Therapies available at The Joint & Back Clinic

Unlike traditional Chinese acupuncture which emphasises the use of energy meridians and specific acupuncture points, 'Western Medical Acupuncture' uses needles to activate a number of physiological mechanisms that encourage healing. It is now commonly used with very positive affects by Osteopaths, Physiotherapist and Medical Practitioners for both musculoskeletal and other medical conditions widely within the UK. It is a very cost effective, highly successful and adaptable treatment method with few if any side effects. Depending on the nature of your problem, acupuncture can be applied as a sole treatment method or can be very successfully combined with Osteopathy. Put simply, if a needle is placed in a dysfunctional area, that area tends to become less dysfunctional.

This clinic mainly uses 'Therapeutic Ultrasound' which uses sound waves to speed up the healing process. High frequency sound waves are applied to the tissues to accelerate the rate of healing by promoting the inflammatory response, increasing the extensibility of scar tissue and enhancing circulatory processes in injury sites. It is a painless non-invasive procedure. Ultrasound is normally applied by use of a small metal treatment head which emits the ultrasonic beam transmitted to the skin via a contact medium such as a gel. This is moved continuously over the skin for approximately 3-5 minutes. Treatments may be repeated frequently depending on whether the injury is acute or chronic.

'Electrotherapy' more broadly, can be found in other therapeutic modalities, but is generally a form of medical treatment which uses small electrical impulses or sound wave energy to repair tissue, stimulate muscles and increase sensations and muscle strength.

Rehabilitation exercise and stretching are crucial for recovery from injuries, surgery and most conditions, because they help restore function, allowing individuals to regain the ability to perform daily tasks and participate in their normal activities. They also play a vital role in preventing future injuries and promoting a faster, more complete healing process.

Controlled movements and exercise can help reduce pain, inflammation and swelling in the affected and surrounding areas, promoting a more comfortable and efficient healing process. They also help improve flexibility and range of motion, prevent stiffness and allowing for easier movement and strength recovery, thereby improving overall well-being.

While traditional taping treatments restrict the movement of injured muscles and joints, today we know that keeping muscles moving and improving circulation reduces pain and speeds up healing. That is the science that inspired the father of kinesiology taping, Japanese chiropractor Dr. Kenzo Kase, to develop a muscle treatment in 1979 that he named the ‘Kinesio Taping Method’. This taping method gently lifts the layer of skin and attached tissue covering a muscle so that blood and other body fluids can move more freely in and around that muscle or structure.

Dr. Kase lists four major functions of ‘Kinesio Taping’ those being; supporting the muscles, correcting joint problems, removing congestion to the flow of body fluids and lastly activating the body’s own self-healing and pain relieving systems. The method can and is used independently of other therapies. It is commonly seen in use by professional sports people, bodies variously covered in strips of brightly coloured tape. It is sometimes incorporated in Osteopathic treatment as it improves recovery and has excellent therapeutic benefits as long as the tape is attached, usually up to five days following application.

There are many conditions that affect the foot causing a range of painful and debilitating conditions that can make weight bearing, walking and any physical activity painful and difficult. More body-wide effects are frequently caused such as back, knee, hip and neck problems as you try to compensate for the dysfunctional foot. As you walk, run, stand etc, your foot transfers your body weight from above to the ground and visa-versa. This transfer relies on the shape of the foot primarily its arches, as well as the anatomical structures of the foot coming in to contact with the ground in the right position and at the right time. When any of these elements does not happen correctly foot pain frequently develops.

Osteopathic treatment and exercise rehabilitation for foot issues is frequently undertaken and regularly combined with post treatment use of shoe orthotics and specific foot-ware recommendations such as anti pronation trainers. These are specifically constructed and shaped supportive insoles and shoes, that effectively provide support for the foot when static and during activity, thereby taking the strain off the foot and the rest of the body. Orthotics and shoes come in a wide variety of shapes sizes and types, varying from generic pre-formed types to custom made products; this is reflected in the variable cost.

This treatment is not just for the ‘sports person’ as anyone can benefit from sports and remedial massage, including people in physically demanding and sedentary jobs. These massage techniques use a combination of hands on traditional massage strokes and techniques such as Soft Tissue Release, Muscle Energy Technique and NMT (neuromuscular technique) to relieve pain and encourage release and healing. Muscles not only move our joints, they also stabilise and protect the skeleton and its internal structures. When our muscle movement is restricted by an injury, compromised posture or joint restrictions, massage can effectively break down these dysfunctions. This treatment is designed to work effectively with the patient to bring about optimum performance, provide injury free training and minimise post event injuries.