For all your Physical Therapy, Physiotherapy and Sporting Needs

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At PK Physical Therapy, we’re proud to serve the Ballina community with our expert physiotherapy services.

Our team of highly skilled physiotherapists is committed to helping you achieve optimal health and wellness through customised treatment plans tailored to your specific needs.

Whether you’re recovering from an injury or looking to improve your overall health and well-being, we have the expertise and experience to help you achieve your goals.

So if you’re in Ballina and in need of physiotherapy services, look no further than PK Physical Therapy.

Our Team

I’m Paul Kilcullen a registered Physical Therapist and I am on the CORU register for Physiotherapists. I graduated with distinction from the Institute of Physical Therapy and Applied Science in June 2015. As part of my studies I received an award for clinical excellence. I also have a degree in Sports and Exercise Science from the University of Limerick from which I graduated in 2004. I take part in CPD on an annual basis to stay up to date with the latest research and treatments, something which is very important in an ever-evolving field.

I have a keen interest in Gaelic football and play with Castleconnor GAA club. I have represented Sligo at U16 and U21 level. I’m passionate about sport and fitness and can empathise with anyone who is injured or has suffered setbacks while trying to return to sport. I would welcome the opportunity to work with you to help you recover from your current condition or injury.

My key interest areas are pain science, manual therapy, persistent pain, low-back pain, and exercise rehabilitation. I work closely with clients to ensure they return to full function as quickly and efficiently as possible.

I am a Full member of the Irish Association of Physical Therapists.

This means treatments are covered by all the major insurance companies, depending on your own individual policy.

For exact cover details give your provider a call.

What is CORU?

CORU is Ireland’s multi-profession health regulator. Its role is to protect the public by promoting high standards of professional conduct, education, training and competence through statutory registration of health and social care professionals. It ensures my qualifications meet the minimum standards required to enter the Physiotherapists registration board. It ensures public confidence in the Physical Therapy/Physiotherapy profession by independently verifying my professional qualifications and standing. It also ensures that Physical Therapy/Physiotherapy are protected titles in Ireland.

Services

Persistent Pain

When any pain goes on for longer than 3 months it’s called persistent pain. In this case, pain has continued past our normal healing times. The brain and the body still feel that the body part needs protecting, thus the pain and many of the protective responses remain. In this case the pain is more about sensitivity of the nervous system and less about damage to the body part. In this situation our brain is doing a good job of protecting us. It can be compared to an oversensitive house alarm. The alarm should only go off if someone is robbing the house, but it can go off without a break-in. In this case, the nervous system is oversensitive creating pain, even though there is no damage done. Different factors such as beliefs, stress, emotions, fear, anxiety, and history of pain all have the potential to influence the pain experience. In cases like this I use education, hands-on therapy and movement strategies to influence the pain experience.

Sports Massage

Massage can provide several benefits to the body such as increased blood flow, reduced muscle tension and neurological excitability, and an increased sense of well-being. I offer relaxation massage, neck massage, pre- and post-event massage. Deep tissue massage is my bread and butter. I can tailor the depth of the massage to suit your individual needs, to ensure you get the maximum benefits from the treatment. I use this technique on a daily basis to treat pain and injury.

Back Pain

Low-back pain is one of the leading causes of disability and has a major socioeconomic impact. The vast majority of patients (up to 90%) are labelled as having non-specific low back pain, which is defined as symptoms without a clear cause (Van Middelkoop et al, 2010).According to Van Middelkoop et al (2010) nonspecific low back pain is classified according to the duration as acute (less than 6 weeks), sub-acute (between 6 weeks and 3 months) or chronic (longer than 3 months). Unfortunately, there is a lot of poor information and misdiagnosis when it comes to back pain. This can lead to ongoing fear and apprehension for the person in pain. At this clinic I use the biopsychosocial model for treating your pain. This involves treatment based on pain education, manual therapy and exercise prescription. The aim of this is to get you moving again without fear or apprehension, and to get you back doing the things you love to do without reliance on medication or therapy.

Falls Prevention Programs

The risk of falling increases with age. One in three older people fall every year, and two thirds of them fall again within six months (HSE, 2008). Injurious falls usually include diverse consequences, ranging from relatively minor injuries, such as bruises or abrasions, to fractures or other serious injuries requiring hospital admission. I have qualified as a Specialist Postural Stability Instructor. The qualification is accredited by Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, and has been endorsed by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy in the UK. The program itself is evidence-based, and allows me to deliver progressive, individually tailored programs to reduce falls’ risk-factors in frailer older people.

Sports Injuries

I treat sports injuries on a daily basis. We assess the injury and apply bespoke rehabilitation exercises to get the person back to sport as quickly as possible. Early loading of injured musculotendinous tissue is important. Delay in rehabilitation can result in prolonged pain and a delayed return to sports; a finding that emphasizes the importance of regular and controlled mechanical loading early after trauma to large muscles. We aim to get them returning to sport in a better position than they were before the injury.

Pitch-Side/Match Day Cover

I provide match day cover for all sporting events. This involves pre-game strapping and massage, followed by pitch-side first aid. I currently work with the Sligo Minor Gaelic Team and Tourlestrane, Bonniconlon, and Castleconnor GAA clubs.

Dry Needling

Dry needling is a therapeutic approach in which fine filament needles are inserted in to specific points on the body to relieve pain and improve function. The needles used are the same as acupuncture needles, but a different treatment technique is used. Dry needling causes a series of processes to occur at the site of the needling, helping to reduce pain and aid healing processes. Twitch responses cause the muscle fibres to untangle and restores normal function. Increased blood flow to the area after needling flushes out the pain producing chemicals and helps with the healing process.

Home Visits

In certain exceptional circumstances I do house calls. This usually applies to older adults’ post-operation. If a home visit is required, please call me