Please note that as from 14th October, our prices for a 40 Minute physiotherapy session will increase to £50 and Shockwave treatment to £70.

Thankyou for your understanding.

Nicky

Joint mobilisation is a hands-on physiotherapy technique used to treat joint pain and improve mobility. The physiotherapist uses skilled, controlled movements and forces to mobilize joints, to increase their range of motion. This helps to stretch muscles and ligaments, stimulate synovial fluid production for joint lubrication, and encourage proper joint alignment. Different grades or intensities of joint mobilisation may be used, depending on the individual’s condition. The physiotherapist will also examine and treat the muscles around the joint being mobilised. When performed by a trained physiotherapist, joint mobilization is an effective way to reduce joint stiffness, alleviate pain, regain mobility, and improve overall joint function.

 It involves the skilled application of specific movements and techniques to joints and soft tissues to:

• Restore normal range of motion
• Reduce pain and inflammation
• Improve joint alignment and mechanics
• Break up adhesions and scar tissue

Our physiotherapists use different grades of joint mobilization based on your condition and goals.

More than 80% of adults experience low back pain at some point in their lifetime. For many people the pain is acute lasting only a few days or weeks, for others it can be longer-lasting. Low back pain can be caused by a number of things including muscle strain, poor posture, arthritis, herniated diss and degenerative disc disease.

The good news is that most cases of low back pain can be resolved and managed with a comprehensive treatment plan provided by a Physiotherapist. Physiotherapy may include exercise, soft tissue therapy, acupuncture and professional advice. For further information contact the clinic through our phone number, 01252 811773, email info@hartphysio.co.uk or our website.

We are happy to announce that our governing body (The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy) has advised all members in all sectors that they can continue to run physiotherapy services during the national lockdown.

Hart Physio will continue to follow all safety measures already in place to appropriately treat current and new patients during this difficult time. Please call us on 01252 811773 to find out how we can support you.

At Hart Physio we are proud to be members of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. This is a time where working together and under their lead has never been so important. We are closely following guidelines and procedures that allow us to open the clinic safely. Environmental and individual risk assessments are taking place to establish whether we continue with virtual or move to face to face appointments. We have made a number of modifications to our day including extending appointments to ensure plenty of time for cleaning of the room as well as factoring in time for phone screening patients before attending the clinic. We are also well supplied with all necessary PPE. The above chart highlights the factors which will be considered to follow our professional guidelines.

Hart Physio are offering physio online to all self funded and insurance patients.

Health Insurance providers Bupa, Axa PPP and a number of others have confirmed that during the Covid-19 pandemic they will cover all Physio treatment received via a virtual video consultation, we can use Zoom, Whats App, Facetime or telephone for your virtual appointments. We are using a specialising App to help you with your rehabilitation.

Bupa and Axa PPP have also confirmed that we can continue to accept new patients for a full assessment and continuing treatment plan as well as existing patients already being treated by Hart Physio

During these challenging times at Hart Physio we are now offering online/video consultations with Physitrack. We will spend time with you discussing your concerns and provide advice to assist you with recovery from musculoskeletal issues. Condition information and individual exercise programmes will be provided alongside. Please phone us on 01252 811773 or visit www.hartphysio.co.uk

Neck pain refers to pain that occurs anywhere in the region starting at the base of the skull and ending at the shoulders. The neck comprises the bones and joints of your cervical spine, otherwise known as your neck vertebrae; the muscles and ligaments that keep the cervical spine together; and the discs separating your vertebrae and serving as shock absorbers.

It’s not unexpected that your neck muscles, ligaments and bones are subject to the same wear and tear as the rest of your body. Overuse, poor positioning or injury can take their toll, leading to stiffness, soreness or extreme pain.

Chronic conditions are one cause of neck pain. Damage to the discs in your neck over time can lead to a pinched nerve, causing pain in one side of the neck that may involve tingling, numbness and pain that radiates down to your hand, while osteoarthritis can cause pain due to joint breakdown.

In addition, poor positioning of your neck may also cause pain or stiffness, and there are numerous culprits for such behaviour. You may spend a lot of time hunched over your computer or your cellphone; you may sleep with your neck at an odd angle; or you may angle your neck unnaturally, as required to hold a phone between neck and shoulder. In addition, dealing with a lot of stress often leads to neck tension.

Finally, injury can lead to neck pain, discomfort that is sudden and severe. Car accidents and the resulting whiplash, sports collisions at speed or direct blows to the back of the head are sources of acute injury and pain. Neck injuries must be approached with caution, because an injury to the spinal cord could be involved.

TREATING NECK PAIN

If you experience trauma to the neck, the injury could be serious. Your neck should be immobilized until you can be moved safely and evaluated medically to ensure that there is no spinal cord injury.

Chronic conditions require ongoing treatment that may include physiotherapy, while a garden variety stiff neck should first be treated with rest and ice to prevent inflammation – apply the ice during the first 24-to-48 hours after injury.

You may also want to take over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine to relieve the pain. Afterwards, you may wish to use heat on the neck to stimulate blood flow and promote healing.

To speed your recovery and prevent a recurrence of neck pain, you’ll want exercises that stretch and strengthen the muscles in your neck, shoulders and back.

A physiotherapist will be able to guide you in appropriate therapeutic exercises. Your regime will probably include isometric exercises, where neck muscles are tightened against and opposing force, and range-of-motion exercises that work to relax and lengthen your neck muscles.

Physiotherapists also employ treatments such as ultrasound, soft tissue release and joint mobilisation. To keep the neck strong and flexible over with a good range of motion, you’ll want to continue prescribed exercises on an ongoing basis.

PREVENTING NECK PAIN

If you have been dealing with a stiff neck, no doubt you don’t want to experience another one. There are a number of measures you can take to keep it from recurring.

• At night, sleep on your side or your back, rather than on your stomach. People who sleep on their stomachs tend to twist their necks into awkward positions during the night. In addition, don’t use too many pillows in bed, because more than one pillow under your head can restrict its range of motion.
• At work, don’t sit in one position for too long; be sure to get up and move around regularly so your neck isn’t stuck in an awkward position.
• Ensure that your computer screen is at eye level so your neck isn’t tilted inappropriately; if you’re using a tablet, tilt the screen to a 45-degree angle or prop it on a pillow; if you leave it flat, your head will be bent down, stretching the ligaments.
• If you spend a lot of time on the phone, wear a headset or an earpiece to prevent awkward positioning of your head and neck.

So, don’t let your pain in the neck debilitate you. Seek the treatment you need and commit to an ongoing prevention regimen.