Physiotherapy: Why Is It Unique?
Physiotherapy treats disease or injury using physical techniques such as exercise, movement, and massage. One exciting aspect of physiotherapy treatment is that it involves the patient more without necessarily relying on methods such as drugs and surgery.
If you want to learn more about physiotherapy and what sets it apart from other types of therapies, feel free to continue reading today’s blog article.
What Happens In A Physiotherapy Session?
Assessment is usually the first step of physiotherapy. At this stage, the medical expert evaluates your body to determine what course of action will work for you. Depending on the problem/s you are experiencing, your physiotherapist may recommend a variety of treatments.
Typcially, here’s how a physiotherapist can help you:
- Offer education and advice
- Perform manual therapy
- Recommend movement or exercise
Offering Education And Advice
A physiotherapist examines the whole body rather than trying to study the injury alone. Based on this, they will advise how to improve your well-being based on their deductions. For example, an individual could be advised to exercise on a regular schedule to achieve a healthier body.
Physiotherapy can also involve giving specific advice rather than generalising matters. For example, a physiotherapist may recommend maintaining a good posture to fix lower back pain.
Performing Manual Therapy
The manual therapy technique involves a physiotherapist massaging or using their hands to work on an individual’s body tissues. Manual therapy is beneficial while treating conditions like neck pain, neck injuries, and back pain. It can also help treat mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. For instance, manual techniques like massage can help people relax and reduce stress.
The various benefits that come with manual therapy include the following:
- Increased joints mobility
- Relieved pain
- Reduced soft-tissue inflammation
- Improved blood circulation
- Increased relaxation
- Improved motor control
Recommending Movement And Exercise
A physiotherapist can recommend various exercises and body movements to improve the state of your body. Such activities can include:
- Exercises that require moving the whole body such as walking and jogging. These exercises assist in boosting mobility.
- Activities to increase the strength of a given body part. Some exercises can target specific body parts, often requiring one to repeat them regularly.
- Exercises to increase physical activity. Patients may be guided about how to keep active without injuring their bodies.
Additional Techniques
Physiotherapy can also involve other techniques to heal the body. These include:
- Ultrasound: The body is exposed to high-frequency sound waves to reduce pain and enhance healing.
- Acupuncture: It involves puncturing the body at specific points using hair-thin needles. Acupuncture treatment can treat headaches, lower back pain, and surgery-related pain.
- Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS): It involves using low-voltage electric current to treat pain. The device producing the current is usually placed where the pain is located.
These techniques are effective if used appropriately, but some may only work for a few. A physiotherapist will be able to tailor their treatment plans depending on your unique condition and needs.
Who Can Benefit From Physiotherapy?
Almost everyone can use physiotherapy to improve their posture, flexibility, and strength. Here’s how different people can benefit from physiotherapy:
- Physiotherapy can help women remain active during pregnancy which can make delivery easier.
- Older people can use physiotherapy techniques to improve balance and strength, which helps prevent falls.
- Athletes can reduce the risk of injury by incorporating physiotherapy into their training.
Everyone else, although not suffering from any condition, can benefit from movement and manual therapy, which are common techniques in physiotherapy.
Can Physiotherapists Treat Children?
Yes, children can also visit a physiotherapist to treat an injury or just get help improving their movement. Physiotherapists help children who are facing challenges such as:
- Muscle problems that lead to weakness
- Balance and posture problems
- Weight issues that limit physical activity
- Injuries such as muscle injuries sustained during play
Children dealing with autism, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome could also get assistance from a physiotherapist.
The Bottom Line
Physiotherapy can treat a wide range of problems like back pain, injuries, and anxiety. Anyone from professional athletes and older adults to children can enjoy the benefits of physiotherapy. Here at Upwell Health, we have qualified physiotherapists who are trained to get you back to leading a healthier life today.
Please get in touch with us at Upwell Health on (03) 8849 9096 or book an appointment today.