Whatever the sport and whether injuries be sprains, strains or bruising a quicker and more thorough recovery will be made if treated early. Physiotherapy will speed up the rate of recovery by reducing swelling and preventing joint stiffness.  Early treatment will also help minimise tissue damage and provide for a quicker return to active sport.

Sports massage can be used to prevent and treat injury to muscles, ligaments, tendons and all
soft tissues.
Sports massage has therapeutic, psychological and physiological benefits, improving mood and general health.
Regular treatment can help remove the build-up of lactic acid,
or general aches and pains
from everyday stress.

Sports massage is not just for sports injuries, it can be used to relieve everyday aches and pains caused by daily living and work.

Swift physiotherapy has a hands-on approach to treating back pain wherever possible including deep soft tissue massage, spinal mobilisations and manipulation (where appropriate) in our
treatment plans.
Electrotherapy, postural advice and home exercises may also be included in your care.

Prolapsed disc - occurs when the jelly like centre of the intervertebral disc bulges outwards towards the spinal nerves as they leave the spinal cord. The damaged disc and the pressure on the nerve can lead to pain, muscle weakness,
pins and needles or numbness
in part of the leg.

Sciatica - is the term often used to describe radiating pain, pins and needles and numbness into part or the whole of the leg as a result of pressure or inflammation around the spinal nerve root as it leaves the spinal column.

Spondylosis - is age-related 'wear and tear' that can affect the discs and bones of the spine (vertebrae)
and the surrounding ligaments. Symptoms include early morning stiffness of the low back, backache
and reduced range of movement of the low back.

Low back pain - is the term used to describe non-specific back pain in the low back.
More than 8 in 10 people will suffer back pain one or more times in their lifetime.

Neck pain including whiplash and headaches is a common complaint experienced by our clients.
Once again, hands-on treatments including deep soft tissue massage, spinal mobilisations and manipulation (where appropriate) may be used. Other treatments include cervical (neck) traction
and electrotherapy.
Postural advice as well as a home exercise programme is normally recommended too.

Spondylosis - is age related wear and tear of the joints, discs and surrounding ligaments of the neck. Symptoms include early morning stiffness, neck ache particularly
after prolonged sitting and stiffness of the neck.

Cervical Facet Joint Pain - The facet joints (also known as zygoapophyseal, apophyseal, or Z-joint) are synovial joints between the vertebrae of your spine. There are two facet joints (left and right) in each spinal motion segment. They are prone to wear and tear and resulting in stiffness at one or many spinal levels.

Whiplash - Whiplash is a term used to describe a neck injury caused by a sudden movement of the head forwards, backwards or sideways often as a result of a Road Traffic Accident (RTA). This sudden uncontrolled and often unsuspected movement of the head can lead to damage of the joints, discs,
ligaments and tendons of the neck.
Symptoms include pain, stiffness,
loss of movement of the neck
and headaches.

Acute Torticollis - also known as Acute Wry Neck describes a sudden onset of stiffness (locking) of the neck with severe pain. It is often linked
to sitting or sleeping in a draught
and stress.

Prolapsed disc - the jelly like centre of the cervical intervertebral disc can bulge outwards and cause pressure on the spinal nerves as they leave the spinal cord. This can lead to pain,
pins and needles, numbness and muscle weakness in the arm.

Headaches - Stiffness and/or inflammation around the joints in the upper cervical spine can lead to headaches, earache and facial pain. The nerves in these areas supply
the skin and muscles of the head
and face.

Acupuncture is one of the many skills employed within physiotherapy as part of an integrated approach to the management of pain and inflammation. Physiotherapists base their treatments on scientific research and clinical evidence that Acupuncture can reduce pain by stimulating the brain and spinal cord to produce natural pain-relieving chemicals such as endorphins, melatonin (which promotes sleep) and serotonin (to promote well-being), to name but a few. These chemicals assist the body's healing processes and offer pain relief as a precursor to other treatments such as manual therapy or exercise in order to aid recovery.

Acupuncture forms part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This ancient system of medicine dates back as far as 1000 years BC and is based on a holistic concept of treatment which regards ill health as a manifestation of imbalance in the body’s energy. Re-establishing a correct balance is the aim of TCM. Energy is referred to as Qi, (pronounced chee) and is described in terms of Yin energy – quiet and calm and Yang energy – vigorous and exciting. They are complementary opposites and in health exist in a dynamic but balanced state in the body. Practitioners of TCM believe that stimulating certain Acupuncture points on the body can help to restore the balance between Yin and Yang that becomes disturbed in illness.

AACP members combine TCM principles with scientific evidence as a means of reducing pain and promoting healing, always with the aim of enhancing physiotherapy treatments such as exercise and rehabilitation techniques to promote recovery and improve quality of life.

Swift Physiotherapy can provide physiotherapy treatment for pain associated with pregnancy and birth and Sarah Wood is a qualified instructor of the FitBack and Bumps educational exercise programme.

FitBack and Bumps

An Educational Exercise Programme for a Fitter Healthier Pregnancy!

Many women stop exercising during pregnancy because they are scared that it might harm their baby.  However, research has shown that exercising safely and in moderation benefits both mum and baby.

FitBack and Bumps is an Ante Natal and Post Natal Educational Exercise programme bringing new mums and mums-to-be together to share their pregnancy experience. These classes are delivered by Chartered Physiotherapists, guaranteeing expert guidance and instruction is given throughout, helping to remove the fear women have about exercising during and after pregnancy.