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Alternative Treatment  or Back Surgery for Slipped disc?

Have you seek conservative treatment before considering to go for operation: Physiotherapy, chiropractor, acupuncture, osteopath, back massage, TCM/ Chinese Sinseh? If all conservative therapy have not helped, and your lifestyle is greatly affected by the pain, you can consider a back operation. 

If you ignore the pain, the back pain and weakness/numbness/ tingling in your leg will probably remain as they are or even get worse. 

The aim of the operation is to cure your leg pain. Your back pain may remain unchanged after the operation. If your back pain is more of a problem than your leg pain, you should not have the operation. You may need the operation if: 

• your leg pain is worse than your back pain
• you have had leg pain for several months and it is not getting better
• your leg pain is interfering with your life
• you have had a MRI scan that shows that you have a disc pressing on the nerve.

If you have all of the above, you may need to see a orthopedics spine specialist to determine if an operation is required. 

Types of Back Operation

Lumbar discectomy is a back surgery to remove part of a problem disc in the low back. The discs are shock absorbers that separate the vertebrae. This procedure is commonly used when a herniated, or ruptured,slipped disc in the low back is putting pressure on a nerve root. Removing the injured portion of the disc also reduces chances of disc herniation again. 

The traditional procedure is called laminotomy and discectomy, which requires a larger incision and tends to require a longer time to heal. 

Newer method is called microdiscectomy, very small incision in the low back. Also known as minimally invasive surgery. This surgery is easier to perform, prevents scarring around the nerves and joints, and helps patients recover more quickly. 

Complications of Back Surgery

As for any types of operation, there are risks involved and complications may happen after operation. 

• problems with anesthesia
• thrombophlebitis (blood clots)
• infection
• nerve damage
• ongoing pain

What happens after a Back Surgery?

Patients are usually able to get out of bed within a few hours after surgery, using a back support. Patients are able to return home when their medical condition is stable. 

Bending and lifting should be avoided for four to six weeks. People generally get back to light work in two to four weeks and can do heavier work and sports within three to six months. Workers whose jobs involve strenuous manual labor may be counseled to consider a less strenuous job. This will also be dependent on patient’s condition and condition after surgery. 

Patients usually begin outpatient physiotherapy after the date of surgery. 

What should I expect as I recover?

Many orthopedics surgeons prescribe outpatient physiotherapy after surgery. Although the time required for recovery varies, physiotherapy at Physioclinic after lumbar discectomy is generally only needed for six to eight weeks. You should expect full recovery to take up to six months. 

At first, our physiotherapy sessions will focus on controlling pain and inflammation. Ice and electrical stimulation treatments are commonly used to help with these goals. Our physiotherapist may also use massage to relax tight muscles, hands-on joint mobilisation techniques to ease muscle spasm and pain. 

Active treatments such as strengthening and conditioning spinal muscles, core stability and clinical pilates are essential to your rehabilitation program. Walking and swimming are ideal cardiovascular exercises after this type of surgery. Our physiotherapists also teach specific exercises to help tone and control the muscles that stabilize the low back. 

To find out if physiotherapy can help for your slipped disc, please call 9639 0509

Acupuncture and Physiotherapy are two common treatment seen in Singapore for pain, injury and disease. Let’s understand more:

Acupuncture in Singapore

Acupuncture is a alternative eastern traditional medicine which is carried out by needles poked into the body parts, done mostly by Chinese Sinseh or practitioner. Some may feel painful or discomfort when needles manipulated inside.

Physiotherapy in Singapore

Physiotherapy is an mainstream westernised healthcare profession expertise in human body function and movement.  Physio treats individuals based on a clinical diagnosis. A physiotherapist considers every patient as a different entity, physical examination of each patient, makes a structural and biomechanical analysis and then corrects the dysfunction with the help of non-invasive treatments such as using hands to perform manual joint mobilization or manipulation, pain relief treatment equipment, training to walk and therapeutic exercises.  

A physiotherapist is also involved in prescribing exercise programmes for the professional athletes and sportsmen who suffered from a sports injury. Planning for rehabilitation and optimize sports performance, and fast return to sports. Besides sports physiotherapy, the physiotherapist also carries out exercise testing and prescription for people with medical conditions such as heart and lung problem, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis. A therapist plays a very important responsibility after surgery, such as total knee replacement, total hip replacement, ligament reconstruction, and neurosurgery. The patient undergo different stages of activities and exercises, so as to bring him to a level where he can perform his activities of daily living, back to sports or work.

In neurological conditions like stroke, parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, Guilian Barre Syndrome, the physiotherapist plays a very important role rehabilitating the patient so that he can be less dependent at least in his activities of daily living such as getting up from bed, sitting, bathing, eating. Without physiotherapy treatment these patients would most probably never, regain function to their maximum performance.
A physiotherapist can also help in the hospital intensive care unit (ICU) to prevent secondary complications by chest physiotherapy, change of position, breathing exercises and mobility exercises to prevent muscle stiffness or contractures. Eventually, bringing the patient back to walking out strongly out of the hospital.

