6 Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Physiotherapist

Physiotherapy is a well-known department of medicine which aids in healing the pain, soreness, and inflammation caused due to injuries or a medical condition. It also helps in enhancing the range of motion after an injury or surgery, bringing you back to the normal routine.

Singapore offers many options for a physiotherapy clinic but sometimes people make mistakes when choosing a Singapore physio which can lead to further issues or dissatisfaction later on. To avoid this situation, you should keep a few things in mind when choosing a physiotherapist.

Here’s a look at 6 mistakes to avoid when choosing a physiotherapist:

1. Convenience

Just because a physiotherapy clinic is located nearby doesn’t mean it ensures good care and treatment. Proximity is not correlated to skill and you should choose the right clinic even if it is far away. All the travelling time or hassle is worth it to get a proper treatment.

2. No research

Before finalising a Singapore physio, you should do some research online and get recommendations from friends and family. It helps in getting an idea about the credibility of the clinic.

3. Not choosing a therapist who specialises in your area of concern

All physiotherapists have different areas of specialisations. You need to look for a physiotherapist who can meet your requirements. For example, if you are suffering from a sports injury, you should consult a sports physio in Singapore who is better able to diagnose and decide on a line of treatment.

4. Choosing on price

Physiotherapy is a professional service and it’s not going to be cheap. Yes, you might have a specific budget for the treatment, but if you want to get quality treatment, it isn’t advisable to compromise on quality of service.

5. Not checking the registrations/accreditations

Before choosing a physiotherapy clinic, make sure they are registered and have the required certifications to operate the clinic. It reflects their credibility and builds trust. You can check their website or call them to enquire about these details and then proceed with fixing up an appointment with them.

6. Clarifying expectations

Unmet expectations are the root cause of most disappointments. Thus, make sure to clarify your expectations with your physio before beginning the treatment. On your first visit, be clear of your

expectations and share the same with the clinic staff or the therapist to help them understand your requirements and desired outcome.

Explore the web for more information on how to choose the right sports physio in Singapore. You can also visit their online website or read about them in forums and testimonials websites before fixing an appointment with them.

Tips to Finding the Best Physiotherapy Clinic in Singapore

Physiotherapy treatment is often useful in curing pain, soreness, or even injuries. It is also one of the best ways to enhance your range of motion and to strengthen your muscles after a surgery or injury. In particular, with the increasing popularity of this method of recuperation, many physiotherapy clinics have opened in Singapore catering to these needs.

With so many choices at your disposal, it can be quite a challenge to pick the best physio clinic in Singapore. To ensure you pick the right place, there are a few things to consider when making your decision.

Here’s a look at some key points to consider when choosing the right physiotherapy clinic:

1. Space and privacy

A Singapore physio clinic should ensure the privacy of their patients which can be more than just confidentiality. Having enough space can also be a concern, to ensure that each patient is able to be diagnosed and treated in a comfortable space with enough room to prevent concerns of eavesdropping and embarrassment. This privacy will also help you in opening up to the physiotherapist about queries and you would feel free to exercise without any worry of being watched by others.

2. Convenience

The physio clinic should be flexible with appointments. They should be able to set timing for you that is convenient and matches with your schedule like morning before office, in evening while returning from work or the afternoon slot for housewives.

3. Cost

While it is true that money is not more important than your health, you certainly need to choose a Singapore physio that fits in your budget. Just because your health is more important is no reason to needlessly throw away money. Value of the service is still an objective indicator.

4. Attention

You should always check the attentiveness of the staff when joining a physio clinic. You can plan a visit to the clinic to gain a general sense of the location and an understanding of how they treat their patients. If there are only a few therapists, they might treat patients in a hurry and not be able to offer personalised attention and guidance.

Explore the web for more information on how to choose your physio clinic in Singapore. You can also read reviews of the physiotherapists in each facility and request specific people to ensure you are able to enjoy the best care possible.

Top Four Reasons You Need to See a Physiotherapist

One of the most common statements heard by the physiotherapists in Singapore is – “I thought the pain/swelling/soreness would go on its own”. That’s a misguided statement which unfortunately increases the duration of time you have to spend recuperating if you do not immediately take care of your injury in the first place.

It has been observed that early and accurate assessment along with appropriate treatment goes a long way in speeding recovery from any injuries. If you have been suffering from soreness, pain, or stiffness in any part of the body which refuses to abate even after few days, it’s time to visit a physiotherapy clinic in Singapore.

There are various advantages to physiotherapy treatment. Here’s a look at top four reasons you need to see a physiotherapist:

1. Quick pain relief

The physiotherapy offers pain relief with the help of modalities such as cold and hot treatment and electrotherapy treatment which offer short term benefits that pave a way for an introduction of long lasting techniques like specific exercise prescriptions. These treatments have the same effect like the analgesia and anti-inflammatory medicines which help in resuming your routine activities till the time your injury is healed.

