Tag: home physiotherapy

Physiotherapy and summer holidays

Post author By Wilma Puntanar Diana
Post date April 12, 2023

physiotherapy during summer holidays in dubai

Summer is finally here, school is out and many of our patients and clients have left for their summer holidays! Although school and work may be over, don’t forget that self-care and looking after your health and wellness should never stop! In order to prevent any injuries or mishaps from occurring and spoiling your vacation, Nightingale’s home physiotherapist have put together a few tips and tricks to keep you in top shape for maximum enjoyment of the holiday period with your family.

What could possibly go wrong?

Acute injuries and holidays

Going on holiday is meant to be a relaxing time. However, holidays involve travelling and this can often be quite physical. Should you injure yourself before going away, there may be a few things to consider and some adjustments to be made before travelling! Be sure to plan your journey and think about all the potential issues.

Will you be able to tolerate sitting for prolonged periods? Do you need to apply for a special upgrade of your seating on an airplane?
Do you need alternate transport arrangements from the airport to the hotel?
Do you require specific bathing/ shower facilities now?
Will you have to climb numerous staircases? Are there elevators?
How will you manage to transport your luggage?

Planning ahead will ensure you can still enjoy your time away without any unforeseen stress.

How to manage an acute injury whilst away

If you are unfortunate enough to injure yourself while away on holiday, all is not lost.

In the acute phase of an injury, rest would be recommended! Not having to be at work all day and being away from the daily commute can be an advantage. Being able to take relative rest, elevate the limb if necessary to reduce swelling and having absolute control over activity levels can be very useful. If necessary, locate a doctor or physiotherapist in the area for help or advice!

Make sure that your physiotherapist gives you a modified exercise program and activity modification which is realistic to your holiday destination. Make sure that they are aware of your likely environment whilst you are away such as access to gym facilities. Being on holiday may mean being able to access gym more regularly than when we are at work which can be great to optimize recovery, albeit it may slightly disrupt some of your planned holiday fun.

Managing chronic injuries whilst away on holiday

Most chronic injury rehabilitation programs will involve a graded progression of exercises. Therefore, whilst you are away, it is important not to completely ditch your rehabilitation (although it is good for the body to have a chance to rest and recuperate sometimes). Make sure that your physiotherapist gives you an exercise program and activity modification which is realistic to your holiday destination. Being on holiday may mean being able to access gym more regularly than when we are at work which can be great to optimise recovery. Enquire before leaving if you would have access to gym facilities, or whether you should pack some exercise equipment (such as therabands) and modify your exercise program while away.

Activities whilst on holiday

It is increasingly popular for us to indulge in unusual, and sometimes quite extreme, sports while on holiday. Be aware of the fact that these can potentially exacerbate your injury. Also, we potentially partake in activities without any preparation, again, this can be a potential precursor for injury. Especially if you have done no preparation work and attempt a long hike, a steep ski slope or some very strenuous water activity.

It is not uncommon to come back from holiday with new injuries!

In order to prevent this, carefully consider any pre-existing problems you may have had. Question how the activity you are participating in compares with your usual levels of fitness and activity. Are there any particular movements that you find particularly difficult? Are there certain movements to avoid?

Plan smart, stay safe and have fun! We’re here for you on the other side of the holidays if and when you need us.

10 TIPS TO STAY HEALTHY ON HOLIDAY

Purchase a travel pillow for the flight to avoid waking up in your holiday destination with a stiff neck.
Take care lifting and moving heavy luggage.
Avoid having air-con blasted onto your neck for the duration of your flight & whilst eating in restaurants.
Take the time to adjust the seat of your hire car to suit you.
Wear supportive shoes and not flip-flops especially when going for longer walks and days out.
Take care around the pool to avoid slips and falls.
Peel yourself up from your sunbed every 30 minutes & take a swim or 5 minute walk.
Ask the hotel for extra or alternative pillows if your head & neck are uncomfortable in bed.
Take the hotel stairs instead of the lift – moderate exercise is the best way to stay healthy.
Most importantly… avoid dirty dancing lifts after a day of enjoying your all-inclusive drinks!!!

Tags acute injuries, chronic injuries, holiday, home physiotherapy, physiotherapy, summer, tips to stay healthy

Physiotherapy

Could You Benefit From Physiotherapy?

