Physiotherapy helps restore function and movement to as near normal as possible when a person is affected by an injury, illness, developmental or other disability. Physiotherapists at Chitra Physiotherapy Clinic use a wide variety of treatment techniques such as manipulations, mobilisations, modalities and exercises to get you back as quickly as possible. The most common conditions we treat are:

• Sports injuries
• Pre and post-surgery assessment and rehabilitation
• Neck pain
• Lower back pain
• Joint problems
• Work related postural problems
• Stroke rehabilitation
• Spinal cord injury rehabilitation
• Nerve palsy
• Delayed milestones in children
• Cerebral palsy.

Yes, if you have possession of any medical notes, letters or investigations such as X-rays or scans then please bring them along. It is not a problem if you don’t have them and if your therapist would like more information (with your consent) they can write and request these.

This can vary and will depend on a number of factors such as the problem and its severity. Sometimes it is more effective to see you more frequently, and with other cases appointments are weekly or fortnightly. Rate of recovery will also depend on other factors such as your general health, age and how frequently you perform your exercises in between treatment sessions. Your physiotherapist will be able to give you an opinion on how many sessions are likely to be necessary at your first appointment.

The first appointment will include both assessment and treatment. It is usually longer in time to allow for detailed discussion and questioning with the therapist so as to ascertain what the problem is and to help understand how the problem affects you personally. They will perform an examination to assist diagnosis, investigate contributing factors and make baseline measurements against which improvement can be measured. The treatment plan will then be explained and will usually be commenced in the first session.

Yes, we treat many different neurological, orthopaedic problems and injuries in children of all ages. In all cases, children under the age of 16 must be accompanied to the initial appointment by a parent or legal guardian for reasons relating to medical consent.

• Exercise Therapy

Exercise therapy is a key component of your physiotherapy treatment and may include exercises to improve strength, endurance and flexibility. Balance training, postural re-education and core stabilization exercises will also be a part of your physiotherapy treatment plan. Your in-clinic and at-home exercise programs will be progressed at precisely the right time. You will be given written and pictorial exercise sheets so that you can easily complete your home program.

• Manual Therapy

Specific hands-on techniques used to put pressure on muscle tissue and mobilize/manipulate joints to decrease pain, muscle spasm, muscle tension or joint dysfunction.

• Interferential Current (IFC) and Pre-modulated Current

Electrotherapy currents are delivered through two or four electrodes to stimulate nerves and local endorphin release and repair tissues. Electrotherapy increases local blood flow and helps to reduce pain and edema.

• Neuromusc ular Electrical Stimulation (NMES)

NMES is used in conjunction with active exercise to maximize muscle-fibre recruitment, re-educate muscle timing and override the inhibiting effects of pain. It involves a mild electrical current placed over a specific muscle to produce a contraction while you complete functional strengthening exercises.

• Ultrasound

Ultrasound involves low-frequency sound waves to facilitate healing at a cellular level, increase soft tissue extensibility, reduce inflammation, break up scar tissue, improve blood flow and increase metabolism.

• Heat and Cryotherapy

Hot or cold packs are used in conjunction with other treatments to relax muscles, decrease inflammation and reduce pain and stiffness.