Services

Here are some examples of our services:

Movement analysis and identification of key problem areas

On your initial visit we will undertake a detailed movement analysis, looking at joint range of movement, muscle strength, muscle tightness, neurological control, balance, coordination, sensory feedback, proprioception and muscle tone in a variety of positions and activities in order for us to identify key problem areas.

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Joint and soft tissue mobilisation

Should assessment indicate a lack of range of movement in a specific area, then we will apply a range of mobilisation techniques to alleviate the problem. These would include: passive mobilisation performed by the physiotherapist and a range of exercises to continue to maximise the benefit of direct therapy. Our responsibility is to empower our clients and their support team to be self-managing between their appointments. To enable you to do this, we will educate you to identify changes in symptoms and how to deal with them. We will provide a detailed programme to be followed at home, including contact details for our physiotherapist should a problem arise.

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Gait analysis

We are able to provide analysis of all phases of walking, assessing all of the components that influence gait. This will primarily mean looking at the position of the lower limb and pelvis during stance and swing, but could also include examining shoe patterns of wear, neurological sensitivity and pain. We will identify the root cause of any abnormality and treat this accordingly. This may be through use of physiotherapy techniques, exercise and training or may include the use of orthotics. We have close links with local NHS and private orthotists should a referral be required.

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Strengthening programmes

The body relies on a balance of muscle strength to maintain good alignment, preventing pain and abnormal wear and tear. After injury or neurological damage, muscle weakness can lead to limitations of functional movement. Strengthening exercises can be prescribed from a very basic level of free movement up to the use of high resistance weight training using standard gym equipment. Our physiotherapists are able to provide exercises using body weight, resistance bands, physiotherapy balls, free weights, balance board etc.

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Postural analysis

It is known that people with significant disabilities have a higher risk of developing deformity due to abnormal positioning and limited movement possibilities. Maintaining good posture is essential to prevent this happening. Good posture is important for all, as prolonged poor alignment can lead to long term pain and tightness. Our physiotherapists will assess whole body alignment and are able to provide advice, exercise and equipment to address the primary problem and prevent secondary deterioration. From a position of postural stability, our clients can gain greater function, this may include access to IT (Information Technology), hand function for writing and good head control for looking and eye gaze.

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Advice on use of equipment including standing frames, walkers, Lycra garments, bicycles and splints

There is a fantastic amount of equipment available on the market now and it is our job to help our clients find what is most suitable for them. We regularly liaise with equipment providers to arrange assessments and will attend appointments alongside the rep’s. We appreciate that purchasing equipment can be very costly and sizes vary greatly, which is why it is vitally important we find not only the right fit for our clients now but also for the future. We also consider the right fit for the environment it is to be used in and work within the budget available.

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Hydrotherapy exercises and activities

We believe, where appropriate, hydrotherapy is greatly beneficial and an integral part of a persons physiotherapy programme. We work in private pools within homes, at schools and also at public pools that offer these sessions. Benefits of Hydrotherapy include: pain relief, muscle strengthening, relaxation, increased range of movement and giving a young person a freedom of movement that they may not experience outside of the pool. Hydrotherapy is an excellent medium for sensory feedback, increasing a young persons awareness of their body and the surrounding environment.

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Mainstream school integration

We work alongside a professional team of teachers, SENCO’s, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and teaching assistants to ensure that both the education and healthcare needs of our clients are met within the mainstream school environment. This may include offering advice and training on use of equipment, physical activity and specific exercises integrated into the curriculum. We feel it is important that children with special needs participate fully in the school day and should not be withdrawn from class more than is absolutely necessary. All of our physiotherapists are experienced in agreeing a programme that works for both the child and the school.

Times of transition between classes or between schools can be complex and sometimes stressful for a child with special needs, their parents and school staff, our physiotherapists can provide support and advice critical to a smooth transfer.

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Respiratory physiotherapy and airway suction

We offer specific physiotherapy intervention as required to address problems relating to retained secretions, ineffective cough and poor airway clearance. Our staff are experienced in training support staff and parents in the use of chest physiotherapy and airway suction techniques, ensuring competence and confidence in carrying out a range of routine procedures. A daunting task though this may seem to start with, our staff will endeavour to leave no member of the support team feeling over whelmed or under trained on these techniques and will offer an agreed package of ongoing support and updating.

