Physio Services
Using techniques like manipulation and muscle release, physiotherapy works to help you improve the way your body moves and functions, lessening pain and discomfort from injury, sport and everyday activities. The treatments we use have been scientifically validated to help a range of problems from spinal pain and injury, to enhancement of sporting performance.
When you come to physiotherapy for the first session, we do a comprehensive assessment to determine the cause of your problem and begin a ‘hands on’ treatment regime to address the underlying cause. Problems often begin gradually and to prevent them from recurring we need to fully understand your body and the stresses and strains that you go through.
Most sessions you have will be varied, as the effect of each treatment is continually assessed. We explore the techniques and therapies which work best for you as we have found that people often improve faster when we use a variety of techniques and in some cases a range of services.
Expert physiotherapy promotes, maintains and aims to restore your physical, psychological and emotional health, showing you what you can do to keep healthy, helping you to feel as if you could conquer the world!
Some of the more popular treatments at our clinic includes:
Ankle sprains are a really common injury – and a painful one! Whether you are a runner, sports player or just trying to get from A to B, a sprained ankle can really slow you down. Our Physio’s provide expert treatment for ankle injuries to get you back to normal as quickly as possible.
Back pain can be caused by problems with discs, joints, muscles and ligaments. It is most often the result of acute trauma / injury, poor postural habits and the accumulation of physical stress on the spine but there are other causes of back pain such as inflammation, and rarer, more serious problems such as progressive diseases affecting bones and joints.
Our Physiotherapists have a great deal of specific clinical experience in the treatment of back pain and back injuries. Back pain can be cause due to a number of different reason so our Physiotherapists will assess your condition and find the appropriate treatment for your pain.
A dislocated shoulder is a common shoulder injury in contact sports such as rugby and martial arts. Shoulder dislocations are characterised by severe shoulder pain and hospital treatment is required to restore normal shoulder anatomy. It is important that a shoulder dislocation is seen quickly by a doctor who can put the joint back in place. This is because the position of the Humerus in a dislocated shoulder joint can cause damage to the Axillary nerve. This can lead to a loss of sensation and muscle strength in the affected arm.
Thorough assessment by our Physios we will help identify the cause of the foot pain and identify ways to reduce or resolve your discomfort. Our podiatry service offers effective relief from foot problems such as mechanical imbalance, corns and calluses, foot ulceration, tendonitis and recurrent ankle sprain.
At Monaghan Physiotherapy Clinic our Chartered Physiotherapists are trained in the treatment of conditions associated with normal aging such as joint replacements, de-conditioning and stiffness, back or neck pain, osteoporosis, arthritis and neurological conditions. Our aim is to use our variety of rehabilitation techniques to work toward improving your independence and increasing your ability to partake in the activities you enjoy. We also provide gentle Pilates exercise classes for the more mature population as well as providing exercise classes in local nursing homes and community centres on request.
Headaches may be caused by problems which have developed in the spinal joints of your neck (cervical headache). The spinal joints can become stiff and/or inflamed, causing the surrounding soft tissues and muscles to spasm. This can then cause local pain in the neck and associated pain to spread to the head (referred pain). Cervical headaches can be effectively treated by Physiotherapy.
There are many types of knee injuries and conditions, which can be treated successfully by Physiotherapy. These range from ligament and cartilage problems to tendon and muscular strains.
Our Physiotherapists are experts in assessing the cause of your knee pain and in treating the problem effectively.
Lower back pain can happen due to improper lifting or a sudden awkward movement. Common causes of lower back pain include lumbar strain, nerve irritation, lumbar radiculopathy and conditions of the bone and joints.
Neck pain is experienced by about 70% of people at some stage in their life and is one of the most common reasons for a visit to the physiotherapist. With such a high frequency of patient visits for everything from a simple stiff neck through to the more complex combined neck and shoulder pain with P&N, we are well versed in the various types of neck pain that can occur and are highly skilled at supporting people with neck pain.
