Principal Osteopath at Rothery Health centre in Saundersfoot and pitch side physio for Championship Rugby team Newcastle Emlyn in the New Year will be attending a days training at the Cardiff hospital in Wound Management . This will involve developing the wound care skills of healthcare professionals covering sporting events. Teaching basic suture, glue and staple techniques appropriate for healthcare professionals working in sport. Doctors, physiotherapists, osteopaths , Paramedics will be trained how to manage wounds in sport and is to be held at the University of Wales Cardiff Hospital by Dr Neil Warren.

“I am really excited about attending this course as since I started with Newcastle Emlyn ” John said as “during almost every game there has been some form of head wound requiring stitches.”

5 tips to help neck pain ……

1/take regular doses of paracetamol, ibuprofen, or a combination of the two, to control pain – ibuprofen gel can be rubbed on to your neck as an alternative to taking tablets (always follow the instructions that come with the medication)
2/try holding a hot water bottle or heat pack to your neck – this can help reduce the pain and any muscle spasms, although some people find cold packs offer better relief….see what works for you
3/sleep on a low, firm pillow at night – using too many pillows may force your neck to bend unnaturally
4/avoid wearing a neck collar – there’s no evidence to suggest wearing a neck collar will help to heal your neck, and it’s generally better to keep your neck mobile
5/if your neck is stiff or twisted, try some neck exercises – gently tense your neck muscles as you tilt your head up and down and from side to side, and as you carefully twist your neck from left to right; these exercises will help strengthen your neck muscles and improve your range of movement

A back spasm can occur after any type of strain or injury to the soft tissues—the muscles, tendons or ligaments—in the spine. Following the general treatment guidelines below and the recommendations from your doctor or Osteopath will go a long way in relieving your pain, and your back muscles should calm down in a week or so.
The muscles can spasm in response to an underlying anatomical problem
If your back spasm does not get better in 1 to 2 weeks, or it comes and goes over time in the same area of your back, you may have an underlying anatomical problem in your spine. Examples of underlying issues that could cause your back to spasm include:
-Facet joint osteoarthritis
-Degenerative disc disease
-Spinal stenosis
-Pain from a herniated disc
In these cases, the pain is coming from the anatomical problem, and the muscle instinctively reacts to the pain and inflammation by going into a spasm. If this is the case for you, then you will want to seek medical attention of an osteopath in order to treat not just the acute pain but also to address the underlying cause of your symptoms.

First aid for a painful back muscle spasm…….4 helpful tips !

When your back goes into spasm, the first step is to get some immediate relief from the intense pain. The initial goal of treating the muscle spasm is to get the muscle to relax, thus relieving the pain. Some effective treatments include-

1/Cold therapy
Applying ice wrapped in a protective sheath or towel, or a cold pack, to the painful part of your back is another way to help relieve an acute flare up of pain. As a general guideline, cold therapy will help reduce local inflammation, which in turn contributes to relieving pain. You can use a commercial ice pack or make one yourself. For example, you can put some ice or frozen vegetables into a baggie, add some water to smooth out the lumps, double bag to prevent leaking, cover it in a towel to protect your skin from ice burn, and apply it to the painful area of your back.

2/NSAIDs
A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID) can help reduce inflammation and pain. Examples of over-the-counter NSAIDs include ibuprofen (e.g. Advil, Motrin), naproxen (e.g. Aleve), and aspirin. Some people find that acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol), which addresses pain but not the inflammation, is effective.

3/Reduce stress on your back
For a severe muscle spasm, you may find movement is too painful and you need to rest. When you rest, you can reduce stress on your lower back by laying on your back in bed with your upper body supported at a slight incline and a pillow propped under your knees, or sitting at an incline in a reclining chair with your legs supported and knees slightly bent and back softened(not bolt upright!)

4/Walk or Swim as much as possible
To whatever extent possible, try to get up and move as much as possible. For example, this could mean a day of mainly rest, followed by a day that includes several short walks around the house, followed by a day with a short walk every hour or half hour, or longer walks as tolerated. Prolonged inactivity will stiffen your muscles and will likely lead to more pain. In general, walking or swimming is gentle on your back and promotes blood flow, which in turn helps speeds the healing process.

