JULIET JOHNSON MCSP
‘OA Knee’
61 Yr Old Lady had a problem with right knee pain and swelling
for several years. Walking and gardening were becoming a
problem.
She had injections for arthritis in the right knee with no
benefit so was keen to try acupuncture. Having tried
conventional acupuncture with no benefit we introduced electro
acupuncture. The course consisted of 8 sessions in total and now
the patient has monthly treatments to maintain her improvement.
The patient is still finding acupuncture helpful and has as yet
not required surgery. |
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Rebecca Kier MCSP
A gentleman presented with right sided rib pain interfering with
his ability to sleep at night. He had various tests at the
hospital but all were clear. So what was causing the problem?
My examination revealed active movements to be full and no pain
was reproduced. On palpation there was tenderness of the lower
ribs almost as if they were bruised. Why was this occurring?
I was then lucky enough to see the gentleman at work at his
computer and suddenly the reason was clear. Due to confined
space he had to sit sideways on his chair and have his computer
screen to the left side and was therefore pushed up against the
right arm of his chair. By re-arranging the desk a little he was
able to sit square to the computer and screen and within a week
reported hardly any symptoms.
The morale of the tale is watch how your sit! |
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CAROLINE FRASER MCSP
CASE Study A
Mr. E. had a stroke and was severely disabled by the paralysis
of one side of his body. Through visiting his home and giving
him exercises and teaching his family how to help him we were
able, with the use of a walking aid to make him independent
going up and down the stairs. He is also able to walk across the
room. His next ambition is to walk outside.
Case Study B
Mr. B. a retired gentleman had developed a multitude of ‘funny’
symptoms, ants running up and down his arms, stuffy sinus,
nausea, fuzzy head and agoraphobia. On examination his breathing
pattern was much altered and quite rapid with interspersed
gasps. I taught him how to re-use his diaphragm (the main muscle
of breathing) and with the use of Acupuncture his symptoms have
stopped and he can now go out without being anxious. |
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LOUISE SAENGER MCSP
Ms R attended the clinic with shin splints that developed
during the early stages of training for the London Marathon. The
pain in her shins had improved with rest but had returned on
recommencing her training.
There are many causes of shin splints. Identifying the cause is
vital to successful treatment and prevention of reoccurrence.
Following a thorough biomechanical assessment of foot posture,
lower limb alignment and running style, a programme of
stretching and strengthening exercises was devised. Following
treatment with taping and acupuncture to settle the inflammation
and release trigger points in the tight and overactive muscle
groups, the shin splints settled well with advice regarding
footwear and training regimes
Ms R was able to continue with her training and complete her
first marathon. |
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HERMAN JORDAAN MCSP
‘Head for Healing’
A 77 year old lady was troubled with a constant ‘cluster
headache’ for 3 months. She also cared for her elderly husband.
The headaches were so severe that she had to clasp her head to
lower it down on a pillow and lift it up from the pillow again.
The sleep deprivation made her depressed. Her medication which
varied from pain killers to sleeping tablets did not resolve her
problems.
On examination her headaches covered her whole head in a ‘clamp
like’ manner and all her neck muscles were in spasm causing her
neck movements to be restricted and painful. It was clear that
her headaches were ‘cervico genic’ (i.e. caused by the neck).
I treated her cervical spine (neck) muscles and all other soft
tissue in the neck area. On her second visit I also used
acupuncture. She fully recovered within 5 treatments and her
depression lifted and she was able to fulfil her normal daily
activities again.
‘An Uplifting Experience’
In front of me stood a 15 year old county tennis player. He
needed physiotherapy treatment for his sprained bicep muscle
which he damaged during a tennis championship. Apart from his
injured right bicep, I also noted that his left shoulder
movements were restricted. During the examination it became
clear that he had ‘Erbs Palsy’ on the left since birth.
On examination he could only elevate his left arm to 85 degrees
and rotated outwards to neutral. After resolving his right bicep
injury I requested from his GP that we work on his left
shoulder. After applying intensive soft tissue techniques and a
home exercise programme his left shoulder could elevate up to
120 degree's. He was very pleased that his ‘throw up’ during
serving was much higher and his style took less effort. For the
both of us this was an uplifting experience. |
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ZOË CHAMBERLAYNE MSCP
Patient A
53 year old office worker complaining of severe low back
pain after sneezing. All her movements were very sore. Treatment
initially involved plenty of advice on how to find comfortable
positions, things to avoid and appropriate exercises. As she
improved I mobilised the joints and muscles and increased her
exercises. Though the initial problem may settle quickly there
is often an underlying reason why the pain occurred, such as
stiffness in the joints, poor posture or long hours of sitting
and I try to address these before discharge.
Patient B
11 year old ballerina who had a long history of ankle pain
and was unable to perform. Not only did I find stiffness in the
ankle, but also stiffness in her hip and surrounding muscles and
nerves. This was all preventing her ankle from working properly.
With plenty of specific exercises and treatment of the stiff
structures, she responded really well and was back to performing
after 3 sessions.
I enjoy treating these conditions where you have to have an open
mind and keep chasing the symptoms, rather than just treating
the obvious. |
