Missaka Wijenayaka brings over a decade of experience to our shores as he steps into the combined role of Sri Lanka’s first and only Remedial Therapist, Physiotherapist and Chiropractor. His knowledge of anatomy and physiology blend well into his treatments, providing much-needed pain relief from injuries sustained during sports, work, accidents and he also specializes in post-operative recovery, post fractures and arthritic conditions.
Missaka took the time out of his busy schedule to talk to us about Pain Management – what it is, what it isn’t, and why he chose it as a profession.
Missaka, what made you interested in Physiotherapy?
I was very interested in sports from a young age which meant injuries, which in turn lead to many visits to the physiotherapist! I liked how the physiotherapist interacted with me, so when it came to choosing a career, I decided to look closer into physiotherapy and remedial therapy. I migrated to Australia and obtained my qualifications from the University of Victoria and La Trobe University, after which I worked with various sports clubs such as the Collingwood Football Club and Melbourne Storm, a rugby league team which gave me a wealth of expertise in perfecting my skills as a Pain Management Specialist. Currently, I consult at the Vasan Hospital #423, Galle Road, Colombo 3.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Using my knowledge and skill set to bring relief from pain to all the people around me. I love dealing with so many different people and their issues: each one is different because each person is different. I enjoy getting to know patients and find it incredibly rewarding to see people get better.
Chiropractic care is not something that everybody is familiar with. What would be the simplest way to describe it?
Basically, it’s about musculoskeletal diagnosis. As a chiropractor, I use the physical assessment, motion palpation, joint mechanics, etc. to assess and alleviate people’s pain.
You have started a new concept where you perform pain relief measures (such as massages) in offices. How do you feel this will benefit staff productivity?
Today everyone, no matter what field they are in, is under tremendous stress. The success of the workforce is also causing its own productivity crisis. Many office workers develop work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs’), caused by sedentary behaviour and physical inactivity and don’t address these ailments until they get worse and they have to seek treatment. We might think that if our job role doesn’t require physical labour, we can’t injure ourselves at work, but we are at a risk of developing neck, back and shoulder conditions caused by bad posture. As a Pain Management Specialist, I help employees identify the causes of MSDs’ and provide short and long-term improvements for their ailments.
What are the advantages of remedial therapy as opposed to physiotherapy?
There is a very close relationship between physiotherapy and remedial therapy, which is relatively new to Sri Lanka. The latter is advantageous in that it is a more ‘hands-on’ type of treatment than physiotherapy because it can help treat soft tissues and restore their function. Remedial therapy aims to relieve pain, decrease muscle tension and promote healing of injured tissues. Physiotherapy, on the other hand, refers to the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of health conditions that result in pain, weakness, limited ability and degeneration. However, both types of therapy can be most effective if paired with a healthy lifestyle.
Tell us about some of the techniques you use for both types of treatment.
Remedial therapy involves the use of techniques such as Cupping Therapy, a form of alternative medicine in which special cups are put on the skin for a few minutes to create suction. The other technique I use is Dry Needling, a modern treatment designed to ease muscular pain, which penetrates the deep muscle, enabling better nerve reach and a higher rate of success in the treatment. Some of the other techniques used are kneading, trigger point therapy, myofascial releases and compression massage.
What are some of the common injuries that children sustain and how do you treat them?
Twisted ankles and playground injuries are very common amongst children. I don’t use dry needling and cupping for kids. However, chiropractor and some of the remedial therapy technique are used to relieve pain for kids
Tell us about how you treat injuries in the elderly folk.
Elderly folks have neck, hip, spinal and knee injuries, most of which have been sustained by lack of regular exercise. The majority of them have done the same type of work for long periods of time with the same methods and techniques, which also contributes in a big way to their ailments. I use techniques such as remedial therapy techniques, dry needling, cupping etc.
Thank you for your time. In terms of injury prevention in general, what would you recommend for everyone?
Regular exercise and stretching recommended because it reduces risks of injuries. Drinking plenty of water is also recommended as it is very important to keep muscles healthy, which in turn means fewer injuries. Maintaining good posture is also key.
Written by Michelle Alles