Physiotherapy

• Musculoskeletal
• Respiratory
• Neurological
• Urogynaecology
  • Urinary urgency, frequency and urge incontinence
  • Stress urinary incontinence
  • Pelvic organ prolapse
  • Pain with sexual intercourse (dyspareunia)
  • Over active pelvic floor muscles
• Urology
  • Bladder, bowel and pelvic floor dysfunction in men and women
  • Obstructive defaecation
  • Bowel incontinence
  • Urinary incontinence following prostate surgery
  • Erectile dysfunction following prostate surgery
  • Bladder, Bowel and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in Men, Women and Children
• Postnatal midwifery team to treat musculoskeletal conditions before and after birth
  • Post-natal perineal trauma
  • Musculoskeletal conditions in the ante-natal and post-natal period
  • Pelvic girdle, hip and upper and lower back pain
  • Peripheral joint pain
  • Coccyx pain
  • Abdominal wall weakness, separation of the abdominal muscles (Diastasis Recti)
• Part of our service includes: 
• Aquatic therapy/Hydrotherapy [Link to Hydrotherapy page]
• Bladder re-training and fluid management
• Breathing techniques and exercises
• Functional exercises and home exercise programmes 
• Heat, cold and acupuncture to help ease pain 
• Lifestyle advice
• Manual therapy techniques 
• Neuromuscular stimulation and biofeedback
• Pelvic floor exercise and sphincter exercise programmes
• Strengthening/ stability and stretching exercises
• Waling aids can be supplied if required

Physiotherapy is provided for inpatients at all of our hospital sites and as an outpatient service at Darent Valley Hospital and at the Planned Care Centre, Queen Mary’s Hospital Sidcup.

A physiotherapy service is provided to all wards at Darent Valley Hospital, the care given depends on the speciality. For example this may be post-operative care on the surgical wards and the intensive care unit, chest care if required by patients with respiratory conditions, neurological rehabilitation or paediatric physiotherapy.

Our physiotherapists treat patients on intensive care, helping to manage their breathing and maintain range of movement and strength throughout their body.

The team also provide care to inpatients at Elm Court, priory Mews.

The orthopaedic physiotherapy team plays an integral part in the assessment, analysis and treatment planning of patient care. Working closely with other members of the multidisciplinary team to promote independency and facilitate early and safe discharge. The care of patients is done following integrated care pathways 7 days per week for elective patients to facilitate early discharge.

The orthopaedic physiotherapists are involved in pre-admission education for patients undergoing total knee and hip replacements. We aim to have patients who have undergone this elective surgery safe and ready for discharge within three days.

Patients following elective total knee replacements are routinely referred to attend an outpatient knee class to aid rehabilitation. This involves attending the department twice a week for both gym strengthening exercise sessions and a session in our hydrotherapy pool to aid movement and strengthening.

Care is provided at both Darent Valley Hospital and Queen Mary’s Hospital.

Patients following traumatic accidents involving broken bones (hips, ankles, arms etc) also receive physiotherapy whilst inpatients.

Neurological Rehabilitation

A specialised neurology service is provided for both in and out patients. The types of condition treated by the physiotherapist may include: strokes, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, post-operative following brain surgery or head injury.

Respiratory Outpatient Physiotherapy

This service is provided for patients with chest conditions who have problems with breathlessness, excess mucus and difficulty maintaining strength and mobility.

It is very important to clear your chest daily as mucus collects in the lungs and can cause a 
chest infection. The physiotherapist can teach you daily exercises and activities that can assist in clearing your chest, making breathing more easy.

The physiotherapist is there to also teach patients how to manage their lung condition while becoming more active to maintain their independence and mobility.

This service is provided at Darent Valley Hospital and Queen Mary’s Hospital