Difference between acupuncture and physiotherapy

Acupuncturist works on only one theory that bodily functions are all regulated by the flow of an energy called qi, and acupuncture helps to correct the flow of qi by stimulation of acupuncture  points which lie under the skin. These points are generally joined by what are called meridians. Scientific research has failed to find any correlate between qi, meridian and acupuncture points. The acupuncturists believe that by balancing the flow of qi they can treat all pain, injury or diseases.

Even research proving beneficial effects on these disorders seem to be biased. However, some people still do feel better with acupuncture.

Physiotherapy is in sharp contrast to acupuncture, where evidence is concerned. All treatment and exercises are based on clinical studies. There is strong scientific reseearches which has time and again proven the beneficial effects of physiotherapy, in the treatment of various conditions.

There are clinical physiotherapist in Singapore who are actively involved in research work and clinicians who depend on this research to treat their patients with a logical and scientifically explainable mode of treatment.

Speak to a physiotherapist in Singapore to find out if physiotherapy is suitable for your condition, Call/ SMS 9639 0509

Finding effective pain relief treatment for back pain can be difficult, especially you are having pain or aches for a prolonged time.

Should you see a doctor, physiotherapist, chiropractor, osteopath, massage therapist, acupuncture, Chinese tuina or TCM for your back pain? The options to treat back pain can be overwhelming for many people.

How doctors help to relieve back pain?

If you see your doctor for lower back pain treatment, there is a high possibility that you will be prescribed medications to reduce your pain.

Depending on the severity of your back symptoms, you may be prescribed the following medications:

• Analgesics (pain relievers), such as paracetamol or diclofenac
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS).
• Muscle relaxants, such as diazepam (valium).

In the early stages of back injury, medication to relieve pain can be important as it allows you stay relatively active by reducing your pain and inflammation.

Doctor may also referred you for an X-ray or MRI of your spine if your backache is more serious.

How physiotherapists help to treat back pain ?

Physiotherapist is a health care professional who practises the techniques of physical therapy. Physical therapy helps patients with physical limitations that restrict normal activities.

First, physiotherapist will need to understand the history of your back pain and perform a detailed physical assessment. A physiotherapist will choose which treatment modalities are the best to heal up your specific back problem.

Physiotherapy (physical therapy) uses a equipment machines such as ultrasound therapy, electrotherapy, heat therapy, cold therapy to treat back pain. Physiotherapist also use hands-on techniques such as joint mobilisation, spine manipulation, soft tissue massage, back stretching and strengthening exercisesor, clinical pilates for core strengthening.  

Physio also educate patient importance of back care, ergonomics and prevention of back pain reoccurence.

How Does a Physiotherapist and a Doctor Work Together to solve back pain?

In some cases, a doctor’s referral is required to be able to utilize the services of a physiotherapist but this is mostly in cases wherein insurance coverage is needed.

You can directly contact a physiotherapist in Singapore should a need arise. You can simply walk in to a physio clinic and talk with a physiotherapy doctor about your back pain problems.

Looking for an effective way to end persistent pain, manage injury rehabilitation or a non-surgical approach to your condition?

Call our physiotherapist today at 96390509 to discuss your back pain if required to see a doctor or physiotherapist in Singapore

What do Physiotherapists treat?

Physiotherapists. also known as physical therapists are considered a health specialist profession supplementary to medicine, seen in hospitals and private clinic in Singapore.

Physiotherapy works to restore, regain movement and function to the body. Physiotherapists work in a wide variety of settings that may include:

–       Pain Management

–       Musculoskeletal Injury

–       Sport Injury & sport enhancement

–       Stroke rehabilitation

–       Post operation Rehabilitation

–       Elderly Rehab

–       Chest Physiotherapy

What do Osteopath treats?

Osteopaths are complementary, alternative therapy to medical practices.

An osteopath looks at the body holistically, this means that an osteopath does not just treat a back pain problem, they will look at the entire body and the full medical history of the patient.

Osteopathy is a theory of disease and method to treat and cure, based on the assumption that disease is the result of the relationship between anatomical structure of the body and the way the body functions.

Find a Physiotherapist or Osteopath in Singapore?

If you are in pain, you want to be assured that you can find the right health professional who can effectively relieve pain and discomfort.

What is most important when deciding whether find a physiotherapist or a oestopath to treat your pain is who you go to. There are many good physiotherapist and good osteopath in Singapore. Who is the best specialist?

Our physiotherapist approach at the Physioclinic is that we will cross refer to a osteopath if your condition required, to make sure our patients always get the appropriate solution for fastest recovery. A short consultation will first determine whether you are best to see a physiotherapist or a osteopath.

Call us now at 96390509 to discuss your problem if you want to find a physiotherapist or osteopath in Singapore.

