Think of the human body as a finely tuned machine? Indeed, the human body is a complicated machine made up of different organs, muscles, bones, joints, and tissues.
Sometimes, these bodily parts get injured and break down.
This is where physiotherapy care comes in.
Physiotherapy is a type of manual therapy that uses physical treatment, such as exercises, passive movements, and stretches, to treat injuries and other conditions of the musculoskeletal system.
Did you know that 80 to 90 percent of people with chronic pain could benefit from regular physiotherapy?
Did you know that physiotherapy is an effective way of managing pregnancy-related back pain?
Did you know that there are more than 200,000 physiotherapists in the world?
If you do, congratulations!
Keep reading to discover everything you wanted to know about physiotherapy.
Physiotherapy: What Is It?
There are many symptoms, complaints, and diseases that can affect your muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons, or nerves. In physiotherapy, we address these symptoms by working directly on the affected parts of your body. We use manual therapy, or “physical treatment,” to do this.
Physiotherapy can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including:
- Arthritis
- Anxiety
- Asthma
- Breathing disorders
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Ear infections
- Eye conditions, including glaucoma, macular degeneration, and constriction rings
- Fibromyalgia
- Gastrointestinal disorders, including mangles, reflux, and IBS
- General pain
- Headaches
- Immune conditions, including multiple sclerosis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis
- Neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy
- Osteoporosis
- Pain
- Self-harm
- Sports injuries
- Vulval pain
How Does Physiotherapy Work?
There are two types of tissue damage in the body: structural damage and functional damage. Structural damage is caused by external factors, such as blunt trauma, overuse, or injury. Examples of structural damage include broken bones and bruises. Functional damage is caused by internal factors, such as inflammation and wear and tear. Functional damage can be the result of structural damage, physical inactivity, metabolic imbalances, or other factors.
We can use physiotherapy to treat both types of damage. The type of physiotherapy we use depends on the condition being treated. Common treatments include:
- Manual therapy: Using your hands to provide input to the affected area to improve blood flow and remove toxins (proposed effects). You will also use heat or cold to manage inflammation and promote healing.
- Occupational or Functional Rehab: This type of rehab helps with functional abilities, such as walking and sitting, by helping with exercises, dressing habits, and using the bathroom.
- Physical rehab: This type of treatment is for the structural injuries and helps the body learn to use its muscles again by doing exercises under the supervision of a physiotherapist.
What Are The Benefits of Physiotherapy?
- It is effective: There are numerous clinical studies that have shown physiotherapy to be effective for various conditions.
- It is customizable: Depending on your condition, your therapist may use only certain types of physiotherapy. This makes physiotherapy a very personalized treatment.
- It is affordable: Unlike many surgeries and medication, physiotherapy is completely covered by most insurance providers. In fact, it is often covered without you having to pay a cent.
- It improves your quality of life: By managing your condition through physiotherapy, you can prevent future injuries and continue with your normal activities.
- It can be combined with medication: Some conditions, such as depression, can only be treated effectively with both medication and physiotherapy.
- It is a lifelong treatment: Once you become physiotherapy-trained, you can continue to provide your patients with the gift of care for the rest of your life.
- It helps with motivation: With physiotherapy, you work with a team to solve your specific health issues. This can help you stay motivated and focused on your goals.
What is the Difference Between Physiotherapy and Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy is the treatment of disorders, injuries, and diseases by physical methods such as exercise, heat, and cold, etc. With physical therapy, the clinician is looking for an improvement in the function of muscles, tendons, and/or joints.
Physiotherapy, on the other hand, is the study and application of physical methods to diagnose and treat functional disorders. It can help patients understand why they have certain symptoms and help them achieve better health.
Which is Better, Physiotherapy or Physical Therapy?
Although physiotherapy and physical therapy are similar in many ways, there are a few key differences you should know about. Generally, physical therapy is for the treatment of injuries, whereas physiotherapy is for the prevention and management of chronic pain.
Final Thoughts
Physiotherapy can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including:
- Arthritis
- Anxiety
- Asthma
- Breathing disorders
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Ear infections
- Eye conditions, including glaucoma, macular degeneration, and constriction rings
- Fibromyalgia
- Gastrointestinal disorders, including mangles, reflux, and IBS
- General pain
- Headaches
- Immune conditions, including multiple sclerosis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis
- Neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy
- Osteoporosis
- Pain
- Self-harm
- Sports injuries
- Vulval pain
What Are The Symptoms of Physiotherapy Deficiency?
Check to see if you have any of the following symptoms of physiotherapy deficiency:
- Chronic pain: This is the most common symptom of physiotherapy deficiency. If you have chronic pain, it means that your body is not getting the nutrients it needs to function normally. This can lead to a host of other symptoms, including fatigue, insomnia, and mood swings.
- Decreased mobility: If you are not moving your joints and muscles, they will become stiff and painful. Keep in mind that stiffness and pain are common with any injury or inflammation, so it is important to let your physiotherapist know if you are experiencing either.
- Decreasing flexibility: Stretching and flexibility are important for muscle and joint function. If you are experiencing a decline in your flexibility, it could be a sign of deficiency.
- Reduced strength: This is a common side effect of aging, but it can also be a sign of a physiotherapy deficiency. If you are experiencing a reduced strength, it may be due to a lack of exercise or poor posture.
How Can You Determine If Physiotherapy is Right for You?
Physiotherapy is a very personal treatment option. This is because the type of physiotherapy you need depends on your symptoms, your medical history, and your goals. You should determine if physiotherapy is right for you by speaking to your primary care physician.
If you think physiotherapy is the right treatment for you, schedule a consultation with a physiotherapist. At this consultation, your physio will do a physical examination, ask you a series of questions, and create a customized plan to help you overcome your symptoms.
Who Can Benefit from Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy can benefit almost anyone, but it is particularly useful for the following individuals:
- People with chronic pain: This includes people with arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic headache, and back pain. Chronic pain can be very difficult to manage since standard medications often have side effects.
- People with neurological disorders: Conditions such as multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease can cause muscle spasms and contractions. These conditions are also associated with a decline in muscle flexibility.
- People with chronic inflammation: This includes people with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and eczema. Chronic inflammation can lead to a deficiency in connective tissue, which can affect your mobility and flexibility.
- Pregnant women: Pregnant women typically experience a large increase in muscle tissue, which can lead to an increased risk of structural damage.
- People with compromised immune systems: People with compromised immune systems are at a higher risk of developing a condition associated with a lack.
Conclusion
Regular physiotherapy can help you maintain a healthy body and can even prevent some injuries from occurring in the future. It can also improve your posture, strengthen your muscles, and increase your flexibility. If you suffer from any of the conditions mentioned above, physiotherapy could be just what you need. Give us a call today.
As a highly skilled physiotherapist, I’ve had the privilege of working with several private clinics in the past. But it wasn’t until I took a leap of faith and moved to Alberta that I truly discovered my passion for building and growing successful businesses in the healthcare industry.
My extensive experience in physiotherapy, combined with my expertise in marketing and operations, has helped me lead my team towards a path of sustainable growth and expansion. I believe in providing exceptional patient care, and my clinics reflect that commitment.
Working alongside my team of healthcare professionals, I constantly strive to improve our services, innovate our approach, and optimize our growth potential. Our clinics provide the highest level of care to our patients, and we are constantly expanding our reach to help even more people achieve their health goals.
With my experience and dedication, I am confident that I can continue to lead my team towards success and growth, while providing exceptional care to our patients.