Hello, my name is Simon. I am a 59-year-old man who lives alone in downtown Perth. I am pleased to say that I have never had to spend a night in a hospital. This is because I know how to take care of myself. When I was growing up my grandpa often used to tell me that if you eat well and exercise, you will live a long life. He died aged 95, so he must have known something. However, it was only when I became friends with a doctor, that I discovered all the other things I could do to stay healthy. I decided to start this blog to encourage others to look after their health.
Most people struggle with injuries and ailments that affect the functionality of their joints, muscles and ligaments. Unknown to them, they could consider physiotherapy to help restore these weak, injured or ailing body parts. So, what is physiotherapy? Below are a few things you need to know about physiotherapy.
What Is Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is a medical intervention that manipulates muscles, joints, tendons, and ligaments to restore their functionality, increase their range of motion and reduce pain. Physiotherapy can be used to treat different conditions. For instance, sports people can utilise the intervention to recover from sports injuries such as sprains, strains, cuff injuries, dislocations and shin splits. New mothers can also consider physiotherapy to strengthen their pelvic muscles. It helps prevent and treat pelvic muscle disorders such as incontinence and bowel dysfunction after delivery.
Physiotherapy is also a viable intervention to manage neck and back pains, arthritis and osteoporosis. Moreover, seniors with mobility issues can consider physiotherapy to help restore their mobility. Patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease should consider physiotherapy to strengthen their chest muscles, allowing them to breathe easily.
What Should You Expect During A Physiotherapy Session?
During your first session, the physiotherapist conducts thorough assessments to establish the history of your condition. For instance, what caused the injury? What medication have you used? What problems do you experience? This information helps the professional create a treatment plan. Unlike other medical interventions, the therapist consults the patient when drawing the physiotherapy plan. It is especially so since the success of physiotherapy relies on close collaboration between the physiotherapist and their clients.
Ideally, the physiotherapist informs you about the techniques they will use to alleviate your condition. Common techniques include massage, electrotherapy, stretching, manual therapy and the use of ice and hot packs. The physiotherapist explains the goal of the prescribed procedures and develops evaluation criteria to help both parties determine the success of the physiotherapy plan.
How Should You Choose A Physiotherapist?
Assess the physiotherapist's experience and specialisation before engaging in their services. Typically, you should assess the reviews of other clients to determine the physiotherapist's success rate. Moreover, ensure the physiotherapist has successfully treated patients with similar conditions. What is the physiotherapist's availability? Your preferred physiotherapist should be available to address your needs. For instance, you might want home visits if you are incapacitated. Assess the physiotherapist's quote to determine if you can afford their services. Additionally, check the payment arrangements and inquire about the availability of bulk billing services.
For more information about physiotherapy, reach out to a local clinic.
Share18 May 2023
