We look forward to welcoming you to our practice 

Our practice is owner-managed and forms a joint practice with a specialist in rheumatology. Competent physiotherapists with many years of experience create an empathetic and motivating environment. Accordingly, the entire spectrum of physiotherapeutic (active and passive) and physical treatment methods (electrotherapy, shock wave therapy, ultrasound therapy and thermotherapy) is offered to you, tailored to your needs.

A large, modern and specifically equipped training room enables you to undergo targeted  post-operative rehabilitation, targeted medical training therapy, load build-up or maintenance of functional performance under sports physiotherapy guidance.

Special therapy offers and distinctive expertise: Pelvic floor therapy for women, lymphatic drainage and compression therapy, IVRT dizziness therapy, manual therapy (OMT-Svomp, MAS msk, certified dry needling therapists), complementary medicine (osteopathy, massage), home visits

< 

Thank you for your interest in our services!

In addition to our basic training as  physiotherapists we have undergone in-depth training in manual therapy (various manual therapy concepts (OMT,GAMT,Maitland,Brügger etc.), trigger point treatment incl. dry needling, treatment of the nervous system) and training therapy.

Thanks to the good cooperation with the in-house rheumatologists as well as with the surrounding GPs  we are able to deepen our clinical expertise in patients with complaints from the rheumatological and general medical spectrum on a daily basis. Due to the nearby surrounding hospitals, accident-related or post-operative clinical pictures are also part of our daily work.

In addition, osteopathy is offered within the practice. This complementary medical form of therapy can be incorporated into physiotherapy and complement it effectively.

 

What is physiotherapy?

In physiotherapy, the individual complaints are assessed in a consultation and treatment goals are agreed with the patient. Based on the resilience of the tissue and the irritability of the pain, an adapted examination of the musculoskeletal system is then carried out. These two steps lead to the actual functional assessment of the complaints. The constant reflection of the treatment effect, the change in the resilience of the tissue and the pain represents a dynamic process and determines the intensity of the manual treatment and training. The success of the treatment is supported by the patient through an individually adapted and independently implemented home program. Ergonomic recommendations and information complement the treatment.

< 

What is OMT?

A 2.5-year postgraduate course (1400 working hours, exams in practical work and theory) leads to the title of OMT therapist specializing in the treatment of the musculoskeletal system. Since 2010, the training has been integrated into the Zurich University of Applied Sciences as part of a Master's degree program. This provides in-depth scientific knowledge in this specialist medical field, optimizes clinical reasoning and refines manual skills. The high academic standard of the training is based on the international guidelines of the umbrella organization for manipulative therapy (IFOMPT) and is monitored by it. The Swiss Association for Orthopaedic Manipulative Physiotherapy (svomp) carries out continuous quality assurance.

www.svomp.ch

 

Definition of the IFOMPT 2004:

"Orthopaedic Manual Therapy is a specialized area of physiotherapy / physical therapy for the management of neuro-musculo-skeletal conditions, based on clinical reasoning, using highly specific treatment approaches including manual techniques and therapeutic exercises. Orthpaedic Manual Therapy also encompasses, and is driven by, the available scientific and clinical evidence and the biopsychosocial framework of each individual patient."

 

What is the Master's in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy?

The 2.5-year MAS msk Physiotherapy is offered at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences in Winterthur. Students deepen their skills in the diagnosis and manual therapy of musculoskeletal disorders.

The graduates are encouraged to continuously develop their additionally acquired clinical expertise and adapt to the constant changes in physiotherapy.

www.zhaw.ch

< 

What is trigger point/dry needling?

Definitions, origin

Many musculoskeletal pains have their origin in the muscles. Overloading or traumatic overstretching can result in zones of decontractable sarcomeres (permanently tense muscle units)

whose core becomes ischemic (not supplied with blood) and therefore painful. The diseased muscle areas can be palpated: hard tense cords with sensitive areas. Pain can be provoked at these points (trigger points), which is often transferred to another part of the body (referred pain). The sum of the symptoms triggered by individual active trigger points is referred to as myofascial pain. With appropriate therapy, this pathology can usually be eliminated even after a long time.

