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

Physiotherapy Mobilisation Techniques

Physiotherapists use a large number of treatment techniques to manage the variety of conditions their patients present with. Joint problems make up a large proportion of a physio.s caseload and to treat these a number of treatment approaches have been developed which go under the general umbrella of mobilisation techniques. Joint mobilisations are a technique of stressing the joint manually by moving it through a proportion of its range and with a specific amount of force. Manipulation, meaning work done with the hands, includes the more vigorous manoeuvres which are commonly referred to as manipulation.

Initially a physiotherapist will fully assess the joint for the type of problem which is present such as primarily pain, pain and stiffness or primarily stiffness with little pain. Mobilisations for pain will be gentle and rhythmic to avoid aggravating an already irritable joint. If the pain is less severe and there is some stiffness the joint can be pushed a little harder. If stiffness is the main problem in the absence of pain then the joint may tolerate being pushed repeatedly to the end of its available movement in an attempt to increase its range of motion. Training is required to assess and treat a joint safely and effectively.

Hammer toes

Hammer toes are a common deformity of the foot and often associated with more profound changes in the foot such as pes cavus where the inside foot arch is exaggerated. The small intrinsic foot muscles, which allow the toes to be kept straight as they grip the ground, weaken and the extensor muscles then pull the near part of the toe upwards. This makes the near joints of the toes bend up leading to a clawing of the toes. The extensor tendons can then shorten, leading to a permanent deformity where the person cannot get the toes flat down onto the ground any more.

There are a series of consequences from this deformity. The toes curl up and thereby take up much more room at the end of the shoe, causing the tops of the joints to suffer pressure against the shoe and develop sore areas or calluses. A more spacious toe box in the shoes can relieve this. The metatarsal heads suffer increased pressure from weight bearing and also develop calluses under the ball of the foot where the loading is greatest. In time these changes can lead to foot pain and require stretches or surgical correction.