2. Reducing scar tissue

The physiotherapy treatments also help in restoring the normal joint motion which is affected due to accidents, old age, arthritis, or any other medical condition. The issue is quite common amongst athletes and can be resolved effectively with physiotherapy. Techniques such as massages, dry needling and joint mobilisation have proved to be effective in the treatment of joints.

3. Back to work and sports faster

Various health conditions which lead to pain, inflammation or soreness of muscles restrict the movement of people affecting their lifestyle. People are unable to carry out routine activities with ease. However, the quicker your body returns to its normal state with physiotherapy, the faster your restart your daily routine.

4. Strengthening and stretching the affected zone

Exercises used in physiotherapy treatment strengthen and stretch the muscles. It has been shown to be effective in speeding up the recovery, reducing pain, and enhancing mobility.

Explore the web for more information on how to choose the best Singapore physio clinic and access some health explanation tips that can help you to explain your current medical condition to the therapist in a defined manner. This can help them to understand your medical condition in a better way and offer optimal medical support to bring out the best results. 

Different Types of Ankle Sprains and How a Podiatrist Can Help You

Our ankles are designed to take a lot of stress from standing, walking, and running, to going up and down stairs constantly. That makes our ankles very vulnerable to injuries, the most common of which is the well-known sprained ankle. An ankle sprain is a common injury that occurs when the ankle is twisted or turned in (inverted). It can range from mild to severe, depending on how much damage that has been caused to the ligaments.

Types of Ankle Sprains

There are two types of sprains: 1) Inversion Ankle Sprains and 2) Eversion Ankle Sprains.

The inversion ankle sprain is the most common type of sprain experienced by Singaporean athletes. It occurs when your foot is twisted inward and stretches the outer ligaments.

The eversion ankle sprain occurs when your foot is twisted outwards and the inner ligament is stretched, resulting in pain.

Ankle sprains are also graded into 3 categories: Grade 1, Grade 2 and Grade 3. (I) In Grade 1, there is very slight tear of ligament fibers and swelling in the ankle. (II) In Grade 2, there occurs partial tear of the ligaments with swelling, pain, instability and decrease in range of motion. (III) When there is complete rupture of ligament, it falls under Grade 3 of ankle sprain. The patient can experience significant swelling, pain, instability and an inability by the ankle to bear weight.

Besides pain and lateral ligament injuries, there may be more serious injuries behind sprained ankles. According to a survey conducted by the National University Hospital (NUH) in Singapore, it has been found that 7 in 10 patients surveyed were suffering from injuries such as swollen bones, inner ligament injury, cartilage injuries and bone marrow edema after they sprained their ankle. So, it is important for patients to get proper diagnosis and treatment after any ankle related injury.

Treatment for Ankle Sprain

Since ankle sprains are common in Singapore, people often think that all that is required is rest to let it heal naturally and that they do not need to seek professional help. However, people who do not seek proper treatment for a sprained ankle can experience severe pain, instability and stiffness, which can remain for months or even years after the injury occurred.

A good podiatrist in Singapore can help you effectively rehabilitate your sprained ankle and prevent recurrence. Podiatrists are experts in the assessment and diagnosis of ankle sprains. When you visit a physio clinic in Singapore, you will be asked to go for an X-ray, CT scan or MRI to determine the severity of the injury.

Depending on the extent of the ankle sprain, a podiatrist in Singapore may use a variety of therapies and treatments to help you recover, such as cold therapy, electrotherapy and a dynamic rehabilitation programme.

If you happen to sprain your ankle, then consider visiting a physio clinic in Singapore. Get your ankle examined by an expert podiatrist for undergoing a proper treatment plan depending on your injury level. An experienced podiatrist in Singapore will not only help you alleviate your ankle pain and free movement of the extremity but will also suggest post-injury rehabilitation exercises that can significantly decrease the risk of re-injury. 

Physiotherapy Vs Sports Therapy: Which is Better Suited for Treating Sports Injuries?

Sports injuries are quite common in Singapore as Singaporeans are avid sports enthusiasts who engage in various forms of sports activities. Apart from professional sports, they also engage in sports for leisure and maintaining fitness.

One can find a reputed physio clinic in Singapore that helps in treating the sports injuries but quite often people get confused between physiotherapy and sports physiotherapy. The two may appear to be similar and can often share many similarities. In fact, they overlap their treatment programs which lead to confusion in patients about which treatment is more suitable for them.

Here’s a look at the key differences between physiotherapy and sports therapy:

1. Knowledge-base

A physiotherapist has a broader knowledge base as compared to a sports therapist which enables them to treat various ailments, neurological, and respiratory issues. On the other hand, sports therapists can only treat sports-related injuries.

2. Exposure

The exposure of sports therapists is limited compared to that of Singapore physio practitioners as they usually handle cases from the sports arena which makes them suitable for preventing the sports injuries with help of specific strength programs.

3. Focus

The focus of physiotherapy is to enable the patient to cope with their day-to-day life and make them feel comfortable in movement.

On the other hand, the sports therapy focuses on whether the patient has returned to the required level of physical fitness to return to their sports activity.