The treatment

Chronic pain patients often have altered and shortened connective tissue. Beat Dejung has combined the connective tissue techniques of Ida Rolf (1896-1979) into a systematic 6-step program (technique I-VI) 

four manual techniques are supplemented by measures to detonate/stretch and functionally strengthen the muscles. In addition, "Dry-Needling" can be used to support manual technique I (ischemic compression). Dry needling is the treatment of myofascial trigger points with acupuncture needles and was introduced in 1995 in the practice of Dr. Beat Dejung in Switzerland.

< 

What is lymphatic drainage?

How it works
Manual lymphatic drainage is a form of therapy that supports and stimulates the lymphatic system throughout the body.
Manual lymphatic drainage has a decongestive, soothing and relaxing effect thanks to its fine movements. Its drainage effect strengthens the immune system.

Approach
Manual lymphatic drainage is becoming increasingly important every year. It must be performed delicately, rhythmically, painlessly and slowly so that the lymphatic system is optimally supported. It is applied directly to the skin.
It is also important to know about the indications, contraindications and complications.
Supporting measures such as gentle movement therapy, breathing exercises and correct behavior in everyday life (healthy lifestyle) are part of the therapist's specialist knowledge. Interdisciplinary collaboration with specialists (lymphologists, angiologists, oncologists, etc.) is a matter of course for optimal therapeutic success.
Correct bandaging is essential for successful complex physical decongestive therapy (CDT).

Background
Manual lymphatic drainage is based on the four so-called "Vodder basic grips" (standing circle, rotating grip, pumping grip and scooping grip).
The movement sequence of these four grips follows a common basic pattern. A distinction is made between the thrust and relaxation phases.
Dr. phil. Emil Vodder worked as a masseur and developed manual lymphatic drainage together with his wife around 1932

 

What is sports physiotherapy?

Sports physiotherapy includes the treatment, diagnosis and care of top athletes, both in terms of rehabilitation after injuries, operations, etc., using numerous therapeutic concepts such as manual therapy, Chinese medicine and acupuncture, osteopathy, kinesiology, etc., as well as in terms of injury prevention and, above all, in the field of sport-specific medical training therapy to optimize athletic performance. An important component here is sport-specific training in the areas of strength, flexibility, speed, endurance, coordination and stabilization and should be an important part of an optimal network between athlete, trainer and sports physiotherapist as part of so-called personal training.

Prerequisites and age

 

What is medical training therapy ( MTT)?

Medical training therapy combines knowledge from training and movement science as well as pathology to support rehabilitation processes or to improve inadequate bodily functions in a preventative sense. Depending on the pathology, the focus is on stabilization or mobilization training, strength, coordination or cardiovascular training. These goals are achieved with or without equipment. MTT is an active form of therapy with the

The aim is to optimally support wound healing processes: Damaged structures should be able to bear full weight again (in everyday life, work and sport) and impaired functions should be restored. It is important that the patient assumes personal responsibility and is able to carry out their exercise program independently after a few instructions. The exercise program must be created by a specialist and individually tailored to the patient with regard to medical diagnoses, current rehabilitation phase and physical resilience.

 

What is osteopathy?

The foundation of osteopathy is the insight that the body contains everything it needs to be healthy (self-regulating powers). It is therefore a complementary treatment for a wide variety of complaints and for all ages. All areas of the body form a unit and influence each other. In osteopathy, reversible dysfunctions are examined and treated specifically with the aim of restoring balance in and between the (visceral (abdominal organs), parietal (musculoskeletal system, connective tissue) and craniosacral (skull, spinal meninges and fluid, sacrum) system). The focus is less on the symptoms and more on the causes of the complaints and the individual health potential (see example below). Thanks to its constant development and adaptation to the latest scientific findings, osteopathy has established itself in complementary medicine throughout Europe.

