Physiotherapy is the treatment using physical methods to treat diseases, injury and disorders-like massage, exercise, manipulation and other treatments over surgery and medication.
Majority of the people think that physiotherapists work mainly with back injuries or sports related injuries, but they are mistaken. Physiotherapists are trained health professionals who treat people suffering from physical problems arising from disease, injury or illness and ageing. They improve a person’s quality of life by a variety of treatments to reduce pain and restore function or in permanent injury or disease lessen the effects of dysfunction.
This physiotherapist works in hospitals, health centres, sports clubs, private practices, rehabilitation centres, fitness centres, schools and in the workplace. The physiotherapist either works alone or with other health providers.
The role of Physiotherapist-
Physiotherapist role is extremely varied with no two days being the same. In order to diagnose problems and implement treatment plans the physiotherapist has to assess the physical condition of a patient or they also re-train patients to walk, or help others to cope with crutches, medical walkers, walking frames or wheelchairs. He will also have to educate the patients and their families to prevent injuries and help them to lead healthy lifestyles. Physiotherapists may be asked to put community fitness programs in some instances. Physiotherapists can also issue sick leave certificates.
A physiotherapist treats all the people including children with cerebral palsy, premature babies, pregnant women, athletes, people undergoing rehabilitation, the elderly and those having heart disease, strokes or undergone major surgery.
Physiotherapy Types-
Physiotherapists specialise in a number of areas-sports medicine, women’s health, children’s health and there are three different areas of practice-
- Orthopaedic Physiotherapy Also Called Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy- Used to treat sprains, arthritis, back pain, strains, bursitis, incontinence, posture problems, sport injuries and workplace injuries, reduced mobility. Rehabilitation following surgery may be included in this.
- Neurological Physiotherapy- Used to treat nervous system disorders like strokes, acquired brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. Can be used for rehabilitation following brain surgery.
- Cardiothoracic Physiotherapy- It includes treatment of asthma, Chronic Bronchitis, emphysema and cardiorespiratory disorders.
Types of physiotherapies-
An individual’s treatment should suit his specific requirement and a physiotherapist will decide from a range of therapies like –
– Manual Therapy- Includes joint manipulation and mobilization, manual resistance training and stretching.
– Electrotherapy- It consists of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), diathermy, laser therapy and Ultrasound.
– Exercise program- Includes muscle strengthening, posture retraining, cardiovascular stretching and training.
In most of the cases injury can be due to other underlying factors. A constant back pain may be caused by repetitive work related activities, being overweight, bad posture or even adopting a wrong technique while playing a sport. The physiotherapist not only treats the back pain but considers other factors too. This Holistic approach reduces the risk of injury occurring again.
Physiotherapists are trained in university and are registered. In every major city there are these guys, if you need to search just type in google for Physiotherapist in Leichhardt or some other city and you would get the results.
You need not be referred by your doctor but he will suggest a course of Physiotherapy to treat an injury or any other condition. A Physiotherapy Association can help you to find a right and suitable physiotherapist in your area.
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