Athletes and Breathing
Listen to our Podcast feature on how to breathe better! The team at The Real Science of Sport speak to cardiopulmonary physiotherapist Samantha Holtzhausen about the role of effective breathing in life and exercise. Holtzhausen explains why good breathing can aid performance, reduce illness, and even make you happier, and then gives some practical advice […]
Running On The Frontlines Of COVID-19
Altra Red Team member, Samantha Holtzhausen, knows first-hand the stresses that the COVID-19 pandemic has put on the medical fraternity. In this short film, she shares with us how running has helped her cope with the emotional and physical struggles caused by working on the frontlines of this pandemic.
Breathing as a movement
Out-of-Hospital Rehabilitation: Continuum of Care
While post-operative rehabilitation is important in hospital, it is equally important to continue this rehabilitation once discharged. The focus of out-of-hospital rehabilitation is to facilitate a more independent return to activities of daily living (ADL’s). Basic ADL’s include: Toileting Grooming Dressing Eating Walking ability More advanced ADL’s (instrumental) include: Shopping Earning an income and […]
The Role of Physiotherapy in Pelvic Health
Did you know that physiotherapists can treat common pelvic dysfunctions? It is not always common knowledge that physiotherapists work with the pelvis. Many men and women suffer from dysfunctions of their bladder and bowel, such as incontinence, constipation, and prolapse. However, the first point of contact for these conditions is usually doctors. But physiotherapists who […]
Cardiac Rehabilitation to Improve your Heart Health
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally. Statistics have shown that 210 people in South Africa die from heart disease every day. The WHO states that most cardiovascular diseases can be prevented by addressing behavioral risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet and obesity, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol. What […]
Oncology and Exercise
Cancer is characterised by the uncontrolled growth and reproduction of cells in a particular area of the body. With over 200 distinct types, cancerous cells have the ability to invade and harm nearby healthy tissues and affect the surrounding organs. Muscle wasting is the hallmark of cancer and is associated with serious clinical consequences such […]
Zap Your Pain Away: How ESWT is Changing the Game in Physiotherapy
Hey there! Let’s talk about something cool in the physio world – Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT). It’s like a magic wand for your muscles and joints, and it’s making waves in outpatient physiotherapy. Here’s why it’s awesome: 1. No Surgery, No Sweat Forget the cold, clinical feel of surgery. No knives, no needles, no […]
Breathing Buddies™ – Breathing Exercises for Children
As a physiotherapy practice, we are passionate about teaching people to breathe well and appropriately for the activities they regularly engage in and enjoy doing. We have seen the difference this skill makes in the lives of those living with chronic illnesses, as well as those who want to improve their performance in sports. So […]
Airway Clearance Strategies
What is it? Airway Clearance Techniques (ACT) assist with loosening and removing mucus from the airways to ensure adequate oxygenation and ventilation for the patient. They are used to enhance the body’s mucociliary clearance system when it is impaired by disease, such as Cystic Fibrosis (CF), Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) and Bronchiectasis. Why is […]