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Overview

Physiotherapy is a therapeutic health profession concerned with enhancing mobility and the quality of life of a person who may have been affected physically in one way or another.

This is done through an assessment of abnormalities in movements of the body, treatment of the problem areas and prevention of further abnormalities. Physiotherapists aim to help people gain as much movement and physical independence as possible so that they are able to resume their normal job or lifestyle, where possible.

The scope of physiotherapy is wide and ranges from health promotion to injury prevention; and acute post-injury or surgery management to the management of chronic conditions.

Physiotherapists

Physiotherapists have to undergo a 3 or 4-year undergraduate physiotherapy program in a recognized school to be competent. They study medical science subjects such as anatomy, neuroscience, physiology, kinesiology, and other physiotherapy related fields concerning assessment, treatment and clinical reasoning, in order to make them experts in examination and treatment of musculoskeletal, neurological and cardiothoracic problems that affect people's abilities to move or function as they normally would.

How can physiotherapy help you?

If you have a problem with moving or performing certain activities due to pain, weakness, loss of balance or other reasons, the physiotherapist will perform an assessment, make a diagnosis where necessary, and outline a management plan to optimise your abilities. At Tan Tock Seng Hospital, we offer a broad range of services targeted at people with various conditions or problems. Physiotherapy services are available to both patients admitted in the wards and those who come for outpatient therapy.

 

Carers X Physio

Find various physiotherapy-related caregiving resources and tips on self-care.

Learn more

Our Services

Patients admitted to TTSH may be referred for physiotherapy services depending on their condition. Our physiotherapists work in teams where each team manages patients from a particular discipline (e.g. Orthopaedic, Neurology)


What Does a Physiotherapy Session Consist of?

Examination

The physiotherapist will ask questions about your condition before proceeding to a physical assessment.

Treatment

Treatment type varies according to your needs. The physiotherapist will assess, plan and explain the treatment recommended. The objectives of treatment are to:

  1. Manage Pain
  2. Prevent Recurrences
  3. Increase Physical Strength
  4. Improve your ability to perform daily tasks

Treatment Methods Include:

  1. Manual Therapy
  2. Joint Mobilisation Techniques
  3. Electrophysical Treatments (Ultrasound, Heat and Electrical Stimulation)
  4. Gait and Balance Training
  5. Neurorehabilitation
  6. Manual Lymphatic Drainage Techniques

Appointments

  • Physiotherapy session are available on appointment basis only.
  • If you need to change or cancel your appointment, please contact Central Appointment Lines at 6357 7000 with two days advance notice.
  • If you missed three consecutive sessions without prior notice or did not return within three months for treatment, a new referral from your doctor would be required.
  • Please arrive at least 10 minutes before your appointment time for registration.
  • Patients who are late for appointments would be seen at out discretion and may need to reschedule.

Attire

Please wear comfortable and appropriate clothing (e.g. shorts and T-shirts) for the physical examination and treatment.

Duration of Physiotherapy

Each session lasts about 30 to 60 minutes.

Accompanying Persons

Accompanying persons are advised to remain at the waiting area.

Time Chit

Medical certificate (MC) would not be provided but time chits can be issued upon requests. Please enquire at the counter after your therapy session.

Outpatient services are provided in the following areas:

  • Cardiopulmonary
  • Geriatrics
  • Manipulative physiotherapy
  • Neurology
  • Orthopaedics
  • Sports physiotherapy


Amputee Rehabilitation

People with amputations undergo physiotherapy in order to walk with their prosthesis (artificial leg) in the most normal way possible.

Physiotherapy also aims to help them return to their regular activities, work and / or sport where possible. Caregiver training is also provided if the clients are unable to achieve independence when donning or walking with their prosthesis.

We work closely with other healthcare professionals including the prosthetist, orthotist, podiatrist and rehabilitation physicians to provide holistic rehabilitation to help our patients achieve their goals.

Physiotherapists play a role at three stages during the rehabilitation process:

PHASE 1: PRE-PROSTHETIC REHABILITATION

This phase is to get the patient ready for the fitting of the prosthetic leg.

PHASE 2: PROSTHETIC REHABILITATION

The patient is re-orientated with everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs, maneuvering of drains, slops and obstacles.

PHASE 3: ADVANCED BALANCE AND ACTIVITY TRAINING

When the patient is ready to progress, he / she will be trained in activities such as running, mountain climbing, etc.

Contact Us

Give us a call at 6259 4026 for more details.


