TREATMENTS

Cathy and many of the team have been trained by renowned Australian Physiotherapist Sarah Key, author of “The Back Sufferer’s Bible” and Principal Physiotherapist to The Royal Family.

This unique, highly effective technique of mobilising stiff spinal segments (the primary cause of most back pain) usually using the heel of the foot, is followed by “pressure change therapy” exercises. This stimulates inter vertebral disc metabolism, which is vital for the long term health and pain relief for the spine.

Many of us suffer from back and neck pain, most of which are simple and easy to treat if seen early and given good, sound advice.

Many are linked with postural or movement related problems and can be helped with early assessment and treatment.

It is also important to be seen by an experienced Physiotherapist who can identify if you need referral to a Consultant specialist / X Ray / MRI scan to ensure an accurate diagnosis and management plan. At The Howard Clinic we have good links with many local consultants to whom we can refer.

Paediatric physiotherapists work with children of varying ages to ensure that they achieve optimal physical development and function.

Like all physiotherapists, they are concerned with movement, co-ordination and posture. The aim of the paediatric physiotherapist is to provide a program that is geared to the age of the child, which they will enjoy, while encouraging them to participate and gain skills and become independent.

Paediatric physiotherapists assess and treat infants and children with a range of conditions including:
Torticollis / Erbs Palsy/ Foot and Ankle problems such as toe-walking and talipes / Perthes Disease / Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis / Hypermobility / Cerebral Palsy / Developmental Delay

At the Howard Clinic, Cate and Micky the specialist Paediatric Physiotherapists offer individualised assessment and treatment programmes to young children and where appropriate, they can also offer hydrotherapy.

Acupuncture is an ancient healing therapy, which uses fine needles inserted into certain points of the body to promote health and alleviate pain in the body.

Tui Na is the Chinese precursor to the Japanese Shiatsu. It uses a variety of massage and gentle manipulation techniques.

Just as Western medical professionals monitor blood flowing through blood vessels and messages travelling via the nervous system, in Acupuncture and Tuina the flow of ‘vital energy’ or ‘qi’ (pronounced ‘chee’) is assessed within pathways known as meridians or channels.

Tui Na and Acupuncture are very effective treatments that can be combined with traditional Physiotherapy treatments. The Howard Clinic has a number of Physiotherapists who practice Acupuncture and Tuina which provide the patient with a holistic as well as local approach to their health problems.

HYDROTHERAPY

This is physiotherapy in warm water, used mainly for rehabilitation and pain relief, providing many physical benefits.

Usually an assessment is carried out in the treatment room first.

Hydrotherapy is a very effective treatment for many different conditions – early post orthopaedic surgery (eg after a joint replacement, or after a fracture), following a sports injury, osteo or rheumatoid arthritis and neurological conditions (eg after a stroke or spinal cord injury). Many patients find that they can rehabilitate much more quickly, and less painfully in the water and it is a very relaxing and enjoyable experience for both exercising and having manual therapy by the Physiotherapist.

We have several Physiotherapists with specialist hydrotherapy skills and we offer sessions during weekdays, evenings and some Saturdays.

HYDROTHERAPY GROUP SESSIONS

Hydrotherapy group classes have been running at Pulse 8 health club for over 13 years. Although they are not directly part of The Howard Clinic, they are managed by Cathy Howard, Lead Physiotherapist and Clinic Director.

Classes are taken by experienced Physiotherapists, with trained assistants, helping patients with arthritis, back conditions and Parkinson’s Disease. Patients are referred by group leaders from Arthritis Care, Back Care, Bracknell and Reading branches of the Parkinson’s Disease Society and NASS (National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society).

Classes are aimed at improving general mobility, muscle & core strength, joint range of movement, balance, co-ordination and general fitness. Many patients have been attending classes for years, and have found that the classes help maintain or improve their symptoms and help with maximising functional independence.

For further information please email

NEUROLOGICAL REHABILITATION

Injury or disease to any part of the Central Nervous System (brain and spinal cord) may result in many different problems, such as difficulties with movement, balance co-ordination and loss of function. This requires specialist understanding, assessment and treatment approaches, in order to maximize the potential for a person to recover and improve their overall health and well-being.

At the Howard Clinic we have a number of Specialist Physiotherapists in Neurological Rehabilitation and Hydrotherapy.

We also have close links with other health professionals, such as Consultant Neurologists, Orthotists, Occupational Therapists, and Hand Therapists in both the NHS and Private Practice, to enable us to assist our patients with the best treatment plan.

