What is physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy is a science-based health care practice. Manual therapy and exercise prescription are used to rehabilitate and re-educate. The aim is to optimise an individual’s physical capacity to achieve realistic goals. The Wellington Health & Wellbeing Centre’s Physiotherapist, Hannah Collinson, takes a clinical and holistc approach to the delivery of Physiotherapy interventions, considering mind-body connections in order to promote rapid healing and prevent re-injury.

What will happen?

On your first consultation, a detailed past medical history will be taken. Your present condition will then be discussed, followed by a physical assessment. You may be required to remove your outer clothing to enable an accurate analysis of your problem area.

Appropriate treatment will be discussed and delivered, with your consent. You may be given a home exercise programme to take away with you.

Clinical Pilates

Hannah trained with the Australian Physiotherapy & Pilates Institute (APPI) in London. She teaches Pilates matwork classes at the Hastings School of Contemporary Dance, Hastings Old Town and at the Wellington Centre. 1:1 sessions are also available at the Wellington Centre.

Physiotherapy Support for Pre and Post-Natal Women

Physiotherapy for pregnancy can help in relieving pregnancy related conditions such as pelvic, back, neck or rib pain, carpal tunnel, ankle swelling or plantar fascitis. Treatment can include gentle joint mobilisation, core stability training, postural advice, and pregnancy specific massage for pain relief. A specific rehabilitation program is tailored for your needs, to address pain and prepare and strengthen your body for the coming phases of pregnancy, birth and beyond. After the birth, Hannah can help you to safely retrain pelvic floor and abdominal function and deal with any aches or pains which may come with new activities involved with caring for your child, aiding the body’s return to pre-pregnancy strength.

Sports Massage Techniques Used:

Myofascial Release
Myofascial Release technique works by locating the tissue’s restrictive barrier and by applying a local force, the tension within the fascia releases. Fascia is the connective tissue that gives support and protection to the structures within your body including the muscle tissue. This tissue can be restricted through everyday stresses and strains, overuse, trauma and sometimes even illness, all of which can create pain in the affected areas and can restrict movement and a bodily imbalance.

This work elongates and opens the tissue thus activating the body’s natural healing processes.
There are two methods utilized when this type of treatment is undertaken: Active, is when client is asked to move the specific part of the body being treated. Passive, is when the client is asked to relax areas being treated.

Myofascial Trigger Point Release
A Myofascial Trigger Point is a hyperirritable spot, usually within a taut band of skeletal muscle or in the muscle’s fascia. The spot is painful on compression and can give rise to characteristic referred pain and tenderness.

Trigger points are believed to be caused by overuse of a muscle (repetitive strain), physical traumas (sports injury, car accident, fall etc.), alcohol or drug abuse, a difficult birth experience, long term emotional stress, dietary deficiencies and a host of other causes.

Soft Tissue Release (STR)
STR is an advanced massage technique widely used in assessing and stretching soft tissues; muscles, fascia, tendons and ligaments.

Muscles are made up of strands of muscle fibres which should lie neatly alternating with one another. Each muscle has attachment points where they attach to bones or other connective tissue. However, muscle fibres can become damaged, congested and tangled. This can distort attachment points and cause restrictions and pain.

Stretching is often used for easing the pain of muscle tension and realigning the body so that it functions in a more optimal way. However, unlike generalized stretching, soft tissue release targets specific areas of tension within a muscle. It is also useful for targeting muscles that are difficult to stretch actively and for isolating a muscle within a group of muscles that would normally stretch together.

STR involves the therapist using manual pressure on a muscle to create a temporary false attachment point and then taking the muscle into a pain-free stretch to untangle the muscle fibres. STR is used to increase range of movement, relieve pain, prevent, repair and manage injuries.

STR is an excellent way of treating tendonitis in a muscle as it takes pressure off its point of origin, which is where the inflammation occurs in this condition. It has also been proven to be useful in the treatment of certain conditions such as medial and lateral epicondylitis (Golfers and Tennis Elbow) and plantar fasciitis (Policemen’s Foot/Heel) as it stimulates tissue repair in these conditions

Treatment Costs

Initial consultation – 45 minutes – £50
Follow-up sessions – 1/2 hour – £40

Bookings

For further information and to make a booking, please contact The Wellington Health & Wellbeing Centre on 01424 442 520 or email: reception@thewellingtoncentre.com or call Hannah directly on 07779 020 206