When I was a physiotherapy student in Uddingston I spend several weeks of my training at the MRU – Medical Rehabilitation Unit Uddingston. That would be 1980 – 82 and the history of the building always intrigued me. The superintendent physiotherapist Jess Meeek used to tell stories of when it was the miners physiotherapy and rehabilitation centre and when the place was packed out with many dozens of miners doing exercise classes and taking part in sport.

I have done some research and have found many interesting facts that I will share with you over the next few posts.
Here’s one I will talk about later – did you know that Uddingston Miners’ Rehabilitation Centre was involved in the early formation of the Paralympics?

History of Miners’ Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation in Uddingston

In 1945 the Miner’s Welfare Commission set up a rehabilitation centre for miners at Bellshill Road in Uddingston (physiotherapy was just in its infancy at this time) in the disused Welfare Institute which was built, I believe in the early 1920s. It was set up as a non-residential rehabilitation (physiotherapy) centre for miners from the coalfields of Lanarkshire, Dumbartonshire, Renfrewshire, West Lothian and South Stirlingshire – it covered a large geographic area. It begs the question that if it was non-residential then how did disabled miners travel those distances in the 1940s? I assume that there must have been some provision made for those travelling the longest distances!

Th goal of the centre was to treat the injured miner and return him when fit back to the pit or into suitable alternative job. Please remember that there would be many serious accidents and even deaths in the pits regularly at this time. Many miners would suffer spinal injuries and be wheelchair bound. At this time Lanarkshire Orthopaedic Association estimated that around 7000 men were injured in Scotland’s mines each year. One of the quotes I found was “the centre must be viewed as a hardening centre and is not intended as an out-patient dispensary”. In other words it was designed to toughen up the injured miner when he came out of hospital and get him back to work! This physiotherapy / rehabilitation scheme for disabled miners was the first of its kind in Britain.

Doctors at the Uddingston Rehabilitation Clinic

Dr George MacFeat (1872-1960)

Dr MacFeat was a Glasgow University graduate who was an energetic member of the British Medical Association, Dr MacFeat served as the Chairman of the Scottish Committee and President of the Glasgow and West of Scotland branch.

Dr MacFeat was instrumental in the creation of the Miners’ Rehabilitation Centre at Uddingston, for which service to the community he was awarded an OBE.

Another interesting fact is that he contributed to the cost of creating and installing the East windows in Glasgow University’s Memorial Chapel.

Picture courtesy of www.nationalminingmuseum.org.uk

Dr Sandy Miller FRCS

Dr Miller was the consultant orthopaedic surgeon at the Victoria Infirmary in Glasgow. It should be remembered that in the 1940s there would be no orthopaedic service in Lanarkshire and everyone would need to travel to Glasgow for surgery!

A report I found was “On December 12,1945, Members of the Group visited the miners’ rehabilitation centre at Uddingston. An introductory address was given by Mr. Alexander Miller, F.R.C.S., in which he stressed the importance of using rehabilitation of the injured as a continuous process beginning with early and adequate primary treatment at an orthopaedic department or fracture clinic and continuing throughout the out-patient department of the hospital and finally, where required, to rehabilitation centres in country surroundings. The problem in Lanarkshire was of special importance as this large industrial county was at present completely dependent for its hospital service on Glasgow; the need for more out-patient supervision had therefore become an urgent necessity until a regional plan for hospital services was established.”

Dr C P McGowan

In the archive of some Industrial Medicine Group that unfortunately is not named or has a date but may be from the late 1950s I came across Dr CP McGowan who reported to the group that “It may be of interest to tell you about the service we have in Lanarkshire. I work in an area which is not now a mining area but at one time was extensively so. And an organization has been setup in Lanarkshire. There is a miner’s (physiotherapy) rehabilitation centre at Uddingston, and the great advantages of this are that immediately a miner is ambulant he can attend that centre, go there all day, have his meals there.”

Dr Archie MacDougall

Another Doctor whose name I came across was Dr Archie McDougall. In 1960, he was appointed surgeon in charge of the Orthopaedic department of the Victoria Infirmary and Philipshill Hospital in succession to Sandy Miller (named above). He oversaw the development of that unit into one of the busiest in Glasgow, from two consultants to five by the time of his retirement in 1978.

One of Archie’s early interests was the management of spinal injuries associated with spinal cord damage. This developed from his military service and from his association with the Miners’ Rehabilitation Centre at Uddingston where, for many years, he was visiting orthopaedic surgeon.

