Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy

Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy is the skilled assessment of your movement and the application of treatment methods to reduce your pain and improve your movement. The treatment plan may involve the skilled application of:

Assessment – Our physiotherapists perform comprehensive assessments to better understand your presentation. We use a variety of techniques including movement analysis, palpation, and specific muscle, ligament, and/or nerve tests to determine the most effective treatment.

Diagnosis: Using the findings from our assessment, our physiotherapists provide a clear diagnosis of your musculoskeletal condition. We work closely with you to explain the nature of your injury, its contributing factors, its healing timeframe, and the treatment options available.

Manual Therapy: At Murwillumbah Physiotherapy we employ hands-on manual therapy techniques to help alleviate pain, improve joint mobility, and restore normal movement patterns. Some of the techniques we utilise include:

  • Mobilisation – Pressure by hand, gently coaxing movement of individual joints
  • Manipulation – Controlled, high velocity but low amplitude thrusts applied to a specific joint which often produces a cracking or popping sound
  • Soft Tissue Massage –  Application of pressure to muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia to reduce muscle tension, improve circulation, and promote relaxation. Depending on your presentation we may utilise specific soft tissue massage tissues such as:
    • Swedish Massage
    • Deep Tissue Massage
    • Myofascial Release
    • Trigger Point Therapy
    • Acupressure
    • Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage
    • Sports Massage
  • Neural Mobilisation – Gentle mobilisation of nerves to reduce neural tension and never related pain.

Adjunct Interventions: Our physiotherapists are trained to provide adjunct therapies in the following modalities:

  • Acupuncture – A traditional Chinese medicine technique involving the insertion of fine needles into specific points on the body to promote healing and alleviate pain.
  • Dry Needling – Stimulation of trigger points using fine filament needles. Dry needling is used to decrease muscle tightness, increase blood flow, and reduce pain.
  • Therapeutic Ultrasound – Reduce pain and inflammation while improving blood circulation and promoting tissue healing.
  • Hydrotherapy – Exercises and rehabilitation activities performed in a pool. The buoyancy of water reduces stress on joints and muscles, allowing for gentle strengthening, flexibility, and cardiovascular conditioning.
  • Taping – Provides stability, support, and protection to injured joints.

Postural Analysis: We conduct detailed postural analysis to identify imbalances or malalignments in your posture that may be the cause or effect of your musculoskeletal condition. Addressing postural abnormalities is crucial for long term musculoskeletal health and injury prevention.

Gait Analysis and Orthotics:  Our physiotherapists analyse your gait to understand how your walk or run. This allows us to identify any abnormalities or imbalances in your movement patterns. Based on these findings we may recommend orthotic devices, footwear modifications, or gait retraining exercises to help improve gait dynamics and reduce the risk of re-injury.

Core Stability Training: Using real time ultrasound, we can focus on strengthening the muscles of the core (abdomen, back, pelvis). Improving core stability is crucial for anyone with back pain as it will enhance overall body mechanics and control while promoting optimal movement patterns.

Exercise Prescription:  Tailored exercise programs are the cornerstone of musculoskeletal physiotherapy. We prescribe specific exercises to improve strength, mobility, and pain, customised to your presentation, and individual needs and goals.

Functional Rehabilitation: Our process focuses on restoring functional abilities required for daily activities, work, and recreational pursuits. We incorporate functional exercises and activities to improve movement quality while promoting independence in your daily life.

Post-Operative Rehabilitation: Following surgery, our physiotherapists design personalised rehabilitation programs to facilitate optimal recovery and function. We work closely with your surgeon to ensure continuity of care, helping you regain strength, mobility, and confidence post-operation.

Sports Injury Management: For athletes, active individuals, and weekend warriors, we offer specialised sports injury management services. Our physiotherapists have experience working with athletes of all calibres from beginner to professional, across multiple sporting codes. We employ evidence-based techniques to treat sports related injuries, optimise recovery time, and prevent future injuries.

Education and Self-Management Strategies: We believe in empowering our clients with knowledge and skills to manage their musculoskeletal conditions independently. Through education and guidance, we help you understand your condition, adopt healthy lifestyle habits, and implement self-management strategies for long-term success.