Leoni Viljoen Physiotherapy

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Welcome to my blog.

This site is a window into my world: my practice, my courses, and who I am and what I do. I hope it’ll have some value for you – whatever your reason for visiting.

I qualified from the Freestate University in November 1997 and have practiced physiotherapy every day since – I’m almost sure I’ll get it right one of these days!

I love what I do, and I'm fortunate enough to do it in the whale watching town of Hermanus in the Western Cape.

The primary focus within the practice is to keep our clients active through an approach developed and perfected over the past 14 years – treating the cause of pain rather than pain itself. My knowledge is based in good training, constant development and integration of new world treatment modalities, and experience gained from working in South Africa, Canada, and the UK.

I have developed a different approach to treatment over these years and have started delivering courses – exposing my colleagues to what I’ve learnt. Through them I hope to reach more people in pain than I could ever do by myself.

For more news on the practice or courses please look for the appropriate link to the right (Archive).

The Practice

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Practice:

The practice is currently situated on the 1st floor, East Cliff Village, 251 Main Rd, Hermanus, Western Cape – yes, we are very fortunate and you’d love the view! We are moving soon though, so please watch this space...

Philosophy:

The philosophy in practice is to treat the cause of pain rather than pain itself. Through clinical assessment and manual therapy the biomechanical dysfunction is identified and treated rather than merely alleviating the symptoms of pain.

Business hours:

The rooms are open Monday – Friday between 08:30 and 16:30 unless there’s a better reason not to be, like beach-weather, or Christmas. We recommend you phone ahead to book an appointment.
(028 312 3549)

Appointments:

Your first appointment will last approximately 45 minutes and will include a full assessment and treatment. Subsequent appointments may vary from 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the nature of your condition and the required treatment.
Please advise us 24 hours in advance should you require a cancellation – a patient on our waiting list will appreciate this courtesy. Should you fail to cancel your appointment, you will be billed for your appointment.

Rates:

This practice charges medical aid rates as determined by the South African Society of Physiotherapy and published on their website. ICD10 codes are also used to support your claim for reimbursement to your medical aid. Please note however that the practice does not submit accounts to any medical aid society and you alone remain responsible for settlement of all your accounts.

We accept all major credit and debit cards – sorry, no Diner’s Club or American Express. Payment can also be made via internet banking.

MAP Course Basics

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Myotatic Activation Procedures (MAP) is a process of assessment, diagnosis and treatment of Biomechanical Dysfunction and explores the dynamic interaction between muscles, joints and nerves.

The focus of MAP is to restore function. This is achieved by treating the cause of pain, rather than pain itself.

MAP is a systematic method of evaluating and treating dysfunctions of the neuro-musculoskeletal system through the application of specific manual soft tissue techniques. These involve gentle isometric contractions to address and treat biomechanics in order to increase or decrease mobility, relieve pain and restore joint specific stability and normal function.

This allows the body to align and correct itself, resulting in improved spinal mobility and alignment without the need for passive manipulation.

MAP utilises techniques that are effective, precise and easy to apply. They compliment Maitland, Mulligan, McKenzie, and other mobilisation techniques and are appropriate for patients of all ages and any activity level.

These courses will introduce new principles and will challenge your way of thinking!

MAP for Lumbar Spine, Pelvis & Sacrum

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Myotatic Activation Procedures for the Lumbar Spine, Pelvis & Sacrum

Why would you want to do this course?

Lower Back Pain (LBP) is one of the most common conditions we as physiotherapists see, although it may still present us with a challenge every day. When the cause of the problem is correctly identified, it can be very responsive to treatment.

MAP provides a fresh approach to the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of LBP. During the course you will discover the roles of the Pelvis and Sacrum in determining the basis for LBP. The course will further provide you with the MAP and necessary tools to identify the specific biomechanical dysfunction of the SIJ, ISJ, Pubis symphysis and L5/S1 and teach you how to treat the specific causes of LBP effectively.

MAP works!! The techniques provide a 3-in-1 Neuro-musculoskeletal solution in only 25 seconds. Come, see and feel the results for yourself. This course will definitely change the way you view and treat LBP.

