Physiotherapist Plymouth

Richard Pannell | Registered Physiotherapist Plymouth

Richard Pannell has practiced physiotherapy in Plymouth since 1989 with hundreds of satisfied patients. Richard started the clinic in 1989 and it has grown and developed into a multi function therapy clinic with a client base of over 250. Richard is also a qualified podiatrist and chiropodist. Since opening the Practice Richard has be joined by Jaqueline Beasley a Sports massage therapist and certified Rolfer and Rolf Movement Practitioner.

Richard offers a comprehensive range of treatments to help you recover quickly from injury or illness. As a long established physiotherapist, Richard will work closely with you helping you to quickly get back to your best, regardless of whether you're suffering with an acute injury, sports injury, long term illness or simply to improve your wellbeing and health.

The first time you attend, Richard's primary aim as a physiotherapist will be to work though an assessment with you to determine the nature of your problem. This involves a detailed analysis of how you injured yourself and the ways in which it is affecting your life. The physiotherapist will examine the injured area and assess the effect your injury is having on your movement and function. Treatment can begin during the initial session and you may be given some exercises to be doing at home. Once this is done Richard will provide a diagnosis of your condition, giving you a good indication of how long your recovery should take and the amount of treatment required.

Some but not all of the things the Physiotherapist Plymouth can help with

HPC Registered Physiotherapist Plymouth | What Do We Offer?

The aim is to help restore normal bodily function and full health as quickly as is possible. As well as treating a specific injury or illness; Richard will consider ways to improve your general wellbeing and overall quality of life. Richard has treated many patients through holistic treatments since 1989 and has helped his patients recover or drastically improve for all of the conditions below.

Physiotherapist Plymouth Services for Acute Injuries and Chronic Injuries

Acute back pain happens to most of us at some point in our lives. How we manage it is vital. Acute mechanical back pain is extremely common and the condition invariably responds well to conservative treatment like physiotherapy and exercise. It is important to get the correct balance of treatments as each individual injury and back is unique

Physiotherapist Plymouth Services for Sports Injuries

Sports injuries, sometimes these injuries heal reasonably well over time without too much intervention, particularly in the younger patient. But there is no doubt that early diagnosis and careful treatment and rehabilitation for most soft tissue injuries results in a faster and more sustainable recovery. Can you imagine any professional sports club deciding to do without their physiotherapists? It is just as necessary for the recreational sportsperson to obtain physiotherapy treatment when recovering from injury. Physiotherapist Plymouth use a variety of ‘hands-on’ techniques as well as implementing sport specific exercise programmes (for more information click here to visit our sports injury page).

Physiotherapist Plymouth Services for Bone and joint conditions

One of the main areas that physiotherapy focuses on is the treatment of conditions and injuries that affect the bones and joints. In particular, physiotherapists often help patients who are recovering from orthopaedic surgery (surgery to correct damage to or deformities of the bones or joints). As your physiotherapist, Richard will devise a programme that includes the use of strength training and exercises to help improve co-ordination and balance.

Physiotherapist Plymouth Services for Neurological conditions

As well as affecting a person's co-ordination; neurological conditions can sometimes cause paralysis (an inability to move) and muscle pain. Any of these symptoms can make it difficult to get around independently. As a registered physiotherapist in Plymouth, Richard can help people with conditions that affect the brain and nervous system, such as:

• Stroke: a serious condition where the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off
• Multiple Sclerosis: a condition that affects the central nervous system, which controls functions of the body such as movement and balance
• Parkinson's Disease: a chronic (long-term) condition that affects the way the brain co-ordinates the body's movements
• Cerebral Palsy: a condition where brain damage affects a child’s movement and co-ordination
• Spina Bifida: a brain condition that causes a deformity of the spine  

Conditions That Occur In Old Age

Physiotherapists also play an important role in the general care and wellbeing of elderly people by improving their overall health and fitness to help them stay active and independent. Physiotherapists often treat conditions that are common in old age, such as:

• Arthritis, which causes pain and swelling (inflammation) of the joints.
• Osteoporosis, where the bones become thin and brittle.
• Hip replacement surgery..

Physiotherapist Plymouth | An Introduction

Holistic approach

Patient education is an important part of physiotherapy. As well as aiming to improve your strength and mobility, a physiotherapist can also advise you about how to manage your condition more effectively, for example by exercising regularly. A physiotherapist will usually take an holistic approach, which means they are likely to look at the body as a whole, rather than focusing on individual factors of an injury or illness. For example, back pain can have a number of causes, such as:

• Muscle tension
• Overstretching
• Bending awkwardly
• Standing or bending for long periods
• Lifting or carrying incorrectly .

Some of the Techniques Used Include:

Massage and manipulation

Many people today suffer with back, neck and shoulder pain causing many problems within the body. This may be a result of physical injury, bad posture or tension, causing muscles to be in a contracted state for long periods. Remedial Massage is very effective in dealing with muscular problems, loss of muscle tone and adhesions and removing physical tension in the muscles. Incorporating advanced massage techniques, it helps to speed up circulation and eliminate toxins, which can cause pain and stiffness. Massage involves manipulating the body’s soft tissues using the hands. It is suitable for most people and can be used to:

• Improve circulation (the flow of blood around the body).
• Help fluid drain from parts of the body more efficiently.
• Improve movement of different parts of the body.
• Relieve pain and help you relax.

Movement and exercise

Physiotherapists often use an exercise programme, which may incorporate specific exercises to help with particular health problems. These types of exercises are designed to strengthen your body and improve your range of movement. They usually need to be repeated daily for a number of weeks. Your physiotherapist will advise you about the exercises you need to do and will show you how to perform them correctly.

For example, gentle exercise, such as walking or swimming, may be recommended for someone who is recovering from an illness or injury that affects their overall mobility.

For someone who is having problems moving a limb due to a health condition, such as a stroke, a physiotherapist may suggest specific exercises that target the affected area of the body.

Richard is more than happy to answer your questions why not call and find out more 01752 776 136

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