovascular physiotherapy. Choosing from an area of expertise is really important before considering the treatment for a particular condition.

 3.     Location: Location is something that should be considered, especially when long term treatment is needed. Driving or moving long distances is not wise and advisable when you have musculoskeletal problems or when you are recovering from a surgery. You should prefer a physio that is close by, or that is not difficult to get to, but make sure that other criteria are fulfilled first.

 4.     Methods of Treatment: Traditionally, physiotherapists use techniques like movement and massage, but there is a wider array used today. Other than traditional methods other techniques include reflexology, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, etc. are required to treat a specific condition or injury. Your specific health condition may require an appropriate treatment type. Ask if a preferred alternative treatment is available. Many clinics that offer physiotherapy offer alternative treatment options, so they may have what you need.

 5.     Availability: Perhaps the most important consideration is whether the physiotherapist is actually available. When you are in pain, a waiting list is the last thing you need to be put on. It’s important to get treatment as quickly as possible, so ask about the workload. This can be essential if you suffer a relapse and need emergency attention. Small practices can offer superb treatment, but larger clinics are better able to handle the availability issue.

 6.     Reputation: Before finalizing the physio make sure that you do some research on what other similar patients have to say about the treatment. Doing a basic google search, reading a few reviews etc should be enough.

This article was first posted on CB Physiotherapy

 

When to see a Chiropractor? Look for these 7 signs and symptoms.

Pain is our body’s way of seeking attention and telling us that everything is not fine. Types of pain differ, so should the kind of attention given. Home-made solutions can be sufficient in many cases, but sometimes delaying professional attention can lead to worsening of your condition. While most people find it suitable to consult a chiropractor/physiotherapist if neck/back pain is becoming unmanageable. 

 

There are two things wrong with this:

• Don’t wait for the pain to become unmanageable, a chiropractor can help prevent something from going wrong in the first place.
• Other than back/neck pain, Chiropractors are highly skilled to effectively manage and treat other types of pains through spinal adjustment and manipulation.

 

7 Signs to keep in mind on when to see a chiropractor.

 

• Headaches and Migraines: Chronic headaches and migraines are commonly caused by muscle tension in the neck. The tension in the muscles and inflammation of the joints can cause headaches that can be very painful. A chiropractor can manipulate your spine, which can reduce some of the spinal tension, which ultimately would reduce the tension in the head.

 

• Joint Pain or Muscle Pain: People experiencing pain in muscles and joints, should not opt for over the counter medicines as pain could be due to problems with musculoskeletal alignment. A chiropractor is trained to make sure that the body is functioning as optimally as possible by using spinal manipulations to relieve pain in your joints and muscles.

 

• Chronic Back Pain: Experiencing chronic back pain has been one of the most obvious signs that call for a chiropractic visit. The multiple factors that can contribute to back pain include poor ergonomics, repetitive tasks, working habits, and sitting for a long period of time. A chiropractic doctor can provide you with pain relief without the need for invasive surgery or narcotics.

 

• Limited Range of Motion: Experiencing a limited range of motion with your legs, arms, and neck with reduced flexibility indicates the need for consulting a chiropractor. Chiropractic adjustments realign the bones and joints, relieving pain and increasing the body’s range of motion. Having a normal range of motion helps the body to function optimally.

 

• Shooting Pain in Legs: Experiencing sharp, shooting pain in your legs, or tingling and weakness could be a sign that you are suffering from a pinched nerve or slipped disc. A trained chiropractor can diagnose the cause of the pain in your leg and perform a spinal adjustment to alleviate the unwanted pressure that is being placed on the nerve and causing you pain.

 

• Active lifestyle: People with an active lifestyle who spend time working out or playing sports, are often subjected to additional strain and pressure. Engaging in these activities can make the body prone to pinched nerves, slipped discs, or other alignment problems. Consulting a chiropractor on a regular basis helps to keep the body functioning at its prime and to continue the active lifestyle

 

• Recent Injury: One of the signs you need to see a chiropractor is that you have suffered a recent injury and are still having problems with pain. Many individuals experience a limited range of motion in the area of injury, along with stiffness, joint or soft tissue pain. If you are experiencing these symptoms as the result of an injury, it's time to see your nearest chiropractor.