4. Range

The sports therapists mainly focus on musculoskeletal rehabilitation as they have a sports-related background. This makes them the best choice for patients who are looking to return to exercise while the physiotherapy focuses on rehabilitation which benefits the body movements in daily routine. The Singapore physio practitioner can treat a wide range of patients, even the ones suffering from complex or multiple conditions.

However, one can make a straight choice between the two as many physiotherapists specialize in sports injuries and many sports therapists specialize in rehabilitation as well. We recommend choosing a practitioner based on your individual requirement and kind of injury you have met with.

Explore web for more information on the role and significance of physio clinic in Singapore and some handy tips to find a reliable physiotherapy centre that can help you in treating all your sports injuries.

Top Five Key Points to Avoid Sports Injuries and How to Manage Them

Whether you are a part of the national team or you play sports just for fitness, being sidelined because of a sports injury can be your worst nightmare. It forces you to stay away from your game which will hamper your form as well as your fitness.

Singaporeans are fitness enthusiasts and they love to stay fit and healthy. They take every possible measure to ensure their fitness and movability. Experiencing injuries on the game field is normal but taking a few precautions and following some simple rules can help you in enjoying your game and greatly reducing your chances of being injured.

The rate of injuries can easily be reduced by taking the correct preventive actions. Here’s a look at top five rules to avoid a sports injury:

1. Ensure a proper physical form

If you think playing occasionally in a game is enough to keep you in shape, you are mistaken! You need a regular practice throughout the week and sufficient training for any sport. One of the safest ways of avoiding injuries is to practice sport-specific conditioning exercises. In the case that you do suffer an injury while practicing or playing, immediately head towards a physio clinic in Singapore for getting appropriate treatment.

2. Abide by the rules

The rules have been designed in a way to keep you safe. It is important to know these rules and insist on the enforcement made by a neutral party.

3. Appropriate gear and equipment 

If you want to avoid a visit to the physio clinic in Singapore, always wear the proper protective equipment, such as pads, helmets, mouth guards, and gloves. Protective equipment should fit well to keep your hands, eyes, head, hands, and teeth safe.

4. Ample rest

It is important to always have enough rest between training sessions. Getting enough rest and sleep for your muscles to recuperate and recover from each training session is often undervalued by athletes. While it might feel better to train for days consecutively, it is often better for your muscles to be allowed to rest, allowing for more peak training performance each time. This is even more important prior to matches to allow for maximal effort.

5.  Warm-up before game or practice 

A warm-up is essential before the practice or match as warm muscles are less prone to injuries. You should never ignore sharp pains, as the pain could be indicative of an injury. In the case of severe pain or injuries, always consult a podiatrist in Singapore who can study, diagnose, and suggest a medical treatment or surgery for foot or ankle injury.

Explore the web to find more information on top podiatrist in Singapore for sports injury and get to know essential tips that can help in reducing the impact of unfortunate events at playfield. 

How Can a Podiatrist Help in Relieving Foot Pain?

Podiatrists are health professionals who specialize in treating the conditions related to lower legs, feet, and ankle. They are trained to diagnose, prevent, treat and rehabilitate abnormal conditions affecting feet and lower limbs. Podiatrists also help in treating routine foot issues such as thickened nails, ingrown nails, and fungal infection in nails along with corns, and calluses. In a nutshell, their role is to treat a wide array of foot injuries, defects, and infections. They also treat the foot conditions which are caused by other health disorders like oedema and diabetes.

Role and Responsibility of a Podiatrist

- The podiatrist is responsible for assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of abnormalities, injuries or other diseases of the lower limb across individuals of all ages.

- They counsel and treat the high-risk patients who suffer from the risk of amputation.

- Podiatrist uses therapeutic techniques for treatment of foot issues. If required, they even opt for surgical techniques.

- If required, Podiatrist also prescribes orthotics or other aid which helps in mobility.

- They educate the patients and keep them informed about the issues related to foot health.

Several other foot deformities or birth defects which lead to abnormal posture are also treated by podiatrist in Singapore. There are certain health conditions like diabetic neuropathy whose symptoms appear in feet. The podiatrist analyzes them and refers the patient to relevant specialist or physicians.

Podiatry and Its Specialities 

Podiatry has many sub-specialties. Podiatric sports medicine specialises in treating ankle and foot injuries related to sports while paediatric care podiatrists treat kids. Then there are podiatrists who specialize in advanced surgical techniques who reconstruct ankle and foot after the injury. The difference from physiotherapist arises in their smaller scope of work on the body compared to a physiotherapist. In fact, as a part of their treatment plan, they might recommend physiotherapy to patients for quick recovery and healing.

If you are suffering from any foot ailments, then you must see a good foot doctor in Singapore for proper diagnosis and treatment. You can visit any multi-specialty clinic or nearby physiotherapy centres to find a podiatrist. Many online portals also offer details of physicians, podiatrists, and physiotherapists to help you in getting connected with reliable medical experts. It is recommended to read the reviews and check ratings carefully before you book an appointment.