If you can't get an appointment quickly in Monmouth or Abergavenny, try our home number - the Maypole clinic, 01600 713527. We try to help you as soon as you need it - especially when you first hurt yourself - but since we can't be available all the time we've collected below some advice which may prove helpful.
At weekends or Bank Holidays if you feel your injury requires immediate attention, call the out of hours GP service (on your usual GP's number) or the ambulance - A & E departments are at Abergavenny, Newport, Hereford and Gloucester:-
Gloucester Royal Hospital, Great Western Road, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL1 3NN Tel: 08454 222222
Hereford County Hospital, Union Walk, Hereford, Herefordshire, HR1 2ER Tel: 01432 355 444
Nevill Hall Hospital, Abergavenny, Brecon Road, Abergavenny, Gwent, NP7 7EG 01873 732732
Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, Cardiff Road, Newport, Gwent, NP20 2UB 01633 234234
If you've had an accidental injury and may have broken bones, be sure to have this medically checked. Otherwise a GP will probably only give anti-inflammatory drugs. If you want these, chemists have quite strong ones which don't need a prescription, ask the pharmacist for advice.
For non-drug treatment follow the advice below:-
Ice pack: Wrap a bag of frozen peas in a towel and press this against the painful part for about ten minutes. Hard to do, but it feels much better when you take it off!
This is better than using heat on an inflamed area. You can repeat this procedure. If you have one of those cold-packs that are meant for use in portable cool-boxes, they are even better.
Massage, or rubbing Deep-Heat type embrocations on may also help - be very gentle! Muscle aches may be helped by a hot bath - don't overdo it.
Sounds obvious, but rest! Cancel engagements or work, and ring us for an appointment. Ring now and leave a message, our answering machines are regularly checked.
Often it is better for your treatment if you have rested and feel slightly better, rather than having a treatment while you cannot even turn over on the bench, so don't think that having to wait is a disaster. Keep calm. Remember, you will get better, this time will pass. Our treatment is very gentle, and effective - it won't be long before we see you.