Kemp & Martin Physiotherapists

Kemp & Martin Physiotherapists Physiotherapy What is Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapists identify and maximize movement potential through health promotion, preventative healthcare, treatment and rehabilitation.

20/05/2018

Deeltydse ontvangsdame benodig in besige fisioterapiepraktyk. Die pos behels een oggend per week en dan instaan vir permanente ontvangsdames wanneer nodig. Rekenaarvaardigheid is 'n vereiste. Algemene ontvangswerk asook tik van verslae. Stuur CV aan abkemp@mweb.co.za of fisio@polka.co.za.

More children than in the past are suffering from back and neck pain. Kids are carrying books, sports bags, sports equip...
25/10/2016

More children than in the past are suffering from back and neck pain. Kids are carrying books, sports bags, sports equipment, musical instruments and lunch boxes to school to attend after school activities.The weight of these items is often unacceptable. No child should suffer from back pain.

• According to international guidelines children should not carry more than 10-15% of their body weight.
• Smaller built kids, (often girls) carry the same weight of books and homework. Recent research showed that 31% of boys carried overly heavy bags, compared to nearly 42% of girls.
• A study conducted in 2003 showed children were carrying upwards of 7.5 kgs on their backs – that’s about 25% of their body weight for a child of about 30 kgs!
•The distance a child walks to school with a heavy load also plays a role in the development of neck and back pain.
• The wrong way of lifting and carrying a heavy bag can cause more pain: use a bag with adjustable straps, always ensure there’s no gap between the bag and the back, and don’t let your child carry a bag over one shoulder only.

As parents, we should make sure that:

• No child carries more than 10% of their body weight.
• Schools are aware of the problem and finds ways to issue homework that are lighter or more tech-smart.
• Distances from home to school should be reduced, through transport options if necessary – many of our children walk long distances to and from school.
• Schools should include physical education and play areas that get our kids running and climbing and jumping. This will ensure that kids will have the necessary muscle power to carry a certain amount of load.
• Schools should provide lockers or other facilities, so children can safely leave their bags and carry only what’s necessary to each class.
• Teachers must be educated to be aware when children are carrying too much weight.
“Children who have pain in their backs as early as primary school may grow into adults with chronic back pain.

Reference: SASP website

Auto-immune diseaseAuto -immune disease develops when the body's immune system attacks the body's own healthy tissue. No...
15/08/2016

Auto-immune disease
Auto -immune disease develops when the body's immune system attacks the body's own healthy tissue. Normally the immune system recognizes foreign invaders such as viruses and bacteria. The immune system will then produce anti-bodies against the invaders to act as soldiers to protect the body against disease. With auto-immune disease the body's immune system gets confused and it makes anti-bodies against the body's own healthy tissue. There are as many as 80 auto-immune diseases. It is possible to have more than one auto-immune disease. It can sometimes be difficult to diagnose because many of them have similar symptoms. Symptoms can vary between remission and flare-ups. Symptoms depend on the type of auto-immune disease. It can affect joints, muscles, skin, red blood cells, blood vessels, connective tissue or endocrine glands.
The cause of auto-immune disease is unknown. It is much more common in women (up to 75% of cases). There may also be an increased risk when there is a family history of auto-immune disease.
Common auto-immune diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, antiphospholipid syndrome, psoriasis, Sjögren’s syndrome and many other.
Treatment is focused on the symptom reduction. There is no cure for auto-immune disease.
The following is important in the management of auto-immune disease:
* eat a balanced and healthy diet
* exercise regularly
* get enough of rest
* take supplements
*decrease stress
* limit sun exposure
* avoid any known triggers of flare-ups

Medical interventions include:
* physiotherapy
* hormone replacement therapy, if necessary
* blood transfusions, if blood is affected
* anti-inflammatory medication, if joints are affected
* pain medication
* immuno-suppressive medication

OsteoarthritisOsteoarthritis (OA) is a very common degenerative disease of the joints. It is due to the wear and tear of...
01/08/2016

Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a very common degenerative disease of the joints. It is due to the wear and tear of a joint and is more common in older people. Joints are covered by cartilage that allows for smooth movement. With OA the cartilage degenerates and the joint starts to feel stiff and painful, especially after a period of inactivity eg. early mornings or after prolonged sitting. In later stages the joint can develop bony spurs called osteophytes. Eventually the cartilage will disappear and the two bony surfaces of the joint will come in contact with each other. With time the bone will start to wear away and pain usually increases.
Several factors can contribute to the development of OA such as overweight, overuse of the joint, previous injury and genetic factors. It affects the weight bearing joints such as the knee, hip and lumbar spine, but also the joints of the fingers the the base of the thumb.
There is no cure for OA. Treatment includes physiotherapy, strengthening exercises, medication, weight management and in severe cases, surgery such as joint replacements.

TEN GOOD REASONS TO EXERCISE* Exercise helps to reduce blood pressure.* Regular exercise assists in reducing stress and ...
07/07/2016

TEN GOOD REASONS TO EXERCISE
* Exercise helps to reduce blood pressure.
* Regular exercise assists in reducing stress and tension.
* Exercise stimulates blood circulation.
* Exercise is important in weight control.
* Exercise helps to keep muscles strong and supple.
* Exercise improves mood and general wellness.
* Exercise prevents osteoporosis and improves bone density.
* Exercise is good for your cardiovascular well being.
* Exercise slows down the aging process.
* Exercise stimulates brain activity and improves brain health.
So, it is never too late. Start today! Put on your training shoes and get moving!

24/06/2016

We need a competent and reliable receptionist and admin person for our practice. Working hours more or less: Mondays 07h00-17h00, Tuesdays 10h00-17h45, Wednesdays 11h30-17h45, Thursdays 07h00-17h45, Fridays 07h00-17h15. Please send CV to abkemp@mweb.co.za.

