[Physiotherapy Management in Sciatica]

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A STATEMENT OF ORIGINALITY

I hereby certify that I am the sole author of this thesis and that no part of this thesis has been published or submitted for publication. I certify that, to the best of my knowledge, my thesis does not infringe upon anyone's copyright nor violate any proprietary rights and that any ideas, techniques, quotations, or any other material from the work of other people included in my thesis, published or otherwise, are fully acknowledged in accordance with the standard referencing practices. Furthermore, to the extent that I have included copyrighted material that surpasses the bounds of fair dealing. I declare that this is a true copy of my thesis, including any final revisions, as approved by my thesis committee and the Graduate Studies office, and that this thesis has not been submitted for a higher degree to any other University or Institution.

ABSTRACT

This study explores methods used in providing physiotherapy treatment, to patients suffering from neurological pain. The main focus of study is on the use of physiotherapy, as a treatment for neurological pain and the effects of its use. The study also analyzes many aspects related to the importance of this study, as the results will then enable the use of physiotherapy more frequently, as a successful means for the treatment of neurological pain. Finally, the study describes effects and results of the use of this method for the treatment of neurological pain. The main findings of the study is that physiotherapy for sciatica is aimed at removing the pressure on the sciatic nerve, reducing pain in the back and leg and restoring function. Sciatica may also be triggered by very small, normal movements like bending over to one side at an awkward angle to pick something up, as well from suffering a trauma like falling off a ladder and landing on the back. Manual therapy methods to reduce trigger point activity and hypertonic muscles in the affected area have been investigated as a means to alleviate pain such as effleurage, petrissage/kneading, stroking, and long-axis tractioning relaxes hypertonic muscles.

Table of Contents

A STATEMENT OF ORIGINALITY2

ABSTRACT3

Why is the topic important ?5

Why should it be addressed ?5

What is the current state of knowledge (and practice) ?6

What are the gaps or shortcomings in current knowledge (and practice) ?7

The possibility of addressing these issues by research (general purpose)7

Purpose of Study9

Hypothesis10

Search methods10

CHAPTER 02: LITERATURE REVIEW12

Diagnosis18

Conclusion19

CHAPTER 03: METHODOLOGY21

Introduction21

Research design21

Data Collection22

Reliability and validity22

Ethical concerns & trustworthiness22

Conclsuion23

CHAPTER 04: RESULTS & DISCUSSION24

Introduction24

Findings27

Conclusion31

CHAPTER 5: DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS32

CHAPTER 06: CONCLUSION45

Recommendations47

REFERENCES50

CHAPTER 01: BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY / INTRODUCTION

Why is the topic important ?

Physiotherapy is a branch of medical health care practice that deals with body movement, muscle, joint and ligament work and how people react with pain and trauma (Burnett and Long, 2006). Physiotherapy is a therapy designed to maximize physical function and motility of living beings using physical means, such as manual therapy , heat , cryotherapy (cold), electrotherapy (muscle stimulation / sensory ultrasound , laser , etc.), hydrotherapy (water), exercises , massages , and functionality (Basson, ...