Picture courtesy of www.nationalminingmuseum.org.uk

Dr J Simpson

Dr Simpson was the doctor at the Medical Rehabilitation Unit in Uddingston when I was a student. The only reference I could find for him was from the British Medical Journal in 1975.
“Scottish Society of Rehabilitation Medicine –
Doctors working in Scotland and interested in any aspect of rehabilitation medicine are invited to join the newly formed Scottish
Society of Rehabilitation Medicine whose president is Dr. G. G. Browning. Further details are available from Honorary Secretary,
Dr. J. Simpson, Medical Rehabilitation Unit, 80 Bellshill Road, Uddingston.”
It is safe to assume that Dr Simpson was heavily involved in Rehabilitation Medicine and I actually met him later in my career when I worked at Ravenscraig Steel Works where he had been Medical Officer until around 1985.

Physiotherapists

At this time in the 1940s physiotherapy was just being formed as a profession. in 1920 the Chartered Society of Massage and Medical Gymnastics is granted a Royal Charter by King George V on 11th June. In the same year the Society amalgamates with the Institute of Massage and Remedial Gymnastics and grows to establish branches and local boards all over the country. So not yet known as physiotherapists! It took until 1944 when the Society changed it’s name to the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy that the name changed.

So in 1944 when the Miners’ Rehabilitation Centre was established there were no physiotherapists and the work of rehabilitation was done by nurses! So it couldn’t have the name “Uddingston Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Clinic” – at least not for a few years.

In the next post I will look at the type of treatment, physiotherapy and rehabilitation in Uddingston Miners’ Rehabilitation Centre.

Bothwell Physiotherapy has provided a high standard of care to many patients from Uddingston since the clinic was established in 1985.
We have treated literally thousands of patients from Bothwell and Uddingston in that time.
The principal physiotherapist at Bothwell Physiotherapy was Gillian Morrow. Gillian had worked at the clinic for over 10 years.
She has now left and has been replaced by Tahara Rahman and John Kerr.
Both our physios have extensive experience of musculoskeletal problems and working in Private Practice.
Tahara had her own practice in Glasgow City Centre.
John has worked extensively in professional football for many years most recently with St Johnstone and prior to that Queen of the South and Ayr United.

Physiotherapy in Uddingston

There are no private physiotherapy clinic options for you in Uddingston for Physiotherapy treatment so:
If you are in pain and searching for an experienced physiotherapist in Uddingston phone Bothwell Physiotherapy on 01698 85 44 74 for an appointment – it is easier than going into Glasgow.
We are a stones throw from Uddingston town centre and that takes less than 4 minutes.

Click What to expect at Bothwell Physiotherapy for more information about what we do and how we work.

Directions from Uddingston Centre

Just Count the Traffic Lights

It’s as easy as that.
If you are suffering from Back Pain, Neck Pain, Sports Injury, or any other Joint Pain then please call Bothwell Physiotherapy on 01698 85 44 74 and arrange an appointment TODAY!

Your Hamstring muscles are key muscles in your body. You generally think of them only when they are injured – especially in sport.

The Hamstrings are used extensively when you run – especially quickly.
However the Hamstring muscles (there are 3 of them) are the principal muscles in controlling your pelvis when you are standing. They control the tendency of your Pelvis to tip forward -Anterior Tilt.

It is in this role that they can become over-active and they can contribute to Low Back Pain.

Hamstrings and Self Myofascial Release

Self Myofascial Release is a technique where you can move the muscle and it surrounding fascia and this can change the tone in the muscle and relax it. Fascia is a connective tissue that surrounds muscles and organs alike in the body. Think of it as ‘cling film’ around the muscle.

In Self Myofascial Release you can use a foam roller to get relaxation of the Hamstrings.
When you roll the skin, fascia and muscle over a foam roller you gently move these structures relative to each other and you can free off areas where they can ‘stick’ together and reduce mobility.

Self Myofascial Release Hamstrings – technique

Sit on the floor with your foam roll and place the back of your leg over the roll just below your buttock. Gradually move backwards while putting some weight through the leg moving your leg over the roller.

If you find a tender spot then just move back and forth over the tender area – it may ease off. If it does not ease then hold the the position of maximum tenderness for 30 second or so and it should ease. you can hold this position for up to 2 minutes – it will release!

When you have released the tender spot continue to roll up and down searching for more tender areas. Don’t forget to go back up tothe buttock and then rotate your leg slightly and start again.

Continue until you have successfully released all the tender areas in the muscle group with this Self Myofascial Release of Hamstrings

Click on the video below for a demonstration.

This is a 15cm (6 inch) diameter roller that is 45cm (18 inches long)
Extremely hard wearing and is ideal for home or gym use.
Colour: Blue

This is a 15cm (6 inch) diameter roller that is 90cm (36 inches long)
High density sturdy EVA foam for effectiveness and durability
Myofascial release bumps to help break up adhesions
Unique stimulating bumps are better than flat rollers
Extra Long 96cm better surface area and options
Versatile for balance and massage with traction

Many patients find that applying local heat to their lower back makes it less painful and easier to move about.
There are many simple ways of applying heat to your back -

• Hot water bottle
• Heat rub
• Microwaveable wheat packs
• Heated back support

Apply Heat Pad to your Back Safely

The secret of applying heat to your lower back safely is not to heat up the skin TOO much. I have seen patients with the “tartan” back from applying too much heat for too long a period.

The heat should NOT “be as hot as you can stand it” but rather just comfortably hot.

Normal Skin Sensation Test

It is a sensible precaution to check whether you have normal hot and cold sensation in your skin before applying heat (or ice packs for that matter). All you need is a partner to put hot water in one glass container and iced water in another. They then touch them one of them off your skin in the area to which you are going to apply the heat. They don’t tell you or let you see which glass is touching the skin. You must be able to accurately tell them whether it is hot or cold. Test both hot and cold but make it difficult by applying the same one more than once!

Low Back/ Lumbar Heat Pads

Microwaveable Backwrap

Lumbar Support Belt – with Reflective Heat

Microwaveable Wheat-bag

ipod

Apple iPod touch 64GB 5th Generation – Black (Latest Model – Launched Sept 2012)

Back pain, Neck pain or Sports injuries, Bothwell Physiotherapy has provided a high standard of care to over 2,400 patients from Hamilton as Physiotherapist Hamilton since the clinic was established in 1985.

The physiotherapists at Bothwell Physiotherapy are John Kerr and Tahara Rahman.
John Kerr has over 25 years experience working in professional football at several clubs in Scotland and England – most recently he was at St Johnstone.
Tahara has a Masters Degree in Sports Injuries and Exercise Management from Leeds Metropolitan University. She set up her own clinic in Glasgow a few years ago but now prefers to work closer to home and her young family.

Both our physios have extensive experience in treating back pain, neck pain and other spinal disorders, and both obviously love treating Sports Injuries.

Bothwell Physiotherapy has close links with Hamilton as the clinic’s founder Ian Constable was born in Hamilton and went to school there. He played for Hamilton Rugby Club for many years and took over as interim physiotherapist Hamilton Accies when Bobby Reid died. Ian also helped set up and run the Hamilton District Council Sports Injury Clinic at Blantyre Sports Centre nearly 30 years ago.
The clinic was proud to provide physiotherapy services for South Lanarkshire Council for many years and treated large numbers of employees.

If you are suffering from BACK pain or NECK pain or have a SPORTS INJURY and searching for an physiotherapist in Hamilton then please phone Bothwell Physiotherapy Hamilton Road on 01698 85 44 74 for an appointment – nearly 2,500 of your neighbours have. We are less than 2 miles from Hamilton and that takes less than 5 minutes. Many of you pass within 0.5 of a mile as you travel to and from work!
We work Monday to Friday and we are open late on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings till after 8 pm.

Click What to expect at Bothwell Physiotherapy for more information about what we do and how we work.

Directions from Hamilton

1. Head for the top of Almada Street
2. Take Bothwell Road heading past Hamilton Race Course and follow to the roundabout
3. At the mini-roundabout, take the 1st exit heading to Hamilton/Bothwell/Uddingston/B7071
4. The Clinic is at the first set of Pedestrian Lights (on your Right)

Park in the street on your Left immediately before the lights OR on the Right immediately after the lights.