Ruptured discs is most often the result of a gradual, aging-related wear and tear called degeneration of the disc. As you age, your spinal discs lose some of their water content, making them less flexible and more prone to rupturing. Many causes of ruptured disc stems from people using their back muscles instead of leg and thigh muscles to lift heavy objects. Twisting and turning while lifted can also be the cause for a ruptured disc.
Although less frequent, a fall or blow to the back can also cause a herniated disc. A herniated disc is another cause of back pain, sometimes called a slipped disc or a ruptured disc.
As the spinal disc becomes less elastic, it can rupture. When the disc ruptures, a portion of the spinal disc pushes outside its normal boundary, known as a herniated disc. This can irritate the nerve and result in pain, numbness or weakness in your back, leg or arm.
At Monaghan Physiotherapy Clinic we understand the types of pain and injury that can be sustained during pregnancy and we aim to help you to have a more enjoyable pregnancy and prepare you for the birth of your baby. Common conditions we treat during pregnancy include pelvic pain (pain around the lower back, hips, abdomen or pubic area), neck and shoulder pain, foot and ankle pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and pelvic floor weakness. We offer a wide range of treatments to cater for your individual needs during this time.
A stiff neck is an extremely common symptom, which may be caused by a variety of neck conditions. The symptoms of neck pain and stiffness, which decreases neck movement, can be secondary to several problems, such as a disc prolapse (slipped disc), a facet joint problem, an diagnosed cervical fracture (broken neck), or another neck problem. The stiff neck is usually caused by muscle spasm in the neck muscles.
Muscle spasm in the neck, leading to a stiff neck, is usually a protective mechanism which is secondary to an underlying neck problem. This is referred to as ‘Acute Torticollis’ or ‘Wry Neck’.
In most cases of Wry Neck, the person wakes up with the painful stiff neck, although occasionally the neck may become stuck following a sudden movement. The head will be held to one side and the neck is too painful to move. Attempting to move the neck will usually make the neck pain worse. In some cases, the pain will radiate up the neck or down to the shoulder area. There may be painful spasm in the neck muscles.
Arthritis is a joint disorder causing inflammation in one or more joints. It is common in adults 65 and older, but it can affect people of all ages. Arthritis is used to describe a range of different diseases and conditions that affect joints, the tissues that surround joints, and other connective tissue. The most common form of the condition is osteoarthritis which occurs when the cartilage lining the bones in the joint breaks down due to wear and tear.
A calf muscle injury is common in sports and are sometimes known as a ‘pulled calf’. The term ‘pulled muscle’ comes from the description of how the injury takes place. Usually the calf muscle is forcibly stretched beyond its limits and the muscle tissue becomes torn. A tear in the calf muscle is referred to as a calf strain and depending on its severity it is classified as a first, second or third degree strain.
Golfers Elbow or Medial Epicondylitis is a condition where pain is experienced around the inner side of the elbow and may travel down to the rest of the arm. Although the name would lead you to believe that it is a problem only experienced by keen golfers, this is not the case.
Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) is another common cause of elbow pain. Despite the name, Tennis Elbow does not just afflict tennis professionals. In fact, this common elbow problem (it affects about 3% of the population) is most often associated with work-related activities, although racquet sports players are more prone to the condition and account for approximately 5% of all sufferers. Tennis Elbow usually occurs in the dominant arm.
Frozen shoulder describes a condition in which the shoulder is painful to move and movement is often completely restricted. Frozen shoulder starts as a painful shoulder in which movement is still possible, but restricted. Over 3 to 9 months the pain reduces, whilst the stiffness gradually increases. Eventually the pain goes but the shoulder remains stiff.
Most people will not feel like exercising when their joints are painful, inflamed or stiff. However, an appropriate and regular exercise program can help reduce stiffness and pain, increase flexibility, improve endurance, develop muscle strength, improve sleep and keep bone and cartilage healthy.
Our Physios can help tailor an exercise program to fit one’s needs. This would likely include three components: Range of Motion exercises, Strengthening exercises and Aerobic Exercises.