Post author By Nightingale
Post date January 27, 2023
No Comments on Could You Benefit From Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy focuses on alleviating pain and restoring functional movement to help you get back to your normal activities. Find out more here.

Do you find health problems or an injury make it difficult to move or go about your everyday life? Physiotherapy focuses on alleviating pain and restoring functional movement to help you get back to your normal activities. A physiotherapist may be the answer to an improved quality of life and a healthier, happier you.

What is physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy is primarily concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of injuries involving the neuromusculoskeletal system.

NEURO – Nerves

MUSCULO – Tendons and muscles

SKELETAL – Joints, bones, cartilage, and ligaments

Damage to one or more of these areas can result in pain, swelling, numbness, stiffness, bruising or weakness. The Physiotherapist’s role is to assess their patient, determine which structure has been damaged and when applicable, how it was damaged. In understanding the root cause of the injury, they can focus on treating your injury and preventing the injury from recurring.

Physiotherapists are trained extensively in manual therapy, which means they are “hands-on” with their patients. This may include massage and joint mobilization and manipulation, as well as muscle stretching.

Home Physiotherapists help in:

Promote optimal mobility, physical activity and overall health and wellness.
Prevent injury, disability, and disease.
Manage chronic and acute conditions, activity limitations, and lifestyle participation restrictions.
Improve and maintain functional independence and physical performance.
Rehabilitate injuries and the effects of disease through therapeutic exercise programs and other interventions.
Educate and plan maintenance and support programs to prevent re-injury, re-occurrence, or functional decline.

Who can physiotherapy help?

Physiotherapy can help any individual who is beginning to see the effects of life’s wear and tear on their bodies. It can also prevent or treat physical ailments that result from years of poor posture or sitting the wrong way for extended periods of time. Physiotherapy is also beneficial for a number of health problems, to include neck and back pain, heart disease, arthritis, osteoporosis and more.

At Nightingale, we specialize in the following types of physiotherapy:

Musculoskeletal physiotherapy – ideal for individuals suffering from sports and lifestyle injuries, orthopaedic problems, lower back pain and headaches.

Cardio-Respiratory physiotherapy – ideal for patients suffering from sputum clearance, COPD, and for those individuals seeking post-heart attack rehabilitation.

Neurological physiotherapy – ideal for individuals who have been diagnosed with a stroke, Cerebral Palsy or Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

Geriatric physiotherapy – strength and conditioning based physiotherapy therapy designed to treat age-related physical problems associated with operations and falls.

Bariatric physiotherapy – ideal for individuals focused on weight loss while maintaining health and safety.

What does physiotherapy involve?

When it comes to physiotherapy, every patient is treated on an individual basis. Your treatment plan will be customised to treat your specific ailments to place you back on the road to recovery as quickly as possible.

Physiotherapy includes a combination of cardiovascular exercises and strength training to build strength, restore flexibility and improve coordination and balance. Typically, during your first session, you’ll discuss your physical problems and what may have caused these problems. This initial assessment may include a physical examination to assess your flexibility, range of movement, and strength. Together, you’ll devise a plan of care tailored to your needs.

Physiotherapy is very hands on, and your treatment plan may include massage, cold or heat treatments, ultrasound, TENS (transcutaneous electrical stimulation), manipulation, and mobilization. Many of these treatment plans are designed to reduce the inflammation that causes many painful conditions.

If you are tired of feeling pain, we can help. At Nightingale Health Services, we take a holistic viewpoint to physiotherapy taking into account your daily activities and whole life. Our licensed and certified physiotherapists treats you directly in the comforts of your home, providing a custom-tailored approach to get you back on the road to recovery and pain-free life.

Contact us today to learn more about our Home Physiotherapy Services in Dubai and how we can help you get back on the path to a happier and healthier you

Tags Benefit From Physiotherapy, home physiotherapy

Physiotherapy

Tennis elbow treatment in Dubai using Physiotherapy

Post author By Wilma Puntanar Diana
Post date December 25, 2022
No Comments on Tennis elbow treatment in Dubai using Physiotherapy

Tennis elbow treatment at home – What is it and how physiotherapy can help?

