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Clinica Tarraula is pleased to introduce our very experienced physiotherapist Joan McLellan MCSP SRP. Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession that sees human movement as central to the health and well-being of individuals.
Since its emergence as an independent profession over 100 years ago, physiotherapy has adapted and evolved its treatment techniques and increased the range and number of patients it can help.
 Joan McLellan has been an important part of the Clinica Tarraula organisation since it began in 1991. As a Physiotherapist she helps and treats people of all ages with physical problems caused by illness, accident or ageing.
Joan McLellan undertook her training in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and qualified in 1974 with a Graduate Diploma in Physiotherapy. She is a Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, as well as being a State registered Physiotherapist - see Protection of title.
Traditional, conventional physiotherapy requires physiotherapists to be trained in and practice:
- Massage and manipulation
- Therapeutic Exercise and movement
- Electrotherapy
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As a chartered physiotherapist Joan can treat a vast majority of musculo-skeletal problems including:
- back pain
- upper limb problems including shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand
- sports injuries
- arthritic pain
- postural re-education
- neck and shoulder pain including whiplash
- lower limb problems including hip, knee, ankle and foot
- work-related complaints
- traumatic injuries e.g. whiplash
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1. MASSAGE AND MANIPULATION
 Massage and manipulation - a core physiotherapy skill that has been traditionally used by physiotherapists for over 100 years but many people believe it is a complementary medicine. It is a treatment using the hands to manipulate the soft tissues of the body to obtain relaxation, healing and wellbeing.
Lymph Drainage
Joan also offers lymph massage. This type of massage is particularly useful as part of post-mastectomy therapy, to reduce oedema and fibrosis and to relieve pain and tension.
Developed in the 1930s, lymphatic drainage is a delicate form of massage that stimulates the bodys lymphatic system, improving the metabolism, helping the body to eliminate waste and toxins and providing a boost to the immune system.
Unlike some other forms of massage, lymphatic drainage utilises a very light pressure combined with soft pumping movements in the direction of the lymph nodes. The process can take anywhere from 30 minutes with the masseur concentrating on a localised area, to two hours when working on the whole body.
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2. EXERCISE AND MOVEMENT
Exercise can help:
- To keep muscles strong and strengthen those that are weak.
- To keep joints mobile and prevent stiffness becoming permanent.
- To improve co-ordination and balance.
- To improve circulation, thereby supporting bodily functions.
- To prevent pressure sores.
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Multiple Sclerosis
A neurologically trained physiotherapist has a vital role to play in the care of patients suffering from Multiple Sclerosis.
Joan is able to develop a physiotherapy treatment programmes tailored to the individual needs of each patient. Preventative therapy is encouraged early in order to avoid secondary disability, which arises from disuse.
Physiotherapy can teach a person with MS how to recover a good posture for their body - with particular emphasis on the right way to stand, to walk, to rise from a sitting or lying position and how best to position oneself for sleeping. The benefits can include more normal and easier movement and, as a consequence, the possibility of enjoying a more active life.
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Parkinson's disease
 People with Parkinson's disease often experience stiff or rigid muscles, difficulty moving around and problems with balance and posture.
Physiotherapy can help relieve muscle and joint stiffness and discomfort by use of exercise, relaxation, physical treatments such as heat and cooling, by carefully moving joints and by stretching muscles (manipulation). If muscles are used less frequently, then they tend to lose strength.
Joan can advise on specific exercises to maintain or improve muscle strength. These exercises can also be performed at home. People feel more comfortable and more confident and so can remain more independent.
People with Parkinson's disease often develop difficulties with everyday actions, such as walking normally, getting up from a chair, turning over and getting in and out of bed. A physiotherapist can teach them how to get around these problems and make it easier to get about. They can recommend any walking aids and appliances and other equipment that would be suitable.
Joan can also help with retaining good posture and maintaining balance. She can teach people how to reduce risk of falls and what to do if they do fall over. If breathing is a problem, she can recommend exercises and techniques that can help |
Stroke rehabilitation
Physiotherapy is the most widely available and commonly accepted treatment for the rehabilitation of people who have had a stroke.
Having a stroke can have a serious impact on movement, sensation, balance and co-ordination and the aim of physiotherapy is to help regain as many of these abilities as possible. The severity of the stroke will dictate how much recovery is possible but physiotherapy works to maximise potential recovery.
 Normally a stroke affects one side of the body and the affected side will often feel weak and heavy, which makes it more difficult for the person to move. In order to compensate for the weaker side, the stronger side becomes dominant and overactive to compensate for the weaker side. This means that a person who has had a stroke will tend to rely heavily on the stronger side of their body. Joan can assess the alignment and activity of various body parts and the treatment will focus on getting the side affected by the stroke to move more effectively.
Every person who has had a stroke has different degrees of difficulty in the activities of daily living. Physiotherapy will address the particular problems at the time of treatment. Generally the aim will be to help with mobility and balance. If the stroke is severe, this could mean helping with getting from bed to chair or on and off the toilet. If the stroke is mild and the person young and previously fit, this could mean help with returning to a normal life.
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Surgery
Major surgery on a joint may take two or three hours in the operating room. Getting full range of motion, strength and flexibility back in that joint after surgery usually takes months. That is where pre-operative exercise and education and post-operative physiotherapy programmes come in - to ensure that the patient is physically prepared for surgery and to maximize their recovery after surgery.
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3. ELECTROTHERAPY
Physiotherapists use electrotherapy to treat disorders relating to the muscles and/or bone. Some of the electrotherapy methods used by Joan include:
- ANODYNE THERAPY
Anodyne is a unique therapy that harnesses the healing power of infrared light. It emits special wavelengths of energy that dramatically increase circulation to injury sites and areas of chronic pain. The result is rapid relief of discomfort.
- INTERFERENTIAL CURRENT THERAPY
This is widely used by physiotherapists a to reduce swelling and inflammation. By using low frequency electrical stimulation of nerves the inferential machine mimics the body’s own electrical frequencies to increase the healing process.
- TAMARS BACK TREATMENTS
This treatment employs a tool that can best be described as a bionic hand with four fingers. The tool is very touch sensitive and enables the practitioner to feel movements of the individual vertebra through it. It is important to note that this treatment is impossible to do manually because the spinal joints are bigger and tougher than the practitioner’s hands.
- TENS (TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATION)
Produces pain relief by blocking pain messages to the brain.
- ULTRASOUND
Ultrasound involves using high frequency sound waves to treat injuries to muscles, tendons and other soft tissues. It is thought to stimulate blood circulation and cell activity, accelerating the healing process and providing pain relief.
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Appointments and Information |
| Cost - Initial Consultation including case history, diagnosis and treatment |
£35.00 |
| Cost - Follow up treatments |
£35.00 |
| Availability in Clinica Tarraula |
Monday, Wednesday, Friday mornings
9.30am - 1.30pm |
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Appointments |
96 579 00 00 |
| E-Mail |
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Protection of title
From 9th July 2005, the titles 'physiotherapist' and 'physical therapist' are protected by law: this means that only physiotherapists registered with the Health Professions Council (the regulatory body) will be allowed to use either of these two titles when practising.
If you opt for private treatment, make sure you see a chartered and/or registered physiotherapist/physical therapist.
This guarantees that: Their qualification is properly recognised
They are governed by a professional code of conduct
They are covered by professional liability insurance
Please check that the physiotherapist you see has: either one of the following sets of initials after their name: MCSP (Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy) or FCSP (Fellow of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy)
and/or is a registered physiotherapist/physical therapist.
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