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PHYSIOTHERAPY
The Centre has offered a limited physiotherapy service for many years which has proved very beneficial to many people suffering with M.S.
Funding from the National Lottery Fund has allowed the Centre to expand and  develop the service. As a result of this donation, and further funding from Lloyds Bank PLC, the Centre has opened the Physiotherapy Service to people suffering from other neurological conditions, within specified guidelines. This funding has enabled an increase vin the number of hours input by an experienced Chartered and Registered Physiotherapist, and the appointment of a Physiotherapy Assistant.
The goal of the service is to provide the opportunity for people with neurological conditions to receive the benefit of supervised exercise to improve their fitness, balance, flexibility and confidence. The service is ideal for those who are able to stand, but feel their balance impaired, within specified limits. The service is not designed to be a substitute for rehabilitation, but to supplement rehabilitation following a person’s discharge from a rehabilitation course received on an individual basis. The service should be a go-between in a person’s discharge from rehabilitation on a one-to-one basis, either within the NHS or privately, and their independent maintenance of their condition within the community. The service is also suitable for those with milder neurological conditions, who have not had access to the NHS rehabilitation services, but wish to improve themselves in a group setting.
Some limited one-to-one treatment sessions are also available if the person  assessed is not suitable for group exercise.
The service is structured so that each individual is assessed on the first session by a Chartered Physiotherapist. This is a comprehensive assessment, including a balance and mobility baseline. Our Clients are then provided with an individual goal based on home exercise programme, and provided with advice specific to their condition.
Providing that the individual meets the set criteria, they will then be given the opportunity to attend an appropriate small exercise group for up to 10 sessions. Groups appropriate to varying levels of ability are available. The sessions are run by a trained Physiotherapy Assistant, following careful guidelines and a structured plan.
The individual will be re-assessed after the 10th session to determine their progress. Advice and guidelines will be provided regarding the use of other local exercise facilities to maintain their fitness following the 12 sessions.
The service is run as an open access, self referral scheme, but recommendations to the service are happily accepted from other health professionals. Recommendations may be verbal or written. Individual’s GP’s will be informed that they are attending the scheme after initial assessment.
There is a small, heavily subsidised fee charged to each individual per session, and membership of the MS Therapy Centre is required from the 2nd session onwards.
If you are interested in further information on this scheme, please do not hesitate to contact us at the Centre during opening hours by prior appointment, by e-mail or telephone.
Our Physiotherapy Department is currently open:
Tuesday & Wednesday 12.00pm - 4.00pm
Thursday 9.00am - 4.00pm
Assessments are carried out on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons .
Physiotherapy Costs: April 2007
Initial Assessment : £10.00
Follow up Treatment : £5.00 per session
What Does Physiotherapy Involve?
The first session with a Physio will always involve a detailed assessment of your problems.
You will usually be asked questions about your specific condition, your general health (including previous medical problems), and any tablets that you are taking, as these questions may influence the type of treatment you will receive.
You will also be asked detailed questions on how your problems affect you, including the specific problems they cause you in your daily life at home, whist you are out and about and in work, and what you feel you would like help in improving.
Following this, you will receive an examination appropriate to your specific problems.
With people suffering with MS or other neurological conditions, this will include assessment of your ability to move your limbs, your strength, your feeling ability, how tight your muscles are (your tone), and how loose your joints are and your coordination. More detailed assessment may be needed of specific problems that may be found, for example, a painful joint.
Many people with neurological conditions have problems with their balance. If this is the case, we will use a standardised balance test called the BERG test, and possibly a walking test called the Timed Up And Go test ( TUAG), to provide a baseline of your ability. These tests are used in many physio departments, and are a useful way to show how much you have improved with any treatments that you receive, and are useful for annual reviews of your condition. The BERG test involves various graded tests of your balance, and is scored out of 56. If you are able to walk, the TUAG times you rising from a chair, walking around a mark placed 3 metres away, and returning to sit in the chair. This has proven a very sensitive way of measuring anyone’s walking ability.
