Specific therapies for physiotherapy and rehabilitation

Manual therapy and spinal manipulation Manual therapy is concerned with the identification and the treatment of articulations and the body in general, so as to act directly on the the painful area, improve movement, to repair fibre, encourage relaxation, and favour functional activity. All treatment is performed by hand. Spinal manipulation consists in the unblocking of a vertebral segment and so reducing the pain and increasing the movement function of the part affected. It is to be performed with extreme care and diligence, especially in the presence of specific malfunctions.

When applied : headaches or migraine of cervical origin, neck ache, cervicobrachial neuralgia, back ache, lower back ache, sciatica, and on every articulation where movement is reduced.

STEP (Specific Therapeutic Exercise Progression) A specific methodology which enables one to create a personalised programme of exercises. STEP, offers to the fibres (muscles, tendons, ligaments …) the ideal stimulus, allowing for a rapid recovery of movement. Treatment is of a variable duration (from a few weeks to some months) and depending on the seriousness of the initial impairment, and it may be combined with anti-inflammatory therapy with the intention of maximising results.

When applied : lower back, back and neck conditions, disk hernia, knee, ankle and shoulder problems, and so as to improve the functionality of the articulation or of the body part affected by malfunction or pain.

Kinesiotape Useful to stimulate muscular activity and to improve movement and to stabilise the articulations. Kinesiotape is a functional elastic bandage and it causes a decompression between skin and fibres underneath, promoting the increase in blood and lymphatic flow and thereby removing rapidly the unwanted products from the wound or injured area and of any other substances which cause pain;  helps the body’s motor system and so conferring stability, elasticity, and awareness of tendon, ligament and muscle lengthening, reduces pressure and compression on the nerve ends and thereby limits inflammation.

When applied : to reduce pain, ease swelling, improve posture and general functionality, and to facilitate the return to a daily routine and to improve sporting performance.

Traditional tapes Used to limit the movements o fan articulation and to so protect the underlying fibres. Traditional tapes (sticky and non-elasticated bandages) are applied to the affected area to avoid any spraining of the ligaments.

When applied : spraining of an ankle is the most common circumstance, but tapes are also used to protect the wrist, the fingers, and thumbs in particular.

Triggerpoint therapy and specific treatment of soft fibres Treatment of soft fibres (muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves), so as to reduce pain caused by contractions and sprains, but also due to other problematics, consists in the application of specific techniques such as classic style massages, bandages, sports massages and treatment of trigger points. Trigger points are are small nodules which can be felt in contracted muscle fibres, and which are often responsible for muscle and skeletal pains. Once located and identified they can be treated in a preventive manner with specific manual techniques,  or with other auxillary means (sticks, needles, or shock waves).

When applied : in the case of musculoskeletal problems and in orthopaedic pathology cases

Diathermy Diahermy is a rehabilitation technique to aid recovery from traumas and inflammation of a muscoloskeletal nature and accelerate the repair process. Through a device  which generates a high frequency magnetic field connected to a metalic plate which is passed over the part to be treated, Tecar stimulates in a deep manner the circulatory and lymphatic system and reinforces the physiological reactions.

When applied :muscular problems and tendon pathology, bone rebuilding after fracture, and cartilage problems
Time duration : 10/30 minutes per application. Average number: 3/ 10.

Hiltherapy® Hilthearapy® (High Intense Laser Therapy) is a laser therapy based on the use of a pulsating laser beam, the emission characteristics of which, have been patented and studied so that it is possible to reach the deepest of tissues in the safest and most controlled manner. Using a device energy is channeled to the deepest of tissue layers so as to stimulate processes of repair and regeneration. Results: reduction of pain, edemas and of inflammation from the very first application; improvement of articulation functionality and facilitation of healing processes.

When applied : articulation pathologies, muscular and tendon pathologies, edemas and haematomas.
Time duration : from 5 minutes to 15 minutes (chronic and degenerative conditions).

Electro-therapy An important support in the post operation process and effective in reducing muscle waste and realigning muscles weakened after surgery, electro-therapy consists in the local application of alternate and continuous electric impulses. In particular TENS electro-therapy (Transcutaneus electric nerve stimulation), using the selective stimulation of certain peripheral nerves, provides relief from acute pain.

When applied : pains of a nerve origin, and also in cases of tendonistis, lower back ache, back ache, cervicobrachialgia, shoulder periarthritis, whiplash, hernia disc, muscle waste
Time duration : 20 minutes

Short waves May be done without the presence of the operator, diathermy and short waves  produces a varying level of electro magnetic high frquency which, absorbed by the soft fibres, increases the cellular metabolism and facilitates healing. Suitable to improve circulation, reduce pain and inflammation, increase mobility (ROM - range of motion), influence muscle tone and facilitate the healing process. Applied with two methods: capacitive and inductive types.

When applied : orthopaedic and physiotherapic circumstances such as contractions, sprains, pulls, arthrosis and arthritis
Time duration : from 10 to 20 minutes

Shock waves Shock waves – high energy sound waves which are transmitted through the skin surface and spread spherically in the body. They are of two types. Ofocalised shock waves and radial waves. The latter determine an increase in the metabolic activity around the area subject to pain and results in stimulation and acceleration of the healing process.  In certain instances, such as disturbances preventing bone consolidation and for some tendon problems, their use can save the necessity for an operation. Together with theapeutic rehabilitation exercises and dietary “integrators”, they can improve tendinopathy treatment.

When applied : tendinopathy, insertionals such as epicodilites, achilles tendon pathologies, groin injuries, bursitis, chronic edema, rigid joints
Time duration : 2-3 minutes

Dry Needling Dry Needling is a technique whereby a thin sterile needle is inserted in an active Trigger Point (muscular contraction) to treat chronic or recurring pains  caused by traumas or poor posture. The stimulation of the Trigger Points results in increased oxygenisation to the contracted muscle fibres, the reduction of inflammation and the increase of veins, and leads to the longlasting relief of the problematic. This treatment is not to be confused with agopuncture – agopuncture is a discipline, whilst Dry Needling is a technique – and is prescribed and followed exclusively by a doctor. Our Centre does have a professsional figure trained in this technique.

When applied : in the case of Trigger Points or contractions causing pain
Time duration : from a few to 10 seconds

Osteopathy (this too is a treatment practised by our doctor) Osteopathy is a system of diagnosis and treatment which does not include the use of medicines or surgical intervention, but manipulations and specific manouvres for the prevention, evaluation and treatments of disturbances to the neuro-muscle-skeletal, craniosacral and visceral parts. There are three principles on which it is based: “Body unity” (the individual is considered in global terms: each part is dependent on the other parts and the correct functioning of each ensures the functioning of the whole),”Relationship between structure and functions”(from their equilibrium wellness results) and “Self-healing”(the role of the therapist is to favour the innate capacity of the body to cure itself). A specialist doctor in our Centre team is responsible for this type of treatment.

When applied : disturbances linked to the muscoloskeletal system and where treatment can have a positive influence on the metabolism and on general wellness
Time duration : varies according to the problematics