Ankylosing Spondylitis Class

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a form of an arthritis disorder that affects the spine.

The spine stiffens due to the inflammatory processes at the attachments of ligaments and capsules of the spine. The cause for AS is unknown. However, there is a strong genetic / family link and males are commonly affected.

The AS Club is part of the National Arthritis Foundation. It consists of exercise programme including stretches for different parts of the body. The AS exercise class programme is an extended service conducted by the physiotherapists of Tan Tock Seng Hospital every Friday evening. The programme comprises of stretches and endurance exercises. It aims to encourage patients to practice safe exercising regularly.

Opening Hours

Friday 7-8pm, except public holidays

Contact Us

Contact your TTSH Physiotherapist or email info@arthritis.org.sg.


Cardiac Rehabilitation

Cardiac rehabilitation is a specially designed program that can help improve your cardiac fitness and reduce your risks of future heart problems. This multidisciplinary program offers a combination of exercise, education and lifestyle modifications to help you achieve an active, healthy lifestyle.

Our rehabilitation staff will show you how to exercise safely and effectively based on your ability and needs. We will help you improve your cardiovascular fitness as you move through the program and achieve positive lifestyle changes. Throughout your rehabilitation, we will monitor your progress and provide feedback to your medical physician.

This program will help you learn about your condition, develop a heart-healthy exercise routine, adjust to a healthier lifestyle, return to a productive life, and cope with future health concerns.

Our structured learning program includes:

  • Individual exercise testing and exercise prescription
  • Supervised exercise sessions tailored to your abilities and needs
  • Educational presentations on lifestyle changes that can reduce your risk of future health problems

Physiotherapists will monitor your vital signs, symptoms, and exercise responses and communicate your progress to your referring physician.

This program consists of ten exercise sessions, two pre and post assessment sessions with six educational talks by the respective allied healthcare professionals (cardiac nurse, dietician, pharmacist, occupational therapist, physiotherapist and psychologist).

Please consult your cardiologist to obtain a referral for cardiac rehabilitation. With this referral, please call 63577000 for an appointment.

Is this program for you?

Cardiac Rehabilitation is for individuals who have:

  • chest pain (angina)
  • congestive heart failure
  • valvular disease
  • and for those recovering from
  • heart attack
  • cardiac surgeries (valve repair, pace maker insertions, AICD placements)
  • angioplasty (PTCA)
  • rotoblator atherectomy
  • Stent placement

People with cardio risk factors such as: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, physical inactivity and obesity will also benefit from cardiac rehabilitation prevention and maintenance programs.

Opening Hours

8:00am – 5:00pm

Contact Us

Tel: 6357 7000


Clinical Pilates

Clinical Pilates is a unique rehabilitation process, where physiotherapists blends pilates exercises with the latest evidence based research on the core, to improve the management of patients suffering from lower back and neck pain.

This program will provide safe and gentle exercises to strengthen reduce pain and restore function of the spine.

Clinical Pilates is conducted in a group format.

Contact Us

Tel: 6357 8307


Diabetes Exercise Program

The Diabetes Rehabilitation Program is a supervised, therapeutic program that combines exercise and education for individuals who have Type I, Type II or pre-Diabetes Mellitus. This program encourages the development of a healthy, active lifestyle to manage diabetes with exercise.

A customized program is designed for each individual based on age, exercise physical capacity and medical condition. Individuals will leave the program confident in their ability to exercise safely at home, yet empowered by the knowledge of the disease management.

This program consists of eight ten exercise sessions with two pre and post assessment sessions.

Is this for you?

Diabetes exercise program rehabilitation is for individuals who have Type I, Type II Diabetes Mellitus and with impaired fasting glucose.

Opening Hours

8:00am – 5:00pm

Contact Us

Tel: 6357 8307


Ergonomics Clinic

Rising healthcare costs in Singapore have made preventive health initiatives even more relevant than ever.

In 2008, Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSDs) accounted for 41% of work-related health problems reported in Singapore. The economic loss due to WRMSDs was estimated to be $3.5 billion in 2011, which was equivalent to 1% of Singapore's GDP. In 2013, back injuries due to ergonomics risks accounted for more than 3500 man-days lost at work. WRMSDs is currently the leading occupational disease in Singapore (2018 statistics from WSH Council), with back injuries due to ergonomics risks being the most commonly reported. With such high economic burden and workers requiring long term medical care in future if their WRMSD is undiagnosed or untreated, it is imperative to reduce or prevent the occurrence of such WRMSDs through an ergonomics programme.

