What is the difference between Physiotherapists, Osteopaths and Chiropractors?

By Robbie Smith - Edinburgh Physiotherapy Centre Osteopath

Truth be told there are as many similarities between the professions as there are differences. Each therapy has their own philosophy, politics, history and public perception, but in reality all 3 are trying to achieve pretty much the same thing - to take your pain away.

To make things more confusing, each professional continues to do postgraduate courses once they have graduated from University and it is commonplace to choose to specialise in aspects that another professional is better know for. Physios are doing Chiropractic courses, Osteopaths are doing Physio courses, many of us do Acupuncture, and this merges the professions even closer. Each therapist is on the lookout for new techniques to add to the toolbox so we can treat more effectively and get faster results.

Some of the main differences in approach are:
• Osteopaths and Chiropractors tend to manipulate (crack bones) more than Physios
• Physios assess the nerves as a separate system and usually give more exercises and self help than Osteopaths & Chiropractors
• Physios and Osteopaths do more acupuncture than Chiropractors
• Osteopaths and Physios usually give longer sessions and do more work with the muscles than Chiropractors

Similarities:
• All therapists manipulate
• The most common problems seen by all therapists- Osteopaths, Physios and Chiropractors- are back and neck pain
Chiropractors don’t tend to treat as many people with muscle strains or limb problems (knees, ankles, shoulders, elbow, hand)
• All three are trained to degree level and will diagnose your problem before deciding what treatments to give you
• All three have statutory regulation. This means they have a government controlled regulator which maintains the best possible standards and training for each profession.

Of course, there are many, many exceptions to these rules!

Each practitioner will treat using the selection of their techniques that is likely to be most effective for an individual patient, based on a sound understanding of anatomy, physiology and repair processes. But there is more than one way to skin a cat! The difference between practitioners will be their choice of treatments which is influenced by the experience, skills and training of the practitioner.

The end goal is the same, the difference is how they get there.

So the best advice is to try it out, if it works for you keep with that practitioner, if not try another one. Here at The Physiotherapy Centre we have a range of practitioners and you may end up seeing more than one therapist- it’s all about getting you better faster and sometimes a combination of two therapists works better than just sticking with one. Remember, we’re here to guide you on what will work best for you.

Don't Risk Injury on the Golf Course

The summer weather continues to be glorious and The Open Championship is just around the corner, so it’s the perfect time to grab your clubs and take to the fairways.

But anyone planning a quick 18 holes should remember to limber up and stretch properly before hitting the golf course – or risk coming back with a serious injury.

Pain affects thousands of golfers across the UK every day, and more than 60 per cent of golfers suffer injuries that can result in the loss of at least five weeks of the season. But this pain can be easily avoided if golfers take bit of preparation before and during their rounds.

Many golfers don’t realise that they can cut their chances of becoming injured by taking simple precautions. Advice and treatment from a chartered physiotherapist specialising in golfing performance - such as those at the Edinburgh and Glasgow Physio Centres - will help you loosen your muscles and joints to improve your golfing potential, as well as identifying and treating any pre-existing conditions that affect your swing and leave you at risk of injury.

Your body compensates for bad habits, which puts more strain through joints which are not designed for the added stresses of a poor swing path. You may believe that practice makes perfect, but constant repetition of a poor swing will create muscle imbalances which strongly affect your ability to play well – and put extra pressure on your body.

By following a few easy exercises before and during your round, you‘ll be able to rotate and move more freely, thus avoiding the added strain caused by your bad habits. Combined with advice from a seasoned golf pro, this will not only prevent injuries but will help you improve your power and accuracy.

Try using the following exercises before your round and while you are on the course, to get the best results:

• Upper Back Stretches – to increase power, reduce lower back injury and reduce slicing/topping
• Buttock squeezing- this improves your ‘core control’ and makes it easier to improve your ability to develop wind up and recoil
• Buttock Stretches – to reduce slicing/hooking, reduce lower back pain and improve power
• Neck Muscle Stretches – improves shoulder control and reduces slicing/topping
• Forearm Stretches – improves forearm control, reduces slicing and reduces ‘tennis elbow’ pain
• Neck & Shoulder Massages – reduces chances of slicing/topping, increases control and power and reduces neck and upper back stress

Some of these exercises are designed to help prevent lower back pain, which is the most common golfing injury that we treat. By loosening the spine around your shoulder blades, increasing your pelvis muscle control and tightening your buttocks regularly, you will improve your power potential and reduce your chances of injury. It’s actually really easy!

Our Golf Swingbuster exercises will set any golfer on the right path to a pain-free game (regardless of their age), but remember if anyone experiences discomfort during or after they play, they may have an underlying problem which requires further examination.

Your body tells you what you need and any aches and pains are often an indication that you are developing problems which will ultimately affect your game and your handicap. Best advice is to get these sorted sooner than later to prevent them from becoming an issue.

