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

Skin Burn after Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy, also called cold therapy or ice therapy, is a common modality of self treatment and routinely used in physiotherapy for acute injuries. However, partial thickness skin burns have been known to occur after cryotherapy and this therapy needs to be carefully managed to prevent doing patients harm. When cold is applied to the skin it responds initially with vasoconstriction, reducing the amount of blood in the area to conserve heat. As the cold persists this is followed by vasodilation as the circulation to the area is increased to bring warmth to the area and prevent tissue damage.

If cold then persists for a long time the circulation may be withdrawn more permanently, allowing an area of skin to be exposed to cold for a time when it has no blood supply to keep it warm and alive. This can result in local death of the skin, an ice burn or frostbite. Physiotherapists are aware of this danger, assess the patient for skin sensibility and apply cold carefully with supervision. The use of cold packs taken from a freezer (at minus 18 degrees) is not safe directly on the skin and a wet towelling material should always be put between the pack and the skin.

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.