Osteopath:Team/Thomas Schär

Effect

Free from blockages: Osteopathy releases tension and activates the body's ability to heal itself. The osteopath uses only his hands to release blockages in the body and can thus relieve pain. To do this, they track down the cause of the pain. These are often malfunctions and complaints, which can have their cause (primary dysfunction) even far away from the symptomatic body region (secondary dysfunction) . The elimination of this primary dysfunction with its resulting secondary dysfunctions brings the body systems back into balance. With his knowledge, experience and special treatment techniques, the osteopath helps the body to heal itself.  Through the interdisciplinary cooperation of physicians and complementary medical therapists, pain patients can usually be helped quickly and sustainably.

Example of possible interactions between symptomatic body region and the entire body based on neck pain

From an osteopathic perspective, neck pain close to the skull can have various causes (compensation mechanisms) and require completely different treatment approaches. Here are three of several possible compensation mechanisms:

1. compensation mechanism: primary dysfunction in the neck itself

2nd compensation mechanism: primary dysfunction in the lumbar spine, secondary dysfunction in the thoracic spine and finally in the cervical spine

3. compensatory mechanism: primary dysfunction stomach (e.g. hiatal hernia), secondary dysfunction lower thoracic and upper lumbar spine, tertiary dysfunction in the upper thoracic and cervical spine 

< 

Classical massage

 Classic massage is the most commonly used form of manual therapy today and is performed by specially trained masseurs or physiotherapists.

Basics

In classic massage, the hands are used to apply pressure and traction to tissue and muscles. On the one hand, the touch has a direct physical effect by stretching and relaxing tense muscles. This also eliminates pain caused by tension. The massage increases blood circulation and thus the nourishment of the tissue and muscles. The massage also has a positive effect on the heartbeat, blood pressure, breathing and digestion, promoting relaxation and well-being.

< 

Strength training/preventive training

 In the context of preventive health protection, between two and five training sessions can be carried out per week, in which the respective training focus can be varied between endurance, strength, balance and flexibility . The strength factor is mainly trained on strength training equipment specially developed for training therapy (cable pulley and free weights), while the endurance and balance factors are trained on various ergometers and the Senso Pro. In order to guarantee lasting success, the training program should be checked and updated by physiotherapists at regular intervals (new training stimuli should be set every 3 weeks)

Functional strength training

The cable pulley-based training stations enable functional training that is relevant to everyday life. The training build-up takes place in 3 progressive phases: 

1. Basic strength
2. Body stabilization
3. Dynamic strengthening

The phases are characterized by a progressive reduction in stabilization, which is unfortunately usually not possible with conventional strength equipment. This means that the entire body has to stabilize the muscle group stressed by the cable pull. This corresponds to our everyday life and promotes coordination of the entire body while strengthening a specific muscle group. This increases the effectiveness of the training and, in addition to the training effect, also leads to  

Automation of more gentle movement sequences for the musculoskeletal system. This results in the transfer of strength training into everyday life, which ultimately ensures training success.

< 

Personal training

In contrast to group training, personal training offers 1:1 support. The physiotherapist is ideally suited to developing an adapted and effective training program due to their in-depth knowledge and experience in the examination and treatment of the musculoskeletal system, including those with reduced resilience.

< 

Group training

Under physiotherapeutic guidance in a mirror room. Input presentations and submission of documents

Time

The group training takes place on Tuesday and Friday from 14:00 - 14:55. The group consists of 4 - 8 participants

Content / effect

The training stations based on cable pulls enable everyday and functional training. The training build-up takes place in 3 progressive phases:

1. Basic strength
2. Torso stabilization
3. Dynamic strengthening

The phases are characterized by a progressive reduction in stabilization, which is unfortunately usually not possible with conventional strength equipment. This means that the entire body has to stabilize the muscle group stressed by the cable pull. This corresponds to our everyday life and promotes coordination of the entire body while a specific muscle group is strengthened. This increases the effectiveness of the training and, in addition to the training effect, also leads to the automation of movement sequences that are gentler on the musculoskeletal system. This results in a transfer of strength training into everyday life, which ultimately ensures training success.

 

Domiciliary treatments

If it is not possible for the patient to come to the practice for health reasons, we can also provide home treatments. These must be medically prescribed and practice-based.

The costs are covered by basic insurance.

Registration by telephone on 044 431 48 13 or by e-mail at info@physio-altstetten.ch

 

 

<