The St. Hugh’s physiotherapy team comprises of a small number of skilled, Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered, chartered physiotherapists covering specialist areas of injury treatment and post-operative rehabilitation. Our physiotherapists offer a range of treatment options to suit your circumstances including shockwave therapy, acupuncture, manual therapy and electrotherapy.
Physiotherapy aims to facilitate restoration of normal movement patterns and functionality via expert examination and use of therapeutic techniques. Each person will have a detailed assessment followed by the provision of an individualised specific treatment regime to promote their return to function and achievement of their identified treatment goals. Treatments are developed to promote recovery and to aid prevention of recurrence or future injury.
St Hugh’s specialises in the treatment of musculo-skeletal outpatients although we also care for people with rheumatological, respiratory, gynaecological and some neurological conditions.
Musculo-skeletal problems include any conditions related to muscle or bony injuries and may be acute (recent) or chronic (longstanding). Sessions are on a one to one basis, therapist to client, and usually last 30 minutes.
Once your consultant has undertaken your specialist surgery many people will require a structured rehabilitation programme to promote post-operative success. Your physiotherapist will work closely with you to promote your optimal recovery. You may be given exercises to prevent possible complications such as chest infections, deep vein thrombosis and swelling together with specific exercises to encourage joint range of motion and muscle conditioning and strengthening where appropriate. Following discharge from hospital your physiotherapist will arrange for you to have further outpatient treatment sessions as required to monitor and promote your continued recovery.
We currently only offer private outpatient physiotherapy. For further information or to discuss whether this treatment may benefit you please contact the outpatient physiotherapy team.
Monday to Friday: 8.00am to 4.30pm
01472 251 100
ext 3315
Electrotherapy is a form of medical treatment, which uses electrical impulses to aid tissue repair, stimulate muscles and increase sensations and muscle strength.
There are several different forms of electrotherapy; these include ultrasound, interferential therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and muscle stimulation. Ultrasound uses sound waves to speed up the healing process, while interferential therapy and TENS reduce pain by manipulating the nerves which reduces the sensation of pain and produces a tingling feeling.
The benefits of electrotherapy are wide-ranging and include a more advanced healing process, a more effective circulatory system and increased muscle tone. The effects of electrotherapy include a reduction in pain, increased strength, increased range of movement, increased speed and strength of muscle contractions and an increased rate of absorption.
Manual therapy is the utilisation of skilled hands-on techniques including, but not limited to, manipulation/mobilisation, used by the physiotherapist to: diagnose and treat soft tissue and joints to reduce pain; increase range of motion; decrease myofascial restrictions to improve muscle length; decrease swelling or inflammation; assist the body in muscle or soft tissue repair; extensibility and/or stability; facilitate movement to improve function.
Acupuncture has become increasingly utilised as a therapy in Western medicine since its reintroduction over 40 years ago. The practice of acupuncture is at least 2500 years old and is used extensively in China and the East as a fundamental part of their approach to healthcare for its pain relieving and remedial effects. In the West acupuncture is used within physiotherapy as part of the integrated management of pain and inflammation where it is recommended by both the National Institute for Clinical Excellence for back pain and Arthritis Research UK for osteoarthritis.
Acupuncture works by interfering with pain signals both locally and within the brain. It also modulates chemical and inflammatory processes which further suppress pain. The release of a potent chemical called adenosine is the main factor in this process. The insertion of the needle stimulates a reaction in the local tissues which results in increased blood supply. This is evidenced by erythema or reddening of the skin around the needle.
Needles are inserted into specific points and then stimulated through a twisting action. The twisting of the needle causes connective tissue or fascia to wind round the needle which helps to elicit a sensation referred to as ‘De Qi’ (pronounced D’eh Chee) and may be experienced as a dull ache, heaviness, warmth, pressure or tingling sensation. This sensation is key to the effectiveness of acupuncture and is an individual response. The vast majority of individuals (over 70%) report the sensation of De Qi during treatment.
Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine, single use, sterile needles of varying sizes and materials into specific points on the skin. They remain in position for variable time durations dependent on the desired therapeutic effect and your physiotherapist would discuss this with you prior to treatment. Generally, acupuncture makes clients feel drowsy/relaxed either during the session or later in the day and may result in a deep overnight sleep.
Whilst there are some conditions which would preclude the use of acupuncture, most people who do not have a fear of needles can have treatment. A full medical history would be taken prior to any treatment.
Acupuncture needles are much finer than those used for blood tests and injections and therefore are seldom felt as more than a pin prick as they enter the skin.
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is a form of intense mechanical pressure pulse waves which can be used to deliver a large amount of energy to tissues. It is used to disperse calcium deposits (lithotripsy) and can be used in the treatment of recalcitrant and chronic tendinous lesions (tendinopathies) which fail to heal through conservative measures.
A coupling agent (gel) is used to effectively deliver the shockwave to the tissue. Due to the large amount of energy being dispersed within the tissues you may experience a short, sharp sensation during treatment which may be accompanied by ecchymosis (bruising) afterwards. You may also experience some skin irritation and numbness or paraesthesia although these effects are normal they are usually temporary and subside quickly. It has been recognised by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence for shoulder calcific tendinitis since 2003.
Treatment sessions last approximately 30 minutes however you should allow 20 minutes afterwards to relax in the waiting room. Generally you will require 3 to 6 treatments depending on the chronicity and severity of the condition.
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