Physiotherapy is an integral part of tennis elbow treatment. Tennis elbow is a type of tendinitis — swelling of the tendons — that causes pain in the elbow and arm. These tendons are bands of tough tissue that connect the muscles of your lower arm to the bone. Despite its name, you can still get tennis elbow even if you’ve never been near a tennis court. Instead, any repetitive gripping activities, especially if they use the thumb and first two fingers, may contribute to tennis elbow. Tennis elbow is the most common reason that people see their doctors for elbow pain. It can pop up in people of any age, but it’s most common at about age 40.

Tennis elbow usually develops over time. Repetitive motions — like gripping a racket during a swing — can strain the muscles and put too much stress on the tendons. That constant tugging can eventually cause microscopic tears in the tissue. It can also affect people with jobs or hobbies that require repetitive arm movements or gripping.

Symptoms of Tennis Elbow:

The main part of tennis elbow treatment is checking for the symptoms. The symptoms of tennis elbow include pain and tenderness in the bony knob on the outside of your elbow. This knob is where the injured tendons connect to the bone. The pain may also radiate into the upper or lower arm. Although the damage is in the elbow, you’re likely to hurt when doing things with your hands.

Tennis elbow is similar to another condition called golfer’s elbow, which affects the tendons on the inside of the elbow. To diagnose your tennis elbow, your doctor will do a thorough exam. They will want you to flex your arm, wrist, and elbow to see where it hurts. You may also need imaging tests, such as an X-ray or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to diagnose tennis elbow or rule out other problems.

Why Physiotherapy for tennis elbow treatment?

The goal is to improve the strength and flexibility of your forearm muscles so you won’t be bothered with tennis elbow again. Your physical therapist may also teach you ways to change your tennis stroke or other activity that is causing your elbow troubles which is an integral part of tennis elbow treatment. Physiotherapy can also help improve blood flow to the tendons, which don’t get the same level of blood and oxygen supply as muscles normally receive

Exercises that improve blood flow will improve healing, too.

Pain Relief:

Your therapist will start with pain relief, then show you exercises that stretch and strengthen your muscles.

Exercises:

Once the pain eases during your tennis elbow treatment, you’ll move onto exercises. How long it takes to get better depends on the severity of your symptoms. It could take up to 8 weeks or even longer to see results. This isn’t a “no pain, no gain” exercise situation. If you’re hurting, stop. Pushing through it only makes it worse. With the exercises below, the number of reps and how often to do them is just a guideline. Follow your therapist’s advice and program. And listen to your body. If 10 reps hurt, start with five. If doing them every day feels like a strain, try every other day and work your way up.

After Your Program Is Over:

Once your elbow is pain-free and your backhand is better than ever, you should continue to keep your muscles strong and flexible. That’s because everyday activities don’t keep your muscles as strong and flexible as they should be to avoid sports injuries. Talk to your therapist or doctor about the best ways to continue keeping your elbow working at its best.

Recovering from Tennis Elbow:

Of course, what you really want to know is when you can get back to your regular activities after having tennis elbow. That depends on your individual case and the extent of the damage to the tendon. People heal at different rates. Whatever you do, don’t rush your recovery. If you start pushing yourself before your tennis elbow is healed, you could make the damage worse.

How to Prevent Tennis Elbow:

The key to preventing tennis elbow is to avoid overuse. Stop if you feel any elbow pain during an activity. You may also bring on tennis elbow by using the wrong equipment, like a golf club or tennis racket that is too heavy or that has a grip that is too large. Bad technique — like using the wrong posture for a swing — can also lead to tennis elbow. You should also: Stretch and warm up before any sport or activity that will exercise your elbow or arm. And Ice your elbow after exercise.

Tags home physiotherapy, physiotherapy, tennis elbow, treatment

Physiotherapy

Dry needling – everything you need to know about

Post author By Wilma Puntanar Diana
Post date December 12, 2022

What is dry needling?

Developed in the 1980s, dry needling is based on modern Western medicine. A qualified practitioner inserts filiform needles into the skin – these are fine, short, stainless steel needles that don’t inject fluid into the body, which is why we use the term “dry”.

The needles are placed into ‘trigger points’ or ‘knots’ of tight or tender muscles, causing a local twitch response (LTR). This response releases the trigger point, allows blood flow to return to the restricted area, and relieves the muscle spasm, restoring normal function and reducing pain. The length of time the needles remain in the body depends on the practitioner, but it’s usually not long. The treatment can cause short-term minor soreness in the muscle being treated, usually gone within a maximum of two days.

How is it different from acupuncture?

The needles are the same, but that’s where the similarities end. While acupuncture is designed to relieve pain, discomfort, or emotional issues by opening up a person’s energy flow or chi, dry needling aims to relieve pain by stimulating trigger points or irritable muscles.

During a session, a licensed acupuncturist will insert needles into points along the meridian lines to promote inner ‘balance’. Based on ancient Asian medical practices, these lines represent the body’s organs, and the aim is to restore proper flow of energy throughout the body by unblocking the interrupted chi. Acupuncture needles are usually left in place for 15 to 30 minutes.

Acupuncture is usually used for internal ailments, including:

digestive problems
insomnia
stress
chronic pain

The home physiotherapists at Nightingale Health Services are qualified dry needling practitioners and will be able to assess whether dry needling is a suitable option as part of your treatment plan. Contact us on 800 UAE (800823).

Dry needling is used to treat a number of conditions, including:

sports injuries
muscle pain
headaches
chronic pain
fibromyalgia

Tags dry needling, home physiotherapy, physiotherapy

Physiotherapy

Sports Physiotherapy Dubai – Relief for Sports Enthusiasts from Whiplash Injuries

Post author By Nightingale
Post date December 10, 2022
No Comments on Sports Physiotherapy Dubai – Relief for Sports Enthusiasts from Whiplash Injuries

Sports injury, just like any major injury attained from other accidents that are tragic as well as traumatic. Moreover, the physical & mental stress which are brought by the injury doesn’t discriminate the professional athletes from amateur ones. And, the injury, if left untreated or not managed properly, might actually affect & ultimately ruin an athlete’s auspicious career. Athletes who are just starting to make a name for themselves in their sports event may find it rather difficult or even impossible to continue in that very physical and competitive field of endeavour. The possibility of incurring physical injuries is part of the risks taken by the athletes regardless of the sports event in which they compete. Knowing what should be done in case of injury is a must for each individual to remember. The good news is, aside from modern medical technology, physiotherapy has recently been made available to treat specific sports injuries.

Advantages of Sports Physiotherapy Treatment

Sports activities need the consistent and top-notch physical efforts of the sportspeople that help to formulate them more inclined to injuries. An experienced physiotherapist carrying the sports physiotherapy assists in preventing the injuries & helps to enhance the healing after the sports person has been finally injured. Thus, the role of top-class sports physiotherapy is attaining ground at the high rate. Here are some top benefits of sports physiotherapy.

Boost the Physical Strength of the Athlete

Professional sports athletes utilize their physical strength while playing. Sometimes, they have to endure blows in boxing, basketball, rugby, and football. All such activities are straining the muscles of a sports athlete. An experienced physiotherapist helps sportsperson to improve body toughness & robustness. Their joints, bones, muscles & ligaments are reinforced, thus enabling the sportspersons to endure the high-physical stress which is required by their sport.

Enhances Muscle & Joint Flexibility

Contrary to the common perception, it is not only the gymnasts who need a supple & flexible body but athlete from all sports. Every athlete involved in different sports like baseball, cricket, swimming, etc. requires his /her body to be flexible though the degree that may vary from sport to sport. Sports physiotherapy at home Dubai helps the sportsperson to boost his/her body flexibility so as to be able to give the optimum level of performance.

Prevents injuries

Sports physiotherapy centres provide customized services as per the athlete’s sport. The routine is intended and based on the training of the physiotherapists as well as their hands-on experience. Initially, the expert will examine your strength, flexibility, & joint flexion. They use this information to intend a proper routine which will help to boost the physical aspects. The overall physiotherapy sessions contribute to reducing the chances of an athlete experiencing stress, torn ligaments, strain, & cramps.

Promotes the Relaxation of the Body

All athletes like to unwind after the long & exhausting day at their workouts or on the field. There are a few medical fitness centres that provide sports physiotherapy programs that not only provide injury-related assistance but also helps the athletes to relax & recoup their body’s energy so that they can return to the field with his full vigour.