What causes Osteoporosis?

Those that smoke or drink in excess of the recommended daily alcohol intake are at greater risk, but gender, genetics, age, race and low body weight are all contributing factors.

In the healthy skeleton, bone resorption formation occurs in a balanced and organised fashion, but in the case of osteoporosis, this balance is lost. This might be because of:

• Insufficient mass and strength development in the first instance
• Excessive bone resorption
• Inadequate formation of new bone during remodelling

The disease may be classified as:

• Primary type 1 resulting in women after the menopause due to reduced oestrogen production
• Primary type 2  naturally occurring after the age of 75 in both women and men on a ratio of 2:1
• Secondary due to specific chronic medical conditions or as a result of certain medications such as corticosteroids. This does not tend to be age dependant, and effects men as often as women

Due to its larger surface area, cancellous bone is more subject to bone turnover and hence prone to the effects of inappropriate metabolism of bone. In osteoporosis, the supportive bony trabecular break, and are replaced by thinner, weaker bone making them fragile and more prone to fracture.

Because the wrist, hip and spine have more cancellous bone than cortical compared to other areas of the body, relying on trabecula for strength, these areas at greater risk of osteoporotic fractures.

How Osteopathy can help ?

Continue reading “Osteoporosis ?…we han help…” →

Arthritis is a common condition which causes pain, swelling and inflammation and often stiffness in the joints of the body.

The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis but there are many other types including ankylosing spondylitis, gout, psoriatic arthritis and reactive arthritis. Certain types of arthritis can also affect children.

Osteoarthritis is a result of wear and tear of the joints in the body. It is common in people over 50 and most commonly affects the joints of the knees, hips, neck and back, base of the toes and hands.

How can osteopaths help?

The gentle manipulative and massage techniques from osteopaths can help some arthritis sufferers. Treatment is individual, gently moving and stretching an arthritic joint and massaging surrounding muscles and tissues can help ease some of the discomfort. Sometimes an osteopath may work on general mobility of the other joints and muscles in the body to help the mechanics of the body work better. Osteopaths may also give advice on exercises, diet, posture and changes to lifestyle. X-rays, scans or other tests may be required and your osteopath may refer you to your GP for any additional investigations and treatment

Click on the link to find out what we do at Rothery health

Sports Vouchers valid for 4 months with Lloyd Davies our resident Sports therapist here at Rothery Health Saundersfoot

£30 for an hour (£5 off)

£15 for 1/2 hour (£5 off)

To claim your Christmas gift contact Lloyd on 07533499959

or book on line by following the link below http://www.rotheryhealth.com/bookings/ and quote ’12th Day’ in the booking form

Merry Christmas from all at Rothery Health

How can an osteopath help with foot and ankle pain?Depending on the diagnosis and your age and fitness we can use a variety of gentle massage and manipulative techniques to increase the mobility of the joints and the flexibility of the muscles in the foot……………………

We will often look at muscles and joints in the lower limb, the knee, hip and lower back and may treat any joint restrictions and muscle tightness we find there. Often improving the movement in the joints of the lower will help the foot and ankle function better.We may offer specific balancing, strengthening or loosening exercises.

We may offer advice on strapping and brace supports, footwear and any lifestyle factors that might be hindering healing. We may refer you to a podiatrist for their opinion and specialist foot supportsX-rays, scans or other tests may be required to make a diagnosis and we may refer you to your GP for any additional investigations and treatments such as advice on pain killers and anti-inflammatory medications.

• • Acquired flat foot when the inner side of the foot or inner arch flattens. The foot may roll over to the inner side (known as over-pronation). It is often apparent if the heels of shoes wear out quickly and unevenly. Over-pronation can damage your ankle joint and achilles tendon (the tendon at the back of your ankle) and can also cause shin pain. Symptoms can include, pain, swelling, change in foot shape and knee pain or swelling.Plantar fasciitis this is pain and inflammation in the plantar fascia – the tough fibrous band of tissue that supports the arches of the foot and runs under the small bones from the underside of the heel and sole towards the toes. Often, people who have plantar fasciitis describe it as a sharp pain, most often under the heel or instep of the foot. It tends to be made worse by standing for long periods of time in poor footwear. Sufferers commonly mention that it is worse when standing after being off their feet for a long time, and it can hurt more putting the foot on the floor first thing in the morning. The sole of the foot can occasionally feel a little numb, tingly or swell slightly. In some cases of plantar fasciitis, a small spur of bone can grow where the plantar fascia attaches and pulls on the heel which can cause a sharp pain.

    Achilles pain The Achilles tendon is formed by the tendon of the two calf muscles, the gastrocnemius and soleus coming together and attaching onto the bone at the back of the heel called the calcaneus) Pain, inflammation or tendonitis in the Achilles can cause pain and tightness in this area.

    Sprained ankle. Typically the result of a sudden twisting or going over on the ankle joint and more commonly it is the ligaments on the outside of the ankle that are strained. Typical symptoms are swelling, bruising, pain and instability of the ankle. Sometimes an x-ray is required to rule out any fracture. Rest, ice, elevation and compression are often advisable in the first 24 to 48 hours

  • Click on the link to find out how your osteopath can help

Lloyd and Rosa from Rothery Health & Sports Injury Clinic here in Pembrokeshire as part of the only Sports Therapy degree in Wales accredited by the Society of Sports Therapy, are becoming educated as competent practitioners in all aspects of Sports Therapy. The Graduate Sports Therapy degree programme based here in Wales will allow Rosa & Lloyd both the chance to work in private Sports Injury Clinics or in professional / semi-professional sports clubs within the UK or abroad.

They will also become competent and capable of dealing with acute injuries ‘Pitchside’, being able to perform a clinical assessments to develop a diagnosis, and using a variety of treatment methods alongside sport specific rehabilitation techniques to get the athlete back to full sports participation.

Students on this programme of study will also learn in a practical setting with plenty of hands on teaching in a dedicated Sports Therapy Suite and Rehabilitation Centre. Teaching staff are experienced Graduate Sports Therapists, having worked in professional, semi-professional, national and international sports over a number of years.

In the first year, Lloyd & Rosa will learn the fundamental skills needed in the assessment of sports injuries, together with soft tissue techniques including sports massage and Pitchside first aid.

During the first year students will also have the opportunity to work as Pitchside first aiders and gain clinical experience in our Sports Massage clinic. Alongside these Sports Therapy specific modules, Rosa & Lloyd will also study applied human physiology and personal training modules.

In the second year they will be taught to complete a full examination and assessment of an injured player and make a diagnosis, treat the injury with manual therapy techniques and rehabilitate the athlete back to full sports participation.

We are so pleased to have them both on the team at Rothery Health and Sports Injury Clinic

A functional leg length can be caused by a multitude of problems…for example
1/Shortening of soft tissues;(tightness of muscles)
2/Joint  contractures from repetitive trauma e.g facet lock in the back
3/Ligamentous laxity;
4/Foot biomechanics (such as excessive ankle pronation).

If your a runner this can cause serious issues …

In running, the vertical oscillation is greater than walking and as there is no double support the weight is not shared between legs. The stance phase is only 30% in running whereas 60% in walking. This results in stress on the lower extremity that is three times that of walking
Associated musculoskeletal disorders

1/Low back pain

Literature is very ambiguous. LLD appears to affect the lumbar spine, at least in part, by creating a lumbar scoliosis. It has been shown that LLD leads to pelvic obliquity on the frontal plane inducing a scoliosis.  Lumbosacral facet joint angles appear to be smaller on the short side, it is hypothesised that asymmetry of joint angles predispose patients to osteoarthritic changes in lumbosacral joints.

2/Hip pain

A longer leg might be a predisposing factor in Osteoarthritis (OA). With length increasing, femoral head contact/ weight bearing area is decreasing. (+10mm- 5%/ +50mm – 25,1%). Combined with an increased tone in hip abductors caused by elongated distance between origin and insertion.
3/Stress Fractures

Greater incidence of stress fractures in the tibia, metatarsals and femur of the longer leg appears consistent with the greater forces emitted trough the longer leg described under hip pain.

Speak to the professionals if unsure

www.rotheryhealth.com

Jamie Tilley principal podiatrist at the Foot & Ankle clinic in Carmarthenshire & John Rothery principal osteopath at Rothery Health & Sports Injury clinic Pembrokeshire recently returned from their training with “Kinetic revolution” in London as part of a 2 day course.

This two day course was for healthcare and fitness professionals, coaches and athletes a gave them the unique opportunity to learn an evidence based approach to assessing, rehabilitating and developing runners and triathletes.

Plus they were able to develop a comprehensive and applied understanding of current research surrounding best clinical and coaching practices in the assessment and functional rehabilitation of running injuries, using biomechanical principals.

THE WEEKEND COURSE INVOLVED………

DAY 1
Introductions & Course Overview
Functional Anatomy & Running Biomechanics
Key Concepts
– Biomechanical Overload Syndrome
– Tissue Stress & Strain Theory
– Biomechanical Rehabilitation Approach
Review of Current Research
– Current Research Surrounding Running Gait Re-education
– Injury Specific Research

DAY 2

Running Video Analysis
– Outdoor & Treadmill Video Analysis Protocol
– Identify Common Movement Dysfunctions & Compensations
– Develop Interpretation Skills
Running Gait Re-education
– Evidence Based Coaching Principals
– Learn Drills, Techniques & Cues to Correct Common Flaws
– Prescribe Corrective Exercises to Reinforce Gait Re-education

If your interested in having a gait assessment please contact the clinic

www.rotheryhealth.com

Last week Rothery Health and Sports injury clinic here in Saundersfoot , West Wales held a bike fitting evening with one of Pembrokeshires  finest triathletes Dave Francis a World Champion Hawaiian Ironman qualifier & John Rothery the principal Osteopath . This proved to be a fascinating educational evening for everyone who liked riding around on two wheels. Dave who for many years has competed at a high level level on the track and Road was keen to impart his knowledge learnt from his recent training course on bike fitting & injury prevention at the world-renowned NJD centre in Lancashire.
Using cleat adjustments , saddle checks ,bike adjustments & video position analysis Dave demonstrated on a volunteer cyclist how the machine and rider can be perfectly intwined to achieve the best results. During the evening John the principal osteopath at Rothery health also explained how he assessed/screened the rider in order to pick up any abnormalities that may affect the bike fit process which can be critical if not identified.
John also demonstrated some practical warmup and warm down ideas before and after cycling. If you require a bike fit please contact the clinic on 01834 813975 or visit the web site at www.rotherybikefit.com

Katy Waters a Senior Spa therapist at The Well Spa Retreat Bluestone Pembrokeshire will be joining Rothery Health & Sports Injury clinic Saundersfoot on the 6th November 2017 from 10am to 9pm and every Monday thereafter

Katy is a Qualified Holistic and Beauty Therapist with 5 years experience in a 5*spa. Katy Specialises in holistic massage catering each treatment to your individual needs.

She will be offering
50 minutes massage = £35
80 minutes massage (full body) = £45

Of all of the following massages below:

•Aromatherapy massage:
Blending oils to boost energy levels, speed up the healing process, eliminate headaches, induce sleep, strengthen the immune system, reduce pain, improve digestion and increase circulation.

•Hot Stone massage:
Combining hot stones with body massage provides a very healing and effective treatment. The Hot stones have a sedative effect that can relieve chronic pain, reduce stress and promote deep relaxation.

•Warm Bamboo massage:
Warm bamboo massage is a unique new way to relax tight muscles and release stress and tension and improve sports performance. If you like deep tissue work, this treatment is for you.

•Pre/Post natal massage:
This is an adapted treatment for pregnancy it’s a natural form of relieving back pain, reducing stress, improving sleep, eases water retention, hydrates the skin and enhances skin flexibility, improves circulation and enhances feeling of relaxation

*****With a Special offer = All November 10% off

Call Katy on 07837326968 to book

Pain in the lower back (lumbago) is particularly common, although it can be felt anywhere along the spine – from the neck down to the hips.
In most cases the pain isn’t caused by anything serious and will usually get better over time.
There are things you can do to help relieve it. But sometimes the pain can last a long time or keep coming back.Watch the following video to get some ideas

Often it’s not possible to identify the cause of back pain. Doctors call this “non-specific” back pain.
Sometimes the pain may be a result of an injury such as a sprain or strain, but often it occurs for no apparent reason. It’s very rarely caused by anything serious.
Occasionally back pain can be due to a medical condition such as:
a slipped (prolapsed) disc – where a disc of cartilage in the spine presses on a nearby nerve
sciatica – irritation of the nerve that runs from the pelvis to the feet
These conditions tend to cause additional symptoms – such as numbness, weakness or a tingling sensation – and they’re treated differently to non-specific back pain.

