EAP Active is a multi disciplinary medical centre based at Parklane. Previously known as Active physio the practice has expanded and now includes the services of Chiropractor Helen Shlebusch who has moved her practice to Parklane and Biokineticist Nicky Irvine. At a later stage we shall be including the services of a Dietician and Sports Psychologist. We provide pilates classes to our clients and public focusing on core strengthening and postural improvement.

What is the difference between a Physiotherapists, Biokineticist and Chiropractor?

Biokinetics, Physiotherapy and Chiropractics go hand in hand. It is important for all three therapists to be involved in client care.

Biokineticists are the best exercise specialists. They asses what exercises are specific to a person and their general health/injury/ sport. They use certain tests and equipment to accurately measure strength in muscles, picking up differences between left and right and different muscle groups. They also perform other tests to determine your oxygen content/volume when you are at rest or exercising as this will affect your performance! They normally do the exercise/rehab sessions with the client to make sure the exercises are correct, specific and progressive.

Often, a Physiotherapist will treat the dysfunction (pain/swelling/stiffness), but then the healing needs to be maintained with exercise. So, the best results are achieved by a Physiotherapist and a Biokineticist both being involved in client care.

Chiropractors mainly manipulate the spine and joints or 'click everything back into place'. When the chiropractor isolates the source of the problem, a manipulation can give instant relief of pain and stiffness

A Physiotherapist also treats pain and stiffness, among other things, and can use mobilizations and soft tissue release as one of the many treatments options available.

Pilates

Pilates is a very specific, controlled type of exercise therapy that is aimed at strengthening the 'core' or 'stabilising' muscles of the body. The stabilising muscles are VITAL in protecting our spine and joints from strains produced by normal daily activities, sport and exercise. The general population has weak stabilising muscles because of the effects of poor postures and pain. These muscles do not 'strengthen themselves' and need to be specifically retrained. They should be trained in all clients because many problems start as a result of weak stabilisers. There are different levels of intensity and you cannot progress to the next level until you can control your stabilisers at one level. Otherwise, the exercise is too strenuous and you tend to use all the other non-stabilising muscles. This is where injuries occur. Physiotherapists and Biokineticists teach clients how to train these muscles and how to apply the principles in your activities of daily living.