Question 1

Headache

Accepted Answer

There are different types of headaches such as migraine, tension headache, cluster headache, cervicogenic headache and mixed headache. Each of them requires different treatment approaches.
 
The common myth about headaches is medication is the only treatment for headaches and there is nothing physiotherapy can do. However, current evidence shows that physiotherapy can help cervicogenic headache. Physiotherapists can assess the headache presentations and determine when physiotherapy treatment can be helpful. Our physiotherapist will work together with you to come out with a plan of how you can help your headache.
 
If you’re unsure how physiotherapy can help with your condition, feel free to drop us a call/message so that we may advise you as needed.

Question 2

Neck Pain

Accepted Answer

Common neck disorders are whiplash, degenerative disc disease, disc bulges and prolapses, canal stenosis and cervical radiculopathy. Neck pain can be localized around the neck and/or radiating into the head or upper back. Some may experience pain, numbness and/or pins and needles sensation in the arm(s).
 
Our physiotherapists will screen for serious causes of neck pain followed by a comprehensive examination of your head, neck, arms and surrounding structures. We will also delve deep into the postures and activities that you find restricting.
 
Treatment of neck pain is based on the findings of the assessment. It may include hands-on treatment to get you comfortable and moving, some stretches to relax tense muscles and regain mobility if restricted as well as a graduated strengthening exercise program. 
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If you’re unsure how physiotherapy can help with your condition, feel free to drop us a call/message so that we may advise you as needed.

Question 3

Lower Back Pain

Accepted Answer

Common lower back disorders are disc degeneration, disc bulges and prolapses, annular tears and facet joint arthropathy. Back pain can be localized at the lower back and/or referring down to the buttock or groin area. Some may even experience pain, numbness and/or pins and needles sensation in the leg(s).
 
Similar to our general health, we need to maintain the health of the structures in our lower back through regular movements and exercises. Our physiotherapists will screen for serious causes of lower back pain followed by a comprehensive assessment of your spine and surrounding structures. We will also delve deep into the postures and activities that you find limiting. 
 
It's important to understand that back pain usually improves with the right treatment. Treatment is based on the findings of the examination. It may involves hands-on treatment to get you comfortable and moving, some stretches to relax the tense muscles and restore spinal movement if restricted as well as exercises that gradually load the spine. At Physio In Motion, we will develop a long term plan that is specific to you to prevent the back pain from recurring and stop it from interfering your life.
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If you’re unsure how physiotherapy can help with your condition, feel free to drop us a call/message so that we may advise you as needed.

Question 4

Sciatica

Accepted Answer

People with sciatica usually present with pain in the leg as well as restricted movements in the lower back and affected leg. In most cases, sciatica is caused by inflammation and hypersensitivity of the nerves that originate from the lower back and run down to the buttock and leg. Only a few are related to nerve compression. 
 
Surgery is indicated when there is a progressive loss of strength and sensation in the leg and an inability to pass urine. Otherwise, treatment for sciatica usually involves anti-inflammatory medication and steroid injections to reduce inflammation of the nerves. Physiotherapists can guide you through some gentle exercises and relaxation techniques to reduce the sensitivity of the nerves as well as develop a graduated rehabilitation program to get you back in moving again.
 
If you’re unsure how physiotherapy can help with your condition, feel free to drop us a call/message so that we may advise you as needed.

Question 5

Shoulder Pain

Accepted Answer

Common shoulder disorders are rotator cuff tear, rotator cuff tendinopathy, subacromial impingement, subacromial bursitis, labral tear, frozen shoulder and shoulder subluxation/dislocation. The pain can be localized around the shoulder or in some cases, pain radiates into the affected arm.
 
Shoulder pain can be triggered by a traumatic event such as a fall on the arm or from repetitive use of arm such as cleaning the windows, taking heavy files from the overhead cabinet, swimming, playing badminton. It is important to understand that the shoulder is vulnerable to load when it is not conditioned to the task, causing inflammation or injury of the structures in the shoulder.
 
Our physiotherapists will first assess you to rule out serious injuries such as fracture or tendon rupture. Following this, we will carry out a thorough examination to identify the cause and contributing factors of your shoulder pain. Treatment for shoulder pain usually includes hands-on treatment to reduce pain and get your shoulder moving as well as a graduated exercise program to make your shoulder stronger and get you back to full capacity.
 
If you’re unsure how physiotherapy can help with your condition, feel free to drop us a call/message so that we may advise you as needed.

Question 6

ACL Injury

Accepted Answer

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is one of the four major ligaments in the knee. It is responsible for the stability of the knee during landing and pivoting actions. When ACL injury happens, some may feel the knee is unstable and do not have the confidence in sports that involve turning and jumping.
 
An injured ACL can be treated with surgery or non-surgically. The non-surgical approach involves physiotherapists to develop an exercise program that is specific to you and guide you back to the sports. The rehabilitation program targets at the strength, proprioception, agility and functional performance. Some people able to return to good function and sport with an exercise rehabilitation program; nonetheless, it is advisable to discuss the options with your medical team.
 