Soft tissue injuries are injuries related to the soft tissues of the body (muscle, tendon, ligament and nerve). Specific diagnosis can be made by our Physiotherapists to determine what structure is involved and how advanced or severe the sprain, strain or tear is.
This is an area of expertise for physiotherapists and encompasses the whole body. Once a diagnosis is made, specific treatment advice can be given. When it comes to treating ligament sprains, our team of physios are highly experienced, so you can be assured you are receiving a first class service.
Specific diagnosis can be made by our Physiotherapists to determine what structure is involved and how advanced or severe the sprain, strain or tear is.
Our Chartered Physiotherapists and Certified Acupuncturists sometimes use acupuncture on their patients to treat strains and sprains. For more information please see our acupuncture page.
Soft tissue injuries are injuries related to the soft tissues of the body (muscle, tendon, ligament and nerve).This is an area of expertise for physiotherapists and encompasses the whole body. Once a diagnosis is made, specific treatment advice can be given.
Our Chartered Physiotherapists have extensive expertise in caring for the elderly and we offer support and physiotherapy services in the Nursing Home environment by providing onsite visits for residents. We will design exercise and rehabilitation programs tailored to the specific needs of residents.
Osteoporosis is a chronic bone disorder which occurs when the bones become more porous and fragile, and hence more likely to break. 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men over the age of 50 in Ireland will fracture a bone because of Osteoporosis in their lifetime. In Ireland, there are approximately 5 times as many fractures due to osteoporosis every year now as there was in the 1960’s. This is expected to double again in the next 20 years.
At Monaghan Physiotherapy Clinic our Chartered Physiotherapists aim to prepare you both mentally and physically for surgery. Pre-operative treatment will include education about your upcoming surgery so you know what to expect, as well as provision of a strengthening and flexibility programme. Research has shown that if you have good muscle strength before surgery then it reduces the risk of post-op complications and increases the rate of post-op recovery.
Post-operatively, physiotherapy plays an important role to help reduced pain, swelling and stiffness, through a combination of manual therapy and exercise rehabilitation. You will also be provided a detailed home exercise programme to allow you to continue your rehabilitation at home to promote a quicker recovery.
Common post-op conditions treated at Monaghan Physiotherapy include:
- Total hip and knee replacements
- Shoulder replacements, rotator cuff repairs
- Knee arthroscopies, meniscal and ligament repairs
- Hip arthroscopies
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament reconstruction
- Achilles tendon repairs
Sixty percent of adults suffer from back pain every year, and half become chronic sufferers. Back pain can be caused by problems with discs, joints, muscles and ligaments. Back pain is most often the result of acute trauma / injury, poor postural habits and the accumulation of physical stress on the spine but there are other causes of back pain such as inflammation, and rarer, more serious problems such as progressive diseases affecting bones and joints.
A back problem, in turn can cause sciatica in which nerve pressure is experienced as pain in the leg, ankle or foot. Pins and needles and numbness are also common. Our Physios are trained to diagnose problems in the joints and soft tissues of the body and will carry out a comprehensive assessment and treatment plan for your particular problem.
Whiplash is an injury to the neck that usually occurs in a motor vehicle accident. It affects the soft tissue (neck muscles) but can also involve the spinal joints and ligaments, the jaw joints, and the upper, mid and low back.
Other associated symptoms can include headaches, dizziness and anxiety.
Our Physiotherapy treatment will emphasize early return to usual activity and promotion of body movement. The most important principle is to prevent the condition from becoming chronic. Our Physiotherapists offer a Specialized Treatment Program for whiplash.
This includes a variety of Physiotherapy treatments, acupuncture, massage therapy, exercise instruction and education.
Monaghan Physio Treatments
Using techniques like manipulation and muscle release, physiotherapy works to help you improve the way your body moves and functions, lessening pain and discomfort from injury, sport and everyday activities. The treatments we use have been scientifically validated to help a range of problems from spinal pain and injury, to enhancement of sporting performance.
When you come to physiotherapy for the first session, we do a comprehensive assessment to determine the cause of your problem and begin a ‘hands on’ treatment regime to address the underlying cause. Problems often begin gradually and to prevent them from recurring we need to fully understand your body and the stresses and strains that you go through.
Most sessions you have will be varied, as the effect of each treatment is continually assessed. We explore the techniques and therapies which work best for you as we have found that people often improve faster when we use a variety of techniques and in some cases a range of services.
Expert physiotherapy promotes, maintains and aims to restore your physical, psychological and emotional health, showing you what you can do to keep healthy, helping you to feel as if you could conquer the world!
Sports injuries are injuries that are caused by participation in a sporting event. In many cases, these types of injuries are due to overuse of a part of the body when participating in a certain activity. However, accidents can also happen when casually participating in a sport and physiotherapy can often be required by the non-professional.
At the Monaghan Physiotherapy Clinic we work with both amateur and professional sportspeople, in diagnosing, treating and preventing injury. Our clients includes runners, footballers, rugby players, hurlers, cyclists, tennis players, musicians and professional performers. Physiotherapy on sports injuries speeds recovery, identifies any underlying causes, and helps to get you back to your activity safely whilst preventing recurrence.
Massage is the practice of applying structured or unstructured pressure, tension, motion, or vibration – manually or with mechanical aids – to the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments and joints. Massage can be applied to parts of the body or successively to the whole body, to aid the process of injury healing, relieve psychological stress, manage pain, and improve circulation. There are 2 main massage therapies on offer at the clinic.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage is used to release chronic muscle tension through slower strokes and more direct pressure or friction applied across the grain of the muscle. This invigorating experience is a process of detecting the stiff or painful areas by determining the quality and texture of the deeper layers of musculature and slowly working into these layers. It is ideal for those experiencing aches and pains in and around the spine, particularly office workers and travellers, and for post sporting injury.
Sports Massage can include deep tissue massage to assist in the healing of muscular problems. It can be performed as a pre-sport massage to prepare the athlete for sport or as a longer massage post exercise to aid the healing of tight muscles, the relaxation of muscles, to improve circulation and to restore function to tight muscles and joints.
A specific exercise program can be prescribed for a person whose mobility has been comprised by injury or pain, with the purpose of helping to restore normal movement and muscle balance. Our aim is to ensure each of our patients return to the pre-injury level of function. An individualised exercise programme will be provided that can be incorporated into their normal routine, focusing on the person’s individual goals, whether that be completing a marathon, return to work or simply gardening or looking after their grandkids.
At Monaghan Physiotherapy Clinic we feel exercise is the key to maintaining function and prevention of further injury. We aim provide you with the knowledge and skills to manage your condition in the long term and decrease your chance of the same problem/injury recurring in the future.
Acupuncture is part of traditional Chinese medicine, in which practitioners stimulate specific points on the body by inserting thin needles through the skin. According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, this regulates the flow of qi (vital energy) along channels known as meridians.
Acupuncture has can be used for a wide range of pain conditions, such as low-back pain, neck pain, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, headache, and tennis elbow.
Western Acupuncture
At Monaghan Physiotherapy Clinic, our physiotherapists are all highly trained in Western Acupuncture and Dry needling. Western Acupuncture and Dry needling is a traditional form of Chinese Medicine, with a Western form of philosophy and reasoning with particular attention to neurophysiology and anatomy. Very fine acupuncture needles are inserted into specific points in your body to help with the condition you have.
What is Western Acupuncture used for?
Western Acupuncture and Dry needling targets muscle tissue and it’s nerve connections. It is used to help many conditions related to muscle pain, joint stiffness and even assist with nerve conditions such as sciatica or nerve impingement. This may include conditions such as neck tension, headaches, back pain, tennis elbow, shoulder conditions, sciatica, muscle imbalances, joint mal-alignment and much more.
How does Western Acupuncture work?
