Physiotherapy has come a long since I finished my training (too long ago to talk about), new techniques and new tools mean it can fix a LOT more problems a LOT more successfully. But, it has it’s limitations. One of the most exciting things for me when I started using Magnetic Resonance Therapy (MRT or MBST) was finally being able to offer a solution to those of my patients who…
It’s been nearly 10 years since I found out about and started using Magnetic Resonance Therapy (MRT or MBST) at the clinic. This story is from one of my first MRT patients, when we were still learning what worked and how to make sure everyone got the best results. And it’s still the key things that are important for my patients – no surgery and quick recovery times! “Earlier this…
One of the hardest parts of the MRT is the waiting. While some people (especially knees!) get results almost instantly, before treatment is even finished, others take a little longer. Lower backs seem to be slower, often it can take a few weeks before patients notice a significant improvement. This is one of the reasons why I always do follow ups and review (for patients in Spain at least! Patients…
Long term wear and tear after playing sports, compounded by multiple operations that didn’t make a significant difference . . . it’s easy to feel that there’s no route forward. Often, by the time people get to me they feel like they have “seen everyone” and are left in pain. One of the best things that I get to do is help people find a route forward so they can…
Many of the testimonials I receive are by email, often just a couple of lines in reply to my follow ups. A quick “Yup all better thanks” as people get on with their lives. Brilliant for me as I know their history, have been in touch several times and know the “story”. But occasionally I get patients like Joe, who set out to write a detailed explanation for future patients.…
Fascinating research from Australia (wow I am so jealous of the physiotherapy there!) looking at how physiotherapy, in conjunction with other health practitioners can reduce the need for surgery and dramatically speed up recovery time for patients with diabetes, osteoarthritis and stroke. They found that: Diabetes was reduced by 37% Physiotherapy BEFORE joint replacement surgery removed 15% of the waiting list. In one hospital they removed so many the waiting…
One of the most important points about clinical medicine is proof. No therapy or medication can be used on a patient without conclusive evidence that it works and that it causes no harm (or at least that the benefits outweigh the potential negatives). I am a clinically, classically trained physiotherapist and, sometimes, a little old school. And scientific proof that a treatment works is hugely important to me. I spend…
Most people don’t want to take a lot of time off from their life when they get an injury. Rest is probably the most loathed treatment option, certainly here on the Costa del Sol where many of my patients are involved in sport! While patients generally want to get better as quickly as possible most people don’t have quite such a tight deadline. Carlos injured his hamstring playing football and…
Many of the people I see here on the Costa del Sol aren’t full time residents. Some aren’t even part time! Often I have to cram as much treatment in as possible in the limited time window that people are here. Travel can cause all kind of old injuries or new problems to flare up. And travel by plane, train or automobile is made 100 times worse when you have…
Most of my patients, at some time or another, probably end up in my gait analysis room. I find taking a video of someone and showing it to them really helps them understand what I’m on about! BUT as soon as I mention the idea of orthotics aka “putting something in their shoes” many people run for hills. So it’s always lovely to hear from people who took the leap…