FAQ'S
 1. Can physiotherapy help with headaches?
Yes we can help with headaches. There are various sorts of headaches eg tension headaches, stress headaches and referred pain. Headached tend to come from the upper cervical spine (CO1,C2). Muscloskeletal techniques can help to relieve the pain and loosen tight muscles. Neck manipulation can be an effective treatment.
To Avoid Headaches (Adopt good habits):
- Posture, chest lifted, shoulders relaxed, head level and over the body, chin tucked in, neck should feel long, straight, relaxed and tall. Think Tall!!
- Work, avoid working with head down for long periods, stretch, change position and redesign your work area.
- Sleeping, Use a non-rubber pillow, which can be moulded to support the natural shape of your neck.
- Exercises keep your neck joints and muscles flexible and strong with correct neck exercises from your physiotherapist
- Relaxation, recognise when you are tense and regularly check that your shoulders and jaws are relaxed, avoid hunched shoulders and clenched teeth.
 2. What is manipulation and how does it help?
Manipulation is a technique where we position a joint and thrust gently and a crack is hurt and felt! Don't worry - it feels great!
It is used for relief of symptoms such as pain, neurological symptoms such as pins and needles, joint stiffness and increased joint mobility.
3. What is mobilisation and how does it help?
Mobilisation is a manual technique where we position a joint and then move the joint in specific directions again to relieve: pain, neurological symptoms, joint stiffness and increased joint mobility. It is gentle and effective with repetitive action.
Preventing Back Pain
- Sitting, don't stay seated for to long, stand up, stretch and walk around.
- The right back support will also help, especially if your car seat does not provide good support. If you need lower back support you can roll up towel, use a lumber roll or basset support. These are available from our clinic, contact us for more details.
- Sleeping your mattress should be firm enough to support you natural shape
- Exercise to keep your back muscles strong
 4. Strengthening excercises for your core
Core strengthening is vital for stability during excercise, working, sitting and just having fun! Core stability is aimed at preventing injuries, helping posture, backpain and athletes performance by stregthening muscles with excercises.
It basically describes the ability to maintain stability or the position of the trunk whilst applying or receiving forces, to or from the limbs. Core strength is a concept that is used with all excercise programmes today.
5. Shoulder pain in throwing, swimming or lifting.
The shoulder is a very mobile joint and pinching can occur easily within the tissue with any repetitve action with load or speed. This often sets up a pain response and cellular change within the tendons and problems within the joint. Treating with joint mobilisation of the shoulder, AC joint and thorcic spine are neccessary. Shoulder stability exercises of the musculature around the joint are a must do!
 6 . Do I need a doctor's referral to see a physiotherapist?
In Australia, No. It is not necessary to have a doctors- certificate to have physiotherapy and you can still claim physiotherapy from your private health insurance with out a doctor's referral.
Hints and Tips for General Wellbeing
Lifting
- Don't bend over at the waist to pick up objects.
- Keep your back straight and bend the knees.
- Don't carry a heavy load in just one hand when shopping, put equal loads in both hands.
- Don't slump, stand tall.
Sports
- Always warm up and warm down before and after playing sports.
- If you have a recurring injury eg ankle sprain you should strap you ankle or purchase a good supporting ankle brace.
- Exercise can help maintain and increase movement, circulation, strength and stability and poor posture. Don't do exercises if they hurt and a physiotherapist can design a program to suit your condition.
Additional Information
- Scoliosis (curvature of the spine - see images below)
- Provided by the Australian Physiotherapy Association |
