Services

Physiotherapy

What is Physiotherapy?

The focus in Physiotherapy is the assessment, treatment and the prevention of human movement disorders, restoring normal function or minimising dysfunction and pain. This will enable patients with physical impairment to achieve the highest possible level of independence in their lives. The aim is to prevent reoccurring injuries in the workplace, at home, or during recreational activities, and promoting health within the community for all age groups.

To do this, Physiotherapists use skilled evaluation and Hands-On therapy such as mobilisation, manipulation and massage. Individually designed exercise programmes, relaxation techniques, specialised electrotherapy equipment, heat and ice are also used to relieve pain and assist healing and recovery. As Physiotherapists we also issue suitable walking aids and assist in patient education.

Treatment at Wilien Strydom Physiotherapy

We believe that physically mobilising and working on joints and soft tissue yields some of the best results when it comes to the management of acute pain. We therefore have a very Hands-On approach in my treatment. Electrotherapy modalities that are also available include:

PENS (Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)

Laser

Ultrasound

A variety of conditions can be treated effectively with Physiotherapy, some which are summarised below. Please feel free to contact me should you be unsure if Physiotherapy will be the most effective treatment for your condition.

Conditions treated:

• Arthritis

• Achilles Tendinopathy

• Bronchitis

• Bell’s Palsy

• Cracked Nipples

• Frozen Shoulder

• Golfer’s Elbow

• Headaches

• Heel and Foot Pain

• ITB injuries

• Low Back Pain

• Mastitis

• Migraines

• Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries

• Neck Pain

• Post-Operative Conditions

• Plantar Fasciopathy

• Pneumonia

• Pregnancy related pelvic and low back pain

• Repetitive Strain Injuries

• Rotator Cuff Injuries

• Running Injuries

• Sciatica

• Sports’ Injuries

• Sprains and Strains

• Stress Incontinence

• Tendonitis

• Tennis Elbow

• TMJ Dysfunction

• Urge Incontinence

• Vaginusmus

• Whiplash

Pilates

The focus of the Pilates technique is to initiate movement “from the inside out”, working from a central core of stability towards the muscles on the periphery. It is a mind-body centering technique with emphasis on quality movement patterns and body awareness.

“In 10 sessions you’ll feel the difference, in 20 you’ll see the difference, in 30 you’ll have a new body” - Joseph Pilates

The Pilates History

Born in Germany in 1880, Joseph Pilates battled a variety of childhood diseases. He studied various exercise regimes, from which he developed his own programme.

He moved to England in 1912 where he followed a career as a boxer, circus performer and trained detectives in self defence. When WW1 broke out, Joseph ended up as an orderly in a POW (Prisoner of War) hospital on the Isle of Man. He devised an exercise programme, utilising old hospital bed springs, and those following the programme underwent a speedier recovery. His exercise regime is said to have prevented himself and his fellow prisoners from contracting the influenza virus that killed thousands of POW’s.

Joseph returned to Germany after the war where he continued to develop his exercise regime within the dance world, and his good reputation rapidly grew. From there he left on a boat destined for America where he met his wife, Clara, on the way. In New York they opened ‘The Pilates Studio’. He worked with various dancers and ballerinas from the New York School of Ballet, where he was very successful in prolonging dancer’s careers which previously would have ended due to injury.

After his death in 1967 Clara continued to operate the ‘The Pilates Studio’ on Eighth Avenue in New York. From there on, a few of his students continued teaching the method. Today Pilates is still recognised as one of the most effective strengthening methods which has been proven to be hugely successful, improving lives daily.

The Pilates Method

The intensity of each exercise can be varied then by changing the length levers (a variety of limb movements) and resistance (use of Pilates equipment). By concentrating on precision of movement, continued flowing movement and awareness of breath control, the aim is to alter abnormal movement patterns and to carry this effect over to everyday functioning.

There are two categories in which Pilates is taught, namely Matwork and Machine-based work. Joseph developed his Matwork Repertoire in his early years, which is a combination of the original 34 Pilates exercises. These exercises are completed on an exercise mat with the aim to improve strength, mobility and flexibility. Whenever doing the Matwork exercises the movement is deemed effective if a central core of stability can be maintained throughout the movement.

Pilates at Wilien Strydom Physiotherapy

In our modern lifestyle we do a lot of sitting! This leads to many problems such as headaches and back ache for example. Physiotherapists are Movement and Muscle Experts, so by joining this Physio-led programme you can expect optimal results!

Advantages of following the Pilates Regime include:

• Improved core strength

• Improved general muscle strength

• Improved flexibility

• Improved posture

• Improved balance

• It is great fun and a wonderful way to promote and maintain a healthy lifestyle!

We teach Pilates based on the Australian Physiotherapy Pilates Institute (APPI) model. The following options are available:

• One – to – One and One – to – Two on the Mat

• Weekly Classes

One-to-One

During a 1-1 session your goals are discussed, and areas of weakness are identified. According to this, an individually tailored programme is developed and progressed accordingly, ensuring that you get the best out of your body!

Can I do Pilates if I had an injury?

Yes, the Pilates programme can be adapted according to your needs, whether there is a history of back, neck, or hip pain and other previous injuries. As I have the combined professional experience of a Physiotherapist and Pilates Instructor, a programme can be devised which is pain-free and effective, whether you are recovering following surgery, or if you have been suffering from longstanding pain.

Will Pilates improve my Sport Performance?

Yes, it will. The muscles in the human body can be classified as Stabilisers and Mobilisers. So, if you focus on strengthening your “core” (Stabilisers) you can generate more power in your arms and legs (Mobilisers), leading to improved sport performance and a decrease in your injury rate.

