See our list of the injuries we treat at our clinic in Galway. For more information on any of the treatments click the title for that treatment along the left.

TREATMENTS/SERVICES

Physiotherapy after surgery can help improve mobility, circulation, muscle tone, flexibility, function and confidence. It is suitable for patients after most surgeries including Total Knee Replacement (TKR), Total Hip Replacements (THR), Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), Meniscal Repair, Shoulder Replacement, Ankle Surgery, SLAP, Carpal Tunnel, Discectomy and Spinal Surgery, Achilles Repair, Cardiac Surgery and much more.

An ankle sprain is one of the most common injuries obtained in sport. It describes damage to the soft tissue structures around the medial and lateral ankle (mainly ligaments). It occurs when athletes turn sharply on their ankle usually on uneven surfaces, stressing the ligaments that stabilise the ankle joint resulting in pain, swelling and stiffness. The most common ligament sprained is the Anterior Talo-fibular ligament (ATFL) which joins the fibula to the talus on the lateral aspect of the ankle (i.e. The bottom of the leg to the ankle).  The treatment for an ankle sprain is RICE (Rest Ice Compression Elevation), soft tissue massage, electrotherapy, joint mobilisation, taping, an exercise program to improve flexibility and strength, advice `and education.

For more information on treatments for this injury contact us on 091 767473 or through our contact page

The Hamstrings are made up of 3 muscles: Biceps Femoris/ Semitendinosus/ Semimembranosus. Their job is to bend the knee and straighten the hip. A strain occurs when these muscles are put under extreme tension which they cannot tolerate due to weakness, tightness or damage. This causes some of the muscle fibres to tear. Hamstring strains are commonly seen in football players, hockey players during the period of rapid acceleration or due to inadequate warm-up. Physiotherapy for a hamstring strain includes soft tissue therapy, electrotherapy, stretches and muscle energy techniques, taping, ice or heat treatment, rehabilitation program to increase flexibility and strength, advice and education.

For more information on treatments for this injury contact us on 091 767473 or through our contact page

The groin muscles are situated on the inner aspect of the thigh. They are responsible for moving the leg inwards and across the body (adduction) and stabilising the pelvis. During running (changing direction) and kicking the groin muscles contract. If too much tension is placed onto the muscles during these actions some or all the muscle fibres can tear resulting in pain and loss of function. The symptoms of a groin strain are a sharp pain, tightness or pulling feeing on the inside of the leg, limping due to pain and pain during running, jumping, changing direction and kicking. Physiotherapy for groin pain can range from ultrasound, taping, soft tissue massage, stretches, biomechanical correction, rehabilitation programme to improve strength, balance, flexibility and core stability.

For more information on treatments for this injury contact us on 091 767473 or through our contact page.

Tendonitis means inflammation of a tendon. Tendons are fibrous tissue that connect muscles to bones and can become inflamed due to repetitive stress, aging or injury. The body has many tendons with the most common sites for tendonitis being elbow (tennis elbow, golfers’ elbow), ankle (Achilles, tibialis posterior), hip (gluteal, hamstring), shoulder (rotator cuff) and knee (patellar tendon). The symptoms are pain, stiffness, swelling and very tender on palpation. Symptoms often increase at night and after exercise. The physiotherapy treatment varies for each condition with anti-inflammatory being advised to decrease the pain and swelling prior to treatment. Rest is also advised to decrease the stress causing the tendon to be inflamed along with, stretching, electrotherapy, taping and a strength programme.

For more information on treatments for this injury contact us on 091 767473 or through our contact page.

Ligaments connect one bone to another. Ligaments provide joints with stability and often can become sprained or torn when excess stress is applied to them. Such stresses are twisting, pulling, turning and falling. The ligaments of the knee are ACL: anterior cruciate ligament, PCL: posterior cruciate ligament, MCL: medial collateral ligament, LCL: lateral collateral ligament. The ACL and PCL form a cross inside the knee joint and stabilise the knee when it is in different positions such as drawing forwards and backwards. The MCL and LCL are located either side of the knee and their function is to resist forces that push the knee to sideways. The physiotherapy for ligament damage consists of Range of movement and strengthening exercises, gait re-education, electrotherapy, balance and proprioceptive exercises, manual therapy and patient education.

For more information on treatments for this injury contact us on 091 767473 or through our contact page.

The shoulder is thought to be one of the most complex and unstable joints in the body. It is known as the Glenohumeral Joint (GHJ) and is made up of three bones i.e. the clavicle, scapula and humerus. It is an extremely mobile joint and therefore is easily at risk for injury. The most common causes of shoulder pain are rotator cuff damage, GHJ dislocation and instability, “adhesive capsulitis”-frozen shoulder acromioclavicular sprain, labral tear, muscle tear or referred pain for the neck or thoracic spine. The treatment for each condition differs but the main goal is to reduce pain and restore mobility, strength, stability and function.

