What is musculoskeletal therapy?
Musculo-skeletal Therapy (“MST”) is a comprehensive approach to assessing and treating the musculoskeletal system using various specialised soft tissue techniques, muscle energy & neuromuscular techniques, joint mobilisation and manipulation, dry needling, trigger point therapy, stretching techniques and nerve blocks.
MST is effectively used to assess prevent and alleviate pain, enhance movement and function, rehabilitate injuries, correct postural imbalances and manage acute & chronic pain dysfunctions.
The initial Consultation whether by a doctor or physio involves a full body postural and biomechanical assessment used to identify areas of primary dysfunction and any associated compensatory dysfunction. A series of testing procedures involving the muscles, nerves and joints are used to identify the nature of the patient’s complaint and allow the formation of the most effective treatment plan. Treatments are tailored specifically to each patient’s needs and self care/home exercises are prescribed if necessary. Additionally, prescription medication can be used to alleviate the various causes of pain.
Physical medicine doctors administering musculoskeletal therapy:
Physical Medicine doctors are trained to pinpoint and treat the underlying causes of musculoskeletal pain, chronic stiffness, whiplash, movement impairment and many other related ailments.
Physical Medicine doctors assess and treat non-surgical musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction, in all regions of the body. Their expertise in functional anatomy and locomotor systems enables them to carry out a meticulous physical examination, localising a particular complaint to a specific region or a specific anatomical structure, and defining its relationship to movement and pain. The result?
Physical Medicine doctors formulate a very specific diagnosis, thereby delivering very specific treatments with very high success rates.
Treatment may vary from standard stretching, mobilisation and manipulative techniques, to advanced treatment formats designed by Physical Medicine specialists worldwide. Importantly, follow-up exercises help maintain improvement and prevent recurrence. Specific exercise prescription for the affected area is therefore an integral part of physical medicine treatments.
Doctors trained in Physical Medicine are qualified Medical Practitioners that have undergone extensive postgraduate training followed by Fellowship certification with the Australian College of Physical Medicine.