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Wakaphysio, Ikeja, Lagos (2025)

09/04/2025

If you find it difficult to sleep, try the position in the picture

08/04/2025

Sickle Cell Disease with Sickle Cell Spine

▶️ Causes:

Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder characterized by the presence of abnormal hemoglobin (hemoglobin S) in red blood cells.

This abnormal hemoglobin causes the red blood cells to become stiff and sickle-shaped, leading to various complications.

▶️ Genesis of the disease

In sickle cell disease, the sickle-shaped red blood cells can block blood vessels, leading to reduced blood flow and oxygen supply to different parts of the body.

This can result in tissue damage and organ dysfunction. The abnormal red blood cells can also cause inflammation and promote the formation of blood clots.

▶️ Clinical Features:

Sickle cell disease can present with a wide range of symptoms, including anemia, fatigue, jaundice, pain crises, and organ damage.

In the case of sickle cell spine, the abnormal red blood cells can cause damage to the bones of the spine, leading to vertebral end-plate irregularities and depressions (typical H shaped) seen on the CXR.

🩻 Treatment:

The treatment of sickle cell disease aims to manage symptoms, prevent complications, and improve quality of life.

This may involve blood transfusions, medications to reduce pain and inflammation, hydroxyurea to increase the production of fetal hemoglobin, and vaccinations to prevent infections.

In severe cases, bone marrow transplantation may be considered.

FAQs:

1. Can sickle cell disease affect other organs besides the spine?
Yes, sickle cell disease can affect various organs, including the lungs, kidneys, liver, and spleen. It can lead to complications such as acute chest syndrome, stroke, and priapism.

2. Is sickle cell disease curable?
Currently, there is a cure for it

3. Can sickle cell disease be passed on to future generations?
Yes, sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder that is inherited from both parents. If both parents carry the sickle cell trait, there is a 25% chance of having a child with sickle cell disease.l

06/04/2025

"No, I Can’t. I Can Make a Bedridden Person Walk."

Someone once asked me, That means you can give me a good massage

I paused for a second, then replied: "No, I can’t. I can make a bedridden person walk.”

Silence.

That moment perfectly captured one of the biggest misconceptions about physiotherapy. People assume it’s just about massage, but in reality, it’s so much more.

📢📣 What is PHYSIOTHERAPY? (In the Simplest Way Possible)

Physiotherapy is the branch of healthcare that helps people move better, function better, and live without pain.

Think of your body like a **car**. If the engine (muscles) gets weak, the tires (joints) get stiff, or the wiring (nerves) gets damaged, the car won’t run smoothly. Instead of just washing the car (which is what a massage does), physiotherapy **fixes what’s wrong inside** so you can move properly again.

Imagine two people:

🧑‍🦱 Person A** gets a massage for their stiff neck. They feel better for a few hours, but the pain returns the next day. 🤕

🧑‍🦲 Person B** goes to a physiotherapist, who checks their posture, teaches them proper neck exercises, and adjusts their workstation setup. Within a few weeks, the pain is gone—**for good.**

This is the power of PHYSIOTHERAPY. It doesn’t just treat symptoms; it fixes the root cause.

📌 Branches of PHYSIOTHERAPY & Conditions Managed

Physiotherapy isn’t a one-size-fits-all profession. There are different specialties, each focusing on specific conditions:

1️⃣ Orthopedic Physiotherapy** (Muscles, Joints & Bones)
- For back pain, fractures, arthritis, sprains, post-surgical rehab (e.g., knee replacement)

2️⃣ Neurological Physiotherapy** (Brain & Nervous System)
- For stroke recovery, spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis

3️⃣ Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy** (Heart & Lungs)
- For heart disease, chronic lung conditions (e.g., asthma, COPD), post-COVID rehabilitation

4️⃣ Pediatric Physiotherapy** (Children’s Movement Disorders)
- For cerebral palsy, delayed walking, congenital deformities, muscular dystrophy

5️⃣ Geriatric Physiotherapy** (Elderly Care)
- For fall prevention, arthritis, balance problems, post-hip replacement rehab

6️⃣ Sports Physiotherapy** (Athletes & Active Individuals)
- For sprains, muscle tears, ACL injuries, post-surgery recovery for sports-related injuries

7️⃣ Women’s Health Physiotherapy**
- For pregnancy-related pain, pelvic floor dysfunction, postnatal recovery

# # # **Physiotherapy vs. Massage – What’s the Difference?**

People often confuse physiotherapy with massage, but here’s the key difference:

▶️ Purpose & Approach
Physiotherapy focuses on restoring movement, reducing pain, and improving function, while massage therapy is mainly for relaxation and muscle tension relief. A physiotherapist helps people recover from injuries, manage chronic pain, and regain mobility, while a massage therapist works on easing muscle stiffness and promoting relaxation.

