Physiotherapist – what heals and when to visit? How to choose a physiotherapist?

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If we have ever had an illness or injury that affected our ability to move or perform daily activities, our doctor could refer us to a physical therapist so that we could get back on our feet. A physical therapist works with patients to help them manage pain, balance, mobility, and motor functions.

Physiotherapist – who is he?

Physiotherapy is the treatment of injuries, diseases, and disorders by physical means – such as exercise, massage, and other treatments – in addition to medications and surgery.

Many people may think that physical therapists mainly work with back injuries and sports injuries, but this is not always the case. Physiotherapists are highly qualified healthcare professionals who provide treatment to people suffering from physical problems resulting from injury, disease, disease and aging.

The goal of the physiotherapist is to improve the patient’s quality of life by using a variety of treatments to relieve pain and restore function or, in the event of permanent injury or disease, to alleviate the effects of any dysfunction.

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Physiotherapist – what is the role?

Physiotherapists support the rehabilitation process by developing and restoring body systems, in particular the neuromuscular system (brain and nervous system), the musculoskeletal system (bones, joints and soft tissues), the circulatory system (heart and blood circulation) and the respiratory system (organs support breathing such as trachea, larynx and lungs).

Physiotherapists evaluate patients and / or work with patient information from other healthcare professionals, such as doctors or specialists, to create and review treatment programs that include manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, movement, and the use of equipment such as ultrasound therapy.

Common physiotherapy treatment plans may include:

1. movement and exercise: based on a person’s current state of health and the specific requirements of their illness, condition or injury.
2. manual therapy techniques: where a physical therapist helps a person recover by using their hands to relieve pain and muscle stiffness through massage and manual therapy, stimulating blood flow to the injured part of the body.
3. water therapy: a form of therapy conducted in water.
4. other techniques: such as electrotherapy, ultrasound, heat, cold, and acupuncture to relieve pain.

Additionally, physiotherapists may be responsible for:

1. supervising assistants and junior staff;
2. collecting information about patients and writing reports;
3. educating and advising patients on how to prevent and / or improve their condition;
4. self-study to keep abreast of new techniques and technologies;
5. communicating with other healthcare professionals to treat the patient holistically;
6. legal liability;
7. risk management in the workplace.

In their careers, physiotherapists treat all kinds of people, including children with cerebral palsy, premature babies, pregnant women, people undergoing rehabilitation, athletes, the elderly (to improve their condition) and people who need help after heart disease, stroke or major surgery .

See also: What is chiropractic?

Physiotherapist – types of physiotherapy

Physiotherapy can be an effective treatment for many conditions, and the following treatments can help reduce recovery time from various surgeries. Physiotherapy can be divided according to the stimuli it provides to the body.

We distinguish then:

1. kinesitherapy (movement);
2. therapeutic massage (mechanical stimuli);
3. manual therapy (mechanical and kinetic stimuli);
4. balneotherapy (natural factors);
5. hydrotherapy (therapeutic baths);
6. climatotherapy (climatic properties).

Physiotherapist – what diseases does he treat?

A physical therapist can treat many ailments and injuries. Here are some examples of medical conditions:

1. orthopedic: back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, low back pain, foot disease, sciatica, knee disease, joint problems, etc.
2. neurological: Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, neuropathy; (nerve damage), dizziness (vertigo / vertigo), cerebral palsy, stroke, concussion etc .;
3. autoimmune disorders: fibromyalgia, Raynaud’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis;
4. Guillain-Barre Syndrome;
5. chronic diseases: asthma, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, etc.;
6. general well-being.

See also: What is osteopathy?

Physiotherapist – reasons to visit

There are many reasons for going to a physical therapist. Sometimes a doctor will refer us there to deal with a specific injury or condition. Other times, we will go alone and undergo physical therapy.

Here are some of the most common reasons people seek help from physical therapists.

A visit to a physiotherapist and the prevention of injuries

Athletes work well with their physical therapist, but when it comes to an ordinary adult, the physical therapist is a stranger. Physiotherapists specialize in injury prevention, that is, adjusting posture, form, and movement patterns to reduce the risk of injury or re-injury.

Typically, adults seek advice from a physical therapist for rehabilitation following an injury that may have occurred after trying to exercise in a gym or because of an emerging occupational problem (such as low back pain or repetitive injuries). A physical therapist can guide us through rehabilitation, help us recover, and understand what we can change to minimize the risk of getting hurt again. Prevention is always better than cure, so getting advice from your physical therapist before exercising in the gym is a great idea.

