Archive for the ‘Conditions Treated’ Category

In the UK a third of the population are suffering with back pain and up to 80% of the adult population will suffer significant back pain at some time in their life.

Back pain may be referred to the hip, groin, buttocks, the leg and foot as sciatica .The main causes of most low back pain are muscular weakness and postural strain due to being overweight, sitting too much, lack of exercise, unequal leg-length, trauma or over-exercise. Sometimes it is the cushion between the bones (intervertebral disc) which bulges (herniates) and compresses spinal nerves.

Click here to read more information about Low Back Pain.

Acupuncture is often associated with pain control, but has much broader applications.

The World Health Organization recognises the use of acupuncture in the treatment of over 40 medical problems, including:

• Digestive disorders: reflux, indigestion, gastritis and hyper-acidity, irritable bowel syndrome, spastic colon, constipation, diarrhoea.
• Respiratory disorders, allergies, sinusitis, sore throat, bronchitis, asthma, recurrent chest infections.
• Neurological and muscular disorders: fibromyalgia, headaches, facial tics, neck pain, rib neuritis, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel and other forms of tendonitis, low back pain, sciatica, osteoarthritis, sports injuries.
• Urinary, menstrual, and reproductive problems including infertility, pelvic, sacral and coccyx pain
• Psycho-Emotional & Neurological Disorders: Depression, Anxiety, Panic Disorders, Addiction, Insomnia, Migraines and Tension Headaches, Trigeminal Neuralgia, Fertility and conception Disorders, Prenatal and Post-partum care, PMS, Menstrual Disorders & Menopausal symptoms.
• Acupuncture is particularly useful in resolving physical problems related to tension, stress and emotional conditions.

Click here to read more information about acupuncture.

Following any period of prolonged inactivity, gradually start regular low-impact exercise. Walking, swimming or cycling 30 minutes a day will increase muscle strength and flexibility. Pilates and Tai Chi can also help stretch and strengthen muscles and improve posture. Ask your chiropractor for a list of low-impact exercises designed to strengthen lower back and abdominal muscles.

Don’t slouch when standing or sitting. When standing, keep your weight balanced on your feet without most of your weight on your heels. Your back supports weight best when spinal curvatures are reduced.

Sit in a chair with good lumbar support and proper position and height for the task. Keep your chest up and don’t poke your head forward. Change sitting positions often and periodically walk around the office or gently stretch to relieve tension. Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes.

Sleep on your side or back to reduce excessive twisting in your spine. Ideally sleep on a fairly firm mattress.

Click here to read more information about a healthier back .

Cervicogenic or chronic tension headache is the most common headache, originating in the upper neck due to mechanical dysfunction and chronic hypomobility or fixation of the occipital area and cervical joints irritating the nerves (C1-C3), ligaments and muscles.

Cervical spondylosis, arthrosis, trigger points in the cervical and shoulder muscles and poor posture and neck position during work or sleep can be causative.

Pain starts in the occipital region at the base of the skull and spreads around to the forehead, temple and eye. Intensity fluctuates from mild or moderate to severe and can occur daily and be worsened by head and neck movement.

Click here to read more information about Chronic Tension Headache.

Tennis Elbow (or lateral  epicondylitis) affects nearly half of all tennis players at some point. Tennis actually account for less than 5 percent of all reported cases.

Golfer’s Elbow (or medial epicondylitis) is similar to tennis elbow but pain and tenderness are felt on the inside (medial aspect) of the elbow, on or around the joint’s bony prominence.

Please click here to read more information about Tennis and Golfers Elbow.

Frozen shoulder or ‘adhesive capsulitis’ is a condition which affects shoulder joint mobility with stiffness and pain and occurs usually between the ages of 40 and 60. Unaided recovery can be slow and symptoms can last for two to three years.

Click here to read more information about Frozen Shoulder.

The power of touch has miraculous effects for the very young to the very old, for the terminally ill to the marathon athlete and for the busy mother to the over-stressed executive. Massage has the power to relax and heal while helping release emotions and tension, importantly, without the aid of drugs.

When deciding whether you want to have massage, consider your health needs. This alternative, drug-free therapy may be the right treatment for you.

As an experienced physiotherapist I must say that a combination of both manual/physical therapy with therapeutic massage brings the best results!

Agata Pujsza, BSc MSc Physiotherapist: Sayer Clinics

Click here to read more information about Massage.

Sciatica is specifically nerve pain involving the posterior aspect of the thigh, calf or foot and which is caused by irritation or compression of  the sciatic nerve, the main nerve into the leg.  Pain may originate where the nerves pass through and emerge between the lower bones of the spine (lumbar vertebrae) or as the nerve passes through the Piriformis muscles in the pelvis.. There may be numbness and weakness of the lower leg muscles and loss of reflexes.

Click here to read more information about Sciatica.

At Sayer Clinics, Spinal Digital computerised X-Rays may be taken, when diagnostically indicated, while the patient stands, so that major curvatures can be discovered – most people get their back pain when they stand or sit, not when lying down. The X-Ray can also detect any disease or pressures on the discs, congenital deformities, bone cancer, osteoporosis (brittle bones in older people).

We strive to achieve minimum dose x-rays by using a DIGITAL COMPUTED XRAY SYSTEM plus close ‘ collimation ‘ to narrow the area to be x-rayed to an absolute minimum.

We take time to show, explain and discuss the images and results with the patient so that together we can devise a plan of action.

Click here to read more information about X-Rays.

Massage Therapy with Agata Pujsza,

Master of Physiotherapy at Sayer Clinic : Kensington

Massage therapy not only provides relaxation and relief for muscle strains and fatigue but also improves health with physical, emotional, and physiological benefits.

Why Have Massage?

Imagine long days sitting at a desk. Your neck and back is killing with you a sharp pain between your shoulders and your headache is throbbing.

Fatigue, muscle strain, repetitive motion or staying in one position for long periods can cause these symptoms which determine your quality of life and how you feel.

If stress, pain, tension, and fatigue could be purged with therapeutic massage would you get one?

There are many good reasons to have regular massage.

• Reduces lower back pain, muscle pain and other body aches.
• Helps soothe infants and promote digestion.
• Increases range of motion in joints.
• Decreases illness-related fatigue.
• Calms aggressive behaviour.
• Eases PMS symptoms.
• Decreases depression, anxiety and helps to promote a healthy mind.
• Helps your immunity by increasing white blood cell counts.
• Improves recovery after  surgery and is amazingly important before it!
• Alleviates age-related disorders, insomnia and sleeping difficulty as well as many emotional and physical problems.

What are the Benefits?

Gentle massage affects the nervous system through nerve endings in the skin, stimulating the release of endorphins. These are the body’s natural ‘feel good’ chemicals which help induce relaxation and a sense of well-being as well as relieving pain. Gentle techniques reduce levels of stress chemicals such as cortisol and noradrenaline. Massage also helps to reverse the damaging effects of stress by slowing heart rate, respiration and metabolism and lowering raised blood pressure.

Stronger massage stimulates blood circulation to improve the supply of oxygen and nutrients to body tissues and helps the lymphatic system to flush away waste products. It eases tense, knotted muscles and stiff joints, improving mobility and flexibility.

The most common massage techniques include:

Effleurage – a light, firm and gentle stroking;

Petrissage – firm kneading and rolling of the tissues;

Frottage – or friction – deep direct pressure to release muscle tension;

Tapotement – hacking, tapping and clapping over the muscles and fleshy parts of the body.