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

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.

Bunions

Bunions is the term given to problems which occur with the joint of the big toe as it meets the foot, the first metatarsophalangeal joint or MTP joint. Problems with this joint may be familial with some inherited tendency but can also be do to poor foot use such as ill fitting footwear. Signs may start with an increased prominence at the inner border of the foot as the big toe drifts slightly towards the outside of the foot, eventually leading to rubbing of the prominence on the shoe in walking. Progression may occur as the deformity becomes worse and the joint itself becomes painful, with the big toe compressing the second toe and perhaps overriding or under riding it.

A highly arthritic joint can be very disabling, severely restrict the ability to walk very far and cause huge problems in choosing suitable footwear. Initial physiotherapy treatment can be provision of insoles, mobilisation techniques, gait correction, provision of walking aids and moderation of aggravating activities. More severe problems can be treated by joint injection, shaving of the joint surgically, removal of the joint to leave a fibrous union, fusion of the joint (arthrodesis) or replacement of the joint with a prosthesis.