Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Does Physiotherapy really help ? YES IT DOES...

Physiotherapy is being widely used as a 10-day treatment, before concluding that spine surgery is a necessity. In many such cases, only Ultrasound Therapy and Interferential Therapy are administered for the entire treatment and then the patient is informed  "Physiotherapy did not help, so surgery is the only option".
It should be clear to patients that in cases of severe disc compression / spondylitis /nerve impingement / stenosis, just 10 days of Electrotherapy can not do wonders.
In all such spine related problems, physical approach to treatment just acts as a catalyst to natural recovery and must be followed for a long period of time. Mechanical changes of the spine can not be corrected unless mechanical re-alignment is done. Electrotherapy must be used along with or as an alternative to medication to reduce inflammation and pain but  not as a complete treatment.
 Many practitioners restrict physical activity completely during the acute phase of pain, this needs a debate because total inactivity leads to consequential muscle weakness. Limitation of activity and kind of activity to be performed should be decided by professionals like Physiotherapists , who may use their Biomechanical Analysing Skills.
The fact of the matter is that most spine related cases do not need surgical intervention or even a thought of it.  Although few cases which may have irreversible complications or possibility of further aggravation, need to be referred to Surgical Departments and then best left to the Surgeon's decision for further follow up.
What we want to convey is that half-hearted application of Physiotherapy (in these cases 
-Electrotherapy) is a waste of time and also it promotes the idea of Physiotherapy being ineffective in such cases. As a patient, one should be aware that Physio Therapy being a medicine-free treatment may need time for providing a relatively long term or permanent recovery as opposed to many quick temporary forms of treatments.

Sunday, June 7, 2015

Pseudo Sciatica - Piriformis Syndrome



Everyone who has pain or numbness in leg, comes in with a self-diagnosed SCIATICA on mind.

Many patients even know the treatment to be done - Traction and Diathermy.

Sciatic pain is one which radiates from the origin of Sciatic Nerve in the Lumbar Spinal region and radiates down to the legs. Mostly it may radiate down on only one leg.

This sciatic pain is sometimes mimicked by another condition "Piriformis Syndrome". Piriformis is a small muscle in the upper gluteal region. This muscle may get over stressed and spasmodic due to sedentary jobs or may even have structural variations since birth. Sciatic nerve passing under / through the muscle gets compressed due to the above mentioned stress or structural variation. This leads to discomfort / tingling through the Sciatic Nerve route.

This condition is easy to treat once correctly diagnosed. Manual muscle release, Cryotherapy.

Stretches and treatment with Ultrasound therapy are very effective.

If this pain is because of permanent structural variation then minor surgical intervention may be required.

Infected muscle or direct impact on the nerve due to trauma may also lead to sciatic pain, so any such pain should not be ignored for too long. Early intervention shall avoid complications.

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Online Physiotherapy Video Consultation


Link for THE PHYSICAL HEALTH CONSULTANTS Online Video Consultation form

www.physicalhealthconsultants.com

Timing is not a hinderence for those calling from any time zones,  we consider late appointments after 10:00 pm IST also. 

The fee is minimal, so do not hesitate before contacting.  


 Patients who come for treatment at our clinic often tell us that their parents need consultation as well, but they are based in some other city.These are mostly chronic problems like arthritis, back-related problems or old injuries.  

 Few of these cases end up coming to us whenever they are here in Bangalore for a holiday. Follow-up treatment for such cases is generally done via phone or emails. Sometimes we refer them to follow up with physio clinics available near them.  

 This way we have treated many cases from across India and few cases from other countries as well. Particularly in Singapore, UAE, USA and Australia where some of our patients have moved permanently; they say getting a Physical Therapy appointment is a long and costly procedure there, so they find it easier to consult us online.  

 In India, our online consultations have become popular particularly in few cities where our patients mostly introduce us to their near and dear ones. We have never done any publicity for the same. Some of these cities where we are known include:

Kota
Jabalpur
Allahabad
Secunderabad
Raipur
Jaipur
Ratlam
Bhopal
Cuttack
Hyderabad 
Delhi

 The reason for writing this post today is that we are available at your service as and when you require. 

Make sure that your physical health continues to be maintained irrespective of your location.

Fill video consultation form on our website for  enquiries.

Friday, May 8, 2015

When Should I use a Cervical Collar ?

Some common questions asked by neck pain patients :

1. Should I use a Cervical Collar ?
2. Should I sleep without pillow ? 
3. Should I take any pain killers ?
4. Should I stop all exercise ?