Course highlights:

Understand how the Pelvis, Sacrum and Lumbar vertebrae relate, interact and compensate;
L5 is the weakest link – MAP will show you its strengths;
Sort out SIJ pain once and for all - discover the Sacrum;
Come to grips with Piriformis syndrome and Sciatica - make the difference;
Resolve hip & groin problems - find the hidden Pubic dysfunction;
Give athletes the edge in their performance by eliminating predisposed factors that can cause injury.

Comments from course participants:

Wow! Excellent! Very practical. I will apply the techniques tomorrow.
This is a must for every physio!!! I will look at my patients a lot differently, and also phone a few to use my new tool and correct their problems.
Brilliantly presented – very insightful.
New techniques – so simple, yet so effective!!
Very relevant & practical – and it works! I learned a lot.
Very excited to try out new techniques. The manual makes it easy to learn. Thanx!

MAP for Thoracic Spine & Ribs

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Myotatic Activation Procedures for the Thoracic Spine & Ribs

Why would you want to do this course?

Thoracic pain can take your breath away! It is often described as a stabbing pain and known to persist and persevere.

Due to the composition of the thorax, shaped for support and protection, it is often viewed as a structural unit. However, a UK study revealed that 40% of patients admitted to the ER with chest pain actually suffered from musculoskeletal dysfunction. This course will shed light on the thoracic area and assist you in identifying the difference between thoracic and rib dysfunctions and ways in which to correct them, with ease.

You will receive your MAP to guide you through 24 facet joints, 24 costo-transvers joints and 14 costo-sternal joints. MAP will simplify it: teach you how to distinguish between them, interpret their relation, identify the dysfunction, and finally treat it effectively. Isn’t that a huge weight off your back?

Discover the Diaphragm in its full flair and treat it effectively!

Our key to life and survival is in breathing. MAP will help you make a difference in the lives of COPD patients and elite athletes alike.

Shoulder pathology in certain athletes present due to restriction in thoracic mobility. Repetitive trauma to the chest wall of rugby players can lead to painful, unstable ribs. The assessment of the thoracic spine should therefore be an integral part of the sport therapist’s initial examination – MAP can help with this!

MAP for the Thoracic spine and Ribs also deals with conditions such as Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and T4 syndrome due to structural changes in the thoracic spine and positional changes of the ribs.

What you will get out of this course…

Learn to identify thoracic dysfunction and restore normal spinal alignment;
Alleviate stubborn thoracic pain with MAP techniques and improve thoracic mobility significantly;
Discover the Diaphragm – release it with MAP, and breathe with ease;
Be a star: identify post-op Rib dysfunctions;
The missing link in shoulder impingement– the stiff thoracic spine;
Secret Syndromes: understand and treat Thoracic Outlet- and T4 syndrome;
Be the change in the “unchangeable” thoracic spine.

Comments from course participants:

New experience in assessment and treatment. New knowledge in the movements of thoracic spine and ribs. I recommend this course to all physios, especially to the sport and OMT world.
I will be able to treat an area I never thought of intervening in!!
Very interesting. I really knew nothing about ribs. Now I’m able to go out and treat patients with thoracic and rib conditions.
Amazing!! I didn’t know I could help so many patients with thoracic problems. I usually avoid them.
Instant relief of symptoms and so easy to do.
I was introduced to a whole new world and will use it in practice every day.
Physiotherapists can make a BIG difference like no other in patients with rib pain. I love the simplicity of it.
Love immediate results. Presenter is engaging. Opened up a whole new world of ideas.
Involves more than just the thoracic - shoulder, cervical and lumbar connections. Would make a big difference to the lives of patients we struggle to treat.

MAP Course Calendar

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2011 is all but over and the MAP has been placed in many more physios' hands. Patients across South Africa and now also in Namibia are benefiting from it. Thank you for your interest and attendance, your involvement and feedback, and in making the expansion of MAP such a success.

The practice is running at full tilt and bookings remain essential. Leoni is, as always, running around like an Eveready Bunny, keeping everybody active and on their toes. It boggles my mind how she manages to juggle work, babies, family, MAP, and every other challenge that comes along, with apparent and effervescent ease.

Courses for 2011 were limited due to the increasing family (and whatever coincides with that... insanity being one!) and with renovation of the practice premises. We are however already into MAP2012. Please reserve a course in advance to enable Leoni to plan a schedule around her other commitments. The relevant information on upcoming, and new courses, will be posted once they have been confirmed.

Should you wish to host a MAP course in your area, require more information, or have any questions regarding the courses, please email Leoni directly (lvphysio@gmail.com). To book on a course, please use the specific contact details provided per course.

MAP Courses for 2012:

MAP for Lumbar Spine, Pelvis & Sacrum
Durban, RSA
March 10 - 11, 2012
CPD: 15
Contact: TBC
email: TBC
(Please contact __ to book on this course)

Looking forward to seeing you there.

More about Leoni

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Leoni qualified with a B.Sc (Physiotherapy) from Freestate University in 1997 and worked in private and hospital practice till end 2000. Private work was focused around sport and the practice was closely involved with two professional rugby squads. In 2001 she moved to Canada where she practiced physiotherapy in both Ontario and British Columbia. Then in 2002 she moved to Scotland where, for the next three years, she worked as a Senior1 physiotherapist with the Edinburgh University’s Sport Injury Clinic. During this period she was exposed to the newest developments and research in physiotherapy.

Leoni was the team physio for the Scottish National Men’s Hockey Team from 2002 – 2004 and the Lead Physiotherapist (Hockey) for the East of Scotland Institute for Sport (ESIS) from 2003 – 2004. She was also involved in the initial development of Edinburgh University’s high performance sport programme.

Her lecturing experience abroad included module lecturing for Sport Medicine and Sport Science students at Edinburgh University as well as module lectures for the ESIS’s ACE programme for developing elite athletes.

Leoni returned to South Africa in 2005 and developed the MAP courses based on the integration of her knowledge, experience, and acquired techniques. She has a private practice in Hermanus where MAP is used extensively in conjunction with other manual therapy techniques. She delivered her first MAP course in 2008.

Leoni currently has one husband, one (terrible two's) baby boy, one (sweet-cheeks) baby girl, and a nutter of a Boxer named MacGregor. The family dynamic has changed dramatically! Courses in 2011 were very interesting... for Dad! I still wonder how he did it...

The family lives in the ever-expanding seaside village of Hermanus in the Western Cape.

News

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October 2011:
Marianne, the first face you see and the voice you hear on the phone, had her second baby! Mom and babe are both doing well and are using their time at home to bond and get used to their new life together. Marianne plans to be back at the practice in early January... that's the plan. We'll keep you posted.

Sandy and Emma are the new and very friendly faces and voices currently assisting with bookings, account queries, or just to chat while you wait.
Thank you very much ladies - you are absolute STARS!

We're renovating the practice, so please excuse the paint buckets, ladders, and walls sporting various colours of paint swatches - it's a tricky business, but we're getting there, slowly and surely. We're hoping the new look will remain inviting while exhibiting a bit of the character and warmth that is Leoni Viljoen Physiotherapy. Your commenst and suggestions are welcome and very much appreciated - this place is as much yours as it is ours!

November 2011:
We're happy to welcome Hein Attwood who joins our team. Hein qualified from The University of the Freestate school of physiotherapy - same as Leoni - and has attended various of Leoni's courses over the past 18 months. He is therefore qualified and able, eager and ready to assist where possible, supported by his good training, knowledge and experience, with Leoni to help guide whenever needed.
We know you will all make Hein feel very welcome.

We hope the renovations will be complete halfway through this month - thanks for your patients (no pun) and suggestions.

December 2011:
We're looking forward to seeing all our regular holiday visitors in Hermanus during December. Welcome back! It's been a tough year - hope you have a fantastic holiday!

Please phone 028 312 3549 for any bookings or enquiries.

Contact us

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Leoni Viljoen Physiotherapy
First floor, East Cliff Village (above Kwikspar)
251 Main Rd
PO Box 987
Hermanus
7200
Western Cape,
South Africa

Tel:      028 312 3549
Fax:     086 632 5805
Email:   lvphysio@gmail.com

GPS coordinates:
S 34 ̊   24.734 ̍
E 019 ̊ 15.006 ̍