After your assessment, the physio will agree some achievable goals with you so that you know exactly what you are working towards, and agree with you the best way of reaching these goals.
What Can Physio Do to Help You?
Physiotherapists are trained with specialist handling skills to help you improve your condition thorough movement and support. We have had significant success in helping people cope better and live with their condition. People have found that there has been an improvement in their balance, coordination, ability to walk, and fitness. We may be able to help you reduce pain through stiffness and contractures. If you are less mobile we can help you to stand with assistance and help you to develop better, more efficient ways of moving. We are able to liase with medical and therapy staff as necessary.
Once you have been assessed and you have set your goals, there are many ways that physiotherapy may help you reach these goals.
Home exercises. These are crucial to help you to maintain any improvement, and to make progress. Simple home exercises will be agreed with you, at a pace and frequency that suits you. These may be progressed in time.
An exercise class may be appropriate for your needs. We have set up an exercise group specifically to improve peoples’ fitness, balance and strength. This is called the BAFTA Group ( Balance And Fitness Training Activities). We have several  levels of groups running, so that the group that you enter will be suitable for your ability. These groups are suitable for anyone with mild to moderate balance problems, are well supervised, with constant regard for safety. They last for approximately 1 hour and include exercises in sitting and standing ( holding onto a rail if you wish) working on your balance, suppleness, strength, and fitness. The more able groups may practice climbing down on the floor and rising again and perhaps include some exercises on the floor.
If your problems are not appropriate for group work, then one to one physiotherapy sessions may be required. Resources for this are more limited, however. Treatment may include specifically graded stretches and / or exercises for particular groups of muscles that have become too weak or too tight. These are very specific treatments tailor fitted to the persons’ individual needs. Some of these techniques may be taught to carers to continue at home.
We have various equipment that we use to facilitate both group and 1:1 exercises, including specialist plinths, gym balls, wobble cushions, parallel bars, steps, an active / passive bicycle ( this will allow even someone without any ability to move their legs or arms to exercise on a bike - the arm attachment allows arm exercises), a standing frame, and a tilt table. We are fully kitted with a hoist for those who are unable to stand.
The physiotherapist has an interest in specialist seating, including wheelchairs, and can advise you on any aspect of postural support that you may need to prevent you becoming stiffer.
Who do we accept for Physiotherapy?
We are open to anyone with a neurological problem for assessment. If we do not feel we can offer you any help, then we will let you know after the assessment is complete.
We will accept anyone with a neurological condition where their balance or mobility is effected, including those with MS, people who have suffered from a stroke, those who have Parkinson’s disease, mild dementia, and frequent fallers for any suspected neurological cause.
We are ideal for anyone who had completed a course of physio in the NHS, but feel that they need a top-up course but are unable to re-access the system.
Limits
Were limited by resources to allowing a maximum of 12 physiotherapy sessions, including assessment.
How Do I Refer Myself for Physiotherapy?
The physio services are open to self-referrals.
You do not have to see your GP to be assessed by a physio. However, if your problems have never been diagnosed, your problem has suddenly deteriorated, or you are unsure regarding your fitness ability to exercise, then it is best that you consult your GP first.
Physiotherapists may recommend you to the Centre at the end of your NHS course.
You will be required to become a MS Centre Member if you decide to receive an ongoing course of treatment. This is currently £25.00 per annum
Contacts:
Any queries, contact Gary or Shelly in the MS Therapy Centre on 01792 701342
You may:
Make an appointment directly.
E-mail: info@mstcswansea.co.uk
By post: please complete the Physiotherapy Self Referral Form and post directly to the Centre:
Physiotherapist
The South Wales MS Therapy Centre
16 St Lukes Court
Clarkeway
Winchwen Industrial Estate
Swansea
SA1 7ER
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