If you are using Sat Nav -
the postcode for Bothwell Physiotherapist Hamilton is G71 8NA

Bothwell Physiotherapy has provided a high standard of care to many patients from Baillieston since the clinic was established in 1985.
The principal physiotherapist at Bothwell Physiotherapy is Gillian Morrow. Gillian has worked at the clinic for 8 years now.
At one point Gillian worked in Baillieston for several months and a few of you may know her from then.
If you in pain and searching for an experienced physiotherapist in Baillieston phone Bothwell Physiotherapy on 01698 85 44 74 for an appointment – it is easier than going into town. We are less than 5 miles from Baillieston town centre and that takes less than 10 minutes.

Click What to expect at Bothwell Physiotherapy for more information about what we do and how we work.

Directions from Baillieston

Take the Motorway
Take the A8 out of Baillieston and then take 3rd exit on the roundabout and take the M73 slip

1. Follow M73 toward Carlisle/M74 follow for 1.7 miles
2. Keep left at the fork and follow signs for M74/Carlisle and merge onto M74 for 3.0 miles
3. At junction 5, exit toward E Kilbride/Coatbridge/Bellshill/Edinburgh/A8
4. At the roundabout, take the 4th exit onto A725 heading to Hamilton/Uddingston/E Kilbride
5. Keep in the right-hand lane
6. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit heading to Hamilton/Bothwell/Uddingston/B7071
7. Turn right at mini-roundabout heading for Bothwell/Uddingston/B7071
8. The Clinic is at the first set of Pedestrian Lights (on your Right)

Park in the street on your Left immediately before the lights OR on the Right immediately after the lights.


ALTERNATIVELY

Directions from Baillieston Health Centre

• Head southwest on Muirside Rd toward Nelson St
• Turn left at Nelson St 0.3 mile
• Turn right at Muirhead Rd 0.3 mi
• Turn right to stay on Muirhead Rd 486 ft
• Turn left at Baillieston Rd 0.4 mi
• At the roundabout, take the 1st exit and stay on Baillieston Rd 381 ft
• Turn left at Hamilton Rd/A74



At This point you can take the M74 in 0.7 miles

• Turn right to merge onto M74 toward Carlisle 2.6 mi
• At junction 5, exit toward E Kilbride/Coatbridge/Bellshill/Edinburgh/A8 0.2 mi
• At the roundabout, take the 4th exit heading to Hamilton/Uddingston/B7071/E Kilbride 0.4 mi
• Keep right at the fork
• At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Bellshill Rd heading to Hamilton/Bothwell/Uddingston/B7071 0.3 mi
• Turn right at Hamilton Rd/B7071 0.4 mi
• The Clinic is at the first set of Pedestrian Lights (on your Right)
• Park in the street on your Left immediately before the lights OR on the Right immediately after the lights.



Or you can go through Uddingston

• follow Hamilton Rd/A74 for 0.9 mi
• At Glenearn Park, take the 2nd exit onto Glasgow Rd/A74 0.7 mi
• Continue onto Main St/B7071 for 1.8 miles to the clinic on your right.

Count the Traffic Lights

• There are lights at Bothwell Castle Golf Club, then at Bothwell Bridge Hotel
• then pedestrian lights in the centre of Bothwell
• Bothwell Physiotherapy is found at the next set of pedestrian lights
• Park in the street on your Left immediately before the lights OR on the Right immediately after the lights.

Back pain, Neck pain or Sports injuries, Bothwell Physiotherapy has provided a high standard of care to over 680 patients from Blantyre since the clinic was established in 1985.
The principal physiotherapist at Bothwell Physiotherapy is Gillian Morrow. Gillian has worked at the clinic for 8 years now.
Bothwell Physiotherapy has close links with Blantyre as the clinic’s founder Ian Constable helped set up and run the Sports Injury Clinic at Blantyre Sports Centre nearly 30 years ago.

If you are in pain and searching for an physiotherapist in Blantyre phone Bothwell Physiotherapy on 01698 85 44 74 for an appointment – nearly 700 of your neighbours have. We are less than 2 miles from Blantyre and that takes less than 5 minutes. Many of you pass within 0.5 of a mile as you travel to and from work!

Click What to expect at Bothwell Physiotherapy for more information about what we do and how we work.

