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Headaches When treating a headache most people will reach for pain killers, however persistent headaches or chronic head pain may require an alternative treatment. Many people are turning to therapies that will compliment, or even replace, conventional treatments for their headache. Physiotherapy is one such therapy that can help with headaches. Headaches are a complex type of pain and there is evidence that a high percentage of headaches are due to problems in the neck structure. Physiotherapy can help solve these problems and put a stop to the associated headaches.

Arthritis Did you know that one in every six people over the age of 15 years in NZ suffer from arthritis – or, one in every three people over the age of 45 years! There are over 140 different types of arthritis which can affect all ages young and old. Our message to you is that if you have arthritis, you can still enjoy an active, independent life if managed correctly. Many people with arthritis have the impression that they have to live with pain and immobility or that medication and surgery are the only remedies. Physiotherapy is ideal to direct the balance between activity, exercise and rest.

Joint Injuries and Fractures Physiotherapists play a major role in treating joint injuries and fractures by helping you regain your independence once the initial healing has occurred. Joint mobilisations, soft tissue release, taping and acupuncture are all techniques that will help with recovery. Treatment often involves an exercise programme specifically made for you, and can include the use of gym equipment to help you regain your strength and any movement lost in the joint. You may also need provision of or advice on how to use crutches or other walking aids and/or braces which we can help with too.

Antenatal and Postnatal Treatment Physiotherapists have been involved for many years in teaching exercises to help you prepare for childbirth, treating aches and pains during and after pregnancy, and then to help you regain your strength and figure postnatally. Any treatment or exercise programme should be discussed with your Lead Maternity Carer (LMC) to make certain there are no problems with your participation in it.

Sports injury prevention Clearly, rather than dealing with treating injuries and rehabilitating clients, it is better to avoid injury in the first place. But what measures can be taken to prevent injury? Read on to see how our Physiotherapists can help advise you on all the above to avoid common pitfalls and stay injury free.

Nerve Pain What is Neuropathic Pain? Nerve or neuropathic pain is a disturbance of the function of a nerve or a pathological change occuring in a nerve. Nerve pain is different from acute pain or normal chronic pain, and can be harder to treat. Standard drugs, such as anti-inflammatories, may not give much pain control and because of this, people with nerve pain can have to put with significant pain and suffering.

Occupational Health/ Work injuries Accidents and illness seldom just happen. We use our skills and expertise to work with clients to discover what really caused the presenting problems and how to prevent them happening again. Having worked with various industries and companies in NZ, Canada and the UK we fully understand the need to safely and swiftly return people to work and their pre-injury lifestyles with the minimum of effort, cost and fuss.

Muscle strains and tears Tissue injury usually involves damage to small blood vessels that results in bleeding at the site of injury. This bleeding leads to the five main signs of inflammation: heat, redness, swelling, pain and loss of function. The inflammatory reaction is necessary as it is part of the natural healing process, however to assist the body in returning to normal function and reduce the risk of re-injury, Physiotherapy treatment and advice after injury is integral to ensuring a speedy recovery.

Postural Dysfunction Posture- why is it so important? If you have ever visited a Physiotherapist, I am sure that at some point the word posture would have been mentioned. Whether the problem you are seeing the Physiotherapist for is in the knee, shoulder, back or neck, your posture plays a very important part in your recovery and treatment.