What is physiotherapy?

“Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy is a specialised area of physiotherapy / physical therapy for the management of neuro-musculoskeletal conditions, based on clinical reasoning, using highly specific treatment approaches including manual techniques and therapeutic exercises. Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy also encompasses, and is driven by, the available scientific and clinical evidence and the biopsychosocial framework of each individual patient."- International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists.

NMS physiotherapy, previously known as Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy, is an extremely specialised branch of physiotherapy which treats conditions related to the neuromusculoskeletal system. This system includes the nerves, bones and all the connective tissue in between. This system is responsible for supporting the body, our movement and the sensations we feel. The aim of NMS Physiotherapy is to improve the symptoms of conditions and injuries related to this system and allow you to move freely, without pain.

NMS Physiotherapy is a data-driven approach to rehabilitation. It makes use of clinical reasoning and scientific evidence to drive treatment options and give patients the best possible outcomes. Patient education forms a massive part of this methodology, which is why Juan Carstens was drawn to it initially. He believes in educating his patients about their conditions, injuries, treatments and overall health.

Juan Carstens strongly believes that exercise and rehab must be combined with a home exercise programme in order for treatment to be successful. He also understands that exercise is just as beneficial to overall health as traditional medicine. This is why he takes a holistic approach to physiotherapy to get you back to optimal health and function.

Common conditions treated

NMS Physiotherapy is extremely beneficial in treating sports related injuries. Due to the nature of these injuries, they are often first detected and diagnosed by Physiotherapists and Juan Carstens has extensive experience in both the identification and treatment of neuromusculoskeletal injuries due to sport.

NMS Physiotherapy is used to treat a variety of conditions, including:

• Chronic pain: pain that have persist for 6 month and longer
• Rehabilitation after surgery: cartilage or ligament repair; ankle; knee; hip; upper and lower limb fractures; labrum repair; back fusions and discectomy
• Spinal disorders: neck, mid back and lower back pain; SIJ dysfunction; sciatica; disc related disorders; arthritis
• Neck: general pain and stiffness; whiplash injuries; postural dysfunction and cervicogenic headaches
• Shoulder: fractures; rotator cuff muscle tears, tendinopathy and overuse injuries; impingement syndrome; adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder); labrum injuries; bursitis
• Elbow: lateral epicondylalgia (tennis elbow); medial epicondylalgia (golfer’s elbow); olecranon bursitis and fractures
• Wrist: carpal tunnel syndrome; de quervain’s tenosynovitis; ligament sprain & fractures
• Hip: general pain and stiffness; impingement disorders; labrum injuries; arthritis
• Knee: ligament sprain and tears; meniscus injuries; patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner’s knee); patella tendinopathy; ITB syndrome
• Lower Limb: medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints); tendinopathy and fractures
• Ankle: ligament sprain; achilles tendinopathy; calcaneal bursitis; plantar fasciitis.

What to expect from your appointment

Your first session is usually 60 minutes long and begins with a subjective evaluation. Juan Carsten will ask you a range of detailed questions to gain a better understanding of your condition, your goals and your lifestyle. He will then conduct a physical examination, in which he will test your range of motion and assess your impairment or dysfunction. The final part of the evaluation includes a manual assessment, in which Juan will isolate the problem area and finalise your diagnosis.

Based on the outcome of your evaluation, Juan will create a custom treatment plan for you. The treatment plan may include a form of manual therapy, such as joint mobilisations, soft tissue release, electrotherapy, neuromobility, taping, pain neuroscience education and exercises, depending on what your diagnosis is. Juan will also design a home exercise plan for you.

Follow up appointments are typically 60 minutes long and focus more on treatment than assessment. There will be a brief evaluation at the beginning of the appointment for Juan to assess your progress and make adjustments to your treatment plan if necessary.