ACUPUNCTURE/ INTRAMUSCULAR STIMULATION?
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Traditional acupuncture has been used by the Chinese for many years to treat all kinds of medical problems. It is based on the idea that different parts of the body are connected to each other via energy channels. Problems in one part of the body are therefore due to the energy channel being blocked and acupuncture needles are used to unblock those channels.
Intramuscular stimulation is similar to traditional Chinese acupuncture only in that acupuncture needles are used. When a muscle is injured it can become shortened and painful. This shortening can put stress on surrounding structures such as tendons and joints. When an acupuncture needles is inserted into the muscle it causes it to release, hence relieving the pain. It can often be used to treat pain for which no cause can be found using imaging techniques. It has no side effects, so is generally well tolerated by patients.
This technique is available where appropriate, at The Sussex Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, following a thorough assessment and diagnosis by a doctor or physiotherapist
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INJECTIONS: FACTS AND MYTHS ABOUT STEROID INJECTIONS
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What are the benefits of steroid injections?
Steroid has an 'anti-inflammatory' effect, in other words, it reduces pain and swelling, when injected into or near to a joint. As it can be injected into the affected area, its effect is more focused into the injured joint or soft tissue, and therefore may benefit injuries that have not responded to anti-inflammatory tablets.
How quickly does it work?
After a steroid injection, the pain and swelling usually start to improve after about 48 hours, but it may take as long as two weeks to have it's maximum effect.
I've heard it may make things worse?
It is true that in the 24 hours after a steroid injection, the joint may be sorer. This usually improves by 48 hours. The steroid is often combined with local anaesthetic, which offers some pain relief for a variable period of time depending on the anaesthetic used.
Don't steroids have a lot of side effects?
Steroids, when taken in tablet form, can have many unwanted effects. These are much less common when they are injected into a joint. This is because most of these effects are due to the steroid travelling in the blood stream to areas where the steroid is not required. Very little steroid enters the blood stream when injected into a joint, hence reducing the chance of unwanted effects.
However, as when injecting anything into the body, there is a small risk of infection. Infection in a joint can be very serious and it is important to seek medical attention immediately if the area becomes red, hot or more swollen and painful, or if you start feeling hot and unwell.
Sometimes the skin at the site of the injection can become discoloured or a small indentation can occur in the fat in that area. Discoloration is more common, and more noticeable in people with darker skin. Diabetics may notice that their sugar levels are higher than usual, so they should test themselves regularly in the 48 hours after an injection.
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Electromyography (EMG)
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Electrical activity in muscles can be observed using an EMG machine. Electrodes attached to the skin overlying a muscle/s monitor the amount of electrical activity, which is then displayed, on a computer screen.
This allows both you and your physiotherapist to gain feedback on the amount of activity in muscles and modify exercises to gain optimum recruitment of the intended muscle/s.
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Taping
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In-elastic tape may be used for the following:
- Pain reduction
- To reduce the load on joints, nerves or soft tissue.
- To facilitate or inhibit muscle activity
- Provide proprioceptive feedback
- Alter the tracking (line of movement) of joints
Advice for patients after the application of tape
- If any skin irritation becomes apparent remove the tape.
- If you feel that the tape has caused an increase in your symptoms remove it and ask the advice of your physiotherapist at your next appointment.
- Remove the tape by un-peeling it slowly, whilst pulling the skin gently in the opposite direction.
- The effects of the tape will be longer lasting if you shower, rather than soak in the bath
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Laser
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What is LASER
L light
A amplification by the
S stimulated
E emission of
R radiation
LASER light has specific properties which make it useful in therapy.
The following physiological effects have been demonstrated with the use of LASER therapy.
- Faster healing of damaged tissues
- Increase in tensile strength of repaired tissue
- Balance of collagen production and reduction of scarring
- Stimulation of the immune system
- Resolution of infection
- Pain relief
- Acupuncture point stimulation
LASER can therefore be beneficial for many of our patients' musculoskeletal injuries including sports injuries, soft tissue and joint conditions. Some chronic conditions may also benefit from LASER therapy.
LASER can also have beneficial effects in wound management such as in the treatment of ulcers, pressure sores, burns and scarring.
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