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

Time and Muscle Degeneration

Ageing is associated with decreases in both muscle bulk and strength, varying with different muscles in the body and with which side is the dominant one. The loss of the capacity of muscle is greater in men than in women and also in people who are less active physically. Hormone changes, reduced rates of protein production and poor dietary intake can all contribute. Physiotherapists can reverse this process by instituting a resisted exercise programme at the higher intensity level. Older people can respond to muscle training although older muscles do react less strongly to stimulation and take longer to recover and strengthen after exercise sessions.

Older muscles also suffer from a variety of other changes: a reduction in the ability to use energy to produce force; an increase in the fibrous tissue content which can increase stiffness. Along with the reduction in the ability to know where the joints are at any one moment the elderly suffer from slower reactions and poorer muscle control, with weaker and more easily tired muscles. This can lead in very elderly people to a loss of independence and increasing frailty. Perhaps because of its good blood supply, muscle is mostly able to regenerate itself and remain strong.

Fatigue or Tiredness - Managing the Condition

Fatigue is difficult to manage as the underlying cause is not clear and the pattern of the condition can be unpredictable. Patients are taught to manage their tiredness via behavioural techniques such resting, planning activity carefully and pacing to avoid overdoing at any one time. They may often do nothing for a day before they know they have to accomplish some physical task such as a visit to hospital or a social outing. Patients may also prioritise their activity strictly and work at concentrating on the normal aspects of life to keep things as natural as possible.

Patients may also solicit the help and support of those closest to them to cooperate in getting as much done as normally as they can, but despite all these things patients typically report that they cannot manage well and that the tiredness remains as bad as ever. Fatigue is not well recognised as important by many health workers and patients may feel that insufficient notice is paid to this very disabling part of their musculoskeletal condition. As the condition is difficult to manage there may be few helpful suggestions even if the health professional does recognise the importance of the symptom.