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

Communication and Assertiveness

Communication is of vital importance to humans getting on with their lives, as it is the only way we can let other people know how we feel or what we want or ask them the same. We often communicate in less than optimal ways which can lead to misunderstandings, irritation, aggression or just not getting what we want. We can communication in broadly three major approaches, assertively, aggressively or passively (sometimes called non-assertively) and aspects of these are commonly confused. Assertive communication is characterised by respect for the other, is clear and open and the person is also listening to the other.s point of view.

Aggressive communication can take many forms but is characterised by being disrespectful, not listening, taking a one-up position, being dominant and unequal. Such a posture invites aggression back or people may avoid such a person. Passive communicators do not get across what it is they want and are often frustrated and angry inside as they feel like a doormat, always walked over by everyone. When pushed too far they may suddenly flip into aggressive mode and explode in a tantrum, causing widespread surprise and concern as it seems so out of character.

Core Stability for Back Pain

Treatments and management techniques for low back pain are very numerous and for most of them the evidence of effectiveness is either nil or not very great. Core stability comes into the category of a treatment which has some evidence for usefulness and for which there is ongoing scientific research. The spinal segments have a stabilising muscular system which keeps them in line with each other and prevent abnormal movement occurring between them which might cause problems. The three main muscle groups involved are the multifidus in the spine, the transversus abdominis in the abdomen and the pelvic floor.

Research has shown that these three groups work in concert and that if a back injury occurs then the multifidus muscles in the spine waste and do not recover spontaneously once the back pain has settled. However, working these core stability muscles at around 30 percent of their maximum capacity can restore the stabilising part of the spinal muscle group. Physiotherapists have researched this method and routinely prescribe core stability exercises for patients, understanding that good scientific evidence for longer term changes in spinal problems is not yet forthcoming. The technique is simple however, easily applied, reasonably logical and has few if any adverse side effects.