What is Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession that focuses on promoting, restoring, and maintaining physical function, mobility, and overall well-being.
The Role of a Physiotherapist
A physiotherapist is a trained and licensed healthcare professional who specializes in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating physical conditions. They work closely with patients to develop personalized treatment plans that cater to their unique needs and goals. Whether you’re dealing with a sports injury, recovering from surgery, or aiming to improve your mobility, a physiotherapist can be your guide to recovery.
Common Conditions Treated by Physiotherapy
Whether it’s a sprained ankle, a pulled muscle, or back pain, physiotherapy techniques can promote healing, reduce pain, and restore range of motion.
Helps patients prevent or manage acute or chronic orthopaedic conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and amputations.
Physiotherapists also help patients prepare for or rehabilitate from orthopaedic surgery, or other orthopaedic hospital admissions.
Physiotherapy can be crucial for individuals with conditions like stroke, multiple sclerosis, or Parkinson’s disease, helping them regain movement and function.
Prevents, rehabilitates and supports people living with, or at risk of diseases and injuries affecting the heart and lungs, such as heart disease or asthma.
Aims to prevent conditions such as plagiocephally (misshapen head) or support a child’s development such as addressing milestone delays with sitting and walking, clumsiness, or hyperactivity.
Addresses a range of patient needs, including treating, managing or preventing fatigue, pain, muscle and joint stiffness, and deconditioning.
After surgery, physiotherapy aids in recovering strength, flexibility, and mobility, ensuring a smoother and quicker recovery process.
People dealing with chronic pain, such as arthritis or fibromyalgia, can benefit from physiotherapy’s pain-relieving techniques and exercises.
Athletes often turn to physiotherapy to prevent and treat sports injuries, enhance performance, and build strength and flexibility.
Uses evidence-based care to promote healthy and active aging among older Indians.
Working in home and residential aged care settings, physiotherapists help manage or prevent the effects of conditions or risks such as osteoporosis, incontinence and falls.
Manages and prevents incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction in women.
Physiotherapists work in areas including pregnancy, birth, post-partum care, breastfeeding, menopause, bedwetting, prolapse and loss of bladder or bowel control.
Supports the health and wellbeing of workers, reduces safety risks in the workplace, prevents and manages injuries and diseases, and supports workers in returning to work.
Getting Started with Physiotherapy
If you’re considering physiotherapy, here’s what you can expect in a typical session with a physiotherapist. Each session is unique to a patient’s needs and their health condition. Treatment also depends on the scope of practice of the physiotherapist.
However, a ‘typical’ session may involve :
Assessment: Assessing and diagnosing the patient’s condition and needs. Your physiotherapist will conduct a thorough assessment to understand your condition, medical history, and goals.
Treatment Plan: Developing a treatment or prevention plan that will take into account lifestyle, activities and general health. Based on the assessment, your physiotherapist will design a personalized treatment plan, which may include exercises, manual therapy, and other techniques.
Sessions: Regular sessions will be scheduled to monitor your progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed. Working with the patient to set and attain goals—whether that’s maintaining mobility and independence in aged care to running a marathon
Home Exercises: Your physiotherapist may prescribe specific exercises for you to do at home, contributing to the effectiveness of the treatment.