Physiotherapy

Outpatient Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy assessments and treatment is available within Carmarthenshire and offered by Hywel Dda University Health Board. Appointments are not held at Llwynhendy Health Centre. This page gives you information regarding the service.

What is Outpatient (musculo-skeletal) Physiotherapy?

Outpatient Physiotherapy involves the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of soft tissue, bone and joint (musculoskeletal) conditions, which may include:

Spinal problems – For example; (simple mechanical) low back / neck pain and stiffness, whiplash, arthritis. We also treat more complex spinal problems including prolapsed discs, sciatica, referred arm and leg pains or altered sensation.

Joint problems – Such as arthritis, injury, pain, stiffness and swelling.

Injuries – Including sports injuries to soft tissues such as muscles, ligaments and tendons. Work related conditions such as repetitive strain injury (RSI) and postural strains.

After surgery – Rehabilitation after orthopaedic operations. Examples include hip / knee replacements, arthroscopies, spinal, surgical fixatation of fractures, hand tendon repairs as well as many others.

Fractures – Rehabilitation after injury or broken bones.

Outpatient Physiotherapists use their knowledge and skills to assess you by going through a subjective process of questioning and then completing a physical clinical assessment. As a result of this, the cause of your problem can be identified and a realistic and mutually agreed plan of treatment is identified. In some instances physiotherapy may not be indicated and in this situation a referral to another health care professional may be made or a report will be sent with your consent to the referring professional.

The treatments physiotherapists use include:

• Assisting self-management through the prescription of exercises, postural correction, education and advice
• Manipulation and mobilisation of joints and soft-tissues
• Electrotherapy (such as ultrasound, TENS and low level laser)
• Exercise programs to improve strength, endurance and control, both individually and in classes
• Hydrotherapy
• Acupuncture

What to expect from Outpatient Physiotherapy?

When you attend the location where your appointment has been arranged for, a Physiotherapist will assess you. (Appointments are not held at Llwynhendy Health Centre). The assessment will last between 15 to 50 minutes depending on your condition. This will include:

• History taking including questioning about your condition, medical history, medication and lifestyle.
• An examination of the affected area and other areas which the Physiotherapist has decided may also be involved in your condition. It is usually the case that the removal of items of clothing is required as part of this examination. For this reason please bring shorts. For women, please bring a vest top or underwear that you are happy to undress down to. Your physiotherapist will always explain the reasons for various parts of the examination during the process and will ensure you are comfortable with this at all times.
• The Physiotherapist will discuss the findings with you and together agree a management plan. This may include individual treatment, referral to one of our classes or referral to other health professionals.

Treatment may include one or more of a number of interventions. The treatments physiotherapists use include:

• Assisting self-management through the prescription of exercises, postural correction, education and advice
• Manipulation and mobilisation of joints and soft-tissues.
• Electrotherapy (such as ultrasound, TENS and low level laser).
• Exercise programs to improve strength, endurance and control, both individually and in classes.
• Hydrotherapy.
• Acupuncture.

Subsequent appointments will be up to 25 minutes long. Attending these and following the advice and exercise program which you may have been prescribed, is an essential part of your treatment. On completion of your treatment, where appropriate, a letter will be sent to your GP or health professional who referred you.

How do I access the service in Carmarthenshire?

There are two ways you can access the service in Carmarthenshire.

1. You can refer yourself to physiotherapy
2. You can be referred by a doctor, consultant or other healthcare professional (e.g. nurse practitioner, podiatrist, occupational therapist or physiotherapist).

Referring yourself to physiotherapy

To refer yourself simply fill out a self referral form.   Physiotherapy Self Referral Form

Once you have filled this out, send the form to one of the following addresses:

Physiotherapy Department, Glangwili General Hospital, Dolgwili Road, Carmarthen SA31 2AF Tel: 01267 227470

or

Physiotherapy Department, Prince Philip Hospital, Bryngwyn Mawr, Dafen, Llanelli SA14 8QF Tel: 01554 783204

Once we have received your referral, a senior member of the team will then decide if the referral is urgent or routine based on the information provided. We aim to see urgent referrals within two weeks and routine referrals within 14 weeks of receipt of the form. If you are placed on the urgent list, a letter will be sent to you immediately asking for you to call the department to make a convenient appointment. If you are placed in a routine waiting list, you will be sent a letter that will ask you to phone and make an appointment once you are near the top of that list. If we have no contact from you within a month of the letter having been sent, you will be discharged. A further letter will then be sent to you to confirm that you have been discharged.

A referral made by a doctor, consultant or other healthcare professional (e.g. nurse practitioner, podiatrist, occupational therapist or physiotherapist).

Once we have received a referral from your doctor, consultant or healthcare professional, a senior member of the team will then decide if the referral is urgent or routine based on the information provided. We aim to see urgent referrals within two weeks and routine referrals within 14 weeks of receipt of the form. If you are placed on the urgent list, a letter will be sent to you immediately asking for you to call the department to make a convenient appointment. If you are placed in a routine waiting list, you will be sent a letter that will ask you to phone and make an appointment once you are near the top of that list. If we have no contact from you within a month of the letter having been sent, you will be discharged. A further letter will then be sent to you to confirm that you have been discharged.

Links to professional organisations

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy: www.csp.org.uk

Manipulation Association of Physiotherapists (Physiotherapists who have undertaken extensive postgraduate study and reached a recognised standard of excellence in neuromusculoskeletal physiotherapy): www.macpweb.org/home

Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (AACP): www.aacp.org.uk All physiotherapists practicing acupuncture within Hywel Dda have completed accredited training in line with the AACP and have to demonstrate ongoing professional development as identified by this body.

Physiotherapy Pain Association: www.ppaonline.co.uk