Classes and Venues

By attending a class, you ensure that you are following the Pilates Method on a regular basis with a structured progression. A maximum of 10 participants per class are accepted, resulting in personalised, quality instruction. You can attend once or twice a week, but for the best results it is recommended that you attend twice a week. As this is not always possible, you are encouraged to take the time to exercise on your own as well.

All classes are taught at mixed levels, and your Pilates instructor will always offer you alternative easier, or harder variations of the exercises.

Below you will find our current schedule.

Class times:

Monday to Thursday: 09:30 and 17:30

Venue

Wilien Strydom Physiotherapy, 171 Main Road, Somerset West.

Current block:

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday






17 March	18 March	19 March	20 March
24 March	25 March	26 March	27 March

New block:

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
31 March	1 April	2 April	3 April
7 April	8 April	9 April	10 April
14 April	15 April	16 April	17 April
21 April – 1 May: No Class
5 May	6 May	7 May	8 May
12 May	13 May	14 May	15 May
19 May	20 May	21 May	22 May
26 May	27 May	28 May	29 May

Cost

Two classes per week: 14 x R100 = R 1400.00

One class per week: 7 x R111 = R 777.00

The amount stated is for Pilates classes running from 31 March 2025 to 29 May 2025. The total amount, or a non-refundable 60% deposit of the total invoice is payable immediately. This payment is due by no later than Monday, 31 March 2025, with the outstanding amount due on Wednesday, 30 April 2025.

Terms and conditions:

Classes will run all year, but there will be no class in a week where a public holiday falls on a class day, with a 3-week break over Christmas.
Fees are strictly due on the first day of the month.
One paid month’s written notice is required should you wish to cancel your Pilates contract. This will only be waived if a medical certificate is provided.
There is no reduction in fees for non-attendance, regardless of the reason.
Missed classes can be caught up within the block.

Kindly send your proof of payment with reference Surname/Pilates to accounts@somersetwestphysio.co.za.

You do not need to wait for a new block to join! If you would like to join our classes, kindly schedule a 1-1 assessment, and then you are welcome to join a class immediately. Please note that your place is only guaranteed once the 60% deposit has been received.

Pricing

Private sessions:

One – to – One Matwork: R 654 (45 minutes)

One – to – Two Matwork: R 470 per person (45 minutes)

Contact us today to book your session!

Studio classes

Once a week: R 111 per class

Twice a week: R 100 per class

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is one of the many skills used within Physiotherapy as an integrated approach to the management of pain and inflammation and as a means of stimulating the body’s own healing chemicals to aid recovery and enhance rehabilitation.

Dry Needling and Acupuncture: What is the Difference?

Dry Needling

Trigger-point Dry Needling is an invasive procedure where an Acupuncture needle is inserted into the skin and muscle. It is aimed at myofascial trigger points (muscle spasms) which are hyper-irritable spots in a muscle that are associated with hypersensitivity and a nodule (“muscle knot”) in a taut band[1].

This treatment may also be used to facilitate relaxation in specific muscles following trauma. It is also used to obtain increased muscle length to aid stretch and rehabilitation in the treatment of, for example, sports injuries. Here the needle is placed into the affected muscle until it is felt to relax under the needle and then removed. Trigger-point Dry Needling is often much quicker than the 20-30 minute treatment time involved in Acupuncture.

Acupuncture

The concept of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an ancient system dating back to 1000 BC. It is founded on the holistic concept of treatment and an acknowledgement of the body’s ability to return to its balanced state of health, given the correct stimulus to do so.

Acupuncture within Physiotherapy is used against the strong background of clinical and research evidence, applied with a modern scientific and evidence-based Western approach.

The body has the ability to “self-repair”. The use of Acupuncture enhances the repair mechanism, and enables an improved recovery time by enhancing blood flow and calming the nervous system. This allows other Physiotherapy treatments such as exercise, muscle strengthening and rehabilitation to achieve more effective results.

Acupuncture is used by Physiotherapists as a means of enhancing pain modulation via the stimulation of the brain and spinal cord to produce natural pain relieving chemicals, such as Endorphins, Melatonin to promote sleep, and Serotonin to promote well-being, to name but a few. These chemicals assist the body’s healing process and offer pain relief as a precursor for other manual or exercise therapy.

Single use, pre-sterilised, disposable needles of varying lengths are used to pierce the skin at the Acupuncture points. The Physiotherapist will determine the locations of the Acupuncture points, based upon the assessment of the cause of the imbalance. Several needles may be used at each treatment and these are typically left in position for some 20-30 minutes before being removed [2].

In summary, the major difference between Acupuncture and Dry Needling is the number of needles used and the time that the needles are left in.

I completed my Dry Needling course in South Africa and my Acupuncture training in the United Kingdom. Using the two techniques together have proven to be very effective either as a stand-alone treatment or in conjunction with other Physiotherapy treatment methods.

References

1. Dommerholt, J., Del Morel, O. and Grobli, C. Trigger point dry needling. The Journal of manual and manipulative therapy 2006;14(4), 70-87

2. https://www.aacp.org.uk/page/14/what-is-acupuncture

Physiotherapist for pelvic floor muscle strengthening

Tariffs

We are contracted in with all the major Medical Aids. Payment is due after treatment and card facilities are available. The Practice does not submit claims to the Medical Aid and it is the patient’s responsibility to submit and claim his/her account from the Medical Aid.

Initial Assessment (45 minutes)

A comprehensive assessment and treatment will be done and a appropriate home exercise programme will be given.

Follow-up (30 minutes – 45 minutes)

A full treatment will be performed and the home exercise programme will be progressed.

Four hours' notice is required should you be unable to attend an appointment.

Book online

Wilien Strydom Physiotherapy & Pilates
171 Main Road, Somerset West

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