Blog

March Newsletter

Welcome to our second newsletter of 2021. With the unveiling of the government’s roadmap, we are excited to welcome a fresh outlook for 2021. This starts in clinic with the welcoming back of Southwest Podiatry after a year absence, it will be good to see old colleagues again. Charlie continues to work in the vaccination centre with his NHS role and is happy to announce that it continues to be busy; we all hope to return to normality in the very near future!

Extra corporeal Shock Wave therapy

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is a treatment modality that is continually increasing in popularity. ESWT is a non-invasive form of treatment where a high energy soundwave, produced by a handheld applicator, is applied, and directed to an injured tissue. The shockwave impulses spread inside the injured tissue to stimulate an inflammatory response at the treatment site. This encourages increases in blood circulation, cell generation and enhanced metabolism of the affected tissue resulting in improved pain and function. ESWT creates a stimulatory activation and enhancement of the healing process and is a clinically proven treatment modality primarily used in the treatment of tendons. Due to its non-invasive, low risk nature, it is an appropriate and cost-effective alternative to other higher risk techniques (such as injection therapy). ESWT can be combined with physiotherapy and loading exercises. ESWT has been approved by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the United Kingdom for its effectiveness in decreasing tendon pain

Interested in ESWT?

To book please contact the clinic on 020 8947 2053. It is recommended that sessions are booked in a block for three for best results. If you are unsure if this treatment is for you, please speak to your physiotherapist.

Meet the specialists

In our continued partnership with Fortius Clinic, PhysioSW19 would like to introduce you to Dr Justin Yeoh who is a specialist Consultant in Musculoskeletal, Sport and Exercise Medicine, working at the Fortius Clinic on Worple Road. He has worked at several Premier League football clubs and is currently Club Doctor at Fulham FC.

Justin specialises in the non-surgical management of a variety of musculoskeletal issues. This includes any joint related pain (such as osteoarthritis), tendon related pain (such as the of the Achilles, patella, elbow, or shoulder), acute and chronic sport or exercise related injuries as well as more complex unresolved problems that need a further in-depth assessment.

During the UK’s third national lockdown, Fortius remains open for consultations, diagnosis and treatment and have introduced enhanced protective measures to maintain the highest level of patient safety.

Headaches – causes and treatments

According to the NHS, more than 10 million people in the UK suffer with headaches on a regular basis. The International Headache Society have classified over 100 different types of headaches with cervicogenic, tension and migraine headaches being the most common.

Recent studies have shown that in 86% of headache cases (and migraine cases) there is cervical dysfunction (Watson, 2002) and over 93% of headache sufferers have active trigger points in the upper back and neck area (Calandre, 2006). Common causes include poor posture, neck and upper back stiffness, muscle weakness, poor ergonomic set up, stress and dehydration.

If you suffer with headaches, research has shown that physiotherapy treatment can be effective in reducing the intensity and frequency of headaches. In the meantime, check out last months newsletter on how to ensure a correct desk set up and see below for a good stretch to help (Niere & Robinson, 2016).

Upper Trapezius Stretching

Standing with good posture, take the ear down towards the opposite shoulder. You should feel a light pull in the muscles on the opposite side of the neck. Please do not push through pain. Hold this position for 20 seconds and swap sides.