What is Musculoskeletal Injection Therapy?
Clinicians often use injection therapy to reduce pain and inflammation in joints. This intervention is typically recommended if regular medication such as anti inflammatories or opioids are ineffective. Injection therapy can help as a power tool to aid physiotherapy progress.
A Case Example
A shoulder problem which occurred after lifting heavy items one sunny weekend 4 weeks ago. Often, the problem may settle within the passage of time naturally. There could be some inflammation in the shoulder caused by tendonitis of the rotator cuff muscles. As a result of this, you speak to your GP or Pharmacist who advise you to take nonsteroid anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, or they may prescribe naproxen to reduce inflammation whilst you to see a Physiotherapist to assess and treat your shoulder. However, in some circumstances, the inflammation does not settle, and this is when your Physiotherapist would advise on a shoulder injection. Having the shoulder injection will then reduce the inflammation and enable physiotherapy to start improving the shoulder function. Read about another case study here on shoulder injections.
Can you just have an injection and be fixed?
Having an injection and not seeing a physiotherapist will not help the symptoms. This happens because most joint and muscular related problems stem from altered biomechanics. This is why Physiotherapy is important.
Physiotherapy aims to restore function, strength and conditioning and return you back to your activities pain free. Treatment involves manual techniques such as massage, joint manipulation and mobilisation, acupuncture in some cases and the most important thing; exercising the muscles.
If you are struggling with joint or muscular pain, call our friendly team to book an appointment with one of our expert Physiotherapists. We will be able to guide you about joint injections if this is needed to help your condition.