Sports Injury Treatment & Rehabilitation

In spite of taking the precautions & care, some injuries are bound to happen. Some of the renowned Physiotherapy rehabilitation centres assist the athletes in recovering at the faster rate without the injury becoming too complex. Specific physiotherapy sessions involved in frozen shoulder therapy, sprained ankle treatment, etc. and all such treatments enable the affected athlete to recuperate from his sprain, dislocation, pressure, or torn ligament issues quickly without the threat of any complications creeping in.

Other Health Issues

Sports physiotherapy clinics provide proper assistance for tackling the cardiopulmonary issues. Their regime also improves the endurance & breathing of athletes that enable them to achieve their daily activities in a better way. Sports therapists also offer benefits when it comes to treating various spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, neurological disorders, etc.

There are numerous kinds of physiotherapy techniques that are effective in treating sports injuries. Exercise & manipulations, and the use of the massage are just some of these. Interestingly, swimming is also a very good physiotherapy treatment for people with sports injuries. This will create the necessary tension, but at the same time, will not aggravate the situation. The treatment will continue until such time when the patient can already make use of the injured part of his body in its full capacity.

Schedule a Sports Physiotherapy Session

Nightingale Health Services is the best physiotherapy & sports injury clinic providing top quality sports physiotherapy services in Dubai. Our best physiotherapists in Dubai use the evidence-based approach of sports physiotherapy. All our services include sports massage, sports therapy, sports rehabilitation & injury treatment. If you are looking for the sports physio, athletes and sports enthusiast may schedule a home physiotherapy appointment with Nightingale. You will get the confirmed booking time within the next 24 hours.

Tags home physiotherapy, physiotherapy, sports physiotherapy

Covid Home Care Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy post COVID-19 – How we can help?

Post author By Nightingale
Post date December 5, 2022

COVID-19 and Physiotherapy

Patients who have been infected with the coronavirus and admitted to the hospital for this reason should receive physiotherapy as soon as their condition allows. Seriously ill patients who are on ventilators and are confined to a hospital bed for long periods experience problems with breathing and other physical issues, due to their prolonged inactivity. Physiotherapists can be of great value to patients and their care in this regard. Physiotherapist assist with recovery in the ICU, but what happens when a patient is sent home?…

Once a patient is discharged from hospital it is vitally important to begin the rehabilitation process!

Recovery after intensive care

At first, patients will have very little energy. People on bed rest for the entire day lose about 5% of their total muscle mass and general condition each day. This will result in weakness and fatigue. Patients may not only suffer with muscular deconditioning, but may also experience respiratory complications post discharge. This condition is known as “post-intensive care syndrome” (PICS). A rehabilitation program designed and implemented by a physiotherapist compromising of muscular strengthening, respiratory exercises and functional independence training would be holistically beneficial to the patient going home!

Physiotherapy care will focus on the patient being given exercises aimed at improving lung function by strengthening the respiratory muscles, coughing up phlegm more effectively and breathing more deeply, thereby improving the ventilation of the lungs. They are also given motion exercises.

How can our Home physiotherapist help you

A big focus of physiotherapy during the pandemic will be to get patients moving as soon as possible. But this can only happen when the patient is well enough.

This can start with simply getting patients to move their arms, legs and body in the bed. Physiotherapists will closely manage vital signs such as oxygen levels, respiratory rate and blood pressure to ensure movements are safely tolerated.

Rehabilitation will also vary depending on the patient’s condition. Tiredness or fatigue is reported in about 40% of patients, so physiotherapists will pace activity and potentially see patients more often for shorter treatment sessions. Rehabilitation will be carefully planned and progress gradually to the patient sitting on the edge of their bed, standing, marching on spot, and walking, depending on how well each is tolerated.

Physical strengthening programs will be monitored and progressed until the patient can return to full activities of daily living!

You can also avail our Home PCR test when you are in Dubai

Tags covid-19, home physiotherapy, physiotherapy

Physiotherapy

How a good licensed physiotherapist can help you fight pain and lead an improved life within the comforts of your home

Post author By Nightingale
Post date November 22, 2022
No Comments on How a good licensed physiotherapist can help you fight pain and lead an improved life within the comforts of your home

The human body and mind are two sides of the same coin. Physical pain, be it chronic or sudden injury-inflicted, restricted mobility, and stiffness of body parts can lead to a dull and depressed state of mind.

