Swinton Physiotherapy Ltd

Any parent is concerned when their child gets injured or complains of pain, and common behaviour is to offer some comforting words and soon enough the child is bouncing around as usual.  However when the child is still complaining after two weeks it is important to take note and take action.  Assessment by a physiotherapist experienced with children and adolescents will pick up on the probability of your child having a congenital condition or an injury to growth tissue.

Too often such conditions are brushed off by parents and GP's as growing pains.  Meanwhile the child suffers unnecessarily and runs the risk of having a problem which can affect them in adult life.

In general children (<18 years) do not report pain for no reason, so if this happens repeatedly then there is cause for taking action.  There are two main types of pain - pain which can come on for no apparent reason, and pain as the result of an injury eg a tackle in footba... Read more

Of all the conditions that people present to me with, the one which most people seem to be able to self diagnose is a "trapped nerve".

Indeed this is a term which is bandied about by both medical and non-medical people.  However there are signs which are indicative of a true trapped nerve, which when noticed should prompt you to go see a physiotherapist as soon as possible.

The main true cause of a trapped nerve is from a bulging intervertebral disc - this normally occurs at the base of the neck, or lower back.

The intervertebral disc is situated between every vertebrae of the spine.  It allows flexibility of the spine and also provides cushioning from compressive forces.  Like any connective tissue of the body it is prone to wear and tear, stretching, and impact and it can deform. 

The base of the neck and the low back are vulnerable areas because they carry the weight of the head and the rest of the spine respectivel... Read more

Frozen shoulder is a condition that people commonly present to physiotherapy with.  The reason that it is so common is that people are often misdiagnosed by their GP as having a frozen shoulder when really it is simply a tendon sprain or tendonitis.

The problem then is that if anti-inflammatories are offered instead of physiotherapy then the shoulder problem can deteriorate into a frozen shoulder.

True frozen shoulder is when the arm cannot be lifted to horizontal in front or out to the side, and outward rotation of the arm is very limited.  Pain is severe and it is usually difficult to find a comfortable position for sleep.

It can come on without injury because the tendon structure changes over the lifespan making it more susceptible to irritation.  But usually it follows an injury or episode of pain in the shoulder tendons known as the rotator cuff.  Examples of potential injury to this area are falling on an outstretched arm, repeat... Read more

Summer looms and many are preparing for their holiday abroad.

While some like nothing more than lying in the sun all day others prefer to take on a new pursuit or discover the athlete within.

Whether it's a strain on the tennis court or a fall on the dance floor, following some basic injury care principles can help avoid a disaster holiday and ensure a smooth transition back into work and leisure activities on return home.

Peripheral injuries (i.e. not the spine) generally follow the same course of action -applying ice for 15 minutes at a time to prevent excessive swelling, elevating the body part while icing, and taking some anti-inflammatories or analgesics to reduce pain. 

Alcohol can increase blood flow to the periphery and this works against your efforts to reduce swelling, however if you have opted for all-inclusive you won't want to let that go to waste.  (I would advise that a family member fetches your drink to avoid aggr... Read more

Summertime brings great opportunity for kids to get outdoors and get active, and normally an increase in the amount of bumps and scrapes.  While this is a normal part of growing up and we expect children to heal quickly, it is important to pick up early on anything that may cause problems in later life.

In childhood the bones are soft and the supporting soft tissue ie tendon and ligaments are stronger, which means damage normally occurs in a bone before the surrounding soft tissue when subject to force. 

Bear this in mind if your GP ever describes a child's wrist or ankle injury as a ‘ligament sprain'.

Particular caution is required when there is possibility of fracture near the end of a bone where growth occurs.  If the fracture is not detected early and aligned properly there is the risk of difference in limb length or bony angulation.

As children enter their teens and become heavily involved in sport they face ... Read more