Trauma is the leading cause of death for individuals over the age of 45. Meanwhile, injuries cause over 150,000 deaths and over 3 million non-fatal injuries annually in the US. If you’ve sustained a serious injury, it’s important to get help as soon as possible.
Barefoot Physio Brisbane states that a licensed physiotherapist can help you heal and regain your strength. Without immediate treatment, however, your pain could impact your health and quality of living. You might even develop a serious disability.
What is physiotherapy exactly, and how can it help treat your pain?
Keep reading to find out.
What is Physiotherapy?
First, let’s answer the main question on your mind: what is physiotherapy exactly?
Physiotherapy is a form of treatment that uses evidence-based physical approaches to relieve chronic pain. Regular treatments can ease your pain while helping you maintain better overall wellbeing. If you’ve sustained an injury, physiotherapy could help speed up your recovery.
There are a few reasons you might consider visiting a physiotherapist including:
- Treating a serious condition
- Allowing you to improve your quality of life
- Speeding up your recovery
- Repairing your body from damage after a trauma
- Improving your quality of life
Physiotherapists use a few different treatment methods to help support your recovery. A few of these treatment modalities include:
- Cupping
- Stretching
- Massages
- Exercises
First, your physiotherapist will take your medical history. They’ll learn as much as they can about your current health condition. This can include any disorders, diseases, or injuries you’ve sustained.
The more they know about your health, the better your physiotherapist will help you manage your pain. They’ll create a customized treatment plan designed with your needs and limitations in mind.
Learning the answer to the question of what is physiotherapy could help you discover the course of treatment you’ve always needed.
Instead of living in pain, you can grow stronger and restore your overall well-being.
Specialties
There are eight different specialties a physiotherapist might decide to pursue. These include:
- Sports Certified Specialist for performance and sports physical therapy
- Pediatric Certified Specialist for children’s health
- Neurologic Certified Specialist for physio-neuro therapy
- Women’s Health Certified Specialist for women’s health
- Geriatric Certified Specialist for pregnant women’s health
- Clinical Electrophysiologic Certified Specialist for heart therapy regarding rhythm disorders
- Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Certified Specialist for general heart health
- Orthopedic Certified Specialist for broken bones
Before visiting a physiotherapist, consider your unique needs. Which type of specialist can help ease your pain?
Physiotherapists work in community health centers, rehab centers, fitness centers, private practices, and hospitals. A physiotherapist might work alone or alongside other healthcare providers. If you require a multi-directional approach to rehabilitation, you might want to look for a physiotherapist that works alongside other professionals.
What Does a Physiotherapist Do?
What does a physiotherapist do to help ease your pain?
Physiotherapists are trained to improve your quality of life using an integrative health approach. Their treatments can help relieve your pain and improve your body’s functionality. If you’re struggling with a long-term disease, they can also improve your quality of life by reducing your physical dysfunction.
A physiotherapist will consider your pain and injury as well as any underlying factors. For example, you might experience chronic lower back pain along with the other 20% of people who struggle with this condition. In some cases, chronic back pain is caused by bad posture or weight gain.
Your physiotherapist will help you develop a treatment plan that considers your condition and the underlying cause of your pain.
If you’re experiencing back pain, your physiotherapist might suggest improving your work environment along with a set of daily exercises. Working with a physiotherapist can help you discover a whole-body approach to healthy aging.
Do you play sports regularly? You might worry about sustaining a possible sports-related injury. Working with a physiotherapist will help you strengthen your body to reduce your risk of injury.
They can even help with long-term medical conditions. For example, you might consider visiting a physiotherapist if you’re about to give birth, dealing with asthma, or need to heal after a car accident.
Some patients visit a physiotherapist to learn how to walk after a trauma. Others utilize physiotherapy techniques to cope with walking frames, wheelchairs, or crutches.
When To See a Physiotherapist
You might want to visit a physiotherapist if you’re dealing with:
- Neck pain
- Back pain
- Sports injuries
- Muscle strains
- Headaches
- Joint sprains
- Work-related injuries
- Post-operative rehab
- Vertigo
- Tendinosis
- Jaw pain
- Plantar fasciitis
Physiotherapists can also help with neurological, cardiovascular, neuromusculoskeletal, and respiratory problems.
With their knowledge, you can improve from your condition and strengthen your body.
Remember, a physiotherapist will devise a treatment plan with your health needs in mind. They’ll also adjust your health plans regularly based on your health needs. By working with a physiotherapist, you can regain your previous functionality after a trauma or serious injury.
Consider visiting Awesome Physiotherapy to start easing the pain away today.
Treatment Techniques
What is physiotherapy treatment and what does it entail?
The different modalities your physiotherapist utilizes will depend on your current condition and long-term goals. A few possible techniques include:
- Taping
- Joint mobilization
- Dry needling
- Massages
- Functional training
- Stretching
Your physiotherapist will likely ask about your long-term health goals. Do you want to strengthen your body or heal from an injury? They’ll design a customized plan and workout prescription based on your unique goals.
You can also ask your physiotherapist for lifestyle advice. For example, let’s say you’re experiencing low back pain after working in front of a desk all day.
They might suggest you use a standing desk or exercise while you’re at work. They might also have advice regarding your diet.
Their self-management strategies could reduce your pain and help you avoid a serious disability.
Your physiotherapist will help you learn exercises you can complete during an appointment or at home. These exercises can help ease your pain and strengthen your body as well.
As you continue with appointments, your physiotherapist might adjust your treatment plan based on your improvements.
What is Physiotherapy? Your Guide to Pain Relief
Now that you know the answer to the question, “what is physiotherapy,” don’t live in pain! Instead, schedule your first appointment today. Working with a qualified physiotherapist will help you ease your pain and improve your overall life!
Ready to change your life? Explore the Health section of the blog today for more tips!