#grangephysiotherapy

What is the vestibular system?

The vestibular system is made up of structures located within each inner ear, which create the sensation of being upright or balanced. Our balance system requires this to function in coordination with our vision and joint positioning. 

Vestibular rehabilitation:  best physiotherapist near me

There is often a quick fix for the cause of children’s pain or dysfunction.  At Mandurah physiotherapy, we have physiotherapists who have special interest in the treatment of children.  We can help your child with:

Milestone development- infancy to childhood

Motorskill & lifestyle development- rolling, reaching, crawling, walking running, jumping, riding, ball skills

Strengthening

Growing Pains

Scoliosis or posture concerns

Sitting still in class

Co-ordination and balancing

Injuries/Pain in muscles and joints

Torticollis and plagiocephaly

Screen time versus active play requirements

Weight management and fatigue

Rehabilitation following bracing or medical procedures

We believe exercise is important.  Previously it was thought that once you retired inactivity was acceptable.  It’s now recognized that activity is beneficial throughout our journey. Our bodies are designed to exercise every day.  In fact, if we don’t exercise, just as if we don’t eat, our body literally starts to break down and all sorts of problems emerge e.g. heart, bone/osteoporosis, depression, balance. mobility and lots more. (grangephysiotherapy)

It is a well-known fact that the way to fitness and good health is a well-balanced diet and regular physical activity. This is especially true and important for the elderly. Recent studies have shown that physical exercise in the twilight years adds quality and vitality to life. One major concern among a lot of people who don’t exercise is the fear of overdoing it and risking injury, especially as we get older.  This concern is valid but should not hinder from reaping the benefits of what a carefully planned and professionally assessed program has to offer. It is important to remember that young or old – we are supposed to exercise within the boundaries of the body’s current level of tolerance.

What should we be doing?  Most research shows that we should be exercising 2-3 times weekly for a minimum of 20 – 30 minutes.  This will vary depending on what type of exercise and what intensity it is.  For example with moderate walking then a reasonable goal could be 40-50 minutes per session.  If high-intensity cycling is the activity then 20 minutes may be sufficient.  There are 2 types of systems that the body uses to create energy:  (physiotherapists in mandurah)

AEROBIC EXERCISE:

•    Exercise with the use of Oxygen •    This type of exercise makes you puff •    It trains the cardio/vascular system •    Examples: brisk walking, cycling •    Exercise must be for a minimum of 15 minutes to be aerobic

ANAEROBIC EXERCISE:

•    Exercising without Oxygen •    Gives you short bursts of energy before the aerobic system comes in •    E.g. squash (stop-start), gym work, weightlifting etc.

Whenever we start to walk we use our anaerobic system until the aerobic system starts to kick in.  Anaerobic training is often used for specific functions e.g. muscle strength, osteoporosis bone building etc. Both types of exercise are beneficial although aerobic exercise is very important for full health i.e. cardiovascular health.

How to get motivated?  Join a class or train with others.  Make sure the class is appropriate for what is needed and caters for specific needs.  If there are medical issues, assessment by a qualified professional such as a physiotherapist is recommended.   There are various classes available e.g. aqua-aerobics, prime movers, hash house harriers (runners).  Classes need to be specific to the needs of each individual. A client who has degeneration of the knees and a total hip replacement needs a specific program to incorporate all the areas of concern.  Physiotherapists often have clients who haven’t exercised for a while and just want a general fitness program.  They can be given guidelines on what to avoid and what to focus on.  It can be a lot easier to exercise with others when there is the social aspect of meeting other people while doing the task.

With gym training, there are many gyms and clubs around currently offering competitive fitness deals.  Find someone who understands specific medical history so damage is not done.  It may be worth getting knowledgeable advice from your physiotherapist on this.  Our clinics run small strength training groups for the older person or those suffering specific medical conditions such as osteoporosis, arthritis etc.  Exercise programs are written by a qualified physiotherapist so that they are specific to the client’s needs, and training occurs for a one-hour period.  The classes are small so that the instructor can give individual attention to everybody whilst still being able to keep the price low. The advantage in a small class is that you are guided throughout the entire training session and supervised.  There are also social aspects as well, which include encouragement, friendship, and stamina.  It is always easiest to train with someone than to try to train independently especially when you’re in pain.  This type of class is very appropriate for the older person even if there is no gym experience at all.  Other options involve just getting specific advice on an appropriate program and train independently.  The regularity with a training regime is important to obtain best results.  At least 2-3 times a week is a general guideline.

Too much exercise can decrease hormones needed for good bone health. Moderate controlled exercise is the key.

