All you need to know about Physiotherapy

What is Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy is a treatment to restore, maintain, and make the most of a patient’s mobility, function, and well-being. Physiotherapy helps through physical rehabilitation, injury prevention, and health and fitness. Physiotherapists get you involved in your own recovery.

Who is a Physiotherapist?

In simple terms, your physiotherapist is a mechanic for the human body. A physiotherapist is a university-trained medical professional who uses natural physical approaches to promote, maintain and restore your well-being so that you can perform and enjoy your chosen sport, work or everyday activities. 

A physiotherapist's university training includes a thorough study of the human body, particularly the muscle and joint system. It involves studying anatomy, neuroanatomy, physiology, psychology, medical conditions, musculoskeletal conditions, exercises prescription and electrotherapy.

Physiotherapy is a science-based methodology that is constantly evolving as new research discovers better ways to treat your body. Your physiotherapist will use their extensive knowledge of the human body and highly-trained skills to help restore your aching, stiff and dysfunctional muscles and joints back to health.

What problems do physiotherapists treat?

Physiotherapists focus on both prevention and rehabilitation. Treatment can be for problems caused by injury, disease or disability. Here are some examples:

• Neck and back pain caused by problems in the muscles and skeleton

• Problems in the bones, joints, muscles, and ligaments, such as arthritis and the after-effects of amputation

• Lung problems such as asthma

• Disability as a result of heart problems

• Pelvic issues, such as bladder and bowel problems related to childbirth

• Loss of mobility because of trauma to the brain or spine, or due to diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis

• Fatigue, pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of muscle strength, for example during cancer treatment, or palliative care 

Benefits of physical therapy:

Depending on the reason for treatment, the benefits of physical therapy include:

• Pain management with reduced need for medicinal drugs

• Avoiding surgery

• Improved mobility and movement

• Recovery from injury or trauma

• Recovery from stroke or paralysis

• Fall prevention

• Improved balance

• Management of age-related medical problems

A sports therapist can help an athlete to maximize their performance through strengthening specific parts of the body and using muscles in new ways.

A healthcare provider or physical therapist can advise individuals about the benefits specific to their personal medical history and their need for treatment.