▶️ Assessment & Diagnosis
Before starting treatment, a physiotherapist conducts a detailed physical assessment to find the root cause of pain or dysfunction. They assess posture, strength, flexibility, and movement patterns. In contrast, a massage therapist does not diagnose conditions—they simply manipulate muscles to relieve tension.

▶️ Physiotherapy goes beyond hands-on techniques. It includes exercise therapy, joint mobilization, electrotherapy (such as ultrasound and TENS), posture correction, and functional training to ensure long-term recovery. Massage therapy, on the other hand, focuses on manual techniques like kneading, rubbing, and applying pressure to muscles for temporary relief.

▶️ Physiotherapy provides long-term relief by addressing the underlying cause of pain, whether it's muscle weakness, poor posture, or nerve compression. Massage therapy, while effective for relaxing tight muscles, offers only temporary relief, and the pain often returns if the root cause isn’t treated.

▶️ Physiotherapists manage a wide range of conditions, including back pain, arthritis, stroke recovery, sports injuries, fractures, and neurological disorders. Massage therapy is primarily used for muscle tightness, stress relief, and general relaxation rather than medical rehabilitation.

Final Thoughts

Massage is great for relaxation. But if you want to regain mobility, get rid of pain **for good**, and restore proper movement, **PHYSIOTHERAPY is the answer.**

So no, I can’t give you a massage. **But I can help someone walk again.**

Now, have I cleared the air?

05/04/2025

A daily reminder

03/04/2025

😫 Problems are often subjective meaning what troubles one person might not affect another. Even small issues can cause worry and sleepless nights.

🚙 For a danfo driver, the inability to turn his neck to see passengers entering his bus is a major problem because it affects his work.

✈️ For Mr. Banji, an active managing director at Shell who frequently travels for international conferences, the real issue is his inability to stand for more than 10 minutes without experiencing severe lower back pain radiating down both legs.

🧑‍🦳🧓 For your 75-year-old grandmother, the challenge is getting out of bed in the morning without a caregiver’s help.

🏊🏌️ For a 23-year-old female athlete at the peak of her career, competing in races has become nearly impossible because every time she runs, an electric shock surges from her foot upwards.

Imagine struggling to wash your back in the shower because of severe shoulder pain. Every morning, you have to call your spouse for help. But what if you're single? Would you leave that spot unwashed until it turns black like a kettle?

Most of these problems stem from one common factor—♨️ PAIN. ♨️
Pain isn't just a sensation; it affects how you move, how you work, and even how you think. When pain persists, your body responds by **guarding** the affected area—avoiding movement to prevent discomfort. This leads to muscle stiffness, weakness, and even more pain over time.

Left unchecked, pain can trigger **compensatory movements**, where other parts of the body take on extra strain. A stiff neck can lead to headaches, a painful knee can cause hip or back problems, and avoiding movement altogether can result in long-term disability.

By now, you've probably tried everything—painkillers, herbal remedies (agbo), and various home treatments—only for the problem to return, sometimes even worse than before.

In some cases, surgery is suggested, but no one willingly chooses to go under the knife unless it's the last resort.

When it comes to musculoskeletal issues—problems affecting muscles, bones, and joints—physiotherapy offers a solution. It doesn’t just relieve pain; it **restores movement, prevents complications, and helps you regain full function**.

Before resorting to surgery or relying solely on medication, why not explore ♎PHYSIOTHERAPY♎?
It could be the answer you've been looking for.

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02/04/2025

Crutch Paralysis: What You Need to Know

Using crutches can be a lifesaver after an injury, but did you know improper use can lead to a condition called **crutch paralysis**? If you’ve ever felt numbness or weakness in your arms while using crutches, this thread is for you. 🧵👇

🔑 What is Crutch Paralysis?

Crutch paralysis happens when prolonged pressure from crutches damages the **radial nerve**, which runs along the upper arm. This can lead to:
✅ Weakness in the wrist and fingers (wrist drop)
✅ Numbness or tingling in the hand
✅ Difficulty gripping objects

🔑 What Causes It?

1️⃣ Incorrect crutch height – If your crutches are too high, they press against your armpits, compressing the radial nerve.
2️⃣ Leaning on crutches – Resting body weight on the crutches instead of using arm strength increases nerve pressure.
3️⃣ Prolonged use – Using crutches for an extended period without proper adjustments can contribute to nerve damage.

🔑 **How to Prevent Crutch Paralysis**

🟢 Adjust Your Crutches Properly – The top of the crutch should be about **2 inches below your armpit**, and your elbows should be slightly bent (~30 degrees).
🟢 Use Your Hands, Not Your Armpits – Support your weight with your hands and forearms, not by resting your armpits on the crutches.
🟢 Take Breaks – If you need crutches for a long time, ensure regular rest periods to relieve nerve pressure.
🟢 Strengthen Your Upper Body – Exercises to improve arm strength can help you use crutches more effectively without relying on your armpits.