Rehabilitation can be carried out in either the treatment room, hydrotherapy pool or within the gym areas in the club. It may also be appropriate and convenient to treat within the patient’s own home and many of our therapists are able to provide this service.

ORTHOPAEDIC REHABILITATION

We see patients pre and post surgery for many conditions, such as hip and knee arthroscopy, knee ligament reconstruction, joint replacement.

We can offer hydrotherapy and gym/sports specific rehabilitation in addition to normal post operative physiotherapy.

We have access to superb facilities as well as links with fitness professionals within Pulse8 Health Club to optimise return to full health and fitness.

SPORTS INJURIES

Injuries can occur due to many reasons, such as overuse of a body part, trauma or poor training techniques. Our team can assess, treat and advise on both prevention of injuries through to rehabilitation back to sport. We have a strong link with our gym team at Pulse8, which enables us to guide you back to fitness.

We have excellent manual, massage and rehabilitation skills, together with specialist equipment such as Laser Therapy to enhance repair and recovery from injury.

GAIT AND RUNNING BIOMECHANICAL ASSESSMENTS

Do you suffer from Foot Pain?

The structure of your foot supports your entire weight. The slightest misalignment of muscles and bones can cause many different problems. If you’re a competitive sports person or an active keep-fitter, this may apply;

The symptoms of faulty foot mechanics may begin with any of the following:

localized foot pain   /   bunions, hammer toes   /   foot arch, heel pain   /   eg, knee pain   /   hip or low back pain

Kevin and Stuart at The Howard Clinic can prescribe and provide you with individually customised foot orthotics (supportive shoe inserts) to help correct your specific body imbalance.

GaitScan™ is state-of-the-art computer hardware and software that helps in the assessment and analysis of your feet. Information gained from a scan made with GaitScan™ is used in combination with many years of practitioner experience to detect abnormal foot function which may be adversely affecting your feet and/or other parts of your body, and prescribe appropriate remedial orthotics.

WOMEN’S HEALTH PHYSIOTHERAPY

Women’s Health Physiotherapy focuses on all issues related to Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Women’s Health Physiotherapy can help whether you are pregnant, a new mum, recovering from gynaecological surgery or experiencing incontinence or pelvic floor problems.

Conditions treated (both ante and post natally)   /   Pelvic pain – including symphysis pubis dysfunction   /   Low back pain   /   Rib pain   /   Thoracic pain   /   Coccyx pain   /   Rectus abdominus divarication (a separation of the abdominal muscles)   /   Stress urinary incontinence   /   Urinary urgency and urge incontinence   /   Pelvic organ prolapse   /Weak pelvic floor muscles following childbirth   /   Bladder Problems

Women’s Health Physiotherapy can help to improve your health, fitness and general well being.

At the Howard Clinic, Fiona, the specialist Physiotherapist in Women’s Health, offers individualised assessment and treatment programmes to women experiencing Women’s Health related problems.

SPORTS MASSAGE

What is Sports Massage?

Sports massage is a very effective way for treating muscle pain, tension and restoring balance to the musculo-skeletal system.

Anyone can benefit from sports massage, including people in physically demanding jobs and those not quite so obvious, who have occupational, emotional and postural stress which can produce many similar characteristics to sports injuries.

Sports massage is a firm, deep tissue massage focusing on your problem areas. This type of massage is used to ‘break down’ and realign scar tissue, ease any trigger points you may have, and reduce focused areas of muscular tension. It is also effective at speeding up recovery of muscular strains and sprains, and is highly recommended to prevent injury.

ELECTROTHERAPY

Electrotherapy is the use of electrical energy as a medical treatment.
At The Howard Clinic we have an excellent range of electrotherapy modalities which can be used to assist pain reduction and stimulate the natural healing response via an increase in energy –
Laser/LED therapy – uses light energy
Ultrasound – uses sound energy
Interferential therapy – uses high frequency electrical energy
Pulsed shortwave diathermy (PSWD) – uses pulsed electromagnetic energy
Thermo-electro-magnetic heat lamps – often used with acupuncture to provide pain relief and stimulate the body’s own energy

The different machines are used depending on the specific problem we are treating. For example PSWD and interferential therapy are excellent in treating “wet” tissues, such as muscle injuries (haematomas) and large areas of pain and swelling as well as joint pain. Ultrasound and laser can assist with ligament and tendon injuries and post operative scar tissue. Laser is also widely used to promote wound healing and is also used for joint and soft tissue injuries/pain and chronic painful conditions such as neuralgia.
Electrotherapy is used as part of a treatment programme, along with other physiotherapy treatments such as manual therapy, exercise rehabilitation, taping, and correction of movement dysfunctions.