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

Hand Injuries - Prevention

Many hand injuries can be prevented by taking sensible precautions or by avoiding obviously risky behaviours. One of the most common behaviours, especially amongst young men in social situations, is to damage their hands by punching each other or punching objects in anger such as doors or walls. This commonly results in fractures to the metacarpals or fingers, injuries which need careful management for the best functional outcome. The use of knives should be carefully regulated with training and supervision for those who work with them routinely. Separating frozen objects with a pointed knife whilst holding the object is a relatively common reason for stabbing a knife through the palm.

Health and safety regulations should be closely observed when operating machinery or dealing with electrical equipment. Injuries to the hands are almost always preventable with a little planning and forethought. Machinery with moving parts, especially rotational ones, requires operators to avoid wearing gloves or jewellery or loose clothing especially around the cuffs. In other situations gloves of the appropriate type should be used. Hands should not be placed in dangerous positions, so push sticks for saws or brushes to clean away machine debris should be employed.

Rest versus Activity for Neck Pain

In the past the recommended treatment for neck and low back pain was to rest flat on the back or wear a collar until the pain subsided, to allow the damaged structures to heal before going back to normal activity. More modern ideas, back by research work, recommend a day or so of rest if necessary, followed by a speedy return to normal as quickly as the condition allows. Long term resting may be the most counterproductive treatment as it has a serious of unfortunate side-effects: joints stiffen; fitness is lost; muscles lose strength; the pain can worsen; depression is common; it.s tough to get going again after.

Modern advice is that prolonged inactivity is unhelpful for pretty much any mechanical pain condition including neck pain. Patients should only rest if the pain forces them to, then get going again. The benefits of movement and activity are: increased muscle strength; maintains fitness; strengthens bones; maintains flexibility; releases the body.s natural feel good chemicals which lift mood. During episodes of neck pain it is still useful to do some exercises such as range of motion, general keep fit, tai chi or yoga and continue to pursue normal daily functional work.