For more information on treatments for this injury contact us on 091 767473 or through our contact page.

Tennis and Golfers elbow are conditions caused by tendonitis of the tendons of the elbow. As described earlier, tendons connect muscles to bones and become inflamed when they are put under severe stress causing the tendon to become irritable and inflamed. Tennis elbow or “lateral epicondylitis” is damage to the outer tendon on the lateral aspect of the elbow, while Golfer’s elbow or “medial epicondylitis” is damage to the inner or medial tendon of the elbow. Tendonitis of these tendons can occur after an increase in activity using your elbow or may be work related i.e. continuously using your elbow in the same direction or due to aging. The symptoms that occur are pain, stiffness, swelling and very tender to touch. The physiotherapy treatment for these conditions involve ultrasound, massage, stretching and strengthening exercises, taping, joint mobilisation and advise on anti-inflammatories and education on decreasing the activity or force that irritated the tendon.

For more information on treatments for this injury contact us on 091 767473 or through our contact page.

The word fracture means “the act of being broken” (oxford English dictionary). Fractures occur when a bone cannot take the force or energy applied to it. The most common fractures in young people are wrist fractures when one falls on an outstretched hand, and in the elderly population it is the hip. Physiotherapy for fractures differs depending on their location. The goal however is the same i.e. to reduce pain and restore mobility, strength, stability and function. The recommended immediate treatment is to follow the R.I.C.E principles which are rest, ice, compression and elevation.

For more information on treatments for this injury contact us on 091 767473 or through our contact page.

Dislocations are different from fractures in that the bone is not broken; it has just come away or become displaced from the joint. A dislocation usually occurs from a direct trauma or a fall. The most commonly dislocated joints are shoulders, knees, fingers, wrists and elbows. X-ray is used to confirm or negate a dislocation. The aim of physiotherapy for joint dislocations is to encourage pain-free mobility once instructed by a doctor or consultant. It is then important to restore strength into the muscles around the joint to increase its stability reducing the risk of re-dislocation. The techniques used are, soft tissue massage, taping, electrotherapy, strength and flexibility training, proprioceptive training, advice and education.

For more information on treatments for this injury contact us on 091 767473 or through our contact page.

Common causes of lower back and neck pain are improper lifting, holding a position for long periods of time or sudden movements. They can also occur because of a road traffic accident or sporting injury. Whatever the cause Physiotherapy can help relieve pain and stiffness in both through deep tissue massage, joint mobilisation, muscle energy techniques, electrotherapy, a programme of strength and flexibility exercises, passive movements, taping and advice and education.

For more information on treatments for this injury contact us on 091 767473 or through our contact page.

Core stability refers to the muscles around the pelvis, lumbar spine, abdominal wall and diaphragm and their ability to work together to control movements of the lower back, trunk and lumbar spine. The main muscles involved are the abdominals, back extensor muscles and the diaphragm. Weakness in these muscles can cause lower back pain, hip pain, groin pain and poor posture. In recent years research has found core stability to be essential in the treatment and prevention of lower back pain. Lack of core stability can lead to tilting of the pelvis which in turn causes muscle imbalance. Physiotherapy aims to restore this imbalance through joint mobilisation, deep tissue massage, prescription of a rehabilitation programme of flexibility and strengthening exercises, advice and education.

For more information on treatments for this injury contact us on 091 767473 or through our contact page.

Physiotherapy is often used to relieve pain and increase function in neurological conditions. The treatment used includes massage, electrotherapy, stretching, strengthening exercises and aerobic exercise prescription. Physiotherapy can help make life a little easier for patients with neurological conditions by aiding their independence.

For more information on treatments for this injury contact us on 091 767473 or through our contact page.

Physiotherapy can play a beneficial role in the management of arthritis. The aim of physiotherapy is to reduce pain and increase function. It can also improve confidence and mobility through gait re-education, exercise, advice and education. The methods used are exercise prescription, manual therapy, stretching and flexibility therapy, hot and cold treatment and electrotherapy.

For more information on treatments for this injury contact us on 091 767473 or through our contact page.

Muscular imbalance occurs when a muscle becomes stronger or weaker than its opposing muscle. This causes pain, stiffness and a change in posture. For example, the quadriceps and hamstring muscles bend and straighten the knee. If one group becomes stronger than the other a pelvic tilt may occur causing a change in posture leading to lower back pain, hip and groin pain. Many conditions are caused by muscular imbalance i.e. patellofemoral pain, Achilles tendonitis, patellar tendonitis and lower back pain as mentioned already. Physiotherapy aims to assess where the imbalance lies and correct it through flexibility and strengthening exercise programmes, joint mobilisations, electrotherapy, deep tissue massage and posture education.

For more information on treatments for this injury contact us on 091 767473 or through our contact page.

Established in 2001 & offering a range of treatments

Sports Injury, Massage Therapy & Chartered Physiotherapy

T: 091 767 473 or email john@johnbutlersportstherapy.ie