Welcome to Optimum Physical Therapy
Where excellent patient care in a reassuring, relaxing and friendly environment is the primary focus.
Where excellent patient care in a reassuring, relaxing and friendly environment is the primary focus.
COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It is caused by a virus called coronavirus. It can take up to 14 days for symptoms of coronavirus to appear. They can be similar to the symptoms of cold and flu. Common symptoms of coronavirus include:
Coronavirus is spread from sneeze or cough droplets. You could get the virus if you come into close contact with someone who has the virus and is coughing or sneezing or if you touch surfaces that someone who has the virus has coughed or sneezed on and bring your unwashed hands to your face (eyes, nose, mouth)
In Ireland since March 13th there have been severe restrictions in place in order to manage the spread of coronavirus so that it does not overwhelm our health services. This has to a large extent been successful and therefore in line with HSE and government guidelines we are preparing to reopen our clinic on Monday 29th June.
Please be assured that the health and safety of our clients and ourselves are the top priority. This means that there will be some significant changes to how the clinic operates, which are outlined here:
To make an appointment:
We will reply as soon as possible and will ask the following questions:
Your responses to these questions will determine if you can safely attend a face to face appointment.
What to expect at your appointment:
During your appointment we will maintain social distancing as long as possible, but during the treatment phase this will not be possible. We will wear PPE and gloves or repeatedly sanitize our hands in line with guidelines as appropriate during the treatment phase.
After the appointment you will be asked to remove your mask and gloves and dispose of them and to sanitize your hands again before leaving the clinic.
Other Changes:
We apologise for the changes that we have had to make and sincerely hope that the new procedures do not offend. All of these changes are necessary to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of all our clients and ourselves and to ensure that we maintain the highest standard or care for all. As HSE and government guidelines may be subject to change we my also have to amend these procedures. Please bear with us as we navigate these uncharted waters safely together! If you have any questions or concerns regarding the above please feel free to contact us at the above number.
Patient care and your individual needs are at the centre of all treatments at Optimum. After taking a detailed history, I will carry out a thorough assessment to establish the cause of your condition. I will then work with you to develop a treatment programme which is tailored specifically to you and your underlying condition.
Treatments are for individual clients of all ages with conditions resulting from injury, infirmity or medical conditions such as:
I use a variety of techniques, ensuring that you are comfortable with them. These include:
A treatment is not simply one session, or a series of visits. Physical Therapy adopts a ‘big-picture’ or holistic approach. At Optimum I provide you with the knowledge and any necessary rehab plan that will allow as fast a recovery as possible and also to mitigate recurrence of injury.
What it means is that I take into account any work or activity related issues which may be contributing to your condition. I will also take into account social and psychological issues which may also be contributing to your physical condition. I can also work with you to change activity patterns which may have contributed to your condition.
The benefits of massage therapy are extensive. It is estimated that up to 90% of disease is stress related and massage is an effective tool for managing stress, in the following ways:
Massage can also help manage or alleviate a number of other health issues, including:
The Postural Stability Instructor (PSI) qualification is based on a programme of exercises and support developed by Skelton & Dinan for a research intervention called FaME (Falls Management Exercise) in 1996-97.
The PSI course is evidence based and designed to equip health and exercise professionals with the knowledge and practical skills to deliver this proscriptive, progressive, individually tailored, postural stability programme to reduce falls risk factors in older people.
Qualified PSIs can teach all chair based FaME exercise (individual and group session) and the Otago (home based) exercise programme, both of which can reduce the risk of falls significantly.
The PSI qualification is the first and only evidence based accredited and endorsed falls prevention qualification. PSI is underpinned by current evidence (Cochrane Reviews, Sherrington Falls Exercise Review, NICE falls guidance, FaME programme, ProAct65+ study) and recommended by the Department of Health Prevention Package (2009), the RCP Audit of Falls Services (2012)and the Age UK Expert Series (2013) and ProFouND
Benefits of FaME – Physical
So what does a FaME exercise programme entail? Well, in order to achieve the four main outcomes…
…there are 7 evidenced based activities:
But remember…
Dry needling is a safe, effective treatment whereby a solid filament needle is applied directly to a trigger point – a tight band of tissue – in a muscle. This direct stimulation results in a mechanical and physiological resolution of the trigger point. Dry needling can produce the same effect as the injecting of a local anaesthetic to the area of the trigger point.
Technique
I identify a taut band or trigger point first by palpating the muscle.
I will then insert a needle directly into the taut band or trigger point that I have just located. This may elicit a local twitch response in the muscle.
Results
There are generally three patterns of pain relief that can occur following a dry needling treatment:
Possible side effects of dry needling
Dry needling is very safe. Serious side effects are very rare – less than one in 10,000 treatments. However, you should be aware of the following possible side effects:
Optimum Physical Therapy use only single use, sterile, disposable needles.
Working with GAA teams involves both attendance at matches and individual treatments between games as needed.
At matches I see players for injury assessment, taping and strapping and warm up rubs before the game. During the match I assess any injuries that occur on the pitch and make a call with the management as to whether the player is fit to continue or not. Post match I give players advice on how to manage any bumps, bruises or injures that the sustained during the game. I also provide the players with advice and rehabilitation plans and exercises to aid their recovery.
My role in cycling is formally called ‘soigneur’ but we are generally called ‘swannys’. I am responsible for the riders wellbeing, both nutritional and physical. I prepare all the riders race food and beverages. I give the riders warm up rubs pre-race and I do recovery work with the riders each evening to ensure they are ready for the next days racing which includes their immediate post race food and additional food each evening to aid their post race recovery and ensure their nutritional need are being met.
If you are a team manager and require a physical therapist to support your team contact me on 086 8774819 or email dee@opt.ie, or fill out the contact form. Rates are available upon request.