Physiotherapy For Specific Medical Conditions

Physiotherapy for Sports and Musculoskeletal Disorders

• Our team of physiotherapists in Singapore provides treatment to people with sports and musculoskeletal disorders
• We offer treatment for problems such as shoulder, elbow, hand, hip, knee and ankle, as well as sports and strain injuries, post surgeries and degenerative conditions among many others
• Common sports and musculoskeletal symptoms such as pain, swelling, spasm, stiffness, weakness, poor balance, limited movement and abnormal sensation such as numbness and tingling, can be assessed and treated accordingly

Neck and Back Pain

• Neck and Back pain may be felt in the neck or back itself, or as sensations of tingling or numbness in the hands or legs
• Headaches are common in neck pain sufferers
• The sources of neck and back pain could be due to postural strain such as slouching to work, mal-alignment of the spine, previous injuries such as whiplash and/or due to arthritic changes in the spine
• Neck and back strain, if left untreated, can result in serious and irreversible damages to disc and nerves resulting in slipped disc, herniation, nerve impingement and stress fractures of the vertebrae
• Hence prevent worsening neck and back pain and get proper treatment via physiotherapy to halt the pain
• We offer treatment to reduce symptoms such as pain relief, manual therapy and clinical massage
• Once symptoms subside, we progress to core stabilization exercises and education to improve movement

Tendinitis, Athritis, Sprain and Strains

• Tennis elbow, osteoarthritis, rotator cuff strain and ankle sprain are just some of the common injuries that physiotherapy can be referred for treatment
• Besides treatment to target the symptoms, our physiotherapists also investigate the specific factors contributing to the injuries
• Most of these injuries are due to some predisposing or contributing factors inherent to the way you move or the equipment you use, hence our physiotherapists will identify the contributing factors to treat the root cause of your injuries

Physiotherapy for Work-related Injuries, Occupational Diseases and Ergonomic-Related Workplace Health Problems

Work-Related Injuries

• Repetitive strains injuries, work-related musculoskeletal injuries and occupational diseases are on the rise in Singapore
• The Workplace Safety and Health (WHS) Statistics Report in 2013 and the first half of 2014 showed the total number of workplace injuries rose by 10% and 14% respectively. Major and minor occupational diseases have also increased since 2011
• The WSH Council and WSH Institute have classified major and minor injury based on the nature of injury and duration of medical leave
• Work-related musculoskeletal injuries are amongst the most common causes of sickness absence at workplace
• These injuries cause low employees’ productivity and morale, and will impact the company’s cost and margin
• It is important to address complaints of discomforts before they evolve into an injury
• Reducing or preventing early signs and symptoms of work-related disorder before it becomes chronic and expensive to manage
• Improve employees’ productivity and morale, and reduce their pain and sickness absence via early intervention such as physiotherapy services to workplace
• Onsite and Workplace Physiotherapy is a practical and cost effective solution to improve your employees’ health and well being
• As we specialize in onsite and workplace treatment, we indirectly help your company to manage and prevent absence, whilst enhancing welfare and productivity of your workforce
• Our approach is proactive and comprehensive (OWP Ergonomics Programme) and we will help companies to take proactive measures and comply to companies’ relevant health or safety legislation

Ergonomic-Related Workplace Health Problems

• Awkward posture, prolonged static position, repetitive movements and poorly positioned equipment can cause body pain and aches such as stiff neck, sore back and hand numbness
• Cumulative bodily pain and aches can cause poor sleep and irritation, and in turn cause poor productivity and low morale at work
• Left untreated, the pain and aches may progress to major injury, reduce work performance and increase burden to the company
• It was reported in March 2014 that WSH Council stated ergonomic-related workplace health problems costs Singapore $3.5 billion a year
• Poor ergonomics and bad practices in the workplace caused the third most common source of occupational disease in Singapore, after deafness and skin disease (The Straits Times, 28 March 2014)
• Poor ergonomics in computer users as well as those in manual material handling can be prevented
• by identifying and reducing risk factors specific to the work
• with proper ergonomics design or re-arrangement of workstation
• through advice on healthy computing, correct posture and proper lifting
• by treating pain and aches promptly at workplace
• Our physiotherapists are trained in computer ergonomics, lifting technique and ergonomic principles of the many jobs
• We provide a proative and comprehensive OWP Ergonomics Programme which includes
• Ergonomics Assessment and Intervention to improve ergonomics workstation and good practices
• Workplace Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation to treat employees with injuries promptly at work
• Improve awareness by conducting ergonomics or workplace safety workshop and seminar

