‘Joint mobilisation and manipulation is a treatment technique that utilises specific knowledge of joint mechanics and neuroscience. This therapy assists the joints and soft tissue to regain its full range of motion prior to injury and to ease pain.’

Manipulative therapy is ‘Hands-On’ care. Joint mobilisation and manipulation is a treatment technique that utilises specific knowledge of joint mechanics and neuroscience. This therapy assists the joints and soft tissue to regain its full range of motion prior to injury and to ease pain. These techniques can be applied to joints in the spine, neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, ankle, and more. Some manipulative therapy techniques include:

• Counterstrain
• Muscle Energy Techniques
• Myo-Fascial Release/Trigger point release
• High Velocity – Low Amplitude (The ‘Thrust’) technique

Manipulative Therapy, especially when combined with Physical Therapy and Dry Needling is a very effective way of releasing problematic joints which cause:

• Nerve compression
• Headaches and migraines
• Neck and Shoulder pain
• Chest pain
• Lower back pain
• Buttock and leg pain
• Wrist, elbow, ankle and knee pain
• Pelvic dysfunctions

We understand the importance of sport and physical exercise as a part of healthy living. From the hurling fanatic to the casual runner, we are all too familiar with the strains, bumps and bruises associated with our different sports. Not only do we understand this but also the importance of returning to sport as soon as possible in a safe manner. We are strong advocates of injury prevention strategies and provide specific rehab programmes to prevent recurring issues.

Sports injuries are diagnosed and treated at the Precision Therapy Clinic daily.

Some of these sports injuries include:

• Recurring hamstring problems
• Calf strains
• Runner and jumper’s knee
• Achilles tendon issues
• Groin strain, Gilmore groin
• Tennis and Golfer’s elbow
• Rotator cuff problems
• Neck strains and compressions
• Lumbar spine strains and compressions
• Ligament tears
• Nerve compressions
• Abdominal issues
• Muscle Tears

‘Dry needling or Trigger point needling is a new effective modality for treating patients with soft tissue pain, myofascial pain and dysfunction.’

Dry needling is a procedure whereby needles are inserted into the skin and muscle directly at a myofascial trigger point. A myofascial trigger point (Sometimes known as a knot) consists of multiple contraction knots, which are related to the production and maintenance of the pain cycle.

Dry needling is especially effective in those areas which muscles are dense e.g. gluteals and hips. Deep tissue treatment in these areas can sometimes be uncomfortable, tender and can bruise the tissue due to the pressure needed to be applied to reach the deeper layers of muscles. However, with the dry needling the therapist can get straight to the area that needs to be treated without causing bruising or unnecessary tenderness.

‘Strapping and taping techniques can help improve injury, as well as protect the athlete from re-injury, whilst returning to sport. The strapping should provide support to the muscles surrounding the joint that may be under additional strain due to the ligament injury while also preventing further injury to the ligament.’

Strapping and taping techniques are some of the most important and more visible skills a physical therapist working with an injured patient, particularly sports men and women, can have. Strapping and taping techniques can help improve injury, as well as protect the athlete from re-injury, whilst returning to sport. The roll of the tape is to limit an injured joint’s range of motion to prevent excess or abnormal movement.

In addition it should provide support to the muscles surrounding the joint that may be under additional strain due to the ligament injury. Another benefit of taping is thought to be the enhanced proprioception that the tape provides during movement (or in other words it is thought to improve co-ordination). Tape should only be used to protect unstable joints where repeated or severe ligament damage has resulted in stretching of the ligaments and joint laxity.

‘Deep tissue massage is beneficial in releasing chronic muscle tension promoting relaxation, pain relief, increased circulation and healing. Athletes can also benefit from increased recovery times.’

Deep tissue massage therapy is similar to Swedish massage, but the deeper pressure is beneficial in releasing chronic muscle tension. Techniques that utilize deep-tissue/deep-muscle massage are administered to affect the sub-layer of muscle tissue, tendons and fascia (the protective layer surrounding muscles, bones and joints).

These techniques require advanced training and a thorough understanding of anatomy and physiology. The muscles must be relaxed in order to effectively perform deep-tissue massage, otherwise tight surface muscles prevent the practitioner from reaching deeper musculature. It helps with chronic muscular pain and injury rehabilitation and reduces inflammation-related pain caused by arthritis and tendinitis. It is generally integrated with other massage techniques.