Physiotherapy can help with pain alleviation and pain management and also mobility management by combining a holistic set of routine and advanced exercise modules as well as prescription treatments.

Physiotherapy is essential in treating pain inflicted by sudden injuries or accidents, posture-related neck and back pain issues, arthritis, sciatica and spinal disk-related injuries, fractures and scar of tissue etc.

Following are the acute and lifestyle-related conditions that require the able hands and care of a trained physiotherapist:

Sports injuries: This is very common among players, both at beginner’s as well as advanced levels and sometimes take months to heal before one can get back to the grounds.

Elbow conditions (golfer’s or tennis elbow): This is not just seen in people playing golf but anyone who is into repetitive movements at the wrist can get this condition, including plumbers and carpenters.

Carpal tunnel syndrome: It’s caused by pressure on your median nerve, which runs the length of the arm, goes through a passage in the wrist called the carpal tunnel and ends in the hand. Repeated motions like typing or conditions like rheumatoid arthritis can trigger this pain, which is experienced in a tingling sensation, numbness or acute pain in the wrist and fingers.

Long working hours-induced neck, back, arm, and wrist pain: This is very common among people who lead sedentary lives and are exposed to long working hours before the computer due to the nature of their work.

Other conditions that require the able hands of a physiotherapist are recurring headaches, muscle sprains, running injuries, post-surgery pain, women’s health and ante/post natal-related pain, nerve impairment/entrapment, plantar fasciitis or policeman’s heels (inflammation of the tissue band that connects the heel bone to the toes), and shoulder conditions (frozen shoulder and rotator cuff issues that are characterized by stiffness and enlargement of the shoulder joint).

There are other long-term conditions that require the expertise of home physiotherapy care for all-around healing. These conditions include:

Injuries related to falls and slips be it from the stairs or in the bathroom.

Elderly people often suffer from chronic pain induced by arthritis, surgery, or sudden pain inflicted by a fall.

Patients who have survived a stroke can require physiotherapy sessions to resume normal day-to-day activities.

Patients who have undergone a joint replacement surgery can require regular physiotherapy sessions at home to resume movement.

There is also trusted effectiveness of physiotherapy care at home for the following illnesses: Arthritis, cancer survivor care, cardiac rehabilitation, dementia care, Parkinson’s (a disorder of the central nervous system that might cause tremors and stiffness), lymphoedema (swelling in an arm or leg muscle caused by lymphatic system drainage), musculoskeletal disorders (denoting disorders pertaining to the musculature and skeleton combined together), obesity, urinary incontinence, and vestibular rehabilitation (an exercise-based program designed by a certified physiotherapist to improve balance and reduce dizziness-related problems).

If you are in Dubai and looking for good physiotherapy clinics in Dubai, following is the criterion that you must identify as the markers of a licensed and trusted physiotherapy clinic:

A good physiotherapy clinic will provide preliminary assessment and diagnosis and then devise a rehabilitation program customized for the patient’s particular condition.

A modern, well-trained expert physiotherapist should be able to combine both clinical assessments with circumstantial knowledge and hands-down treatments with prescription-based exercise modules.

A good home physiotherapist will be able to deal with both chronic and sudden nature and degrees of pain as well as experienced athletes, seasoned players, accident victims, and amateur gym visitors.

A good licensed physiotherapist should be able to assess each patient in their home environment and take into consideration their personal goals, problems related to self-esteem, and design an exercise-based module as per the patient’s requirements. Such a conversation-derived rehabilitation programme can only bring true comfort and relief to the patient and their families. It is the duty of an efficient, well-trained, certified physiotherapist working at a licensed physiotherapy clinic to make the patients understand that rehabilitation should start as soon as possible to achieve a speedy recovery.

For patients with acute conditions, the physiotherapist might have to develop a maintenance programme to limit further complications such as muscle atrophy and chest infections.

At Dubai Nightingale, our trained physiotherapists are able to take note of the patient’s lifestyle and background, discuss their personal goals and anxiety issues, and study their body and mind responses and faculties in their home environment to devise a full-proof physiotherapy program that involves the use of a range of apparatus and techniques (electrotherapy, massage, manual therapy, and progressive exercise). This is done to ensure the patient is able to regain mobility and functionality in their lives and their overall quality of life is also improved by devising a module that will help them be more active and positive. Increasing mobility potential and decreasing levels of pain are the two most fundamental concerns of our experienced physiotherapists.