Directions from Blantyre

1. Head for East Kilbride Express-way
2. Take A725 heading for the M74 and follow to the roundabout
3. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit heading to Hamilton/Bothwell/Uddingston/B7071
4. Turn right at mini-roundabout heading for Bothwell/Uddingston/B7071
5. The Clinic is at the first set of Pedestrian Lights (on your Right)

Park in the street on your Left immediately before the lights OR on the Right immediately after the lights.
If you are using Sat Nav then the postcode for Bothwell Physiotherapist Blantyre is G71 8NA

Bolton Wanderers defender Sam Ricketts has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after sustaining a ruptured Achilles Tendon in Wednesday’s 1-0 FA Cup fourth-round replay victory over Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium. The Wales international full-back is expected to be out for six months and ha an operation on Friday.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s fifth round fixture away to Fulham, Coyle said: “Unfortunately Sam has ruptured his Achilles and he will be operated on today”.
The Wales international had to be carried off on a stretcher in the second half after going to ground in an attempt to close down Victor Moses.
“He has been outstanding for us and our immediate thoughts go to him as we wish for a speedy recovery,” added Coyle.
Coyle added: “I think he just went to recover as Moses was raiding for Wigan, and it looked innocuous, but he has certainly damaged his Achilles, that is for sure. He has put his foot down and stumbled, so it is very unfortunate.”
“Sam will get all the help from the club that he requires, but we will now have to get on with everything.”
Coyle refused to blame the state of the Wigan’s pitch which has now been re-laid after tearing up in recent weeks.

Where is your Achilles tendon?
The Achilles Tendon is the lengthy tendon that connects the calves to your heel in the back of your lower leg.
It comes in all shapes and forms – ranging from long and thin to short and thicker nevertheless they all do exactly the same task – move forces from your calves to the feet and vice versa.
The Achilles tendon (or even more correctly tendocalcaneus) is the thickest as well as most robust individual tendon.
It starts close to the middle of the lower leg and reaches as much as 15cm in length before attaching to the hindfoot (calcaneus).

Achilles Tendon Surgery
The Achilles Tendon usually ruptures around 5 cm higher than the heel attachment. The edges separate from one other a bit like cutting the ends of an elastic band.
These edges are pulled together at the operation and stitched using sturdy sutures. In the past the patient was put in a plaster cast with the foot aiming down and it was hoped that the tendon cured well enough to deliver functionality. Surgical treatment was thought to be much less appropriate due to the fact there was an increase risk of an infection especially since the wound in the lower-leg needed to be 20 centimetres long to get proper access to the tendon. The surgery is now able to performed through very small incisions which has a far lower risk of infection.

Operative correction of the torn tendon is almost always essential in sportspeople and is carried out so as to regain the ideal strength of the Achilles, as well as the normal pushing-off strength in the foot. The strength of the muscles is dependent upon the proper stiffness between the muscle and the tendon. The only method that the correct tension on the tendon can be set is by precisely restoring the tendon edges.

This is a quote from the specialist who operated on David Beckham Achilles Rupture – Dr Orava said: “Today we allow patients to do motion earlier than before. In this case we try to get motion back as soon as possible. The operation takes less than one hour. [After the] first month, there can gradually be more and more motion and muscle contractions, and very gradually [shifting] from light training to harder training in the second month. After that, one is usually able to walk and maybe start running lightly after two months if everything goes fine. All this depends on the type of tear.”
“Top athletes usually heal well but it’s a few months until you are back at the same level as you were before. I don’t think it is a big difference to be [aged] 25 or 35, it will be three, four, five months. Most of these patients come back at the same level, even in a top soccer player.”

Bothwell Physiotherapy has close links with Larkhall over the past 10 years or so when we provided NHS physiotherapy services at the busy “The Surgery” medical practice when Dr Parker and Dr Smart were senior partners there. In addition to this we have seen over 625 patients from Larkhall at the clinic in Bothwell.

Bothwell Physiotherapy Clinic is only a 5 minute trip down the M74 motorway.

This is a fully interactive Google Map – use the arrows to zoom in

Directions from Larkhall

1. Head for M74 junction 7 to merge onto M74 for 4.4 miles
2. OR Head for M74 junction 8 to merge onto M74 Glasgow for 7.4 miles
3. At junction 5, take the A725 exit to Bellshill/Coatbridge/E Kilbride/Edinburgh/A8
4. Keep in the right-hand lane
5. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit heading to Hamilton/Bothwell/Uddingston/B7071
6. Turn right at mini-roundabout heading for Bothwell/Uddingston/B7071
7. The Clinic is at the first set of Pedestrian Lights (on your Right)

Park in the street on your Left immediately before the lights OR on the Right immediately after the lights.