Physiotherapy can be found in many healthcare settings and supports a variety of injuries or conditions. These conditions can result from acute situations such as sports injuries or motor vehicle accidents, be neurological in nature, or arise from repetitive strain and poor posture. Due to these causes, many of us face challenges and pain that affect our day-to-day lives. Medication and surgery are effective in treating various conditions; however, if you are looking for a holistic approach that targets health, well-being, and improved physical function, physiotherapy can play a key role.
What is a Physiotherapist?
A physiotherapist, or physical therapist, is a regulated healthcare professional who assesses and identifies the root cause of an underlying condition and works on improving it while preventing a further increase in symptoms. They do this using various techniques, including stretches, manual therapy, exercises, and modalities (e.g., heat, ice, ultrasound, taping, etc.), to restore function, improve mobility, manage pain, and aid recovery from injuries or surgery.
What Are the Benefits of Physiotherapy?
Pain Management and Relief: Whether the pain is arising from an acute injury like an ankle sprain or is from a chronic condition e.g. low back pain, physiotherapy techniques are effective in targeting and reducing the inflammation and pain in those areas.
Improved Mobility and Flexibility: Ranging from conditions like frozen shoulder, post-operative stiffness or age-related loss of mobility, physiotherapy in the form of stretching, mobilizing and postural correction can help improve the range of motion in the affected joints.
Recovery After Surgery and Prevention of Future Injuries: Post-surgical rehabilitation consists of a customized plan that aims to improve strength and functional mobility to prevent post-operative complications like stiffness and muscular weakness. In this way, physiotherapy targets the current condition while also building on existing strength to avoid injuries that may occur in the future.
Improved Posture and Alignment: With an increase in sedentary jobs and work from home, poor posture has become very common cause of repetitive strain injury. This over time leads to muscular imbalances, back pain, neck pain, and even headaches. Physiotherapists are equipped to assess posture, identify the imbalances, and then work on its rectification with the help of exercises and manual therapy techniques.
Physiotherapy Roles in Different Settings
Sports Physiotherapy: Physiotherapy provided to athletes before, during and after a game to help prevent injuries and treat existing injuries caused while playing the sport.
Physiotherapy for Orthopaedic Conditions: This area of physiotherapy focuses on musculoskeletal conditions involving bones, joints, muscles, and ligaments, and the associated treatment plan.
Physiotherapy for Neurological Conditions: Physiotherapy for neurological conditions like stroke, Parkinson’s, and Multiple Sclerosis focuses on improving motor control, balance and coordination.
Paediatric Physiotherapy: This branch of physiotherapy refers to the creation of a program that is tailored to the care of children who face developmental delays, sports injuries, or congenital conditions like cerebral palsy.
Geriatric Physiotherapy: Focused on elderly or seniors care, helping with mobility, balance, and strength to prevent falls and maintain independence.
Physiotherapy for Cardiorespiratory Conditions: Rehabilitation for patients who have suffered from heart conditions, asthma, bronchitis. This program typically consists of a series of exercises that help improve respiratory function and overall endurance of the body.
At Milton Back Doc, our physiotherapy team can support your recovery form many physical conditions. Additionally, with the help of a multidisciplinary team of chiropractors and registered massage therapists, you can be confident the root cause of your pain will be identified, and an effective and thorough treatment plan will be provided. Call us or book online.