Speak to the professionals if unsure

www.rotheryhealth.com

As an osteopath and a specialist therapist dealing with runners and triathletes  in particular ironman .. I often get asked this question “should I really bother stretching?”

Often runners present to me and have never stretched before in their life period ….especially after completing several ironman and yet when you examine them they are restricted in multiple areas  & weak in others .However what the research does suggest is that strength training is more beneficial than stretching in addressing injuries.  However when you look at the research further in detail it is often more likely to be static stretching rather than dynamic and with a variety of differing athletes across a variety of sports.

So what about stretching? do we stop?

In my opinion … and it is my opinion we should probably speak instead of terms of specific injuries and types  of injury commonly sustained by the specific type of athlete. It is more often the case especially in triathletes injuries occur for the following reasons –

1/as a result of muscular imbalance

2/a result of instability

3/as a result of over or underuse of certain muscles thereby creating compensatory movement patterns

Therefore the rehab should involve the following as part of a multidisciplinary approach

1/specific stretching

2/rehab/strengthening muscles that are weak

3/identifying dysfunction especially as imbalances

4/combining correction exercises through strengthening & stretching plus mobilising in order to improve muscle control in order to re-educate the patient

Therefore stretching in isolation is NOT going to address the issue but a multifaceted approach of strengthening/balance/proprioception/elements of stretching in order to sort out the troublesome areas identified in the  triathlete/runner

John Rothery the lead therapist at Rothery Health is to undertake a two day intense sports trauma training course this weekend in Cardiff with the World famous Lubas training company at Cardiff Arms Park. The course will assist him in his duties as the main pitch side physiotherapist for Newcastle Emlyn RFC first XV who play in the Welsh Championship.

Sports like rugby and football are great, but we’ve all seen how easy it is to get injured out there on the pitch. Sports Trauma Management is a nationally-recognised course that gives healthcare professionals the core skills that they will need to properly manage traumatic sporting injuries.

The sports trauma course has been running since 1998, and it’s one of the few trauma courses to be officially recognised by the UK’s sports governing bodies. In fact, once you’ve completed the Sports Trauma Management course, you’ll be at the same level as the pitch-side medical staff who covered the 2012 London Olympics!

This course aims to arm you with the assessment and treatment skills that are so essential to the management of traumatic sports injuries. This course is among our most popular – instructors speak from their own experience, using practical, hands-on teaching methods to make the course as enjoyable and as enriching as possible.

The sports trauma course is specifically designed for healthcare professionals, such as:

Physiotherapists and Osteopaths
Doctors
Paramedics
Sports Therapists
Physiotherapy/Medical Studentweet

Here are some of the things that will be covered on the sports trauma course:

Resuscitation – Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillation
Airway management – Anaphylaxis, chest injury, ventilation using airway and breathing adjuncts, bag valve mask ventilation, oxygen therapy, portable suction devices
Head injury management – Concussion, head trauma, and unconsciousness.
Fracture management – Injury assessment and splinting devices.
Spinal injury management – Spinal injury assessment, cervical immobilisation, collar application, spinal boards, strapping.
Injury assessment – Structured assessment, soft tissue injuries and patient clinical records.

IS SWIMMING GOOD FOR BACK PAIN?

As an Osteopath and a swimming coach I am slightly biased . Nonetheless for those with back problems, exercises that jar and jolt the spine such as running and jumping can increase spinal compression and can lead to increased symptom frequency.

Conditions for which I would recommend swimming include a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease. Swimming is a low-impact aerobic activity that allows patients to maintain overall cardiovascular fitness, maintain strength and reduce the impact of jumping or compressing movements found in high-impact sports.

As the entire body gets stronger, the occurrence of spasms resulting from exertion declines thereby decreasing back pain .This is a no brainier and therefore this is why at Rothery Health Sports and injury clinic we fully endorse Swim Pembrokeshire

www.swimpembrokeshire.com