Once your appointment is confirmed it is recommended that you attend five minutes prior to your appointment time. If the reception desk is unattended please take a seat and you will be called at your appointment time.
During this period it is recommended to have all your documents ready such as your data consent form list of medications and general health questionnaire. Additionally if you have any x-rays/MRI images or reports to hand this is always helpful. Your Physiotherapist will do their best to be on time, however in certain circumstances they may run a few minutes late. Once greeted by the physiotherapist you are then taken into the treatment room.
Generally the initial assessment involves a short question and answer session about your general health, the history of your current issue, list of medication. Guided by this information the physiotherapist can make a decision on how best to tailor the specific physical tests to figure out what the issue is. Based on this information the physiotherapist will explain the findings of the assessment to you and develop a shared treatment plan that is tailored to your individual needs. Treatment usually start in the first session but sometimes depending on the complexity of the problem it may have to start on the return visit.
Depending on the area involved the physiotherapist may ask you to remove some of your clothing so that he or she can observe the area both in a resting position and during movement. Therefore it is best to come prepared for this. We would recommend shorts if the problem you have is related to the lower back, hip/knee/ankle/foot. We would recommend a singlet/vest if your problem area is the neck/shoulder/elbow/hand. During the assessment the physiotherapist also will observe the way how you move, may test your strength at certain joints and feel certain areas to check the sensation and response to pressure through the area.
Commonly, there is mild to moderate discomfort while performing the tests but is essential that you provide as much feedback on how you are feeling during the assessment.
It is normal to be a little sore and tender after treatment or assessment. Generally you should feel better unless advised otherwise by your physiotherapist.
Compassionate, targeted, evidence-based treatment is what Liam always tries to achieve with every patient
Here in the Mayo Medical Centre we have many modalities for treating MSK problems. Here are a list of the most commonly applied treatments:
This is considered the most important part of any treatment in our clinic. This includes giving advice on the dos and don’t to help your problem as well how long the problem may take to get better.
This is a hands-on treatment applied to specific joints which maybe injured or stiff and causing problems for other joints elsewhere. It can also effect the way how certain muscles behave and cause pain.
Soft tissue techniques include deep dry needling, trigger point therapy, hold relax techniques, positional release techniques, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques. All of these techniques can be used to bring relief to soft tissue which are causing pain and restriction to movement.
This is tailored to your individual needs and the stage you are at in your recovery.
The above list is only a sample and your treatment programme is designed with your needs in mind and if you are unsure or not keen on any of the treatments offered please discuss this with your physiotherapist.
Each session normally starts with a quick chat to review how your symptoms have responded to the treatment plan. Your key physical tests are repeated. Your treatment plan is modified accordingly and the rest of the time is designated to your treatment.
This depends on a few the nature of the problem for example the type of tissue involved and the level of damage to the tissue, how long the problem has been going on for, your concurrent medical issues and your own fitness levels prior or at the time of injury.
However we would anticipate that you should notice some change in your symptoms after 3-4 weeks of starting your treatment.
I believe in providing fast and effective management of all musculoskeletal injuries. We vary our hands-on treatment based on the individual, not the diagnosis, to help you move better and stronger.
LIAM THE PHYSIO
The Mayo Medical Centre
Lawn Road, Castlebar
Co. Mayo, F23 WF63