Our physiotherapists track the patient’s progression, right from the beginning days, and prepare a progression chart to assess their improvement using standardized, valid, and reliable measurement tools.

Dubai Nightingale therapists can work closely with home medical nurses, relatives, psychologists so that the patient’s treatment is holistic and aims at all-round progress.

Tags home physiotherapy, physiotherapist, physiotherapy

Physiotherapy

Reduce workplace spinal issues

Post author By Nightingale
Post date October 24, 2022

To coincide with Spinal Health Month, Nightingale’s home physiotherapist sheds some light on workplace back pain, reduce spinal issues and the need to focus on prevention rather than cure, especially for entrepreneurs.

Wherever you are reading this, take a look around you. It’s likely you’ll see someone with their neck bent at right angles looking at their phone, hunched over a laptop or slouching in an ill-designed chair. It won’t be long before one of them awkwardly stretches their neck, back or shoulders in an attempt to rid themselves of some form of musculoskeletal discomfort.

Back pain is the leading cause of sick days in the UK and the main reason people are forced to leave the workforce early. According to research, a third of British employees have taken at least one day off work due to back or neck pain in the past year. Nearly a quarter feel it has a negative impact on their working life – and this is before a global pandemic forced people to work from home in unorthodox settings or on poorly suited furniture.

Having treated patients for the past ten years, I’ve noticed an increasing trend of business owners, particularly SMEs, investing in preventative care for themselves and their employees rather than let their business be impacted by long and often repeated periods of absence.

Generally speaking, desk-based workers using computers are more susceptible to neck pain and lower back pain, although there are many related musculoskeletal conditions that arise from spending significant portions of the day in the same position.

For entrepreneurs and start-ups, many of these issues are exacerbated by the twin issues of stress and, particularly in the UAE, air-conditioning. There is a clear link between stress and a tightening of the muscles, especially those around our shoulders and down our spine, and this can lead to a painful condition known as Tension Myositis Syndrome. Similarly, cold air causes muscles to contract, and prolonged exposure – especially when sleeping in an overly chilled room – can further aggravate these problems.

These types of musculoskeletal conditions tend to build up over time and, left unattended, can get to the point where they start to become significantly detrimental to the patient’s health. Preventative treatment with a physiotherapist aims to avoid this buildup of mechanical stress on the body and avoid the painful episode entirely.

Act now, save long-term

I advise organisations to obtain guidance on correct workplace setup and habits, especially with desk-bound employees. Most companies give at least some basic guidance on this front but not all invest in giving their staff adequately supportive chairs, desks and equipment to reduce the mechanical stress. Again using UK figures, we know that just 23 percent of employees had been offered advice or tips by their employer on how to sit at their desk – and only six percent report they are actively encouraged to move around to alleviate the issue. If you / your company need advice on work place ergonomics, get in touch with us.

For employers looking to go the extra mile to prevent workers’ neck and back pain, it may be worth commissioning external specialists to assess and advise the best ergonomic furniture and setup for the staff to suit the nature of their work.

There are also several tech options for businesses to consider when looking after their staff’s back health. In this modern age, several accessories are available to promote healthier working, from adjustable screen stands to standing desks or active seating which encourages the use of your core muscles when sitting.

Likewise, employers can consider initiatives such as Step Jockey, an app that “nudges” staff to move a little more each day. A healthier ethos in the corporate culture may prove beneficial in empowering employees to take breaks from their desk and stay active, for example by organising lunchtime walks or offering gym incentives to personnel.

The employed can also adopt healthier habits to encourage preventative care while in the workplace. It may seem simple, but an instruction to keep moving might be the best. If your job leaves you sedentary for long periods of time, make it a point to take breaks and move your joints and muscles at least every half hour. Find opportunities to stand up and, better yet, walk around like when on the phone. Try and customise your workstation to fit your dimensions; consider the height of your screen, your back support and the height of your knees so that you are seated in a comfortable position.

This is especially important for entrepreneurs and small business owners. You may feel like you have to be over your laptop 24 hours a day, but taking breaks, getting exercise and finding the best furniture is probably the best investment in your business you can make.

Tags home physiotherapy, wellness, work, workplace ergonomics

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