If you have undergone ACL reconstruction, physiotherapists will communicate with your surgeon and work out the best time frames for you to return to sport. It is important to understand that post-surgical rehabilitation is extremely crucial and needs to be guided to achieve the best outcome.
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Returning to sport is based on the strength in the lower limb, agility, fitness as well as confidence and performance of the sport-specific activities. At Physio In Motion, our physiotherapists will perform a return to sport screening test to make sure you are safe to go back to sports.
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If you’re unsure how physiotherapy can help with your condition, feel free to drop us a call/message so that we may advise you as needed.

Question 7

Knee Osteoarthritis

Accepted Answer

People with knee osteoarthritis often experience pain, stiffness and swelling in the affected knee(s). These symptoms are caused by inflammation of the bone that underlies the cartilage. Current research shows that several factors such as thigh muscle weakness, inactivity/over-activity, carrying excessive belly fat and depression can also create inflammation and cause the joint sensitive, swollen, stiff and sore.
 
Treatments for knee osteoarthritis vary depending on the severity of the condition. Medicines cannot cure osteoarthritis but they can help to control the symptoms. Exercise is strongly recommended for people with osteoarthritis as moving the joint and strengthening the muscles around the joint help to reduce pain and improve functional capacity. We understand that pain can be a huge obstacle for people to exercise; therefore, our physiotherapists are skilled to develop an exercise program that is tailored to your condition and ability. Besides that, we will also guide you through different ways to manage pain.
 
Joint surgery is an option if less invasive treatments such as exercise and medicines have failed to control the symptoms; nonetheless, it is advisable to discuss the treatment options with your medical team.
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If you’re unsure how physiotherapy can help with your condition, feel free to drop us a call/message so that we may advise you as needed.

Question 8

Ankle Sprains

Accepted Answer

Early rehabilitation of an ankle sprain is crucial to avoid unnecessary complications such as joint stiffness and muscle wasting. It can also help one to get back to activity/sport safely and as quickly as possible. Inadequate rehabilitation or return to activity/sport too soon may lead to ankle instability and early onset of osteoarthritis.
 
The rehabilitation program varies depending on your goals and the sport you play. It involves restoring joint mobility, strengthening key muscles, proprioception, agility and sport-specific activity training. At Physio In Motion, we also perform a return to sport screening test to ensure you are safe to go back to sport.
 
Our goal is to bring you back doing what you enjoy in the safest and fastest possible way. If you’re unsure how physiotherapy can help with your condition, feel free to drop us a call/message so that we may advise you as needed.

Question 9

Plantar Fasciitis

Accepted Answer

People with plantar fasciitis often experience pain at the heel and/or near the arch of the foot. The pain is usually worse in the morning and improves with movements.
 
Plantar fasciitis is common in those who perform repetitive activities such as walking and running. However, a sudden increase in loading of the leg such as engaging in an activity that a person is unaccustomed to or change in footwear that is lacking foot support may cause the foot structures sensitive, stiff and sore. Besides that, having a history of lower limb injuries or lower limb muscles weakness can also predispose one to increased load and pain in the foot.
 
Physiotherapists can help to identify the cause and contributing factors of the foot pain. They are skilled to develop a treatment plan that involves unloading the plantar fascia with taping techniques as well as a graduated exercise program to strengthen and condition the lower limb muscles. It is important to understand that gradual strengthening and general exercise helps to reduce the symptoms and increases the tolerance to load over time. Orthotics can be helpful but they are not always necessary for the management of foot pain.
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If you’re unsure how physiotherapy can help with your condition, feel free to drop us a call/message so that we may advise you as needed.

Question 10

Pre- & Post-surgical Rehabilitation

Accepted Answer

Most people are familiar with rehabilitation after surgery but not rehabilitation prior to surgery. The time before surgery is valuable and should be utilised to prepare the body for the procedure. There is strong evidence shows that pre-surgical rehabilitation shortens the post-surgical recovery period and results in a better outcome. 
 
Our physiotherapists at Physio In Motion are skilful at developing a pre-surgical rehabilitation program based on the type of surgery you planned. The rehabilitation includes hands-on treatment to relieve pain as well as an exercise program that is specific to you to restore the mobility, strengthen the key muscles and correct unhelpful movement patterns before the procedure.
 
We understand that rehabilitation after surgery is a long process; however, it is necessary to commit to the whole process to get the most benefit out of the surgery. Similar to pre-surgical rehabilitation program, our physiotherapists provide a range of strategies to help you to control the pain. They also will guide you on the proper techniques to move and plan a graduated exercise program depending on the type of surgery you had. The post-surgical rehabilitation program focuses on regaining joint mobility and strength in the important muscles as well as restoring your functional level.
 
At Physio In Motion, we communicate with your surgeon to deliver the most appropriate rehabilitation at the most critical time for you. Our goal is to bring you back doing what you enjoy safely and as soon as possible.

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