When you are suffering from neck or back pain, it can be difficult to know what type of pain relief treatment you need. Understanding the differences between chiropractic and physiotherapy will help you make the best choice.

Basically, chiro and physio can treat spinal joint and muscles problem to reduce pain, increase movement and flexibility.

Both chiropractors & physiotherapists treat a number of different but similar neuromusculoskeletal conditions including headaches, migraines, back and neck pain, sports injuries, sciatica, scoliosis, disc degeneration.

What is a physiotherapist?

Physiotherapy is the most widely recognized health remedy available in hospitals and private clinic in Singapore, focus on treating movement disorder, pain or injury. Physiotherapist uses wide variety of physical therapy such as using equipment (Eg ultrasound, electrotherapy, heat therapy), massage, therapeutic exercises, joint mobilisation, joint manipulation, postural education. Treatments session may be more than 30 minutes or more each session, depending on condition.

Besides treatment of work related musculoskeletal or sport injury, physical therapists also help in stroke recovery, post operation rehabilitation, arthritis, pre-natal, post-natal, ergonomics, walking analysis, weight management, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation

What is a chiropractor?

Chiropractors are not real medical doctors. The degree education for becoming chiropractor is called Doctors of Chiropractic. Chiro practise in private clinics settings in Singapore.

Chiropractors mostly use hands to perform and adjust the spinal- technique called manipulations to align the spine. Chiro can treat spinal joint misalignments or ‘subluxations’ which they believed could interfere with the nervous system and ultimately result in many different conditions of diminished health. Based on this assertion, all health problems could be prevented or treated using adjustments of the spinal joints.

Different chiropractors vary in their approach, while some adhere strictly to the use of spinal adjustments less than 5-minute treatment time per session.

Differences between physiotherapist and chiropractors in Singapore

Almost all chiropractors only use passive care and physiotherapists encourage patients to take a more active role in their care and therefore prevent dependence. Physiotherapists educate and give patient knowledge in how to manage their own neck or back pain effectively.

There has been controversy between the physiotherapy and chiropractic professions, with both claiming to be the more superior health care treatment. There has been much research to suggest that both physiotherapy and chiropractic are equally as good in the treatment of back pain.

Suffering in Pain? Who do I choose?

When faced with a pain or injury, we want to be absolutely confident that we can choose a health professional/ specialist that is correct, who can effectively relieve pain and discomfort.

What is most important when deciding whether to go to a physiotherapist or a chiropractor to treat your pain is who you go to. There are good chiropractors and there are bad chiropractors just as there are good and bad physiotherapists.

Our approach at the Physioclinic is that we will cross refer, to make sure patients always get the right treatment. A short consultation will first determine whether you are best to see a physiotherapist or chiropractor.

Call us now at 96390509 to discuss your problem if you need a physiotherapist or chiropractor in Singapore.

Hot or Cold Treatment? Ask a Physiotherapist

Should you do Ice Therapy or Heat Treatment after an Injury or Pain?

Is cold treatment or heat therapy better in helping to reduce pain? And how long should the ice or heat treatments last?

Both have its advantages, depending on type and stage of injury.

Learn how to tell whether to use ice packs and heating pads for injury or pain.

Ice Treatment

When to do Ice Treatment?
Ice treatment is often used for acute (recent) injuries, last 48 hours. If you have a recent injury with signs of inflammation (swelling, reddness, pain, limited movement, warm), you should be using ice treatment. Ice packs are commonly used after sport injuries such as an ankle sprain, knee pain.

What are benefits of Ice Treatment?

– Reduce swelling

– Decrease pain

– Allows for ease in movement

– Prevent pain or injuries becoming a chronic long term problem.

How long should you apply ice treatment?

Ice packs, applied for 10 to 20 minutes, can help minimize swelling around the injury. If pain is severe, cold treatment can be applied every 2-3hours interval.

Applying an ice pack early and often for the first 48 hours will help minimize swelling.

Ice treatments may also be used for chronic conditions, such as overuse injuries in athletes. In this case, ice the injured area after activity. Never ice a chronic injury before activity.

Heat Treatment

When to do Heat Treatment?
Heat treatments should be used for chronic, long term persistent pain conditions, such as overuse injuries. Hotpacks are commonly used after long day work with tired aching muscles.

What are benefits of Heat Treatment?

– help relax and loosen tissues

– stimulate blood flow to the area

How long should you apply heat treatment?

 Heating tissues can be accomplished using a heating pad, or even a hotpack, applied for 10 to 30 minutes. When using heat treatments, be very careful to use a moderate, comfortable heat. Otherwise, there is a risk of being scalded or burn.

Ice packs and heat pads are among the most commonly used treatments in physiotherapy. If you have tried hot pack or cold packs, and your pain still persist, you should see a physiotherapist to assess your condition to find out the exact cause of problem and physiotherapy treatments to solve your problem.

Speak to a Physiotherapist if ice or heat treatment does not work. Call/SMS 9639 0509 or EMAIL US