Posture typesWhen posture type is determine, the position of the pelvis is evaluated. When the pelvis is in a neutral po...
27/05/2016

Posture types
When posture type is determine, the position of the pelvis is evaluated. When the pelvis is in a neutral position, there is an angle of more or less 15˚ between the ASIS and PSIS (2 bony points on the pelvis) with the PSIS slightly higher than the ASIS. If the pelvis is tilted backwards/ posteriorly, the person can have either a flat back posture type or a sway back posture type. With a flat back posture type the person will not have a curve in the lumbar spine but with a sway back posture type it looks like the person has a very hollow back due to the forward displacement of the pelvis. With a forward/ anterior pelvic tilt the person will have a true hollow back or increased lordosis. These different posture types will have an effect on length and strength of the muscles inserting on the pelvis as well as other muscles in the body.

DizzinessDizziness is a common problem especially in older people. One of the most common causes of dizziness is a condi...
17/05/2016

Dizziness
Dizziness is a common problem especially in older people. One of the most common causes of dizziness is a condition called Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). BPPV is an inner ear problem and can easily be treated by a physiotherapist trained in the vestibular field. Patients with BPPV experience that they or the environment are spinning with certain head movements. It is often triggered when the patient lies down, turn over or sit up in bed. It can be accompanied by severe nausea, vomiting and loss of balance. The symptoms can be very troublesome but it is not a serious condition. The main problem with BPPV is unsteadiness that may lead to a fall which can be dangerous for older people.
To determine whether the cause of dizziness is BPPV, your physiotherapist will perform certain movements with you head. If one of these tests is positive, the therapist will treat it with a canalith repositioning manoeuvre. You will be taught how to do the treatment manoeuvre at home if you have recurrent BPPV.

HeadachesPeople suffering from headaches often get diagnosed with migraine or tension headaches and the source of the he...
06/05/2016

Headaches
People suffering from headaches often get diagnosed with migraine or tension headaches and the source of the headache is often not identified. One of the most common sources of head aches that is often missed is the neck. The neck can be the cause of debilitating headaches but also chronic dull headaches that seem to be present every day. Several muscles in the neck such as the Trapezius and Sternocleidomastoid muscles can provoke headaches. These muscles develop trigger points when they go into spasm, resulting in headaches. Treatment of these trigger points together with the correct stretching and strengthening exercises can be very effective in the treatment and management of some of the most severe headaches.

19/04/2016

Hypermobility
Generalised joint hypermobility refers to more than normal movement in several joints of the body. It is the result of increased compliance of the connective tissue that surrounds the joints (fascia and ligaments). This means that joints are more flexible than normal. It is a heritable condition and not pathology. Although it is a normal variant of how the joints are put together, it may be the reason for repetitive injuries especially in children taking part in contact sport (rugby, wrestling) or sport with quick changes in direction such as netball. In these sports the joints may be more vulnerable as a result of the relative instability of the joints. Gymnasts and ballet dancers often have a degree of joint hypermobility which is necessary to perform and do well in sports which require more flexibility.
In hypermobile kids it may be advisable to protect vulnerable joints such as the ankles during competitive games. It is also extremely important that the muscles that support vulnerable joints be strong to prevent injuries. Good proprioception is also a key element in preventing injuries.
How do you know that you are hypermobile?
The Beighton Scale is the most common test used to determine hypermobility. It has nine components and if you score 6 or more out of 9 you are hypermobile.
The Beighton score is calculated as follows:
1. One point if, while bending forward, you can place palms on the floor with legs straight
2. One point for each elbow that bends backwards
3. One point for each knee that bends backwards
4. One point for each thumb that touches the forearm when bent backwards
5. One point for each little finger that bends backwards beyond 90 degrees.

Another quick tool to use is the hypermobility questionnaire. An answer of ‘Yes’ to 2 or more of the questions gives a very high prediction of the presence of hypermobility. Can you now (or could you ever) place your hands flat on the floor without bending your knees?
• Can you now (or could you ever) bend your thumb to touch your forearm?
• As a child did you amuse your friends by contorting your body into strange shapes OR could you do the splits?
• As a child or teenager did your shoulder or kneecap dislocate on more than one occasion?
• Do you consider yourself double-jointed?
References
Beighton PH, Solomon L, Soskolne CL. Articular mobility in an African population. Ann Rheum Dis. 1973; 32: 413-17
Hakim AJ, Grahame R. A simple questionnaire to detect hypermobility: an adjunct to the assessment of patients with diffuse musculoskeletal pain. Int J Clin Pract 2003; 57: 163-6

WORK SMART PRINCIPLES:1. Seated as far back in the chair as possible to feel the benefit of the lumbar support2. Feet re...
15/04/2016

WORK SMART PRINCIPLES:
1. Seated as far back in the chair as possible to feel the benefit of the lumbar support
2. Feet rested flat on the floor - In order to be at the correct height in relation to the work surface, a footrest is recommended for shorter users.
3. Hips slightly higher than knees
4. Armrests - Keep elbows close to your body, and shoulders relaxed down.
5. Monitor - Top most line of monitor display at approximately eye level.
6. Viewing distance - As far as possible while still seeing the screen clearly. Approximately arms length.
7. Keyboard - Keep the keyboard in close proximity; keep your shoulders relaxed, elbows at 90 degrees and your wrists in line with your forearm; keep the mouse in close proximity and alongside the keyboard

ERGOTHERAPY CHAIRS FOR BACK SUPPORT DURING LONG HOURS OF SITTING - AVAILABLE AT OUR PRACTICE

Address

170 Main Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk
Pretoria
0181

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Kemp & Martin Physiotherapists posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Kemp & Martin Physiotherapists:

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram