info@ennisphysioclinic.ie

Mon - Fri    9.30am - 8.30pm

3A Barrack Close, Barrack St., Ennis, Co. Clare  V95 X437

065 6840757

Physiotherapy is a therapeutic profession concerned with restoring well-being to people following injury, pain or disability, using mainly ‘hands on’ physical means such as exercise, joint manipulation + mobilisation, massage and electrical modalities. Patients get to achieve their full physical potential.

Physiotherapy now also increasingly has an injury prevention + educational role, drawing on expertise in anatomy, physiology, movement, biomechanics and ergonomics.

The title "Physiotherapist" alone is not evidence of a formal qualification in Physiotherapy. The title "Chartered Physiotherapist" and the initials MISCP indicate that a physiotherapist is a member of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists.  From 2018 onwards all physiotherapists in Ireland must be registered with CORU, the state’s regulatory body

Chartered Physiotherapists are university degree qualified and being committed to continuing education and research.  They are recognised by the medical professions and the Department of Health.

A physiotherapist can assess your problem, help you understand your problem, provide treatment and get you back to your normal activities as soon as possible.

Common causes of soft tissue injuries include:

• Poor fitness
• No Warm-up done.
• No Cool Dow done.
• Excessive exertion / loading
• Excessive Repetition
• Pain during activity is ignored.
• Poor equipment used.
• Incorrect technique + posture used
• Collision / impact (contact sports)
• Inadequate rehabilitation / Return to Activity too soon

Keep active / moving after you finish

Change into a warm clothes as soon as possible

Eat a carb + protein snack within 30 mins and a balanced meal within 2 hours.

Do static stretches after exercise

Soak in a cold bath (ice bath) - jury is still out though!!

Use a Foam Roller to self-release tight muscles

Massage will aid recovery

Allow time to recover fully before training again.

Consult Ennis Physiotherapy Clinic if you have pain or niggles that do not settle within a few days post injury.

• Protect – the injured area
• Rest – the damaged area to avoid further injury.
• Ice – for 5-10 min initially + 20-30 min during the first 5 days
• Compress – the injured area to minimise swelling and aid recovery
• Elevate – the injured area to prevent the accumulation of fluid.

Assessment evaluates a person for treatment.  There are a number of elements to the assessment.  The process can be divided into subjective + objective examination.  

Subjective Examination

This is what the person says about the problem + how it is affecting them.  This may include:

• What exactly are the symptoms (pain / stiffness etc)
• Where in / on the body are the symptoms felt
• What is the nature of the symptoms (sharp / Dull etc)
• What Aggravates or eases the symptoms
• When do the symptoms occur (am/pm/night)
• How did it start
• Has it progressed
• Are there any other issues
• Are there any  other medical conditions
• Is there any (daily) pattern to the symptoms
• How do work, leisure + home activities affect the symptoms
• How does rest affect the symptoms

Objective Examination

The objective examination is the actual physical examination + testing of the patient.  Testing may include:

• Posture
• Active range of movements of the joints
• Passive range of movement of the joints
• Muscle strength
• Ligament stress testing

Both the amount and the quality of movement is assessed + recorded.  Work or sport specific movements may be tested too.

Neurological testing may include:

• Reflexes
• Neural tension / mobility
• Sensation - (light touch, heat, cold)
• Proprioception / joint sense
• Balance / Co-ordination
• Hand or foot - eye co-ordination
• Assessment of Gait - pattern, quality, symmetry