Call the Edinburgh Physio Centre on 0131 556 1116 or the Glasgow Physio Centre on 0141 332 6000 to make your appointment or chat with one of our Chartered Physiotherapists about how we can help you to avoid pain on the course, swing better and start cutting your handicap down to size.

Careless Armchair Fans Could Join Rio on Treatment Table

You would think World Cup fans are safe sitting on the couch in front of the TV with snacks and refreshments to hand, right?

Well, Scots cheering on anyone but England could do themselves an injury over the next four weeks – despite barely moving a muscle.

Due to long stints glued to their chairs, armchair supporters should really use some simple warm up and exercise movements to avoid suffering from a creaked neck or a bad back.

An increasing number of people are seeking treatment for problems brought on by long periods of inactivity – like sitting at desks, in cars, or in front of the TV.

Fans glued to the sofa or those with awkward viewing spots in crowded pubs (e.g. looking up at a screen for long periods) are most at risk. Even goal celebrations can cause problems – suddenly jumping up and throwing your arms in the air can be a real jolt on stiff muscles and joints.

The key to staying injury free is to move frequently – even if that means getting up to fetch a drink or changing channels on the TV rather than using a remote control.

Fans should take footballer’s lead by doing a few stretches in the living room to help prevent any long term problems. And if aches or pains as a result of watching the World Cup don’t clear up within a day or two, you should seek professional treatment.

Top tips and hints to help armchair football fans avoid strains and injuries.

Pain Relief
1) Armchair Exercise – stay limber during matches by occasionally twisting your back and neck to either side, and rotating your shoulder and ankles. Frequent trips to the kitchen for refreshments and snacks are a must.
2) Stretched Neck – if sitting in the pub means turning your neck or looking upwards for long periods to get a good view of the game, make sure you stretch your neck by bringing your chin to your chest and rotating in the opposite direction – this will stop your muscles and joints from getting stuck in one position.
3) Strained Voice – you can shout louder when you have good posture (this keeps the vocal passages open) so keep your neck long and shoulders upright. And if your jaw gets achie, just massage the muscles on the side of your mouth and temples to prep it for celebrating the next goal.
4) Limber Legs – remember to get up and walk around as often as possible both during the game and at half time. You’ll find that the amount of liquid you drink will facilitate this, so keep those cups of tea going!


Light Relief
1) Thumb Control – avoid any cramps on your channel flicking finger by flexing and extending the thumb several times to warm it up before any serious TV surfing
2) Goal Celebration Regime – relax jaw and open mouth wide, and then slowly sink to knees while raising arms above head. Hold for a few seconds before waving arms around then stand back up straight and loosen off by jogging around the living room a few times.
3) Mexican Wave – every time a free kick is given for the supporting team, start a Mexican Wave with the people in the pub/living room to keep blood pumping through the body.
4) Lip Puckering Exercise – pucker up your lips for a Laurent Blanc/Fabien Barthez good luck kiss by perfecting your pertest pout! Push out lips and pucker up, advance towards a window and slowly press lips against it before sucking hard – raise legs up behind you and hold for a count of ten before lowering legs and remember to wipe the window afterwards.

If you find you still have problems and pain after the game, feel free to contact the Edinburgh Physiotherapy Centre or Glasgow Physiotherapy Centre to see if one of our trained staff can help with your problem.

Money Off Massage Treatment To Help You Glide Like a Supermodel

Ever wondered how it is that supermodels glide up the catwalk, or how Hollywood stars look quite so effortless on the red carpet?

It’s not how it looks on the street, is it? Look around and you’re more likely to see stooped shoulders, bad posture and creaky limbs.

Key to this is how different people look after their bodies. Many sit all day in front of a computer before squeezing themselves into a car to drive home.

The cumulative effect is tensed muscles leading to painful joints, which worsens postures and causes knock on problems. A real vicious circle.

However, regular deep tissue massage can make an amazing difference and that’s the real secret of how stars and supermodels look so effortless.

It’s not only hugely therapeutic and life-improving, it is also very affordable. Just click here to see our deep tissue massage price list.

For a limited period only, the Edinburgh and Glasgow Physio Centres are offering discounts to those customers who book a deep tissue massage and quote Facebook or Twitter.

The offer will get you a one hour massage treatment for £35 instead of the usual £45. Just phone us on 0131 556 1116 or 0141 332 6000 to book.

At the Physiotherapy Centre we have five trained massage therapists, based in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

They are all expert in the slower, firmer, more vigorous pressure which really unlocks the tension from muscles and helps loosen up your entire body.

It is an extremely physical treatment and you can’t help but feel the difference after a deep tissue massage releases all the knots and tightness.

Enjoyed regularly you will not only feel better, but posture can impvove and you will start to move more freely.

This all adds up to making you look better and feel younger – so that spot on the catwalk or the red carpet might be just around the corner!

