Physiotherapy Explained

What is physiotherapy?

Physical therapy (PT), also known as physiotherapy, is one of the healthcare professions. Physical therapy is provided by physical therapists who promote, maintain, or restore health through physical examination, diagnosis, prognosis, patient education, physical intervention, rehabilitation, disease prevention and health promotion. Physical therapists are known as physiotherapists in many countries

What does a physiotherapist do?

Physiotherapy helps to restore movement and function when someone is affected by injury, illness or disability. It can also help to reduce your risk of injury or illness in future. It takes a holistic approach that involves the patient directly in their own care.

How is physiotherapy done?

Your physiotherapist will assess your muscles strength and the range of movement in your joints, and advice on techniques and exercises so you can keep your joints working as well as possible.

How quickly does physiotherapy work?

Minor injuries you might expect 2-3 sessios of physiotherapy; soft tissue injuries you would be looking more towards 6-8 weeks, as this is roughly how long it takes for soft tissueto heal in most cases; and more chronic or more serious conditions 2 or more months depending on the level of progress.

Is physiotherapy painful?

Physical therapy shouldn’t hurt, and it will be safe. But because you will use parts of your body that are injured or have chronic pain, physical therapy can be challenging, even hard. For example, you may fell sore after stretching or deep tissue massage.

4 Types of Physiotherapy you should be aware of

The benefits of physiotherapy have been known decades. What most people are not aware of is that this treatment comes in different forms. Geriatric, pediatric, and orthopedic physiotherapy are just a few to mention. Each addresses specific conditions and involves different treatment methods.

All types of physiotherapy involve exercise. Depending on your needs, the therapist may also recommend joint mobilization, massage, traction, taping, or TENS. The end goal is to improve your health and quality of life.

Let’s see the main types of physiotherapy and their benefits:

Geriatric Physical Therapy

This form of treatment appeals to older adults as they go through the aging process. Those who specialize in geriatric physiotherapy have the skills and expertise needed to treat age-related disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, incontinence, arthritis, and loss of motion. They develop customized programs to relieve pain, restore mobility, and make daily activities easier.

Sports Physical Therapy

Elite athletes work with physical therapists on a regular basis. A good therapist can help you recover faster from training, prevent injuries, and boost your sports performance. He may recommend stretching and strengthening exercises, massage therapy, or mobility aids that speed up healing.

Sports therapists also conduct tests to assess your fitness level and identify your weak areas. For instance, they can prescribe exercises to those with muscle imbalances, shin splints, back pain, or tendonitis. This will improve your overall performance and reduce injury risk.

Orthopedic Physiotherapy

Have you ever experienced back and neck pain, fractures, muscle strains, or sprains? Orthopedic physiotherapy can help with these issues. A skilled therapist will diagnose, manage and treat musculoskeletal disorders that affect your flexibility and range of motion.

In general, treatment involves a mix of balance and stretching exercises, cryotherapy, massage, ice and heat therapy, or spine manipulation techniques. Physiotherapists can also recommend at-home exercises and ergonomic devices that speed up healing.

Choose a physiotherapist who specializes in the problem you are experiencing. Some therapists are knowledgeable in treating women-specific issues, such as PMS and prenatal care. Others specialize in sports injuries. Thus, it’s important to assess your options and make an informed decision.

Pediatric Physical Therapy

This form of therapy aims to diagnose, prevent, and treat disorders that affect children and teens. Some examples include spina bifida, cerebral palsy, muscle diseases, birth defects, or developmental delays.

Those who specialize in pediatric therapy uses exercises and treatments to help young people regain their strength and range of motion, improve motor skills, and live a normal life.