• At your first appointment, which should take approximately 60-70 minutes, we will discuss all aspects of your health and lifestyle. If you have additional information about your condition, such as an MRI scan, X-Ray or referral letter, please bring these with you.

• We then look at your posture, and your gait if necessary – this helps us to determine how you use your body (biomechanics) and whether any compensations are taking place

• We then carry out a series of evidence-based tests to help us to confirm whether there are specific issues with your strength, flexibility and range of motion. This will involve us putting our hands on the affected muscles or joints and moving them in a specific fashion, which will help us to determine the best treatment plan for you

• To allow us to carry out a thorough assessment, please wear or bring loose-fitting comfortable clothing. Shorts and a vest top are ideal, as they will allow us to more easily see how you move

• Once we have a working diagnosis, we will discuss your desired goals, and will get to work on your treatment straight away

• Homework! Whilst we can and do make good improvements to pain and dysfunction after each physical therapy treatment, it is vital that you carry out any rehab exercises at home as prescribed. We will monitor your progress and adapt the exercises as you get stronger.

• We will educate you on new and different ways to perform your activities at work and home. These techniques can help minimise pain, lessen strain, avoid reinjury, and speed your recovery.

• After your first treatment, you may experience some discomfort for the first 24-36 hours. This is perfectly normal. A hot shower can help and make sure to drink plenty of water to keep your body well hydrated.

• As a general rule of thumb, try to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Take steps to reduce stress – your physical therapist can show you good techniques to improve breathing and sleep quality and promote overall relaxation

Soft tissue refers to the parts of your body’s musculoskeletal system like muscles, ligament, tendons and fascia (the sheath surrounding your muscles). Working on the soft tissues of your body means we can help to reduce excessive tension, improve pain levels, increase your range of movement and also help fibrous scar tissue to move more freely.

Joints are where two or more bones meet. When injury occurs, the capsule around the joint can become thickened or stiff, possibly causing pain or restriction of your movement. Your physio may perform mobilisations, which are gentle, graded movements of the joint. This will help to ease pain, reduce spasm in the surrounding muscle and bring your joint back to a more normal range of movement.

Details Coming Soon…

Details Coming Soon…

Cupping is a safe and non-invasive technique used in traditional Chinese medicine as an adjunct to acupuncture, usually in the case of muscle and joint pain. Glass cups are placed on the body, using a vacuum pump to create suction. The suction lifts the fascia covering the muscles and stimulates the circulatory system. The cups are either left in place for a few minutes or moved in continuous manner. Similar to the effect of a deep tissue massage, improved circulation can help to relieve muscle tension and break down adhesions associated with chronic pain.

Cupping can also be effective in treating chronic cough or asthma and other respiratory disorders.

Whilst it might be occasionally a little uncomfortable, cupping is not painful. Small red circular marks may be visible afterwards, and this is perfectly normal. This simply means that stagnant fluids and blood in the body is being drawn to the surface, helping to promote faster healing.

Details Coming Soon…

Details Coming Soon…

Details Coming Soon…

Sinead is a member of the Irish Association of Physical Therapists (IAPT), the professional regulatory body for members practising in the field of musculoskeletal health.

Treatments with IAPT physical therapists are eligible for a rebate from many health insurance providers, including:

• Aviva

• Glo Health

• Hospital Saturday Fund (HSF)

• Irish Life Insurance

• LAYA

• VHI

• ESB Medical

• Garda Medical

As well as the Irish Association of Physical Therapists (IAPT), Seapoint Health is also registered with CORU, Ireland’s state health regulator. CORU’s role is to protect the public by promoting high standards of professional conduct, education, training and competence for a wide range of health professionals, including physiotherapists.