🔑 Treatment & Recovery
PHYSIOTHERAPY is the best treatment for crutches paralysis

If you experience symptoms of crutch paralysis:
✅ Stop leaning on your crutches immediately
✅ Massage and stretch the arm to improve circulation
✅ Switch to an alternative mobility aid (e.g., walker) if symptoms persist
✅ See a PHYSIOTHERAPIST or doctor immediately

Physiotherapist will tell you which walking aid is better for you and when or not to stop using it

Crutch paralysis is **preventable and treatable** with the right approach! If you use crutches, remember these tips to avoid complications.

💬 Ever had numbness while using crutches? Let’s talk in the comments! ⬇️

Prevent permanent paralysis

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02/04/2025

CAN CRUTCHES PARALYZE THE HAND❓❓❓

**Walk with me…** 👇

A few days ago, Mr. Waka came to my clinic complaining of weakness in both arms. His wife was worried, thinking it might be a stroke—just like her mother had experienced years ago.

The first sign of trouble appeared when he picked up his phone to make a call, only to have it slip right out of his hands. The weakness was more pronounced in his right hand, which made sense since he, like 70% of people, is right-hand dominant.

Digging into his history, I learned that he had recently been discharged from the hospital. Last month, he was in a bike accident on his way to work and broke his right leg. Though he never lost consciousness, he spent almost a month in the hospital while his leg was immobilized for healing. To prevent unnecessary movement and weight-bearing, he had to use a diaper during his admission.

After being discharged, he needed crutches to avoid putting weight on his injured leg. Without consulting a professional, he bought a pair of **axillary crutches** (the ones that rest under the armpits) from a roadside vendor. Unfortunately, they weren’t the right size. The crutches were too long, forcing him to rest his full weight on his armpits.

What he didn’t realize was that **important blood vessels and nerves run under the armpit, supplying the entire arm**. When compressed for long periods, they can become damaged—sometimes temporarily, sometimes permanently.

One critical nerve, the **radial nerve**, controls sensations like touch, heat, and cold while also helping with hand and finger movement. When crutches are used incorrectly, this nerve can become compressed, leading to **“crutch palsy”** or **axillary nerve damage**. Symptoms include numbness, tingling, and weakness in the arm.

When I examined Mr. Waka, I tested his grip strength by asking him to squeeze my hand. He couldn’t. He also described a “pins and needles” sensation from his shoulder down to his hands.

To confirm my suspicion, I measured his crutches and compared them to his height—sure enough, they were the wrong size! I immediately recommended that his wife return them and get a properly sized pair. Since caregivers often make such purchases, I also taught her how to correctly measure crutches for different heights.

Once he had the right-sized crutches, I scheduled him for **three sessions per week** to:
✅ Strengthen his grip
✅ Use electrical muscle stimulation to activate weak muscles
✅ Teach him the proper way to use crutches without harming his nerves

After about **five sessions**, he returned with great news—his hands were back to normal! Though I still needed to continue managing his stiff, healing leg, he no longer suffered from nerve compression.

**This is why you should NEVER buy crutches randomly without consulting a physiotherapist or doctor.** Crutches aren’t a one-size-fits-all device; they’re prescribed for **specific uses and short-term support**.

If Mr. Waka had waited longer, his minor nerve injury could have worsened, leading to **months of rehabilitation** to restore proper hand function.

🚨 **Takeaway:** Always seek professional guidance before using medical aids! A simple mistake can cause more harm than good.

18/03/2025

I remember the NICU nights—the ones that felt just as hard as the days. Awake at 2 a.m., my body on autopilot, aching, full, and ready to feed a baby who wasn’t there.

Instead of reaching for my baby, I reached for pump parts in the dark, hands shaking, tears falling. I wasn’t waking up to cries—I was waking up to silence, to pain, to the cruel reminder that my child was miles away, fighting for their life. Pumping was all I could do, the only part of motherhood I had to hold onto. But I felt empty, like my body had betrayed me, like the life I had carried no longer belonged to me.

I would have given anything to be up at 2 a.m., exhausted and in pain, but with my baby beside me.

I wasn’t healing. I wasn’t recovering. I was barely making it through. And nearly three years later, the weight of the NICU still lingers. The trauma doesn’t fade. I still cry when I try to tell my birth story. I still struggle to put words to those first months. I still break down when I try. Because I wasn’t recovering. I was surviving.

©️ Copied as seen

05/03/2025

Daily reminder ❗❗❗

papa, mama and pikin

04/03/2025

When you attended the wrong anatomy class 😂

Wakaphysio

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