This Article was First Posted On CB Physiotherapy

 https://cbphysiotherapy.in/blog/what-is-tailbone-pain-and-how-physiotherapy-can-help

What is Tailbone Pain and How Physiotherapy can help!

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People often experience a dull ache, which changes to sharp or throbbing pain with activities such as getting up from a sitting position or prolonged sitting. While most of people don’t know the actual cause of these symptoms, a condition called Coccydynia has often been linked to such chronic pains in the lower back. Identifying coccydynia and separating it from other types of lower back pain by Physiotherapists and Chiropractors is important for its pain management.

Coccydynia, or inflammation of the tail bone, is a unique type of lumbar pain that can cause patients a severe amount of discomfort and agony. Coccydynia/ Tailbone pain is a pain that occurs in or around the bony structure at the bottom of the spine (coccyx). The coccyx is much smaller than the sacrum, has an important weight-bearing role, and supports the body weight while sitting.

 

Physiotherapy has proven to be beneficial in teaching pelvic floor relaxation techniques (reverse Kegels) which help to get coccyx into better alignment and can relieve the pain experienced when urinating or defecating. For women, tailbone pain can make menstruation uncomfortable as well. As women may suffer injury to the coccyx or direct trauma to the coccyx during childbirth, these conditions have been more commonly reported with females.

 

Common causes of Coccydynia:

 

Coccydynia/ Tailbone pain can be caused by trauma to the coccyx during a fall, prolonged sitting on a hard or narrow surface, degenerative joint changes, or vaginal childbirth. Tailbone pain ranges from a dull ache to a fierce stab. It can last for weeks, months, or sometimes longer. A diagnosis of coccydynia will usually identify one of the following underlying causes of pain:

 

• Local trauma. A direct injury to the coccyx is the most common cause of coccydynia. A fall on the tailbone can inflame the ligaments and injure the coccyx or the coccygeal attachment to the sacrum. 
• Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). Sports and activities that put prolonged pressure on the tailbone, such as horseback riding and sitting on hard surfaces for long periods of time or bicycling may cause the onset of coccyx pain.
• Childbirth/ Pregnancy. During delivery the pressure against the coccyx can sometimes result in injury to the coccygeal structures (the disc, ligaments, and bones. Some hormonal secretions during pregnancy may also soften the area between the sacrum and coccyx.
• Referred coccyx pain. In rare cases, the pain will be referred to the coccyx from elsewhere in the spine or pelvis, such as a lumbar herniated disc or degenerative lumbar disc

Physio-therapeutic Approach

 

The initial goal of physiotherapy treatment is focused on providing postural education. A proper sitting posture ensures weight is taken off the coccyx and is instead loaded onto the ischial tuberosities and the thighs. Physiotherapists may also recommend the use of cushions. Modified wedge-shaped cushions (coccygeal cushions), help to relieve the pressure placed on the coccyx during sitting. Other treatment modalities include:

 

• Mobilizations: This can help realign the posture of the coccyx. Mobilization techniques may be the preferred technique when the goal of treatment is to increase coccygeal mobility.
• Manipulation: Patients also find pain relief through manual manipulation of the coccyx. Through manual manipulation, the joint between the sacrum and the coccyx can be adjusted, potentially reducing pain caused by inadequate coccyx mobility.
• Massage:  Coccydynia may be reduced or alleviated by massaging tense pelvic floor muscles that attach to the coccyx. Tense muscles in this region can place added strain on the ligaments and sacrococcygeal joint, limiting its mobility or pulling on the coccyx.
• TENS unit. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator (TENS) units apply electric stimulation that interferes with the transmission of pain signals from the coccyx to the brain. These devices can be a good option for patients who wish to keep their intake of medications to a minimum. 
• Dry needling. It is surprisingly comfortable and very effective for specific conditions such as pelvic pain, incontinence, coccyx pain (tailbone), and other diagnoses. It helps in reducing muscle spasms and assesses the mobility and position of the sacrococcygeal joint.

 

Although the vast majority of patients who seek medical attention respond to conservative treatments, some patients require more aggressive treatments. A multidisciplinary approach employing physical therapy, ergonomic adaptations, medications (NSAIDs), injections, and, possibly, psychotherapy leads to the greatest chance of success in the patients.