Western Acupuncture and Dry needling work by targeting specific meridian points and trigger points in muscles which are hypersenstive regions within a muscle (like tight ‘knots’) with high concentration of chemicals which cause pain. When a needle is inserted into these points, it acts to ‘jump start’ the muscle and nerve supply. This will help to:
- Normalise these chemical levels and reduce pain
- Help increase blood flow to the area to promote healing
- Release muscle tension to restore normal length
- Help to promote symmetry of the body to restore muscle imbalances and joint mal-alignment
When do I feel better?
After a Western Acupuncture and Dry Needling session, you may feel better straight away. Others may feel better a few days later. If this was your first session or had an intense session your muscles may feel achey and tired, a bit like they have done a big workout at the gym. It is a good idea to drink plenty of water and rest if tired. If you are used to Western Acupuncture and Dry needling, it should be fine to continue your normal sport that day, but after your first time, you may choose to take a day off.
For chronic and more persistent conditions, regular Western Acupuncture and Dry needling will be required to effectively manage your condition.
Our custom made orthotics are as accurate as glasses. Custom made orthotics help support the bones in your feet and create proper alignment. We make orthotics to reposition the foot structure to reduce the stress and pain on the joints that are causing the discomfort.
How do Orthotics Work?
Your orthotic will gently and consistently hold your foot into the optimum position and allow the foot to function correctly when walking, running and standing. With the help of your orthotics, pressure points, improper rotation of feet and muscle strain can be eliminated and the feet will then be functioning as they were designed to do. Once you are used to wearing them you will find them so comfortable that you will wonder how you ever managed without them.
How long will I have to wear them?
No one knows. Orthotics work in the same way as glasses, the optician prescribes glasses to help you see but they do not cure your vision. Orthotics work in the same way they help you function in a better way and will continue to work as long as you wear them or as long as you wish to avoid discomfort.
Orthotics for Your Life Style
Your orthotics will be designed for your shoe type and made to function for that type of shoe. If you require other designs for other activities we are used to catering for most activities.
Manual therapy is a physical, hands-on technique used by Chartered Physiotherapists to diagnose and treat soft tissue and joint structures, with the aim to reduce pain, increase range of motion, reduce or eliminate soft tissue inflammation, inducing relaxation, improve contractile and non-contractile tissue repair, facilitate movement and improve function. It may include mobilisation, manipulation of massage techniques.
Taping is often used as an adjunct to physiotherapy treatment to facilitate the body’s natural healing process through providing support and stability to the injured area without restricting movement. Taping has many benefits including:
Support: Taping can be used to give support to muscles that have been injured or overused, not only relieving some of the immediate pain, but also taking stress off that muscle and allowing for faster recovery.
Adhesive: The adhesive used in tape ensures the tape stays in place over a period of time. The glue used on these tapes will ensure that they do not move, will stay firmly on the body for days, and actually lifts up the skin underneath for breathability.
Healing: As well as taking stress off and relieving the pain of an injured muscle, taping is designed to encourage lymphatic flow and increase local circulation, thus promote tissue healing.
Encouraging better movement: Poor postures and biomechanical problems can lead to pain. Taping our bodies in a certain way can retrain them to move in ways that are more natural, easier, or safer. Taping can also be used to correct imbalances between different muscles, e.g patella tendinopathy.
Training/Prevention: Taping can also be used to assist return to sport post injury, e.g ankle strain, by providing biofeedback to improve performance and help to prevent injury.
Why Choose Monaghan Physiotherapy
Chartered Physiotherapists
The only Chartered Physiotherapy Clinic in Carrickmacross, offering treatments, rehabilitation, advice and classes delivered by professional Chartered Physiotherapists.
A Personal approach
We fully commit to each individual patient to ensure that we deeply understand your personal situation, circumstance and specific goals to create a treatment plan tailored just for you.
Expertise & Experience
We pride ourselves on our friendly, professional approach and ensure we offer the highest possible quality of physiotherapy experience.
Extensive networks
As established members of the wider healthcare community, we have access to colleagues and collaborators in various medical fields and can refer you on for further diagnostic testing if required.
Community Champions
We are proud supporters of local sports clubs and community health & well-being initiatives. Our primary goal is to ensure everyone in our local community lives pain and injury free.