In Pursuit of Good Health
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy improves your physical condition by restoring normal body functions and prevents disability that may arise from disease, trauma or injury.
Your physiotherapist has a thorough understanding of how the body works gained from many years of rigorous academic study and practical experience. Physiotherapy encompasses posture, balance and movement, knowledge of diseases, injury and the healing process.
A qualified physiotherapist is a trained medical practitioner and you do not need to be referred by a doctor to see a physiotherapist.
Treatment Modalities
Physiotherapy treatment modalities include manual therapy (e.g. joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization), exercise therapy (e.g. stretching, strengthening), modalities (e.g. heat therapy, electrical stimulation), and education/advice. The specific modalities are used depending on the patient's individual needs and goals.
We Treat The Individual Not Just The Injury
Muscle Injuries
Muscle strain, muscle pull, or even a muscle tear refers to damage to a muscle or its attaching tendons. Muscle injuries are mainly due to overload and overstretch. You can put undue pressure on muscles during normal daily activities, with sudden heavy lifting, during sports, or while performing work tasks.
Tendon Injuries
Most tendon injuries occur near joints, such as the shoulder, elbow, knee, and ankle.
Tendinosis is a noninflammatory degenerative condition. The decline of collagen in the tendon is due to repeated strain under pressure (repetitive overloading). This is the most common form of tendinopathy. Therefore, tendinopathies are best treated through functional rehabilitation compared to anti-inflammatory medication. Early diagnosis and intervention reduce the time it takes to heal and get you back to your normal routine.
Torn Ligament Injuries
It is very common to damage the ligaments in all your peripheral joints when they are exposed too much impact or force. Some ligament tears will require surgery to re-attach the ligament, although the majority can be managed without going under the knife. It is also possible to damage the ligaments in your back as the result of a fall or twist. Recovering from ligament tear tends to be longer than muscle tear. The blood supply to ligaments is very poor as compared to the blood supply that muscles receive. As a result the rate of healing tends to be slower.
Bone Fractures
Hayley and Vernicia Physiotherapists work with a network of orthopaedic surgeons. We are able to assist in treating fractures conservatively before surgical intervention is necessary or postoperatively where surgical intervention is necessary. We are evidence-based practitioners and tailor our researched protocols to accommodate your surgery, severity and pain intensity.
Nerve Pain (Neuropathic Pain)
Symptoms of nerve pain can be very severe & alarming. Neuropathic pain is caused by problems with your nerves, which communicates with your brain. These impulses (messages) can vary from numbness to severe burning. Nerve irritation and compression most commonly occur in the lower back, when nerves that exit the spinal canal are irritated by inflammation or friction. This leads to a sharp, sudden burning or electrical type pain that runs down the leg(sciatica). The nerve is irritated in the back, but you feel pain all the way down the leg.
Acute And Chronic Conditions
Joint pain, Myofascial pain, Fibromyalgia syndrome, Complex regional pain syndrome, Whiplash associated disorder, Chronic musculoskeletal pain, Arthritis, Management of joint & muscular pain related to sports injuries or ergonomic abnormalities.
Sinusitis
Passive physiotherapy treatments for back and neck pain may include ice and heat therapies, massage therapy, electrotherapy, or ultrasound. These help in relieving pain, stiffness, and inflammation.
Postural Related Problems
The complications of poor posture include back pain, spinal dysfunction, joint degeneration, rounded shoulders and a potbelly. You can improve your posture and spinal health by making a few lifestyle adjustments.
Manual Therapy
The International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists (IFOMPT) defines orthopaedic manual physical therapy as: "a specialised area of physiotherapy for the management of neuro-musculoskeletal conditions. Making use of skilled hand movements intended to improve tissue extensibility, increase range of motion, induce relaxation, mobilize or manipulate soft tissue and joints, modulate pain, and reduce soft tissue swelling, inflammation, or restriction
Dry Needling
Trigger-point dry needling is an invasive procedure where a fine needle or acupuncture needle is inserted into the skin and muscle. It is aimed at myofascial trigger points (MTrP) which are hyperirritable spots in skeletal muscle that are associated with a hypersensitive palpable nodule in a taut band. Trigger point dry needling can be carried out at superficial or deep tissue level. Dry needling has been shown to immediately increase pressure pain threshold and range of motion, decrease muscle tone, and decrease pain in patients with musculoskeletal conditions. Dry needling causes vasodialation in the small blood vessels leading to increased muscle blood flow and oxygenation.
Kinesiology Taping
This method is based on the science of maintaining support to the body while allowing blood and other bodily fluids to move freely through and around the injured muscle. Kinesiology tape stabilizes the injured area by lightly adhering to the skin and applying pressure to the tissue.
This special tape helps to improve circulation, support muscles, allow the internal injury to heal, and help prevent further muscle injury while still allowing motion.
Exercise Rehabilitation
The goal of any rehabilitation is to restore function to the greatest degree in the shortest time, helping people return to their function with minimal risk of re-injury. While absolute rest and offloading may relieve symptoms, they are associated with negative potentials such as decreased tissue tolerance and increased tissue vulnerability in the future.
Understanding how tissues respond to physical stress and mechanical loading is helpful in achieving a balance between stabilising an injured tissue and avoiding detraining.
Shockwave Therapy
The Swiss DolorClast® Method uses single acoustic pressure waves, called shock waves, to treat musculoskeletal and dermatological pathologies.
By delivering a mechanical stress to injured tissues, Shock
Waves enable:
Immediate pain relief
A healing reaction of the body
The Swiss DolorClast Method® is the most well-researched shock wave therapy. A combination of unique technologies, clinically proven protocols and education ensure significant improvement in given musculoskeletal and dermatological indications.
Meet The Team
HAYLEY O'GRADY MOUTINHO PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Hayley completed her BSc Physiotherapy degree at Wits University and completed her community service at Natalspruit hospital in Gauteng.
Hayley has done several post graduate courses to further her expertise including the following:
Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy (OMT1) Course
SIJ and Lower Back Pain
Headaches and Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
Dry Needling
Kinesio Taping
The Ultimate Upper and Lower quarter
Management of Chronic Pulmonary Conditions
Cardio Pulmonary Rehabilitation
VERNICIA JEAN-PIERRE PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Vernicia completed her BSc Physiotherapy degree at the University of Stellenbosch, thereafter she spent some time in the government sector before settling into private practice. She has two beautiful daughters and a loving husband and enjoys running in her spare time. Vernicia is passionate about Physiotherapy and this is evident in the compassionate way in which she treats her patients.
Vernicia has completed an extensive list of courses:
Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy (OMT1) Course
Dry Needling
Kinesio Taping
Pain Management
ROJEANE SCHOLTZ
PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Rojeane completed her BSc Physiotherapy degree at the University of the Free-State and completed her community service at Butterworth Hospital in the Eastern-Cape.
Rojeane has completed the following courses:
Dry needling level 1
Ventilator basics
Two-day online Cerebral Palsy
5-module Persistent NMS pain boot camp.
Her hobbies include reading and outdoor activities
