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Have you ever wondered why some injuries take longer to get better than others?  To ensure you’re at your best as quickly as possible, call us on 9571 6888 or book online today!

As physiotherapists, we see a wide range of conditions from acute sporting injuries, chronic pain through to post-operative rehabilitation.  Have you ever wondered why some conditions appear to get better quickly, yet others seem to take much longer?

A crucial aspect that affects how quickly injuries respond comes back to adaptation.  The human body has amazing capability to adapt and adjust following trauma or injury.  Muscles or ligaments can be torn or strain.   However, with accurate diagnosis, rehabilitation and time, these injuries can heal without any long term consequences or concerns.  Our team of physiotherapists have identified their top 5 tips to ensure your rehabilitation goes smoothly and as quickly as possible.

How can I recover quickly?  Move early.

Recent research identifies the importance of keeping injured structures moving as quickly and as early as possible.  With the exception of fractures, and in some surgical procedures, it is important to move as soon as possible and safely.  Prolonged immobilisation has been shown to result in increased stiffness and decreased flexibility.  In addition, without use, surrounding muscles gradually weaken, fatigue and deteriorate in function.

For example, one of the best things to do to reduce low back pain is to keep moving.  Whilst bed rest or prolonged sitting can be tempting at times, we know that this only results in increased back stiffness, decreased core muscle activation and ultimately longer periods of pain and rehabilitation.

Physiotherapists are able to perform a range of assessment to accurately diagnose your injury and assist in moving safely without exacerbating or increasing symptoms.

Do your exercise

Getting assessed and treated within our clinic is only part of your rehabilitation.  Therapeutic exercise is crucial to ensure long lasting symptomatic relief.

Whilst hands-on treatment will provide symptomatic relief, in order to heal and repair thoroughly, your body requires loading or movement to ensure that the adaptation process continues.  Our treatment techniques will assist with creating an environment for healing and hastening the healing process.

Soft tissue injuries such as tennis elbow, achilles tendinopathy or even plantar fasciitis require gradual loading, strengthening and adaptation of the tendon.  Take an achilles injury as an example.  In addition to reducing pain, exercises are essential to allow the tendon to heal and adapt.  This will allow pain free walking and eventually pain free running or jogging.

We understand that exercises can sometimes be time consuming and difficult.  Our team will endeavour to make your exercise program concise and easy to perform to ensure optimal results.

Be patient

Your physiotherapist understands how difficult it can be to be sidelined by injury and will endeavor to return you as quickly and safely as possible.  Having experienced a range of injuries,  our team understands how tempting it is to risk further injury or rush back to activities or sport too quickly.

A rushed return to activity can commonly result in increased pain and add more time to rehabilitation.

Depending on your goals, your physiotherapist will work alongside you to develop a realistic and safe time frame to return to activity.  This may include using strapping techniques to prevent further injury or even modifying specific sport or training load.

If you’re unsure just ask

The cliche of ‘no questions is a stupid question’ certainly reigns true for physiotherapy.  As part of our assessment and diagnosis, your physiotherapist may ask a range of questions and perform various tests to not only confirm a diagnosis but also identify the underlying causes of your symptoms.  Physiotherapists will then work closely with you to provide symptomatic relief through to implementing strategies for preventing recurrence of the injury.

As part of the process, your physiotherapist will identify activities or sport which you would normally perform.  Whilst our team has extensive experience through a multitude of sports and injuries, I thoroughly believe the patient understands their body better than anyone else.  If you’re unsure whether you are able to do something or there are tasks you would like to do, just ask us.  We will certainly work closely or look into the best way to get you back active and injury free.

Get help early

When should you see your health professional?  Physiotherapists are equipped to see a wide range of conditions from the acute injuries on day one through to chronic conditions which may have existed for three months or more.

Regardless whether you are in acute pain through to a dull ache or niggle, your physiotherapist is well placed to assess and provide relief and assistance at any stage following injury.  Treatment can include providing acute pain relief by using gentle massage, taping and/or dry needling in order to provide immediate relief.  Alternately, if conditions are less acute, treatment may include mobilisation, manipulation, massage and exercises to progress and break the cycle on ongoing pain or stiffness.

Importantly, the sooner an injury is addressed, the quicker and faster the return to normal activity and function can be restored.  Injuries which are left for long periods of time without assessment or intervention commonly result in increased likelihood of recurrence or inefficient and sometimes painful compensatory movements or habits.

Neck pain or wry neck is a common condition which is often ignored in the early stages.  Whilst pain may subside, if left untreated, episodes of pain and symptoms commonly recur over several weeks or months leading to ongoing pain and weakness around the upper spine.

If you are recovering from an injury, our team at Malvern East Physiotherapy will work closely with you to ensure we keep you active and injury free.  Book an appointment online or call us on 9571 6888.