Many people suffer hip and/or pelvic pain. There are a variety of reasons for this and due to the depth of the hip joint and the amount of surrounding tissue, it is a complex area. The younger sporty population are more likely to suffer soft tissue injuries such as conjoint tendon tears, muscle strains, and imbalances. Hip problems seen in children are often growth related and may be due to overload or abnormality. The older population is more like to suffer degenerative changes to the hip joint itself, and tendon pathology changes due to wear and tear. Many hip problems may actually be coming from the lower back or tailbone area, and referred pain is not uncommon. It is therefore important to get a thorough assessment done by an experienced physiotherapist or specialist in order to ascertain what the cause of the problem is in order to treat it. Many hip problems can be treated successfully conservatively with good results. Others may need surgery, such as hip replacements or hip labrum tears.

We now have shockwave available for all those stubborn soft tissue problems such as tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, and muscle soreness. No additional costings-it’s all included in a normal consultation-how great is that.  Generally, results are seen within the first 3 sessions.

Why not give it a go, and get pain-free for summer?  Book in with one of our physiotherapists for a full assessment and suitability.  Book online or ring 9535 7439 to discuss your issue.

While it might sound intimidating, shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment used in a variety of health fields, such as physiotherapy, sports medicine, urology, and orthopaedics. Shockwave therapy is an ideal treatment for muscle injuries, relieving acute and chronic pain as well as assisting to speed up your recovery.

Shockwave therapy was originally developed to treat kidney stones and gallstones, it’s also effective for plantar fasciitis, calcific tendonitis, knee pain, and a range of other treatments.

What Issues Can Shockwave Therapy Help You With?

Shockwave therapy can help with issues such as:

Tennis elbow

Achilles tendinopathy

Golfers elbow

Jumpers knee (patella tendinitis)

Shoulder bursitis

Plantar fasciitis (heel pain)

Hip or trochanteric bursitis

Hamstrings tendinitis

Muscle knots

What Can I Expect During A Shockwave Therapy Appointment?

Before we begin any shockwave therapy treatment with you, our physiotherapists will undertake a thorough assessment of your areas of concern to diagnose your injury. If it is decided that shockwave treatment is suitable for you, we will prepare you for shockwave treatment. This will take approximately 5 minutes.

The treatment itself is mildly uncomfortable, which resolves as soon as treatment is completed. We will also include in your treatment massage, joint mobilisation, exercise prescription, taping, and education as needed.

How Many Treatments Do I Need?

We recommend four to eight treatments of shockwave therapy at 5 to 7 days apart.

Dislocation or subluxation of the shoulder is a result of shoulder instability.  Dislocation is when the joint pops out of joint and has to be assisted back into position, or slowly goes back into position with time.  Subluxation is when the shoulder joint pops out and then goes back into position immediately.  It can still cause a lot of pain and inflammation because tissues have been stretched beyond what they were designed to do.  

Instability injuries are common around the shoulder.  Instability of the shoulder is commonly seen in association with other injuries.  Rotator cuff, labrum tears, fracture, axillary nerve involvement, are typical examples. Stretching of the shoulder capsule and the ligaments that are associated with it (anterior, medial and inferior), create most of the instability.

There are 4 common forms of instability:

1. Anterior/front  (most commonly seen and often traumatic)

2. Posterior/back

3. Inferior  (can be indicative of multidirectional laxness)

4. Multidirectional

Anterior

Anterior dislocations or subluxations usually occur when the arm is abducted and externally rotated, and there is a blow to the back of the shoulder.  The Apprehension test can be gently tested with the patient in sitting.  Always compare both shoulders to get a feel of the normal shoulder movement of that patient.

Posterior

Posterior Instability is most likely to be initiated when the arm is in mid-flexion, and the head of the humerus is forced posteriorly.  It is not commonly seen.  It can be tested with the patient’s arm at 90 degrees flexion and applying pressure through the arm towards the shoulder joint.

Inferior

Inferior instability is most easily tested with the sulcus test of comparing the levels of the humeral heads in the resting shoulders.  Shoulders that dislocate or sublux on a regular basis will eventually develop this instability and very occasionally it is seen in an acute instance from a caudal force to the shoulder.

Multidirectional instability 

Multidirectional instability usually occurs over a period of time, although it can be initiated with a traumatic event.  An inferior unstable shoulder will usually be multidirectional.  It is most often treated with rehabilitation.

Unilateral dislocations more commonly occur with trauma.  Most Orthopaedic surgeons will stipulate the importance of surgery at an early stage to avoid further dislocation and damage.  This is especially important for the younger patient.

Instability in shoulders that are treated conservatively has a moderate success rate.  Treatment usually concentrates on specific strengthening exercises and minimal stretching.  Recent research shows that upper trapezius training and scapular stabilizing work may play a significant role in assisting to stabilize the unstable shoulder.