Ergonomics is an important workplace health promotion strategy. It is the science of fitting jobs to people through optimising working conditions, physical work-loads and working postures for the staff. Good ergonomics in the workplace can lead to:

  • Reduction in injury or illness rates
  • Reduction in costs associated with injury and illness
  • Improvement in workplace productivity

In contrast, poor ergonomics practices that result in a job that is poorly fitted to the staff can result in strains and injuries, which in return can result in:

  • Increased absenteeism
  • Reduced workplace productivity
  • Increased costs associated with injury and illness

Our experienced physiotherapists in the Ergonomics Clinic can assist you to identify specific and unfavourable ergonomics in your workplace. Thereafter, a customised ergonomic solution can be developed for your individual or organisational needs.

The objectives of the Ergonomics Clinic are:

  • To educate about proper ergonomics in the workplace
  • To assess the workplace and job task
  • To identify hazards and make recommendations for change to promote long-term workplace safety and health

An ergonomics programme will be tailored according to each individual or organisation's needs and may consist of one or more of the following:

  • Educational talks/workshops (includes teaching of simple exercises)
  • Workplace and job task assessment
  • A report including assessment results and recommendations for change

Contact Us

Tel: 6357 8305


Exercise Classes

The human body is highly sophisticated and can adapt to different demands and tasks. This adaptability can be maintained with the help of different exercises, to keep the body flexible, agile and fit.

Besides working individually with our patients, we conduct group exercise classes. While different classes are geared towards different pain conditions, the exercises prescribed are meant to fulfil the patient's needs for:

  • Flexibility
  • Agility and coordination
  • Strength
  • Balance
  • Cardiovascular fitness

The range of conditions includes:

  • Post ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) reconstruction
  • Back pain
  • Neck pain
  • Osteoarthritis of the knee
  • Shoulder dysfunction (surgical and non-surgical)
  • Other Lower limb and knee injuries and rehabilitation back to sports
  • Post fractures (surgical and non-surgical)

Falls

This is an expanding field, especially with an ageing population in Singapore currently. One may experience a decline in physical function and mobility with age, which may predispose them to falls. Approximately one in three elderly people over the age of 65 experience at least one fall a year.

The risk of falling rises with increasing age. Falls can lead to serious injuries such as fractures and head injuries. Many of the elderly also experience some psychological barriers to return to premorbid status, such as a fear of falling and depression after a fall episode.

Falls not only affect the individual, but also the family and the society. Physiotherapists working with the elderly are trained to provide individualized assessment and identify risk factors for falls such as poor balance, lack of flexibility and decreased strength. Based on their assessment, they will prescribe treatment such as a tailored exercise program to improve mobility and physical function. They work closely with the geriatric physicians in the management of our older patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

Their group exercise programs have been well-received by our patients who find them beneficial in enhancing their physical and social well-being.


Lymphoedema Clinic

Lymphoedema is a special type of swelling that can be managed by a lymphoedema therapist. The therapists are certified and trained to provide manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), compression bandaging, compression garments, therapeutic exercises, and patient education to decrease swelling.

MLD is a gentle rhythmic massage which not only has an overall soothing and calming effect on the muscles, it also plays an important role in improving lymphatic flow and removing excessive fluid in the tissue. Compression bandage, as its name implies, provides compressive force to the affected limb. It is used in conjunction with MLD to achieve better results in managing the swelling. The patients are also encouraged to participate actively with therapeutic exercises, self-massage and bandaging taught by the therapist.

Lymphoedema is caused by malfunctioning in the lymphatic system. It is irreversible and there is no cure for it. As the condition progresses, it may become more difficult to manage. It is crucial to treat and control this condition early. Lymphoedema should not be left untreated as it increases the risk of developing an infection that may require medical attention. The lymphatic system is made up of a complex network of lymph vessel interspersed by lymph nodes. The lymph vessel collects a clear coloured fluid (lymph) that is made up of water, protein and waste products from tissue and transports them into the blood stream; thereby maintain the fluid balance in the body.

Lymphoedema can be due to an impaired lymphatic system or an insufficient number of lymph vessels. This is known as a primary lymphoedema. On the other hand, lymphoedema can also be caused by secondary factors such as surgery, radiotherapy, trauma, cancer, inflammation and filariasis, a parasitic infection transmitted by mosquitoes. This is known as secondary lymphoedema. Surgeries that involve the removal of lymph nodes in the breast, head, neck and groin are likely to increase the risk of developing secondary lymphoedema.

