Treatments in Detail
Chiropody/Podiatry
Biomechanics
Biomechanics is the science concerned with the internal and external forces acting on the human body and the effects produced by these forces. A Biomechanical abnormality or asymmetry can cause injury if left untreated, and can affect anybody - from high level sports people through to the recreational walker.
A biomechanical assessment is designed to pinpoint such abnormalities using a variety of clever tests and state of the art technologies; assessing the body in both weight bearing and non weight states.
At the end of the assessment, our Podiatrist will come up with a functional diagnosis and discuss treatment options if necessary.
Orthotics are sometimes required to correct any problems we have found, along with rehabilitation exercises. At the Park View Centre, we can offer a whole range of orthotic devices; from simple 'off the shelf' supportive inlays through to state of the art bespoke, casted orthoses.
Nail Surgery
Do I need Nail Surgery?
Nail Surgery is often advised for people with ingrowing, excessively curved, infected or painful toenails. It is a very simple and effective procedure which is a permanent solution to a problem nail.
What is involved?
Firstly, the toe is injected with local anaesthetic (similar to the dentist) so that the toe goes completely numb, and you will not feel any pain throughout the procedure. The problem part of the nail or the whole nail is then very easily lifted away depending on your problem. Phenol is then applied to the nail matrix to prevent that part of the nail from growing again, and the toe is then cleansed before dressing.
Will it hurt?
The only painful part of the procedure is the local anaesthetic, any soreness when the anaesthetic wears off that night is normally alleviated with ibuprofen or paracetamol.
How long is the operation?
We normally allow 1 and a half hours, but the procedure itself is often less than 30 minutes.
How long will it take to heal?
You will need to keep the toe dressed for about 6-8 weeks, but you will still be able to walk and go to work or school. We will see you for regular dressing appointments and you will need to keep the toe very clean and dress as advised at home or aid its healing.
Sports Massage
Sports Massage Therapist uses his/her hands to assess the body's physical condition, and the effects that training/daily activities have on it, that mechanical and chemical therapies may not necessarily pick up on.
Sports Massage:
Great for preventing and/or treating overuse injuries, when used on a regular basis.
Removes general aches and pains, and treats the problem.
Sports massage is great for relieving tension
I treat you, not the sport.
With Sports Massage, problem areas can be diagnosed and treated very accurately.
Muscles specifically targeted, whereas stretching routines treat a muscle group as a whole.
As your Therapist it is my job to stimulate blood flow through and to your body parts, and so to increase nutrition getting to the systems and muscles. The pumping effect of some massage techniques, like deep massage, and petrissage enable this to happen.
The act of massage itself can promote the release of endorphins, the body's natural pain-killers, and so enhance relaxation, ease muscle aches and long-standing tension.
Deep massage into the neck and shoulder muscles for instance can help eliminate tension headaches, and migraines.
Lymph drainage therapy
Connective Tissue Massage
Basic Shiatsu points are also used in my therapy treatments, finding and treating acupressure points, through manipulation, stretching.
There are also a variety of medical conditions which can benefit from massage such as:
(please note people with the following conditions should always gain permission from their local gp prior to treatment):
- Soft tissue injuries, both acute and/or chronic
- Fibrosis
- Spondylosis
- Cancer (in remission)
- Osteoarthritis
- Constipation
- Slipped discs
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylosis
- Post operative massage
- Pre and post joint manipulation
- Pregnancy
- Multiple scelerosis
- Muscular dystrophy
- Sciatica
- Neuralgia
- Neuritis
- Respiratory problems
- Hypertonic muscles (muscles likely to spasm, hyper tense)
- Hypotonic muscles (muscles slack due to inertia, post injury/operation, disease etc, leading to muscle wastage)
The following conditions are contra-indicated:
- Tumour
- Melanoma
- Diabetes (*message can be performed under certain circumstances, please see your GP)
- Bleeding Disorders
- Herpes
- Viral Infections
- Varicose Veins (*this is a localised contraindication, and so massage treatments will be restricted to gentle movements or complete avoidance over teh affected area)
- Bacterial Infection
- Fungal Infection
- Lymphangitis
- Myositis Ossifficans
- Bone and Joint Injuries (fractures, dislocations)
- Open wounds
- Acute Soft Tissue Inflammation (apply ricer techniques)
- Adhesion and fibrous tissue caused the real problem in tissue function (Scar Tissue)
At first scar tissue is quite sticky, and can adhere muscle fibres together.
Muscles need to glide smoothly over each other and scar tissue prevents this. Over time, a local area of muscle fibres, matted together prevent stretching and contracting within the muscle and create aches and pains, and joint restriction. Massage is target-specific, and can break down these fibrous knots, and help muscles to glide over each other again, in a way that functional exercise cannot.