Physiotherapy Post Surgeries and Rehabilitation

• Certain surgeries required stages of physiotherapy rehabilitation and good compliance to treatment in order for the injured individual to return to previous sports or activities
• For example, Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), Total Knee Replacement (TKR), Fractures and Spinal Surgeries, need evidence-based (scientific) exercise programme at different stages of the healing process
• Pain relief technique and early active programme help increase strength, flexibility and joint range of motions while functional rehabilitation or sports specific programme at the later stage, helps return an individual to work, function or sports
• Physiotherapy at your home is ideal as our physiotherapists can evaluate your ability to take care of yourself once you’re home ie transition from hospital stay to home stay
• Once you are back to your work or daily routine, functional rehabilitation and sports specific programme can also be carried out at your required site to continue the exercise protocol for your specific active lifestyle
• Patients’ commitment and compliance is enhanced when physiotherapist visits them for rehabilitation rather than they visit a clinic or hospital
• From our experience, reasons for not adhering to physiotherapy appointment and drop out are difficulty using walking aids, acute pain and preference to rest at home during the early stage. At the later stage, reasons include work and transportation issues.
• Without proper physiotherapy sessions, patients may develop episodic discomfort, recurrence of symptoms and difficulty returning to previous lifestyle

Mobility And Ambulatory Physiotherapy

• Our physiotherapists teach correct walking and locomotion technique using crutches, walkers or rollaters to ensure patients get around safely at home, climb stairs and in the community
• Your doctor may restrict your walking to certain weight bearing status such as Non-Wweight Bearing or Partial Weight Bearing and physiotherapists are commonly referred to teach walking accordingly
• Conditions that benefit from ambulatory physiotherapy are individual post fracture, surgery and/or individual with physical disability
• Home physiotherapy is ideal as our physiotherapists can specifically address issues concerning your safe walking in your home and immediate surrounding

Physiotherapy for Cerebrovascular Accident / Stroke and other Neurological Conditions

• Stroke, Spinal Cord Injury, Head Injury, Parkinson Disease and Multiple Scelosis are some of the neurological conditions that caused disabilities and depression
• Lack of rehabilitation often results in the patients’ physical abilities deteriorating rapidly, turning them frail and often needing more frequent hospitalization later in life
• Physiotherapy rehabilitation is commonly referred to minimize disabilities, regain function and independent living. Other benefits of physiotherapy intervention include reduce the risk of falling, prevent depression and encourage better quality of life
• If physiotherapy sessions are neglected in the first 6 months of diagnoses, many health care professionals including doctors would agree that the total potential for improvement will be significantly less
• The “window of improvement” for many neurological conditions such as stroke is about 6 months to 1 year
• Physiotherapy rehabilitation in the patient’s home is possible with Onsite and Workplace Physio Pte. Ltd.
• Potential for patients to do self care, activities of daily living and walking is best re-trained or re-learned from home physiotherapy due to the familiar surrounding
• In addition home physiotherapy has the extra benefit as family members and caregivers can be involved to encourage patient participation and help with maintenance programme
• Hence, it is strongly recommended that all neurological patients especially stroke patients should adhere to a daily programme to maximise physical outcomes in the first 6 months to 1 year
• Thereafter, patients should continue maintenance exercises with the help of family members or caregiver