Signs and symptoms of affected area:

  • Tightness with ring, watch or bracelet
  • Feeling of tightness and fullness
  • Persistent swelling
  • Difficulty fitting clothing in affected area

Opening Hours

Monday to Thurs: 11.00 am to 1pm, 4.00pm to 5.00pm

Friday: 11.00 am to 3.00pm

Contact Us

Tel: 6357 8307


Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy

Ever so often, our body succumbs to some form of aches and pains, a result of a breakdown in normal functions of our muscular and skeletal systems. While some of these malfunctions originate from certain diseases and conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, others are consequences of sports, work-related and leisure or lifestyle activities.

Our physiotherapists seek to determine the underlying problem and applies various strategies to harmonize the structures and systems at fault. These can only be achieved with an in-depth knowledge of the anatomy, body physiology and movement science.

Patient Information

ANKLE SPRAINS

An ankle sprain is the result of ligaments (structures that hold bones together) being overstretched. The signs and symptoms of an ankle sprain include pain, bruising and swelling.

In the first 72 hours after injury, apply the following principles:

RestGive your ankle time to rest, moving only within your limits of pain
IceApply a cold compress ice/gel pack for 10 minutes every 2 hours
CompressApply pressure from the lower half of your calf to the toes with a bandage. This helps to control swelling
ElevateAs far as possible, try and keep the injured ankle at a level above that of your heart

In order to facilitate the acute stages of recovery and rehabilitation of the ankle, avoid the following:

HeatAvoid applying any ointment that would increase the temperature of the affected area
AlchoholAvoid the consumption of alcohol
Running Avoid any vigorous activity
MovementAvoid excessive movements to the affected ankle

 

OSTEOARTHRITIS OF THE KNEE

Osteoarthritis is a common condition, which is a result of the wear and tear (i.e. degeneration) of joints. The knee is one of the most commonly affected joints.

The signs and symptoms include:

  • Joint pain or tenderness
  • Joint stiffness, especially in the morning
  • Swelling of the joint
  • Redness and/or warmth of the joint
  • Limited movement of the joint
  • Weakness of the muscles around the affected joint (usually associated with pain)

Physiotherapy can help in the management of osteoarthritis by:

  • Reducing pain and/or swelling by electrophysical modalities
  • Increasing flexibility of the joint
  • Strengthening the body muscles including muscles around the affected joint that support it, through exercises
  • Correction of poor posture and prescription of aids
  • Improve one's quality of life

FROZEN SHOULDER

Frozen shoulder is a common cause of shoulder pain and stiffness. The cause of onset is unknown.

The course of frozen shoulder can be divided into 3 stages.

Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3
Inflammation in joint Pain with all movements. Movements limited by painPain and inflammation reduced. Significant stiffness due to scarring of shoulder joint capsuleShoulder begins to regain movement. Improvements usually occurs over a lengthy period of time, up to more than a year
Physiotherapy in this stage may assist by providing pain relief, encouraging gentle active movements within limits of painPhysiotherapy in these two stages consists of exercises that can help to facilitate the recovery of movement, strength and function of the shoulder

 

BACK / NECK PAIN

The function of the spine is to maintain our posture and to support our body weight. The bones in the spine (vertebrae) together form the spinal column. In between these bones are discs that serve as shock absorbers. Joints between the bones (facet joints) together with ligaments help to guide movement of the spine. Muscles of the neck and back control and bring about movements.

Injury to any of these structures can result in back/neck pain. Injuries can be caused by trauma, fall, poor posture, repetitive use or degeneration of the spine.

Physiotherapy can help manage spinal pain through:

  • Mobilisation / Manipulation
  • Strengthening exercises and stretches
  • Posture correction / Ergonomic advice
  • Electrophysical modalities

Geriatric Physiotherapy

Physiotherapists working with older adults provide individualized assessment and identify functional impairments such as poor balance, lack of flexibility and decreased strength. Based on their assessment, they will prescribe treatment such as a tailored exercise program to improve mobility and physical function. They work closely with the geriatric physicians in the management of our older patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings. There are also group exercise programs designed for frailer older adults with specific needs such as reduced strength and balance.


