Covering the East Kent region – physiotherapy in Folkestone, Ashford, Hythe and the surrounding area, we provide help, treatment and rehabilitation for :-

• Back problems – low back pain, aches, slip disc, posture and injuries.
• Joint, muscle and nerve problems.
• Rehabilitation after surgery.
• Neck pain and problems.
• Sports injuries and strains.
• Elderly rehabilitation.
• Business/work related injuries and prevention – (such as repetitive strain injuries)

Physiotherapy services covering Folkestone, Ashford, Hythe and the surrounding area of East Kent.

Fully qualified Chartered and State Registered Physiotherapist

Chartered Physiotherapists combine their knowledge, skills and approach to improve a broad range of physical problems associated with different ’systems’ of the body.

In particular they treat neuromusculor (brain and nervous system), musculoskeletal (soft tissues, joints and bones), cardiovascular and respiratory systems (heart and lungs and associated physiology). Have a look at some conditions which physiotherapists often treat within these systems.

People are often referred for physiotherapy by doctors or other health and social care professionals. Increasingly, as a result of changes in health care, people are referring themselves directly to physiotherapists without previously seeing any other health care profressional.

Physiotherapists work autonomously, most often as a member of a team with other health or social care professionals. They may be employed or self-employed and can work alone. Physiotherapy practice is characterised by reflective behaviour and systematic clinical reasoning, both contributing to and underpinning a problem-solving approach to patient-centred care.

Chartered Physiotherapists are involved in a huge range of care. Common complaints treated by Chartered Physiotherapists include:

• Spinal problems – including prolapsed discs, degeneration, sciatica, lumbago, stiff/painful neck and referred arm and leg pains
• Joint problems – arthritis, injury, pain and swelling, stiffness in joints
• Injuries – to muscles ligaments, cartilage and tendons. Work related conditions such as repetitive strain injury (RSI) and sports injuries
• After surgery – rehabilitation after orthopaedic surgery eg. hip and knee replacements or general physiotherapy after general surgery
• Fractures – treatment to increase the healing rate and gain full function once the bones have healed
• Abdominal problems – such as spastic colon, colitis and irritable bowel syndrome
• Gynaecological conditions – including stress incontinence, salpingitis and post-surgery rehabilitation
• Obstetrics – including ante and post-natal classes/exercise/relaxation/advice and treatment for backpain during pregnancy
• Chest conditions – both medical and surgical including hayfever, asthma and sinusitis, pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, emphysema, bronchitis and bronchiectasis
• Neurological conditions – such as strokes, head injuries, nerve injuries, multiple sclerosis, shingles, cerebral palsy and ME
• Paediatrics – for childhood conditions including postural and walking problems
• Circulatory problems – such as Raynauds disease, wounds, ulcers and cardiac rehabilitation

Physiotherapists will not only treat the problem but by spending time with the patient will often be able to show the patient how to minimise the impact of their problem and to help prevent the problem happening again.

Physiotherapists use a number of different techniques including manipulation and mobilisation, massage, hydrotherapy, exercise programmes, electrotherapy (eg. ultrasound) and in some cases acupuncture. Reassurance and education about a problem also gives patients the confidence to get back to normal activities quickly.

What to expect when you visit a Chartered Physiotherapist in Private Practice

The Physiotherapists will first take a detailed history of your condition together with any relevant past medical history.

A physical assessment will then be undertaken to determine the clinical diagnosis of your problem. The physiotherapist will discuss with you a proposed treatment plan and will give you an estimate as to the length of treatment required and the proposed outcome of your treatment.

The initial assessment will probably last up to one hour and subsequent treatment sessions will last between thirty and forty-five minutes approximately.

Every opportunity will be given to you to ask questions about your condition and advice regarding its management and prevention in the future.

Remember

You can help your body to repair with these simple first-aid measures:

PROTECTION : in the early stages

REST : use the part as little as possible

ICE : use a cold pack or frozen peas to minimise the swelling

COMPRESSION : to reduce the swelling

ELEVATION : to drain away excess fluid