Physiotherapy For Aged Care, Individuals At Risk Of Fall And People Who Are Home-bound And / Or Bedridden

• Older people, regardless of physical status, who do strength training are less likely to fall and become depressed
• Singapore’s first trauma registry report showed that accidents at home account for more than a third of trauma patients in 2012 (The rest are trauma at workplace, road and public areas)
• Elderly people who have weaker vision and muscles are at risk of falling and injured at home
• Research has shown that weak postural muscles and the presence of chronic diseases such as osteoporosis are associated with increased risk of fall and specific exercises can help to minimize risk of fall and fractures
• It is never to late for the elderly or frail individual to start exercising, whether they are wheelchair- or bed-bound
• Our goal of aged care physiotherapy is to exercise in a scientific and fun way, so that the elderly can achieve specific outcomes such as prevent further falling, improve balance and physical ability
• In our aged care programme, we also aim to minimize isolation, anxiety and depression
• Support from family members will motivate elderly patients and brings about better outcome
• Onsite and Workplace physiotherapists also advise strategies to safe-proofed home
• Home environment can be assessed by our physiotherapist for safety during activity of daily living

Chest Physiotherapy for Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Heart and Lung Conditions

• Cardiovascular and respiratory conditions such as Heart surgeries, Pneumonia, Bronchiectasis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Chest Infections, cause symptoms such as difficulty breathing, excessive production of phlegm or sputum with resulting chronic cough, breathlessness, poor ability to tolerate exercises and poor fitness
• If you or your family member has a heart or lung problem or needs chest physiotherapy due to bed ridden, consult your doctor who may refer for physiotherapy
• Onsite and Workplace physiotherapists also co-manage people before and after heart or lung surgeries
• Our physiotherapists are trained to help people who have the above mentioned conditions with relevant treatment techniques such as clearing excessive secretions in the lungs, improving air entry to the lungs and individually designed exercises to promote heart and lung fitness

Physiotherapy For Chronic Illnesses and Obesity

• Chronic illnesses and medical conditions such as
• Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, Cardiovascular Disease, Metabolic Syndrome
• Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Osteoporosis
• Cancer
• Depression
cause physical inactivity, obesity, frail and sedentary lifestyle
• This associated secondary problems are also the contributing factors to chronic illnesses and a vicious cycle will ensue
• Data from World Health Organization (WHO) reported that each year more people die from physical inactivity and lack of exercise than smoking
• The WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer also stated that physical inactivity and obesity are among the major factors besides smoking and workplace hazards for cancer rates to increase
• Recent scientific research has shown that certain exercises help prevent and/or halt the progression of many chronic illnesses such as diabetes, metabolic, cardiovascular diseases and some cancers
• Therefore, a well-designed exercise programme is required to treat these medical conditions and the associated secondary problems
• For example, those with diabetes and osteoporotic should do more resistance exercises and people with coronary heart disease and obesity should do more aerobic programme
• Our programme consists of both cardio, aerobic, resistance and functional training to give a hollistic results
• It is common that patients with chronic conditions consume many types of medications that can result in drowsiness, mood swing, less motivated and many psychiatric medicines cause weight gain
• Our exercise regime helps patients not just to prevent worsening of their medical conditions but to fight obesity, gain confidence, improve mood and sociability
• Our trained physiotherapists have many years of working experience with patients with chronic diseases, hence we are able to supervise and guide patients to achieve the goals of treatment
• We promote exercise for life and encourage individual to self exercise the correct exercise regime as long as possible, after being discharged from our care
• We will give a complimentary tele-conversation and even follow-up care if needed
• We help in our little way to save big costs incurred from hospitalizations and expensive treatment
• Our physiotherapists will also work closely with specialists or doctors to ensure safe and optimal outcomes

Caregiver Training Programme

• We also provide caregiver training to help patients and family members in terms of daily activities and exercise programmes
• Information and training such as positioning, transferring and caring as well as daily maintenance exercises are some of the services we offer