Our Therapies

Soft tissue treatment involves the assessment and treatment of any soft tissue injury that is causing pain and abnormal function. Soft tissues include ligaments, tendons, muscles and fascia. Our physiotherapists use a number of soft tissue treatments depending on your symptoms.

1. Myofascial Release

2. Trigger Points

3. Heat / Cold Therapy

4. Massage - soft / deep tissue

5. Stretching

Benefits of soft tissue treatment:

Reduced pain, Increased range of movement, Increased soft tissue length, Reduced swelling, Increased muscle strength, Increased mobility, Accelerated healing process, Greater functional ability, Reduced risk of re-injury, Faster recovery from injury.

Shockwave therapy is a fast and effective non-invasive method of treating many painful musculoskeletal conditions. It utilises energetic shockwaves (high energy sound waves and kinetic energy), not electrical, applied to the area that requires treatment. Shockwave treatment is completed by a Physiotherapist by holding the hand piece to the painful area. We can choose the appropriate settings for your presenting condition and it can be adjusted depending on the patients tolerance. Patients normally attend for between 4-6 sessions for Shockwave to have its full beneficial effect. The treatment can cause discomfort and pain but it is generally well tolerated as treatment time is short. Soreness may last for 24 hours after treatment but this can be a positive as shockwave is a pro-inflammatory treatment.

Shockwave works by creating a pro-inflammatory response. This means that we can accelerate the healing process by converting a chronic inflammatory condition into an acute inflammatory condition.

By doing this we can create beneficial effects like increasing blood circulation, breaking down calcium deposits (can be present in tendon injuries), stimulating tissue healing/growth, and reversing chronic inflammation. All of this can lead to the reduction in pain and in turn increased function.

Common conditions that can be treated using shockwave therapy include but are not limited to plantar fasciitis, Achilles and patellar tendinopathy, tennis and golfers elbow, shoulder calcification, jumpers knee, neck pain, back pain, ITB syndrome, greater trochanteric pain syndrome and muscle strains/tightness.

The benefits of shockwave therapy include that it is non-invasive, no anaesthesia or medication is needed, treatment is fast (15-30 minutes, 4-6 sessions) and has much less complications than other options. Possible side effects are rare but include redness in skin, discomfort after treatment and possible bruising.

If you are pregnant, taking antiplatelets or anticoagulants, have a blood clotting disorder, cancer or a cardiac pacemaker or other cardiac device, an infection in the injured area or had steroid injections in the area in previous 12 weeks you are not eligible for shockwave therapy treatment.

The vestibular system, in the inner ear, provides information about balance and the body’s position in space. A problem with this system can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, poor balance, nausea, light-headedness or vertigo.  Vestibular rehabilitation is the branch of physiotherapy that treats disorders of the vestibular system.

Treatment can help improve balance and reduce symptoms such as vertigo, nausea and vomiting. Many conditions can be successfully treated with vestibular rehabilitation.

These include: 

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), Cervicogenic Dizziness, Vestibular Neuritis, Labyrinthitis, Dizziness associated with migraine, Poor balance associated with aging,

This is a specialised area of physiotherapy requiring post-graduate training. SarahBrady, is trained and experienced in this area. On your initial visit with Sarah, she will talk to you about the symptoms you have been experiencing. She will then conduct some tests to help determine the cause ofyour symptoms.

This can include: balance tests, walking tests, looking at eye movements or moving the head into certain positions to bring on dizziness. If the diagnosis is BPPV a series of head movements known as the Epley manoeuvre may be performed. This has been shown in research to be very helpful for this condition. For other conditions therapeutic exercises may be prescribed. Sarah will advise you on any appropriate after-care instructions following your treatment.

Please allow an hour for your initial visit. Caution:  Some of the treatments and techniques that Sarah uses to assess your condition may provoke symptoms of dizziness. We would advise that you don’t plan on driving yourself home from your first visit.

All of our physiotherapists are manual therapists i.e. we use a hands-on approach to treatment. We use a range of manual therapy techniques to achieve our aim of pain relief and improve function - mainly McKenzie, Cyriax and Maitland techniques.

At Fortfield Physiotherapy, we take a comprehensive and individualised approach to assessing and treating common musculoskeletal injuries in our clinic. These injuries can happen at any level of sport, whether it be high level athlete , or a social player out for a bit of fun and to clear the head. Our skilled physiotherapists utilise various techniques such as joint mobilisations, soft tissue release, needling, and exercise prescription to effectively manage injuries such as sprains, strains, and tendonitis. In addition, we prioritise patient education and empowerment by teaching self-management strategies and providing home exercise programs to prevent re-injury. Our goal is to minimize pain, maximize function, and promote long-term recovery for our patients

All of our physios are experienced in dry needling, whilst some of our physiotherapists are also experienced with treatments involving acupuncture. Dry needling is an effective treatment technique that involves the use of very fine acupuncture needles to deactivate trigger points. Insertion of a needle into a muscle, creating a “twitching” sensation, and releasing tension which can release muscle spasm and improve muscular function. In the Western world, acupuncture is used in conjunction with other treatments, principally to relieve pain, boost recovery and promote healing in musculoskeletal injuries. Acupuncture tries to balance the body's energy and biochemical balance by stimulating our natural healing abilities, thus promoting physical and emotional well-being. Both dry needling and acupuncture, when used with other treatment types, can yield some fantastic, quick results

The success of the operation depends on the adherence to rehabilitation protocols and effective communication between the surgeon and physiotherapist. Injuries such as ACL reconstruction, rotator cuff repair, hip replacement and total knee replacement require individualised rehabilitation programs to optimise recovery and minimise complications. Rehabilitation programs usually involve pain management, range of motion exercises, strengthening protocols, and functional exercises tailored to the specific injury and patient needs. Close monitoring and regular progress evaluations are crucial for modifying the rehabilitation program and ensuring the patient's optimal return to their pre-injury functional level. Effective post-operative rehabilitation can help patients regain their physical ability and prevent future injuries, ultimately improving their quality of life. In Fortfield Physiotherapy, we aim to fully support patients through their post-op rehabilitation journey and help them return to their individual goals.

Some of the more common post-op rehabilitation cases we regularly assess and treat:

Hip Replacement, Hip Arthroscopy, Knee replacement, Knee arthroscopy, ACl reconstructions, Shoulder stabilizations, shoulder replacements, Lumbar fusion, Lumbar microdiscectomy, Cervical fusion, Cervical microdiscectomy, Ankle stabilization, Elbow fracture, Wrist fracture.

Our foot specialist can customise an orthotic to suit your unique foot, which is primarily done by casting and scanning the foot foot and doing a detailed measurement of the foot biomechanical planes. Alternatively, there are ready-made off the shelf orthotics that offer effective foot control and stability, as well as providing support to assist movement and relieve discomfort.

Exercise Prescription: Based on your presenting complaint, assessment, treatment involved, and expected outcomes we would formulate an exercise program. We use specific tools with videos and descriptions of the exercises involved to ensure better compliance, proper form and to prevent further injury.

Incorporating strength and conditioning into physiotherapy not only aids quicker recovery but also help in preventing future injuries. By focusing on the entire body rather than just the injured part, our physiotherapists can provide a more holistic treatment. This comprehensive approach not only addresses current ailments but also strengthens the body against potential future stresses. Moreover, it empowers patients with greater body awareness and control, leading to improved overall health and lifestyle quality.  In our newly renovated dedicated gym / gym equipment area we will work with you to tailor an exercise programme using modern apps.