Information for Patients about Common Conditions
Following is some general information for patients about:
- Osteoporosis
- Tennis Elbow
- Lower Back Pain
- Children and Adolescents in Sport
- Fibromyalgia
- Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD)
- Falls Prevention and Balance Retraining
Osteoporosis:
30-50% of women and 15-30% of men will develop an osteoporotic fracture in their lifetime. Bone mass starts deteriorating at 30 years of age. Although exercise in adulthood cannot increase bone mass, it can reduce the rate of bone loss. A physiotherapist can assess the risk of falls and prescribe an exercise program to improve stability, strength and mobility, and provide ergonomic advice. Pilates is a great management strategy as is Whole Body Vibration Therapy. This utilises a vibration platform to stimulate bone trabecula changes. Both pilates and Whole Body Vibration Therapy are available at Performance Rehab.
Tennis Elbow:
Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylalgia, is associated with pain over the outside of the elbow (the lateral epicondyle) with activities involving gripping, lifting and repetitive or sustained hand and wrist movements. The average duration of symptoms is 6-24 months. The initial inflammatory response of the common extensor tendon fails to heal in a normal manner, resulting in degeneration of the tendon, changes in the nerve endings and muscle function. These changes may also be seen on the other non-painful side. The extensor muscles are used to stabilise the wrist during gripping/hand activities. Pain-free grip strength is reduced on the symptomatic side by an average of 43-64%. Changes have also been shown in the speed and accuracy during hand/arm movements.
Lower Back Pain:
Chronic lower back pain is the most commonly treated condition by physiotherapists and effects up to 80% of the population once in their lifetime. Patients may describe their back issue as “episodic” with the majority of symptoms resolving between 4-6 weeks. However, there is often a continuum of varying pain intensity and dysfunction, without full resolution between episodes. The research evidence supports the use of specific exercises, advice and activity modification to significantly reduce back pain. The use of the real-time ultrasound can also assist in rehabilitating “core” muscles, to prevent recurrent episodes.
Children and Adolescents in Sport:
Physiotherapists understand the difference in requirements and demands placed on the body between children and adults. We can assess physical and motor development to determine whether the child is engaging in activity that is appropriate for their age, physical characteristics and experience. We can identify potential risk factors for injury, and provide advice on appropriate footwear/equipment and activity modification, as well as providing a program to prevent or address injuries.
Fibromyalgia:
Physiotherapy treatment of fibromyalgia needs to be tailored to the individual’s needs. Treatment may include advice on pain management, activity modification and strategies to reduce an overactive nervous system. We can also establish an appropriate exercise program, provide trigger point therapy (manually or with acupuncture), and mobilise joints for improving pain and mobility.
Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD):
Many patients with WAD do not seek early intervention. There is the highest level (level I and II) evidence for treatment of acute whiplash injuries (0-12 weeks) with education and advice to stay active, and for specific exercise programs. Many people will recover from a minor WAD quickly. However, research shows that for one-third of patients with WAD, conventional treatment only provides short-term relief. High levels of initial pain and disability have been correlated with poor prognosis. Sensori-motor proprioceptive changes as a result of WAD are linked to recurrence and maintenance of symptoms. Our highly-trained staff can identify contributing factors and implement strategies in the acute phase to enhance patient prognosis.
Falls Prevention and Balance Retraining:
Reduced balance and falls can have a significant impact on mobility, confidence and quality of life. Approximately one in three people over 65 years of age will fall every year, with one-quarter of these falls resulting in injury. A longitudinal study from the University of Queensland shows that even though falls don’t often begin until your seventies, balance actually begins deteriorating from 40 years of age (Low Choy et al, 2003). Exercise designed to improve balance, reaction times, muscle strength and endurance and bone density have proven effectiveness for reducing the likelihood of a fall (Barrett, 2003).