Physiotherapy can help restore normal function in your body when you are experiencing pain or illness. A physiotherapist is capable of helping a patient with problems regarding bones, the heart and lungs, neurological conditions and old age. Physiotherapists are specially trained to help diagnose problems and devise plans for treatment that include movement, massage, manipulation, and support for chronic conditions. This type of healthcare professional is often found working in hospitals, clinics and private practices. A physiotherapist is a holistic practitioner, meaning that he or she looks at an individual’s lifestyle, as well as his or her presenting issues, when meeting for a consultation.
It is first necessary to set up a consultation with a physio when seeking treatment. He or she will look at your medical history, presenting symptoms, lifestyle choices and general level of wellness before diagnosing your condition. At this point, the physiotherapist will help come up with a plan for treatment of your symptoms. You can expect to have a full review of all of these factors before the physio will develop a plan. The plan can include things that are done within the office, such as massage, as well as things that you can do outside of the office to help your condition.
Common treatment practices for therapists include manipulation of the body, which means rearranging the soft tissues through chiropractic techniques and massage. This is done within the office and can have an impact on headaches, neck and back pain, and relaxation. Movement is also widely used, which can mean setting up an exercise program for you that will slowly help to change your symptoms. If you recently had a heart attack, a physio can show you proper exercises to perform to help your heart become healthy once again. This is also used for joint and bone problems that can occur throughout your life due to various factors including old age.
Energy therapy is another treatment utilized to help you heal. Energy therapy is a way of transferring small amounts of electric energy into your body to stimulate areas that are causing problems. This is also done with lasers and sound waves. This is performed by physios who have been specially trained in this area of treatment, and can help with a multitude of symptoms from nerve pain to muscle spasms. Hydrotherapy involves the use of water for its healing properties, and can include soaking in hot water-filled tubs that can ease tension and help sore muscles.
Since physiotherapy is a holistic type of healthcare, the practitioner will look at your lifestyle and wellness practices in order to help you with your issues. You might be experiencing pain due to something that you do every day, such as carrying items incorrectly. It is also possible to injure yourself through everyday exercise or tension. A helpful practitioner will show you the correct way to do these things so that you do not injure yourself in the process, and teach you relaxation techniques that you can use at home.
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