It should be understood that all cases can not be generalised.
If you have pain due to muscle spasm or regular use of computers, then you may continue with all exercise,continue to use pillow,avoid pain killers and do not need a collar.
If there is a problem with vertebral alignment like changes in normal cervical curvature or disc compression /bulge then it needs to be handled more carefully. In very few cases pain killers and cervical collar may be required. Most people may be able to continue moderate form of exercise but exercise should be prescribed after elaborate assessment. Exercise prescription should be done only by a Physical Therapist. Patient should have no confusion about the fact that only a qualified Physical Therapist prescribes exercise. Teaching or training exercise is completely different from prescribing exercise.
 Pain killers or any form of medication is not a part of physio treatment,so one should not expect this to be discussed at a physio consultation. In most mechanical pains medicine and physiotherapy are two parallel forms of treatment and any one of them may be enough to subside the pain.Patient needs to  make a choice if he wants temporary relief by pain killers or permanent cure by complete rehabilitation.
In some European countries pain relief medication is prescribed by physiotherapists ,this is done in cases where physiotherapy alone may not work.In India it may be a teamwork between a physician and physio in cases where both exercise and medicine is needed.

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

The Family Physician - Your doctor friend.

http://www.physicalhealthconsultants.com/the-physio-way.html
 Once upon a time, your dad had a friend; he happened to be a doctor.You called him doctor uncle. Always well dressed, respected by everyone and he had a sense of humour too. He knew you since you were born and seemed to be an encyclopedia on your grandmother's health issues. A person so close to the family yet a thorough professional when it mattered.
 This doctor knew few other families in your locality and had no plans to expand his "BUSINESS" beyond his capacity. He never charged a rupee from your gardener or driver, instead would take out sample medicine from his drawer and give it to them for free.
 Did he even know the definition of "Executive Health Check Up" or "Corporate Gifts"?
 You have fond memories of him right but does your child know any such doctor uncle?

  It is not a luxury, it is a necessity for every family to have a family doctor. Your physician may be from field of modern medicine or depending on family preference may be a Homoeopath/Ayurveda or any other qualified medical practitioner.
 This doctor needs to be the first point of contact for minor to major health problems. If your family doctor feels necessary, he may refer you to specialists. This may save time for both you and the specialist  doctor because most of the common health problems may not need referral.
 When you go to a known doctor, he relates quantitative analysis of your health with the qualitative understanding of your lifestyle, family history, psychological/social aspects and health in general. All these aspects may be difficult to be discussed with unknown doctor in a ten-fifteen minute consultation. Quantitative values like blood test and other tests are just indicative values which may be used by your doctor to come to a conclusive diagnosis, after understanding all other aspects. These numbers or data are easily stored these days in e files or e medical history and that may be helpful in emergency for quick review of ones medical history. Any such data becomes more relevant when analysed in the right way by the correct person. As robots can't replace friends, same way no extent of technology can replace the reasoning power of your doctor. So when a known doctor is involved in such reasoning, better conclusion may be drawn.
  

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

2014

2014, we moved to a new address.Started afresh in a new name. Continued our old school philosophy of being friends with patients. Thanks to all patients who kept trusting our ways,and ensured the transition was smooth. 

Saturday, December 27, 2014

दर्द से परेशान!!!!

These days we see different electromagnetic pain relief products being sold through tv and online.They claim to be free from any side effects,which depends on the usage.

If it was so easy to place electrodes anywhere on the body or use LASER on your own why would medical professionals need years of education? Knowledge of Anatomy and physiological effects of  all such treatments is necessary for proper usage.

We do not recommend self use of any such equipment.

Monday, December 15, 2014

Coccydinia

Most cases of tail bone pain, do not relate it to any particular cause.Very few cases get it due to injury.Patients may not know what to do with the pain.X ray may help in ruling out a fracture, in case of injury related coccyinia.Most often physiotherapy, particularly thermal modalities may be very helpful.At times  treatment may help the pain only temporarily and may take a few weeks to show significant improvement.In India coccyx manipulation is not a very popular technique but this is one effective way of treatment if performed.Very rarely, Coccygectomy or removal of tail bone by surgical intervention may become necessary.
I am writing this after meeting a case with Idiopathic Coccydinia.He has suffered for 9 months with no relevant treatment done.He did not know that physiotherapy may help.

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Automatic Cars are better

Improve your choices to improve your health
It is a trend catching up in India, most manufacturers have at least one model of auto geared cars.These cars are very popular in many parts of the world but in India because of less fuel effeciency,nobody loved them so far.First auto cars entered Indian market around the same time as the launch of legendary Maruti 800. At that time they were known as cars for physically challenged.They required permission from various departments to be brought on road. These cars are good for a simple reason, that is less physical and mental stress. Stress levels in city traffic are high.It is easier to manoeuvre cars without gears, so the active involvement of central nervous system is eased up. Coming to physical stress,when your feet are constantly moving between accelerator, clutch and gear you are actually using the entire leg.Stress on hip,knee,ankle,heel and toes can not be avoided.Depending on good or bad techniques of driving,different people have different level of stress impact. For those who already suffer from spine related pain, driving auto gear vehicle is a good option to avoid further complication.