Physiotherapy and rehabilitation

A sports physiotherapist (or sports physiotherapist) is a specialist who focuses on:

1. the treatment of sports injuries: with techniques such as massage, mobilisations, stretching, dry needling and taping.
2. rehabilitation after injuries or operations: by establishing exercise programmes that improve mobility, strength and stability of the injured areas.
3. injury prevention: sports physiotherapists provide advice on improving posture, technique and training methods to prevent injuries. They can also prescribe special exercises to strengthen weak areas and reduce the risk of future injuries.
4. sports performance support: They help athletes improve their performance. This can be done by optimising flexibility, strength and balance, as well as advising on warm-up and cool-down routines.
5. diagnoses of injuries: they can assess injuries and make a preliminary diagnosis, then refer to a doctor or specialist if necessary.

Temporomandibular dysfunctions (TMD), also known as jaw joint complaints mentioned, refer to problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMG) and the surrounding muscles. This joint connects the lower jaw (mandibula) to the skull and is essential for movements such as chewing, talking and yawning. Dysfunctional jaw joint or surrounding structures can cause pain, stiffness or restrictions in jaw movements.

A physiotherapist can help with:

1. mobilisations and manipulations of the jaw joint: To improve jaw joint mobility and reduce stiffness.
2. muscle relaxation and massage: Massage techniques and trigger point therapy help relax the muscles around the jaw joint and relieve tension.
3. exercises for the jaw joint: specific exercises are prescribed to strengthen the muscles around the jaw joint and improve flexibility.
4. posture correction: since poor posture, such as a hunched head position, can affect jaw function, physiotherapy can also focus on improving posture to reduce stress on the jaw.
5. education and self-management: A physiotherapist can give advice on avoiding habits that can worsen symptoms, such as teeth grinding (bruxism) or jaw clenching. They also teach patients techniques to relax their jaw muscles themselves.

Dry needling is a technique within physiotherapy used to treat muscle pain and stiffness. This involves inserting thin, sterilised needles into specific trigger points in muscles, without injecting medication or fluid.
Trigger points are small, painful knots in muscles often caused by overuse, stress or injury. These knots can cause not only localised pain, but also radiating pain to other parts of the body, sometimes leading to stiffness and movement restrictions.

The aim of dry needling is to reduce muscle tension and pain, and restore the normal function of the muscle.

What are the benefits of dry needling?

1. rapid relief of muscle pain and stiffness: many people experience a decrease in muscle pain after treatment.
2. improving mobility: it relaxes muscles, helping to increase freedom of movement.
3. treatment of chronic pain: dry needling can be effective in treating chronic muscle pain and tension-related complaints such as headache or back pain.

What can you expect during a dry needling session?

• The physiotherapist locates the trigger points and quickly inserts the needle into the trigger point.
• You may feel a short, sharp sensation, followed by a muscle spasm or contraction, and then a relaxation of the muscle.
• After the session, the treated muscle may feel sensitive or stiff, similar to muscle pain, but this usually disappears within 24-48 hours.