How to Tackle Chronic Pain

Many of us know people whose lives are blighted by chronic pain, desperate for a cure to end their suffering.

Whether it’s severe neck problems, back ache, headaches or muscle and joint pain it’s hard to enjoy life to the full. Sitting through a movie or going out to dinner can be a nightmare if you suffer back pain and many people may even stop taking holidays because of the agony caused long stints of staying still on a plane. And if you also suffer from sleeping problems (the time when your body recuperates) it’s even harder for your body to heal without help.

Chronic pain is pain lasting for 3 months or longer and recent estimates suggest that around eight million people in the UK are affected. The trick is to get treatment as quickly as possible and there’s a lot that can be done to help sufferers.

If you or a friend suffers from chronic pain, it is essential to get treatment from a professional who is specialist in treating complex problems. Therapists who know how to treat chronic conditions can be hard to find so many sufferers just give up looking for a cure and live in pain for years.

Pain can start insidiously, but the longer it stays the more potential it has to spread into other areas of your body. You start to move differently to try and protect the area of discomfort and this can lead to strains in other areas.

Even A-list celebrities with millions of pounds to spend on treatment find themselves suffering from simple chronic pain issues. For example, Spider-man star Tobey Maguire has severe back pain that almost prevented him from re-donning the iconic suit in the superhero sequel. Desperate Housewives star Marcia Cross, on the other hand, suffers from extreme migranes while Hollywood actress Melanie Griffith and American Idol judge Paula Abdul have both lived with severe neck pain for most of their careers.

Top tips for people with Chronic Pain

• You need to have the RIGHT physiotherapy, with a therapist who understands how to treat complex and longstanding pain. If one practitioner does not help, keep trying until you find the right person(s) to help you.
• Get treatment as soon as possible to nip it in the bud- don’t let it fester or spread
• Even long standing symptoms can respond with the correct treatment and advice
• The correct manual therapy, combined with other treatments such as acupuncture and specific medication will give you the best possible chance of recovery

Remember to seek out therapists who have experience in treating chronic pain. At the Edinburgh and Glasgow Physio Centres we specialise in the treatment of chronic conditions so just come to one of our Free Drop-in Clinics (www.edphysio.com) to get advice on how to start.

How Physiotherapy Helps Britain’s Talent Keep on Performing

You don’t have to channel surf for too long to find a talent show on TV where the best of Britain’s amateur performers take the stage.

Singers, dancers, gymnasts and other types of performers with dreams of achieving stardom are happy to brave the cameras for our entertainment.

In the past half dozen years the likes of Britain’s Got Talent, X-Factor and Over the Rainbow have given us a new generation of celebs, including Cheryl Cole, Will Young, Susan Boyle and dance geniuses Diversity.

For every single wannabe who ‘Dreams a Dream’ of making their name on the stage and screen there are dozens of committed professionals already making their living as performers in theatres and concert halls the length of the country.

All too often they suffer for their art – and that’s where physiotherapists like me and a network of other medics across the UK come in.

Strains, sprains, back pain, joint problems and repetitive stress injuries are all part of the performance landscape.

Singers can suffer throat and neck problems, technicians can end up with aches from working in awkward spaces, musicians are afflicted by RSI and dancers are renowned for the injuries which go with their punishing schedules.

It is essential those aches, pains and injuries are treated promptly and properly.

For 20 years we’ve worked with performers and treated injuries including people suffering neck strains from wearing heavy wigs to a circus performer with a bad back from repeatedly mounting an elephant.

At the weekend I was proud to speak at an event in Edinburgh organised by the UK-Wide British Association for Performing Arts Medicine. It was a gathering of around 50 GPs, osteopaths, physiotherapists and other specialists working in this niche area.

Highlight of the day for me was watching a spectacular breakdancing performance by a young man called Daniel. His routine was amazing, his control and expertise sublime. Watching up close was a privilege.

I watched with a keen professional interest and the demonstration gave me a real insight into the incredible stresses such dancers put on their shoulder joints in particular.

For all the medical experts on hand it was another reminder of the damage risked by the young dancers from Diversity, or that other Britain’s got Talent winner, George Sampson and the legion of young people who strive to be like them.

Another speaker at the event was a singing teacher. She explained how nature decrees that even the most talented child singers have a limited natural vocal range. Yet too often we are asking them to sing songs out with that range, bringing the risk of long-term damage.

Britain most definitely has got talent. Whether aspiring amateur or committed professional anyone with a yen for performing can do themselves a favour by seeking help at the first sign of problems.

Unchecked pains, sprains or aches might seem like trivial niggles, but all too easily they can turn into career-threatening, long-term problems. Getting the earliest possible advice from a professional is essential.

That is the best way to ensure the show will go on.

April Fools

We hope you liked our April Fools sent earlier in the day!

For an brilliant index of hoaxes for all occasions, just click here

http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/af_database/display/category/sports/