Primary Care & Public Health Conference 2016

Primary Care and Public Health Conference 2016 – Therapy

Primary Care and Public Health Conference is the UK’s leading event for GP’s, commissioning groups and all healthcare professionals working in primary care, community, public health, global and prison health. The conference is organised into different areas depending on your profession and interests and staff visited the Therapy programme.

Some interesting topics were on offer and of particular interest were “Achilles Tendinopathy – Advances in Rehabilitation” by Chris Myers and “Innovations in the Management of Tennis Elbow” by Val Jones.

Previous treatments of such conditions have involved the use of eccentric loading, rest and cryotherapy. Current research suggests that there are other modalities that should be considered first when dealing with these conditions, namely isometric contractions. With each condition, Achilles and lateral elbow (namely extensor carpi radialis brevis) tendinopathies, it is also worth knowing there is a difference in size of the muscles in each area  i.e. Achilles tendon can take more load than the wrist extensors. Therefore exercises prescribed should reflect this difference (body weight compared to theraband) and intensity should be greater for the Achilles complex compared to the lateral elbow complex.

Although utilising exercise for treatment takes the control back to the client, this treatment can take anything from 3-6 months to resolve with continued work. It can reduce recurrences by upto 80% compared to other treatment modalities.

Another area of interest was information surrounding work with amputees. Although a specialised area, with increasing numbers of those suffering with diabetes, this is an area within Public Health that Sports Therapists need to become aware of. How to address and manage phantom limb pain? How does gait change with a prosthesis? What are the psychological implications for rehabilitation for amputees? Acupuncture has been indicated to help with phantom limb pain as well as mirror therapy for the acceptance of an amputation. Gait is more difficult as the limb may change shape for a while after the prothesis is made and so presents as more of a challenge. It is important to remember that the hip musculature is still there so training these muscles will help improve lower limb stability when using the prothesis. Also using an Anti-Gravity Treadmill will help unload the weight in the prothesis and the load going through the opposite limb.

A great number of exhibitors in the field were present, particularly of interest were the British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine (BASEM), Professional Standards Authority (PSA), Public Health, Sidas Orthotics and Algeos. There was much to learn at this conference and there were other areas of interest too, that unfortunately we were unable to see, but definitely worth a visit next year.

Vicki Evans and Sarah Martin
Lecturing team - Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation