In an ideal world Physiotherapy would be as much about injury prevention as treatment and healing. However we all know the world is far from ideal and that fitting exercises and conditioning programmes into our busy lives can be very difficult.
Physiotherapists at Kim Baxter and Associates are all experts in manual therapy and soft-tissue mobilisation techniques that are designed to get you active and pain-free as quickly as possible.
In some cases problems can reoccur as the underlying causes remain. We offer a range of services that are primarily aimed at long term injury prevention through biomechanical assessment and tailored conditioning programmes. During these programs we are available by email in between sessions to support and guide you to a positive outcome.
Please don't hesitate to call Kim on 07930 867829 to discuss any of these services, or if you are interested in a package more suited to your individual needs and circumstances.
Physiotherapy
[Physiotherapy] is concerned with identifying and maximizing quality of life and movement potential within the spheres of promotion, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, intervention,and rehabilitation. This encompasses physical, psychological, emotional, and social well being.
Wikipedia
As chartered Physiotherapists with long experience in both public and private practice we like Wikipedia's definition, particularly because it emphasises that solutions have to be realistically achievable for each patient within the scope of their lifestyle and personal commitments.
As well as the specialist services described below, Kim Baxter and Associates offers a wide range of physiotherapy diagnosis and intervention but at all points the emphasis is on what is appropriate:
- Our diagnostic techniques are strongly evidence-based and logical, eliminating successive potential causes until the real causes are found.
- We pride ourselves in our ability to guide the patient to understand the issues and to clearly and simply explain what is going on
- We are experts at manual therapy and soft tissue mobilisation and some types of problem can be effectively relieved in one or two sessions.
- We take a positive approach to minimising the disruption to your training programs and lives.
Physiotherapy assessment and treatment can help reduce pain, sometimes immediately, and prevent future problems whether you've been recently injured or have been suffering for years.
Bike Setup Clinic
Our Bike Setup clinic is based at La Bicicleta in Greystones, a short walk from our clinic.
Typical problems we see in cyclists include twisting through the pelvis and/or the knee, putting too much weight through arms and straining the back, neck and shoulders.
We review your training and racing goals and perform a full biomechanical assessment to identify any areas of weakness that could lead to overuse injuries and pain while cycling e.g. ITB, hip, back, shoulder, neck and kneecap pain. This includes an in-depth physical assessment of control, muscle balance, flexibility and strength.
Alex at La Bicicleta will then perform a full assessment of your position and movement on the bike.
Your bike will be fully adjusted to ensure an optimal riding position and you will receive a tailor-made strength and conditioning program addressing core muscle control, strength and flexibility.
The assessment is based at La Bicicleta and you need to bring your bike, riding clothes and shoes.
The cost is £150 for three hours
Running Assessment
Running is the fundamental basis for many sports as well as an excellent way to lose weight and improve aerobic capacity. As many of us know all to well, the impact of running can also take a heavy toll on joints and muscles.
Our biomechanical screening service for runners has two goals:
- Identify biomechanical issues that could lead to common overuse injuries e.g. runners knee (kneecap), ITB, achilles problems, groin pain, foot pain (planta fasciitis) and shin splints; and provide exercise programs to rectify them
- Identify and correct inefficient running styles through observation of stride length, foot contact point, position and time, cadence, hip mechanics, arm action and overall body position.
In both cases we will provide a tailored program of exercises and drills that will help you to run more and run faster.
Initial sessions are conducted in Endcliffe Park where we will video you running, or you can bring in your own video of yourself running (please call for instructions first). Please also bring any running shoes you use.
A full running assessment is £120 for an initial 60 minutes session, tailored conditioning program and two 30 minute follow up sessions.
Natural, Minimalist and Barefoot Running
Our experience suggests the rapid growth in the trend towards minimilist natural running has led to an increase in certian types of overuse injury, particularly in the foot and lower leg. Whilst evidence is anecdotal and we know of no scientific basis to link minimalist running with increased risk of injury, it does seem to us that, as with any form of training, doing too much too quickly can lead to injury.
If you are keen to incorporate minimalist running into your training program we are happy to offer advice and support with the aim that the transition becomes a satisfying and fullfilling experience, not something that causes your training to grind to a halt.
Core Strength and Conditioning
You don't have to be a world class sports person to benefit from strength and conditioning programs, and neither do you need to go and lift weights in a gym. The underlying causes of many commonly occuring types of pain and injury can be solved through small amounts of regular basic conditioning work.
In particular, we can help you strengthen the stabilising core muscles that work in conjunction with the larger muscles in your arms, legs, shoulders, back and neck that do the heavy work. Ideally the whole system works in balance, but historically exercises have targeted the larger muscles and the strongest athletes can have serious stabilisation issues.
Imbalance and weakness in your overall stabilising system is very often the cause of regular pain and repeated injury.
If you do participate in a sport regularly, at any level, then strength and conditioning can transform your enjoyment and success at that sport through reducing injury and allowing you to train more and play more.
Whether you are recovering from a recent baby, spend too much time at work sitting in front of a computer or are just getting old and still want to walk the hills despite that nagging knee pain, a biomechanical assessment followed up with targeted exercises and a couple of review sessions can work wonders.
At Kim Baxter and Associates we are realists, and we are happy to work with you to design exercises that you can incorporate into your busy schedules and existing forms of exercise e.g. gym sessions, circuits, weights, yoga and pilates or simply waiting for the bus home.
We are also happy to work with your personal trainer, show you how to do exercises at a nearby gym, or introduce you to our personal training partners Get Physical who can help motivate and guide you through an exercise program.
A biomechanical assessment and personal conditioning program costs £120 for an initial 60 minute session and two follow up sessions.
Podiatry Assessment
Our partners at Foot Heaven have been at the forefront of modern podiatry practice in Sheffield for more than ten years.
A podiatric biomechanical assessment and gait analysis session will look at all the factors influencing your lower body movement with a view to resolving issues relating to foot position and placement. Foot Heaven's podiatrician's can advise you as to appropriate choice of footwear and prescribe orthotics or where appropriate refer you to a physiotherapist for a full body assessment in cases where manual therapy or conditioning work may be beneficial.
For pricing please contact Foot Heaven on 0114 2684000.
Rehabilitation
Recovering from surgery and sudden injury can be a challenging process, although in many cases with the appopriate help it need not be. We will work with you show you how to do the correct exercises in the correct way, and to assess your progress so you do most effective exercises at each stage of recovery. We are also there to help support you if you have concerns, problems or setbacks.
At the height of her international orienteering career Kim had ankle reconstruction surgery and understands the frustrations such setbacks can cause.
We are experienced in helping people recover from
- Major surgery including hip and knee replacements, lumbar spine (lower back), ACL, PCL and ankle ligament reconstruction
- Minor surgery including keyhole arthroscopy of the shoulder, hip, knee and ankle
- Broken bones and factures, as well as twists and sprains
We offer regular email and phone contact to all patients on rehabilitation programmes so you can ask questions and gain reassurance in between scheduled sessions at the clinic.
Rehabilitation session are priced as standard physiotherapy session of £32 per session.
Sports Massage
Massage is an excellent therapy for recovery and injury prevention and so can lead to improved performance in sport. Deep tissue massage is also beneficial if you are suffering from postural stress, repetitive strains or muscle fatigue through pregnancy, recent childbirth or work-related causes.
The massage process reduces knots and breaks down scar tissue and releases areas where long-term tension has built up.
Massage is charged at normal appointment rates of £32 for 30 minutes.
