29 Apr 2013

A Physiotherapist at the newly opened Centre Physiotherapy clinic in Maun says backache conditions are common among women.

The clinic which opened its doors in December 2012 offers services such as physiotherapy, rehabilitation, body massage and other conditions that affects the human movement.

The centre manager, Mr Daniel Dibebe explained that they attend to women who mostly suffer from backache due to lack of exercise when they are pregnant and after conceiving. Being overweight, he said, also caused backache as well as degeneration.

He noted that over 30 women are treated for the conditions, noting that his clinic receives over forty patients per month, men included.

In addition, he said that clients are given treatment and discharged, adding that clients are also given instructions and specific exercise for their conditions to continue at their homes.

“Most of our clients are women and some come from outside Maun,” he stated.

The manager noted that if a backache is not treated promptly, the condition can negatively affect the body and one’s fitness.

Mr Daniel further said that they offer treatment such as body massage, exercise therapy to ease muscle tension and increase blood flow.

Furthermore, he revealed that counseling and client rehabilitation is done to avoid further injuries and other variety conditions.

He mentioned that the centre offers stimulation to children who are not growing well due to their body conditions, so that they can catch up with their age mates, and adding that elderly people are also treated.

“We refer some of the clients to Letsholathebe hospital, Thuso rehabilitation and other centers for further treatment in case we do not have the necessary equipments,”he noted.

Mr Daniel revealed that the Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) Maun branch approached them to extend their services to some of the national team athletes who have sustained injuries.

He said injuries in sports such as boxing, athletics affected joints and muscles, therefore, there was a need for checkups and treatment.

“We have seven national team athletes who are currently being treated for free since February this year and only two are paid for by their parents because they have medical aid,” he explained.

This, he observed, was part of the centre’s social responsibility.

The physiotherapist advised people to use their services to avoid disability, adding that psychotherapy is a health service like any other.

However, he said their prices are affordable and ranged from P50 back massage, P100 half body massage and P150 full body respectively.

Meanwhile, Dr Nkala Mulumba of the Women’s clinic centre revealed that his clinic is receiving clients who mostly had virginal discharge and abnormal pains.

He said the clinic specialises on women and reproductive health, adding that women especially those with medical aid mostly utilise their services.

He noted that it is difficult for women without medical aid to use the services because of the high costs.

He appealed to women to use family planning to avoid unwanted pregnancies, saying prevention is better than cure.

On other issues, he encouraged women to test for cervical cancer, HIV/AIDS and other health related conditions.ENDS