Neuroscience Physiotherapy

Neurological conditions include conditions such as Stroke, Parkinson's disease, Spinal cord injury and other Neuromuscular conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis and Motor Neuron Disease. Rehabilitation is important in these populations to improve function and quality of life, to maintain functional gains post-rehabilitation and in preventing secondary complications of disease in the long-term. An individualised rehabilitation program targeted specifically for each patient's needs is the key to achieving this for our patients.

Our Physiotherapists work closely with other medical and allied health professionals to ensure our patient's rehabilitative needs are addressed. We play an important role in patient recovery by prescribing individualised treatment for patients which may include strengthening, physical re-conditioning, gait and balance training, movement re-education, falls prevention and pain management.

Contact Us

Tel: 6357 8307


Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a program consisting of exercises and education designed to help patients with lung disease improve their physical and psychological status.

A full program consists of 16 10 exercise sessions with two assessment sessions.

Is this program suitable for you?

Pulmonary rehabilitation is for patients with chronic lung disease such as

  • Asthma
  • Bronchiectasis
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases
  • Interstitial Lung Disease

As a result of these illnesses, you may experience a reduction in exercise tolerance. This may result in a decline in physical function and a reduced quality of life. If left unaddressed, it may lead to impaired ability in performing activities of daily living and breathlessness at rest.

Opening Hours

8:00am – 5:00pm

Contact Us

Tel: 6357 7000


Vascular Rehabilitation

Vascular rehabilitation is a supervised exercise program that improves maximal walking distance in patients with claudication (aching, cramp-like pain in the legs that subsides with rest).

The program uses a walk/rest interval training program to train the leg muscles to improve efficiency of oxygen utilisation, thus allowing patients to walk further without pain. This program combines exercise and comprehensive healthy lifestyle education for patients to enhance their overall cardiovascular health, promote functional independence, and improve the quality of life.

A customized program is designed for each individual based on age, physical capacity, medical condition and prognosis.

Is this program suitable for you?

Vascular rehabilitation is for individuals who have intermittent claudication and symptomatic peripheral vascular disease.

Opening Hours

8:00am – 5:00pm

Contact Us

Tel: 6357 8307


Vestibular Rehabilitation

The vestibular rehabilitation program is an exercise-based approach to managing person with vestibular (inner ear/ imbalance) dysfunctions to help them to continue with their activities of daily living with reduced symptoms and improved function.

Who will benefit from Vestibular Rehabilitation?

Individuals with incomplete central compensation following a peripheral vestibular dysfunction will benefit from vestibular rehabilitation. These individuals may present with symptoms such as (1) motion provoked dizziness, (2) sensation of unsteadiness or imbalance when the visual surroundings move, or when visual or other sensory inputs is decreased, and (3) gaze instability or oscillopsia i.e. visual blurring associated with head movements which is more prominent in patients with bilateral vestibular dysfunction.

Others with the condition known as BPPV will complain brief duration of vertigo (sensation of self or environment spinning) associated with positional changes such as getting out of bed, turning in bed or bending forward to pick up something from the floor. BPPV is common in elderly patients and individuals who have suffered from head trauma.

Elderly patients with degenerative vestibular hypofunction may also present with the above symptoms with ageing. They will also benefit from vestibular rehabilitation.

What is expected during a typical Vestibular Rehabilitation Program?

A physiotherapist with specialised training in vestibular rehabilitation will assess the individuals and design customised exercise program for them.

The individual will be educated on their conditions and taught specific exercises to help reduce their symptoms of vertigo and dizziness and reduce gaze instability, and/ or imbalance and falls. Strengthening and conditioning exercises may be taught when indicated.

Vestibular rehabilitation physiotherapists are trained to provide repositioning maneuvers to treat individuals with Benign Parosyxmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV).

A specialized computerized dynamic posturography is available in our clinic for the assessment of balance.

How long is a typical Vestibular Rehabilitation Program?

Average number of treatment sessions ranges from 4 to 8 depending on individual's problems. Individuals with BPPV may be seen between 2 to 3 treatment sessions.

Contact Us

Tel: 6357 8307


Weight Management Programme

The weight management program is a supervised, therapeutic program that combines exercise and education for individuals who are overweight and obese. This program is individually tailored based on age, physical exercise capacity and medical condition. This program consists of ten exercise sessions with two p​re and post assessment sessions.

Is this program suitable for you?

Weight management program is suitable for individuals with a Body Mass Index above 23 25 with or without comorbidities.

Opening Hours

8:00am – 5:00pm

Contact Us

Tel: 63578307
















 
 



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