What is Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession that focuses on helping individuals improve their physical function and mobility, manage pain, and prevent or rehabilitate injuries or disabilities. Physiotherapists are highly trained healthcare professionals who use various techniques and modalities to assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiorespiratory conditions.
In private physiotherapy, physiotherapists utilise various skill sets to treat injured patients. Firstly, they assess and evaluate a patient’s physical and mental condition using their detailed knowledge of anatomy and their excellent observational skills built through training and studying for four years at a university in Australia whilst working with a range of patients in private and hospital systems.
During their assessment, a physiotherapist will utilise and consider a patient’s medical history, symptoms and specific needs. They may use various assessment tools and tests to determine the underlying issues and severity of the injury, utilising such equipment as VALD testing and measurement. In general, physiotherapists are some of the best health professionals capable of diagnosing an injury and working out the deep causes of an injury.
Rehabilitation is also a key component of physiotherapy. A physiotherapist will determine what needs to be done and build a plan to rectify the issues. The goal is to restore function, reduce pain, and improve strength, flexibility, and mobility. Rehabilitation can be crucial for sports injuries, fractures, and post-operative recovery.
Furthermore, based on their assessment, physiotherapists develop personalised treatment plans that may include a combination of manual therapy (hands-on techniques like massage and joint mobilisation), dry needling, cupping and active assisted release.
Overall physiotherapy is an essential component of many healthcare systems and can benefit people of all ages and fitness levels. Whether helping an athlete recover from a sports injury, aiding in post-surgery rehabilitation, or improving the quality of life for someone with a chronic condition, physiotherapists play a vital role in enhancing physical well-being and function.
What are the Conditions treated by a Physiotherapist?
Physiotherapists are trained to assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of conditions affecting the musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiorespiratory systems. While the specific conditions treated by a physiotherapist can vary, here are some common examples:
-
Joint pain (e.g., knee pain, shoulder pain)
Arthritis
Foot Pain
Tendonitis
Muscle imbalances
Fracture rehabilitation
Post-surgical rehabilitation (e.g., after joint replacement surgery)
-
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) rehabilitation
Parkinson's disease
Peripheral neuropathy
Cerebral palsy
-
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Asthma management
Post-cardiac surgery rehabilitation
Post-pneumonia rehabilitation
Respiratory muscle weakness
-
Ligament and tendon injuries (e.g., ACL tear, Achilles tendonitis)
Muscle strains
Overuse injuries
Stress fractures
Rehabilitation for athletes recovering from surgeries
-
Pregnancy-related musculoskeletal issues
-
Developmental delays
Cerebral palsy
Muscular dystrophy
Torticollis
Pediatric sports injuries
-
Falls prevention
Osteoporosis management
Balance and coordination issues
Age-related joint conditions (e.g., osteoarthritis)
General mobility and independence issues
-
Work-related injuries (e.g., repetitive strain injuries)
Postural problems
Chronic pain management
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders
