Physiotherapy in Leeds
Physiotherapy works with our body's movement and function to make the most of our physical potential. It aims to restore balance, helping the body to work better and encouraging our in-built healing responses rather than just dealing with individual diseases or symptoms.
Physiotherapists can work with patients of all ages to improve the use of parts of the body that are affected by disease or injury, increase movement and mobility and maximize sporting performance.
Physiotherapists use a range of physical treatments and techniques to prevent and treat injury and disease; helping to restore heath and well-being, without the need for drugs or surgery.
- What can Physiotherapy help?
- Physiotherapy in Leeds at the Good Health Centre.
- Physiotherapy treatment
- What to expect
- Training and regulation
- Cautions and care
- Find out more
What can Physiotherapy help?
Physiotherapy can help to treat and improve a wide range of conditions, being extensively used in hospitals, clinics and in the community;
The physiotherapists at the Good Health centre have a special interest in treating:
- Joint problems - including arthritis and injury causing pain, swelling and stiffness in joints.
- Treatment and prevention of work related conditions such as repetitive strain injury(RSI). Find out more about The Good Health Centre's Occupational Health Service 'Osteopathy in Industry'
- Neck and back problems - including slipped/prolapsed discs, arthritis, sciatica, lumbago and neck pain and stiffness.
- Sports and dance Injuries - to muscles, ligaments, cartilage and tendons
- Soft tissue problems such as tennis and golfer's elbow, tendonitis and frozen shoulder
Physiotherapy can also help:
- Fractures - treatment to increase the healing rate and gain full function once the bones have healed
- Abdominal problems - such as colitis and irritable bowel syndrome
- Gynaecological conditions - including stress incontinence and rehabilitation after surgery.
- Pregnancy and childbirth- including treatment for back and pelvic pain.
- Chest conditions - such as asthma, chest infections, cystic fibrosis, emphysema, bronchitis and bronchiectasis
- Neurological conditions - such as strokes, head injuries, nerve injuries, multiple sclerosis, shingles, cerebral palsy and chronic fatigue.
- Paediatrics - for childhood conditions including postural and walking problems
- Circulatory problems - such as Raynauds disease, intermittent claudication and cardiac rehabilitation.
- Rehabilitation after surgery
Physiotherapy in Leeds at the Good Health Centre.
Julia Wokes
Jenny Miller
Physiotherapy treatment
Physiotherapists use a range of techniques to treat patients, these include:
- Manipulation and mobilisation of joints helps relieve pain and stiffness. Soft tissue release techniques improve posture, flexibility and function
- Massage: Massage may be used to improve blood flow and help fluid to drain away, to make it easier to move parts of the body and to relieve pain and help relaxation.
- Exercise and movement: Different types of exercises to strengthen the body and improve your range of movement may be demonstrated and prescribed, including general, gentle exercise such as walking or swimming, or specific exercises to target certain areas of the body.
- Electrotherapy: Electrotherapy uses small electrical impulses to stimulate the nervous system. This causes a tingly feeling and makes certain muscles contract or squeeze, reducing pain and helping the muscles heal themselves. Ultrasound may also be used to reduce soft tissue swelling and pain and to promote healing.
What to expect
Your physiotherapist will first take a detailed history of your condition, together with any important past medical problems and treatments.
You should wear comfortable, loose clothing that you can move in. You may need to remove some items of clothing to allow a full examination of the injured area.
The physiotherapist will physically assess you to diagnose your problem and discuss a treatment plan. They will then use the appropriate physical techniques (see Physiotherapy treatment) to treat your condition and demonstrate and explain the exercises you should continue at home.
Training and regulation
Chartered Physiotherapists study full-time for three or four years in University. During this time they complete over 1,000 hours of clinical practice in a number of different specialities.
After this initial period of training a physiotherapist is most likely to work within a general hospital within the NHS to gain experience
Under current law only people who are Registered with the Health Professions Council are able to call themselves physiotherapists.
Cautions and care
Physiotherapy is a safe, non-invasive therapy that is suitable for all ages.
However it is important to inform your physiotherapist if you are suffering any pain or problems following treatment.
Find out more
The Chartered Society of Physiotherapists
www.csp.org.uk
NHS Direct
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