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Rebound therapy

We are strong advocates of rebound therapy and have seen first-hand the benefits it brings. Not only is it marvellous fun, but can also make a difference to core strength, balance and sensory integration. We have seen these improvements transfer into exercises off the trampoline as well as in functional life. All of our physiotherapists are trained in Rebound therapy and we were very fortunate to have run a training course for some of our families and support workers with Eddy Anderson, the founder of Rebound Therapy.org in October 2014. We regularly run rebound therapy sessions after school and in the school holidays and can also provide a rebound exercise prescription for those with a trampoline at home*

(*Please note, care should be taken when carrying out exercises on a trampoline and these should only be carried out by a person who has been trained and signed off as competent by one of our physiotherapists)

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Adapting school PE

School PE sessions can be frustrating for young people who want to join in with their peers but are unable to take part due to the curriculum restraints of the activities on offer. It is our job to work alongside teaching staff in adapting PE activities to make them accessible for all the young people involved whilst ensuring the therapeutic benefit for our client. Where the content of the session remains unsuitable, we will always suggest an alternative activity so they remain involved in the class and are keeping active.
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Focusing swimming, riding and sporting activities to meet individual goals

Each young person we meet is unique and some may have strengths in different areas to others. This is why we tailor our exercise programmes to the individual and do not use a ‘one size fits all approach’. Setting achievable and realistic goals, motivates and helps raise self-confidence and determination. In line with NHS UK physical activities guidelines for children and young people, we feel it is important to identify appropriate recreational activities that enable clients to meet the recommended activity levels.

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Motivating and encouraging ongoing fitness and activity

Maintaining motivation and commitment to exercise can be difficult for all of us regardless of any disability. We seek to provide interesting and motivating exercise programmes and will monitor and update these on a regular basis. Sometimes we would recommend a block of physiotherapy sessions to renew peoples enthusiasm and set new targets. It is our aim to ensure the physiotherapy programmes we provide can easily be integrated into everyday routines.

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Riding for the disabled; exercises and activities

We have good links with local Riding for the Disabled groups and their instructors. We are able to offer advice to ensure your child’s riding experience targets their physical problems. In discussion with the riding instructor we can tailor individual or group lessons to meet your child’s needs working on core stability, bilateral control, balance, strength, weight bearing and stretch within a fun and smelly environment! We can also provide hippotherapy sessions, specific exercises lead by a trained hippotherapist, using the movement of the horse to improve physical outcomes.

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Identifying and supporting young people access leisure and sport activities

We try to keep our clients updated with local activities being run by the likes of EFDS and Leeds disability sports, providing them with a list of upcoming events. These events are run by qualified staff, are accessible and fun and can introduce people to a sport that they would have never considered trying before. We offer advisory visits to support coaching staff in addressing the specific needs of individual clients.

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Reports for doctors, case managers and legal professionals

As part of our service to our clients we provide regular reports detailing our physiotherapy goals, input and outcomes to parents, clients and case managers. We are experienced in providing witness statements for solicitors and commenting on expert reports. We correspond via letter or email with a range of professionals as required to ensure collaborative working in the best interest of the client.

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Training of support staff

The key to a successful physiotherapy programme is consistency and as our professionals cannot be there 24 hours a day, a strong, well trained support team can fill this role. We carefully train parents, carers, support workers, teachers and teaching assistants to a level where they are competent and confident in their ability to perform suitable exercises and activities. We will always supply an ‘exercise prescription’ to follow, which can be referred to if needed and our physiotherapists will resolve any queries or concerns staff may have.

Following on from statutory manual handling training, we will advise on handling on an individual basis. Lifting, bending or crouching can easily take its toll if not done properly and if there is an alternative way of doing this, then that option should be used. It is important that people are aware of their own health and wellbeing as well as the young person they are caring for.

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Advise and support education and healthcare plans

We will attend annual meetings and will provide an updated physiotherapy report, detailing goals, activities, exercises, progress and recommendations for ongoing therapy for our clients. These can then be integrated into statutory documentation to ensure all of the client’s needs are thoroughly considered. Good communication between all professional parties involved, is paramount in ensuring we are optimising the treatment each client receives.

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Liaison with local NHS physiotherapists

Our professional guidelines state that NHS and private physiotherapists should work in collaboration. Regular communication with your NHS physiotherapist will ensure that we are both on the right track to achieving the maximum potential from your physiotherapy sessions. We will usually liaise with our NHS colleagues to agree therapeutic goals, work out a timetable which allows for evenly distributed physiotherapy sessions, and avoid any conflicting advice.

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For more information or to book an appointment, please feel free to call or email us on: