Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) is a form of acupuncture that is particularly effective in treating long term conditions such as Sciatica, Chronic lower back pain & Neck complaints.
IMS is also becoming increasingly popular for the relief of short term pain, with many professional athletes using the technique. IMS differs from the usual forms of acupuncture, by targeting shortened muscles with the needle inserted into a plunger for better direction and ease.
FSWT (focused Shockwave Therapy) is an excellent alternative with impressive results for people with chronic pain who have exhausted all other treatment. What sets this treatment apart from traditional treatments is that it treats the muscloskeletal pathology instead of just offering symptomatic relief.
Each shockwave treatment works to increase the metabolic activity around the site of pain or discomfort, stimulating the reabsorption of irritative calcium deposits in tendons and stimulate the body’s natural healing process, thus reducing pain.
Clinical
studies report success rate above 75%!
During Radial
Shockwave therapy a high-intensity sound wave interacts with the tissues of
the body. This leads to a cascade of beneficial effects such as
neovascularisation in growth, reversal of chronic inflammation, stimulation of
collagen and dissolution of calcium build-up.
Stimulation of these biological
mechanisms creates an optimal healing environment. As the injured area is
returned to normal, functionality is restored and pain is relieved. We use
EMS radial shock wave machines, who are acknowledged as market leaders in the
radial shock wave field.
Rehabilitation of an injury is the cornerstone for full recovery and prevention of re-injury.
Whether it’s a lower back problem, a joint
replacement, a tendon problem or a post operative rehabilitation program that
is required, our physiotherapist will design a program for you and instruct you
on the exercises and the correct technique for each exercise. Follow-up sessions will involve one-to-one coaching and exercise progressions.
Varney physio utilises two of the latest ultrasound imaging
machines which are used in both
the diagnostic clinic and the injection clinic.
We combine ultrasound imaging & orthopaedic assessment to evaluate an injury at a much deeper level.
Please note: ultrasound
is not used with spine problems; these require an MRI scan which we can
organise for the patient.
USG (Ultrasound guided injections) Injections are an important treatment
pathway for many musculoskeletal and degenerative conditions.
When
physiotherapy is failing or the problem is better suited to injection therapy
we can advise you of the options available and carry out the procedure with
ultrasound guidance, ensuring the injection is administered in the precise location needed.
Joint manipulation is characteristically associated with the
production of ‘pop’ or 'click' sound. They are safe to perform in the correct
circumstances and with the correct training.
Joint manipulations have
been shown to relieve muscle pain, unlock stiff joints that
leads to restoration of normal joint range of motion. They are rarely performed in
isolation, typically the area is pre treated with electro therapy, massage or
acupuncture and manipulated at the end.
Sports
massage uses hands-on techniques to manipulate the muscles, tendons and
ligaments in the body.
Sports massage has been proven to be effective for
releasing and reducing tension in the muscles, improving circulation,
encouraging the removal of waste products such as lactic acid when performed
soon after intense training activities. This creates an additional benefit of
reducing the risk of future
injuries.
Interferential Therapy (IFT) is traditionally described as a low frequency brought about by electrical currents crossing each other.
The treatment is not unpleasant and the patient experiences only a mild tingling sensation.
The treatment encourages cellular changes depending upon the frequencies selected. Many conditions can be treated where inflammation and pain is present e.g. sports injuries, arthritic conditions, bruising and swelling. It can also be used to speed healing following surgery, fractures and manipulation.
Dry Needling is an effective treatment for tension or spasm within the muscle. The needles are directed to Trigger Points, which are irritable points in muscles associated with a sensitive nodule or knot.
During a session of dry needling the needle will elicit a local twitch response, which is an involuntary reflex, in which the muscle fibre’s contract and relax. Dry Needling that creates a twitch response speeds up the healing process and improves treatment outcomes.
When a muscle is inflamed, the space between the skin and muscle is compressed causing pain. By stretching a muscle and applying kinesio tape, convulsions are formed when the area is relaxed. This increases the space between the skin and muscle, improving drainage and blood flow, and reducing pain.
In contrast to other taping - Kinesio tape does not restrict the movement of the skin, joints or muscles, instead it encourages the bodies own healing mechanism. The tape is applied to the skin and can last up to 4/5 days. It is comfortable to wear and allergic skin reactions are very rare. Waterproof kinesio tape does not need to be renewed after sports activity or contact with water.
Therapeutic
Ultrasound can trace its roots as far back as the 1920’s. It has stood the test
of time and is found in most physiotherapy clinics.
Ultrasound is
applied using a transducer that is in direct contact with the patient's skin.
Gel is used on all surfaces of the head to reduce friction and assist
transmission of the ultrasonic waves.
With the current pressures that the NHS
finds itself under, patients are commonly finding it difficult to get NHS scans
authorised and when they do, they find the waiting times are often unacceptable
to them and delaying appropriate treatment.
Private MRI scans are cheaper than you would think. We liaise
with The London Imaging Centre, who do a self-pay, weekend rate of 200. We are
happy to assess and do the necessary paper work required for a referral. More importantly, when the results are
back we will telephone you to discuss the results and direct you to the most
appropriate treatment.
Platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections are derived from a sample of the patient’s own blood. These injections contain plasma with higher concentration platelets than what is normally found in blood.
PRP injections attempt to take advantage of the blood’s natural healing properties to repair damaged cartilage, tendons, ligaments, muscles, or even bone.