What We Treat
At Star House we are predominantly musculo-skeletal specialists. This means in practice that we deal with any injury or disease involving the spine and other joints in the body, as well as 'soft tissue' such as muscles, tendons and ligaments.
As Chartered Physiotherapists we are 'hands on' in our approach:
- We use mobilising or manipulative techniques to move joints and specific massage and stretch techniques for soft tissue problems.
- We use electrotherapy equipment such as ultrasound and laser to help speed up the body's own healing mechanisms.
- We use acupuncture in some cases to help stimulate healing and pain relief alongside more traditional physiotherapy techniques.
All the physiotherapists who work within our Practice have a minimum of four years postgraduate experience. Prior to this, they have completed an intensive three year degree at university.
Although we are musculo-skeletal specialists we can also help people who have had strokes, head injuries, or suffer from other more general mobility problems such as MS and Parkinsons, etc. We also treat other conditions such as stress incontinence.
If we feel that yours is not a "physiotherapy problem" we will write to your GP asking them to either investigate your condition with further tests or to refer you on to an appropriate consultant. If we cannot help you ourselves it is our commitment to find someone who can help you and we will not charge you for your initial consultation.
Bursitis
A bursa is a cushion of jelly-like fluid, which prevent a tendon or ligament from rubbing on any other structure near a joint. The bursa can become inflamed with an injury and cause pain in or at the joint. Treatment for this might include electrotherapy such as ultrasound or laster. Acupuncture can also be used for pain relief.
Arthritis
There are many forms of arthritis, over 200 kinds in fact. We can help explain these problems to you and advise you regarding the best form of treatment to help with the pain and stiffness which is often associated with these conditions. Osteo-arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis are just some of the problems we can help with. We can achieve reductions in your pain levels and improvements in your daily activities with simple exercises and the proper care.
We can offer a regular monitoring service for these conditions, to ensure you keep on the right track. Should you need further medical intervention or the help of other professionals, we can assist with putting you in touch with the appropriate person to achieve the best care.
We will explain this condition and are committed to helping you manage it.
Visit the Arthritis Research Campaign for more information.
Osteo-arthritis
This is commonly known as 'wear and tear' and is a phrase often used by GPs to describe many different joint problems. X-rays can show us the damage to the bones and joints themselves. Many problems, however, arise from the tendons, muscles and ligaments around our joints and are usually very treatable.
Knee pains, hip pains, wrist, hand and foot pains can all come from small injuries left undiagnosed and untreated. Many people are surprised that helping the body to deal with these specific areas can put right longstanding problems and improve normal movement and day to day function. The well-known adage - if you don't use it, you lose it - applies particularly to osteo-arthritis. The muscles are the springs of your body, and keeping them strong helps your whole body to resist injury and ageing.
We as physiotherapists have a vital role to play in preventing osteo-arthritis by carefully diagnosing and treating susceptible areas and avoiding unnecessary problems developing. Has you GP said, "It's only wear and tear?" If so, we can help you understand the problem and deal with it - not just live with it.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
This form of arthritis can involve inflammation at many joints. The body decides to attack its own tissues and this can cause severe pain, swelling, and perhaps lead to deformity over time. There are drugs which can help to calm the disease down, and physiotherapy can help with learning how to pace activities, protect joints, and recognise when to rest, when to exercise, and when additional treatment is required.
Visit the American College of Rheumatology for more information.
Ankylosing Spondylitis
This condition tends to affect more males than females and involves stiffening of the lower spinal joints, and occasionally the hips. Other joints may also be affected. It can potentially lead to stiffening or fusion of the joints, which may affect how you move.
People are often young when they experience symptoms of this disease and need guidance regarding exercise, flexibility training and posture. This is particularly helpful in maintaining the ability to work and engage in hobbies and activities. It is important to monitor this condition to prevent the possibility of deformity arising.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis occurs when the bones become thinner and weaker. This is a normal change, which occurs with age, but our bones can actually start to weaken around the age of 30! There are many factors that can effect this, for example exercise, diet and lifestyle. Ladies can lose some bone structure around the menopause with normal hormonal changes in the body. There are now drug treatments available on prescription to help reintroduce calcium into the bones; however, although this disease is often predominantly associated with females it is something for men to be aware of also.
Whatever your age, we can advise you regarding the best way to keep your bones in peak condition, taking into account your particular circumstances and medical condition. Bone densitometry can be ordered by your GP if there is any doubt over the strength of your bones. This test is as simple and painless as an X-ray and can be repeated every two years to show progress.
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