Worried about how the news of the latest NHS operation cuts could affect you?

With the NHS now proposing to axe approximately 17 surgeries, we spoke with our Senior Physiotherapist Kevin Powell to hear what we had to say about it and what he suggests…

Best practice, evidence-based multidisciplinary team approach and dealing with patients in a holistic manner, should always lead to a better outcome. No health professional wants to see their patients in pain, especially if a patient been suffering with an issue which is affecting both their lifestyle and their work.

The Capital Physio team and our connections with some of the top surgeons in Europe, could be your first port of call.

Injections for back pain could fall outside of the NHS’ remit

One of the treatments that may fall outside of the remit of the NHS if these changes go ahead, is an injection for non-specific back pain.

One of the most effective ways to treat back pain is to be active and follow a daily structural strength and mobility program with a health professional, such as a physiotherapist.

The 2016 UK guideline from NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) only recommends non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and weak opioids for non-specific back pain .

A combination of the above is one of the many options which have been thoroughly researched and are practiced here at Capital Physio, by our experienced physiotherapists.

Removal of bone spurs may also not be possible on the NHS

In addition, another treatment that may fall outside the scope of the NHS, if the planned cuts are actioned, is the removal of bone spurs. Bone spurs can occur when you overuse your shoulder joint, resulting in a build-up of friction due to the movement of tendons and ligaments over the bone of your shoulder. Over time, this can cause bone spurs to develop on the bone of your shoulder. Needless to say, these spurs can be very painful!

Thankfully, there is a way to avoid this happening to you. The best way to prevent bone spurs from occurring is to strengthen the stabilizers of the shoulder and the scapular muscles that surround your shoulder joint. This is also the ideal way to work around bone spurs if you already have them.

If you are in pain, there’s no need to suffer in silence. A physiotherapist at Bodyset can work with you to devise a program to help aid your recovery.