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

Sciatica - Physiotherapy Management

True sciatica is uncommon and occurs in less than 5% of people who suffer from low back pain problems. It is characterised by severe leg pain of a surging nature, typically worse in the lower leg and foot and with sitting or bending. Physiotherapists exclude red flag causes for the pain and examine the patient carefully to avoid aggravating the situation. Initial treatment might be explanation, the finding of a comfortable resting position to relieve the nerve root and taking analgesia appropriately because more active treatment would be too painful. Once the patient's pain has settled to a degree then more active treatment can be started.

Spinal mobilisation techniques may be used to mobilise the spinal segments and put mechanical input into the area where the nerve root is being compromised. This can start the process of moving the inflamed area and allow the patient to perform regular mobilising exercises within comfort. Exercises are progressed to put greater and greater mechanical stresses through the back as the patient improves and mobilisation techniques may be continued to open the nerve exits and continue the process of encouraging the nerve to settle down. Neural mobilisations may be prescribed once the pain has settled well to prevent adhesions developing.

Physiotherapy for Acute Neck Pain

Some physiotherapists perform manipulations on patients with acute neck pain and the evidence supports manipulation as a useful treatment for acute neck pain in that it reduces the time of pain and disability. A few sessions of this kind of treatment should kick start the process of improvement and long term treatment with manipulation is not recommended. Mobilisation techniques, a less forceful form of manipulation, are frequently employed by physiotherapists as part of a treatment programme which might include massage and exercises. Massage is used less often now but can be useful to reduce muscle spasm and give a feeling of release to the soft tissues.

Physiotherapists or other therapy practitioners may employ other treatment techniques such as electrical therapy, acupuncture or other more alternative treatments. While individuals may claim these help them it is not clear whether they are useful and improvement should be clear after a short course of treatment, with extended treatment again not recommended. Physios will give advice to reduce aggravating activities, pace things to prevent overdoing and progress as quickly as possible towards normal. Treatment is intended to get the process of recovery started and reduce the likelihood of the patient adopting habits which will hinder their recovery.