Physiotherapists in Bristol treat many different conditions including the issues profiled below.

Physiotherapy After Back Surgery

Spinal surgery falls into several categories: spinal fusion; disc replacement; decompression for stenosis; microdiscectomy; discectomy. The details vary with the presentation of the patient, the operation and the course of recovery but principles can be noted. Initially a physiotherapist will attend the patient pre-operatively to ascertain the pain presentation and to test the patient.s muscle power and educate them about the operation. On the first post-operative day the physiotherapist will check the patient.s pain presentation again and retest the muscles of the legs to ensure that no untoward changes have occurred.

Mobilising back surgery patients is straightforward. They are rolled onto their most comfortable side and got up sideways while their legs slide off the bed. Sitting is minimised due to the lumbar stresses it imposes and patients are usually walked a distance as long as they feel well. Neural mobilising and core stability exercises may be prescribed by the physio as appropriate. Recent evidence indicates that a more active rehabilitation regime after certain kinds of back surgery may ensure a better result, although in spinal fusions the fusion of the operation site is the priority. Physiotherapists follow up spinal patients on discharge from hospital and design an individualised rehabilitation regime.

Stress and Neck Pain

Neck pain causes problems in life, reducing our ability to do things, interrupting comfortable postures and interfering with our concentration. This causes stress and anxiety , a very typical response, and which can increase muscle tension and increase pain. The tension caused by stresses can increase the contraction levels in neck muscles and this spasm contributes towards muscle pain in all the overactive muscles. Figuring out what the stresses are and taking action to reduce them at this stage is very important and may help recovery. Mindfulness, controlled breathing and relaxation techniques may all be useful.

Mindfulness is a technique of placing yourself in the here and now with yourself and not judging yourself and the situation you are in, you just accept and experience it. Relaxation techniques are often practised lying down with a pillow under the knees to relax the low back area. Contracting each set of muscles from the feet up and then letting them go will provide a relaxation, with a guide from a relaxation CD or tape a useful adjunct. Controlled breathing by allowing the abdomen to rise as the diaphragm is used to inhale air in a slow rhythm can also be very relaxing.