One of the most important points about clinical medicine is proof. No therapy or medication can be used on a patient without conclusive evidence that it works and that it causes no harm (or at least that the benefits outweigh the potential negatives). I am a clinically, classically trained physiotherapist and, sometimes, a little old school. And scientific proof that a treatment works is hugely important to me. I spend…
Most people don’t want to take a lot of time off from their life when they get an injury. Rest is probably the most loathed treatment option, certainly here on the Costa del Sol where many of my patients are involved in sport! While patients generally want to get better as quickly as possible most people don’t have quite such a tight deadline. Carlos injured his hamstring playing football and…
Many of the people I see here on the Costa del Sol aren’t full time residents. Some aren’t even part time! Often I have to cram as much treatment in as possible in the limited time window that people are here. Travel can cause all kind of old injuries or new problems to flare up. And travel by plane, train or automobile is made 100 times worse when you have…
Most of my patients, at some time or another, probably end up in my gait analysis room. I find taking a video of someone and showing it to them really helps them understand what I’m on about! BUT as soon as I mention the idea of orthotics aka “putting something in their shoes” many people run for hills. So it’s always lovely to hear from people who took the leap…
As one of the many options that I offer my patients is orthotics or prescription insoles, I’m often informed by my patients that “they won’t work as I have one leg shorter than the other”. To which I reply as nicely as possible, “I doubt it! Did they check you?”. The answer is No depressingly often. True leg length discrepancy is rare, but what is common is a tilted pelvis…
As one of the many options that I offer my patients is orthotics or prescription insoles, I’m often informed by my patients that “they won’t work as I have one leg shorter than the other”. To which I reply as nicely as possible, “I doubt it! Did they check you?”. The answer is No depressingly often. True leg length discrepancy is rare, but what is common is a tilted pelvis…
The greatest thing about doing a show like the Over 50’s Show at the beginning of the month is the opportunity and time to speak to lots of new patients. To find out what people are actually interested in and what their questions are. The downside to being so passionate and involved in what I do is that I don’t always see things from the same perspective as my…
Again and again and again I go on about how important a proper assessment is for a correct diagnosis. You MUST actually talk to and examine your patient! The variety of medical testing available is fantastic, MRI scans and X-rays, nerve testing, blood tests . . . the list goes on and on (and in some private hospitals on and on and on again!). And these are fantastic at giving…
Most of the time I talk about how great Magnetic Resonance Therapy (MRT) is for treating long term or chronic arthritis. As it regenerates and strengthens the remaining cartilage and reduces the swelling in the bones it has amazing results. BUT that’s not all it can do! Having had the technology for a long time now (8 years!) I have had plenty of time to try new things and, luckily,…
Just briefly, and this is fair warning, I’m going to jump on my hobby horse. It’s one I feel really passionate about. When looking for medical help in the UK, no one would think to check their practitioner’s qualifications. The UK is well regulated and many professional titles are legally protected from misuse. Here in Spain however it is a different story. There is less legislation and therefore it is…