Physiotherapy can help patients with physical symptoms and movement impairments due to injuries or diseases.
Physiotherapy consists of specialities such as:
Back/neck (spine) Rehabilitation
This form of therapy helps to promote the recovery of spinal conditions such as disc prolapse (slipped disc), spondylosis and spondylolisthesis. It decreases the chances of acute pain becoming chronic.
Treatment techniques include:
- Manual therapy
- Manipulation therapy
- Core strengthening
- Postural correction
- Ergonomic advice
- Soft tissue release
- Traction and other electrotherapeutic modalities
The techniques are internationally recognised to be effective in treating both acute and chronic lower back pain, as well as painful neck conditions.
Sports Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is often recommended for individuals of all ages suffering from sports injury, including:
- Tennis elbow
- Golfer’s elbow
- Meniscus injury
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear
- Patellar tendonitis
- Achilles tendonitis
- Plantar fasciitis
- Ankle sprain
- Hamstring strain
- Rotator cuff injury
- Joint dislocation
The aim of this programme is to regain pre-injury levels in all aspects of physical fitness. It also helps individuals who wish to enhance their performance in their preferred sports. Special emphasis is given to injury prevention. Supplementary treatment like shockwave therapy (SWT) can be used to enhance recovery.
Gait Analysis
Everyone’s gait and running pattern is different. Using a video assisted digital gait analysis system, our therapists can effectively identify underlying biomechanical abnormalities in your gait cycle. A brief running/walking test on our treadmill equipped with a gait-analysis system can uncover abnormalities in the gait that can cost an athlete running efficiency and economy.
Post-operation Rehabilitation
- Rotator cuff repair
- Total joint replacement (shoulder, hip, knee)
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction
- Arthroscopic knee surgery (meniscectomy and meniscal repairs)
- Arthroscopic hip surgery (labral repairs)
- Achilles tendon repair
- Neck and back surgery (fusion, laminectomy, decompression)
- Nerve release (cubital tunnel, radial tunnel, carpal tunnel, tarsal tunnel)
- Surgical fixation of fractures of the arms and legs
Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy
Cardio-pulmonary rehabilitation is suitable for patients with heart and lung conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, pneumonia and cardiac arrest (myocardial ischemia). In this programme, we also provide pre- and post-operative rehabilitation for patients who have undergone surgical procedures such as coronary artery bypass, valve replacement, lung resection, angioplasty, cardiothoracic surgery and various abdominal surgeries. Its primary goal is to help patients clear lung secretions, improve endurance and regain functional independence through individualised exercise programmes which include breathing techniques, chest expansion exercises, postural drainage, chest physiotherapy and energy conservation techniques.
Various assistive devices that may be used as an adjunct to therapies include the incentive spirometer, Acapella, Flutter, cough assist device, high frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO), positive inspiratory pressure (PIP) therapy, and inspiratory muscle trainer.
We also provide outpatient-based cardiopulmonary rehabilitation for patients who have undergone major cardiothoracic surgery. This programme will help to optimise the patient's functions and help speed up recovery in an effective and safe manner. The patient’s vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation) will be monitored closely. A telemetry device will be used to monitor the ECG/heart rhythm to ensure the patient's safety.
Neuro-rehabilitation
This comprehensive rehabilitation regimen can help the patient to build and regain muscle movement and function after a stroke or for neurological conditions such as:
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Spinal cord injury
- Head injury
- Balance dysfunction
- Bell’s palsy
The neuro-rehabilitation team at Mount Elizabeth understands the debilitating effects of neurological conditions and are committed to helping patients attain near normal function after neurological impairment.
Stroke Rehabilitation
This form of therapy aims to help patients relearn motor skills which have been affected due to brain lesions. Stroke patients can move towards recovery with appropriate intervention in the form of a multidisciplinary approach which includes:
- Exercises to improve the patient’s muscle strength and coordination.
- Mobility/gait training, which involves learning to move with assistive aids, such as a walker or quad stick, or an orthosis (dynamic AFO) to stabilise and assist the ankle. Early standing is facilitated by the tilt table, automatic standing frame, and the bio feedback-balance monitor system.
- A body-weight harness support treadmill is used to help improve the patient's walking ability. This can help the patient to relearn motor skills in a safe and effective manner.
- Functional electrical stimulation (FES) helps to stimulate weakened or partially paralysed muscles to facilitate muscle contraction and muscle re-education.
- Caregiver training and home therapy that will help expedite a smooth transition for the patient from hospital to home. Therapists will train caregivers on how to transfer or walk the patient safely with the use walking aids.
Vestibular Rehabilitation
This is a specialised form of therapy designed to alleviate symptoms of vestibular disorders. The elderly population commonly experiences dizziness and loss of balance, which may be problems linked to inner ear disorders. We have an exercise-based programme that can help the patient to improve balance and prevent falls. Techniques like the canalith repositioning treatment (CRT), otherwise known as the Epley manoeuvre, are effective in patients suffering from benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).
Other physiotherapy services available include:
Postnatal rehabilitation is most important right after delivery, and special emphasis is given towards pelvic floor exercises. In this programme, the physiotherapist will guide you through exercises for post-delivery recovery and to reduce the risk of women’s health complications such as stress incontinence, and pelvic girdle and lower-back pain. We will advise you how to set up your baby's crib ergonomically, how to care for your back and the correct carrying techniques when taking care of your newborn baby.
Clinical pilates is a form of physical exercise that focuses on posture, core stability, balance, control, strength, flexibility, and breathing. Moreover, it can restore natural spinal curvature and help re-establish muscular control around the joints. Its benefits include the improvement of core muscle activation, better control of joint movements and greater peripheral mobility.
Onco-rehabilitation is designed to restore strength, physical function, and independence that patients may have lost due to cancer or cancer treatment. The physiotherapist will assist and design an exercise regime that can help patients to function at a minimum level of dependency and optimise their quality of life.
Craniosacral therapy works on the central nervous and fascial system to manage both acute and chronic pain. It can help promote overall health, improve well-being and manage stress.