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Archive for January, 2023

How to overcome a sedentary lifestyle

Posted by Steph Hatt in Exercise & Movement, Practical Heath Tips on January 31st, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

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Ice vs Heat: which one should I use to aid injury healing?

Posted by Steph Hatt in Common Injuries & Conditions, Treatment & Rehab, Practical Heath Tips on January 21st, 2023

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When should I see a Physiotherapist or Sports Therapist?

Posted by Steph Hatt in Treatment & Rehab, Exercise & Movement, Practical Heath Tips on January 10th, 2023

If you have been wondering whether it’s time to see a Physio or Sports Therapist then hopefully this will help…

More often than not, people book in to see a Physio or Sports Therapist if they have recently been injured or have started experiencing pain, and we can certainly help in this case. But what about if you’ve been experiencing pain for a long time or aren’t currently in pain? Can a Physio or Sports Therapist help then? In short, the answer is YES!

Perhaps you’ve been living with aches or pains for a long time with the hope that they will go away by themselves. Sometimes they do, but only to resurface later down the line. Understanding what the problem is and most importantly why it is happening is the key to recovery.

No matter what your background is, your physical abilities, or your age, you don’t have to put up with pain. Having an assessment can provide you with the answers and reassurance you need to take the next step to recovery. Whatever your individual situation is, there is always an answer. Together we can make a plan going forwards that will provide the best outcome for you, whether that is Physio or Sports Therapy treatment, small adjustments to daily living, Rehabilitation, Gait Analysis or Manual Therapy.

What if I’m not in pain?

Pain isn’t the only reason you’d need to see a Physio or Sports Therapist. If you’re pain free but feel restricted in your movement, feel general weakness, or are lacking the confidence to complete a particular task (whether that is going for a walk or running a marathon) then we can help. We will work alongside our Rehab team to create a bespoke plan to target your individual goals.

We can also carry out a movement screen where we identify areas of restriction, weakness or asymmetry, and even carry out a posture screen to see how your posture may be limiting your movement.

And it doesn’t stop there. We also have an excellent Pilates and Strength & Movement team dedicated to strengthening your body to reduce the risk of pain or injury in the future and to ensure that your body is moving and feeling better than ever before.

If in doubt, please give our Patient Services team a call on 01380 730473 and we will point you in the right direction.

 

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How can Manual Therapy improve my posture?

Posted by Steph Hatt in Common Injuries & Conditions, Treatment & Rehab, Exercise & Movement on January 7th, 2023

If your job involves sitting at a desk or driving for long periods of time, then you will be more likely to suffer from poor posture. As a result over time you may start to hunch over, your shoulders may round and your neck may poke forwards.

This pattern, developed over time, can cause postural issues as an imbalance will be created within your muscles; some will become short and tight whilst others become long and stuck, causing pain and restriction. For example, if your chest is carrying a lot of tension, this may cause you to round your shoulders increasing stress and tension through your neck and upper back muscles.

One key way to help reduce muscle tension, improve muscle balance, and encourage the muscles in your body to relax is Manual Therapy.

A Manual Therapist is able to use a variety of techniques to encourage the tissue in your body to return back to their original state and improve balance. They are able to feel the different tones/textures in your body and understand which areas are causing your aches and pains.

Improving your posture will help you in almost every activity you take part in. It will help prevent further injuries down the line, making life more enjoyable!

Good posture is essential in keeping your joints aligned and moving correctly. This decreases abnormal wearing of joint surfaces, reduces stress on the ligaments holding your joints together, and allows your muscles to work more efficiently.

At Hatt’s, our Manual Therapy team are experts in everything soft tissue related and can help maximise your mobility, reduce your pain and optimise your movement. We use a range of techniques such as hot stones massage, passive stretching, myofascial release, instrumental assisted soft tissue mobilisations, and dry needling alongside manual handling techniques to help you make those postural improvements.

With our team of Manual Therapists in Devizes, Marlborough and Frome, there’s always an opportunity to put your body’s needs first. If you’d like to book in with a member of our team, please call us on 01380 730473 or book online.

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When should you see a Physio instead of a GP?

Posted by Steph Hatt in Treatment & Rehab, Practical Heath Tips on January 4th, 2023

With winter pressures increasing and your GPs being booked up to the hilt with chest infections, coughs, and colds (as well as all of the usual problems) it can be difficult to get an appointment.  Often your back or shoulder pain might not be reviewed for a few weeks, by which time it may have become even more painful; something easy to fix might now take more time to get back on the right track.  However, a Physio could help and allow you to get back on your feet more quickly.

Physiotherapists are independent practitioners, meaning that they are trained to assess, diagnose and then manage and advise on musculoskeletal (muscle, bone, joint or ligament) problems (alongside respiratory, neurological, and other complex conditions).  Physios are also specialists in movement, so able to pick up on any issues that might put you more at risk of injuries.  The biggest single risk of a new injury is previous injuries.

Physios are not only able to help with new or sporting injuries but are also happy to help with the management of long-term conditions.  Headaches, back pain, foot pain, and everything in between is part of our everyday service.

Did you know that 1 in 5 adults in the U.K. call their GP about osteoarthritis every year? Did you also know that research has shown Physiotherapy and exercise to be one of the best ways to manage the symptoms?  It can even help with managing osteoporosis.

It is important to remember that your GP is called your General Practitioner for a reason. They are usually your first point of call for your medical needs and onward referrals.  Although a Physio may be able to help with your problems, at Hatt’s, we make sure that your GP is aware of any issues we may find by writing them a letter to let them know if their help or input is also required (this will be discussed with you during your sessions).  If you feel unwell, it is still important that you see your GP.

At Hatt’s, our main focus is on musculoskeletal health and well-being.  We have a large team of Physiotherapists, Podiatrists and Manual Therapists to help manage your initial injury and pain.  We also then have our Rehab, Strength and Movement and Pilates instructors to help get you back to your full strength and the things that you love and enjoy doing.

If you have aches, pains, or a new injury, a Physio might be the best option for you – feel free to call us or have a look at our website, to see if we can help.

You shouldn’t have to live with pain, there is often more than one way to help.  If you’d like to book in with a member of our team, please call us on: 01380 730473 or email us: enquiries@hattclinic.co.uk.

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