If we are prone to injuries, it may be wise to contact a physical therapist to reduce the risk of injuries as soon as possible. This can save us a lot of pain, money and time off from work.

See also: Do you train Here are the five most common injuries that can happen to you when you play sports

Visiting a physiotherapist and working on posture

There are many reasons why you may face nagging injuries here or there, but our attitude is perhaps one of the most important parts of avoiding distressing pain.

Our posture may not be something we pay close attention to throughout our working day, but if pain or injuries in the back, neck and legs begin to occur, our posture may be one of the factors. One of the most common causes of frequent headaches in office workers is poor posture due to improper ergonomics. With this in mind, a physical therapist can help us develop better awareness of our position, advise on work organization, and improve core muscle function to avoid painful postural pains. Overall, a physical therapist will design specific exercises to strengthen the postural muscles and guide us through the entire healing process.

See also: Kyphosis, that is, a round back. What is worth knowing about it?

A visit to a physiotherapist and relieving generalized pain

We may not have a specific painful injury. Extensive, generalized pain can be associated with conditions such as fibromyalgia, hypermobility, and many systemic rheumatic diseases. But a physical therapist can do a lot to ease our pain.

Physiotherapists can use manual techniques to relieve pain by stimulating certain nerve pathways to make them less sensitive. They can also teach you how to deal with fatigue, how to best set the pace of your physical activity and daily chores, and how to gradually increase your ability to do the things we need to do, and most importantly, the things we love. A gradual exercise program can also help you reduce pain and develop greater fitness, strength, and endurance. A physical therapist can have a very positive effect on our quality of life.

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A visit to a physiotherapist, stretching and flexibility

If we sit at a desk all day, we may think that stretching is not important because we are not active, but long periods of sitting can put pressure on the lower back and hamstring muscles. Regularly standing up and moving, and doing simple stretches on a regular basis can make a big difference in our work aches. Interrupting your sitting with activity is also important to your overall health.

If you spend a lot of time typing on the computer, you should consider stretching your forearm muscles and wrist extensors throughout the day. If your neck hurts, consider a stretching program to relax the muscles that move your head.

See also: Stretching – what is it, what are its types and what are the benefits?

A visit to a physiotherapist and complications after surgery

One of the lesser-known services provided by a physiotherapist is post-operative support. After surgery, you may be unable to be active or exercise for long periods of time. This can cause severe muscle weakness and a loss of physical function, making it difficult to resume normal activities. A physical therapist can help you through your postoperative rehabilitation program, helping you safely and effectively regain strength and muscle function.

See also: Convalescence – after surgery and illness. Diet during convalescence

A visit to a physiotherapist and support in the fight against the disease

There are many scenarios in which a disease can be diagnosed and the only option your doctor offers is to treat the disease with medications.

Type II diabetes, heart disease and osteoarthritis are conditions in which patients need to manage their condition, not ‘cure’ the disease. A physical therapist can guide us through an appropriate exercise program to help us cope with the disease, based on our diagnosis and the results of a detailed assessment.

This is very important because sometimes the treatment process with a physical therapist is so beneficial that some clients may limit the medications prescribed by their doctors. If we are in the process of treating a disease, we should always consult with our physician regarding the inclusion of a qualified physical therapist in our treatment plan.

A visit to a physiotherapist and support in the fight against physical limitations

Sometimes limitations arise with age, as a result of car accidents, injuries, and the development of debilitating diseases. Physiotherapists are highly qualified to work with such problems so that we can better cope with our limitations.

Physiotherapists can help train specific muscle groups and improve our mobility to make our daily life easier, but they are also skilled in handling appliances, braces, and various health-related accessories that we may need for our condition.

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A visit to a physiotherapist and recovery after a hip or knee replacement

Physiotherapists regularly work with clients who have undergone hip or knee replacement surgery.

Some physical therapists offer pre-rehabilitation methods, that is, exercise for a month or two before surgery to help us recover faster after surgery. In addition, post-operative rehabilitation is essential to keep our joints working almost as they were before surgery, but without pain. We should definitely go to a physical therapist if we are planning or considering hip or knee surgery.

See also: Knee and hip prosthesis

A visit to a physiotherapist and the improvement of the body’s efficiency

These services can help anyone from an older adult with back pain to athletes returning to sports or those looking to improve their athletic performance in some way.

Some physical therapists use certain sensor technology devices to monitor muscle patterns of movement and activity. Ultrasound is also an amazing tool that allows a physiotherapist to see the muscles under the skin to make sure they are healthy and able to activate in a way that best supports and moves our body. With this information, the physiotherapist is able to identify certain “weaker” spots throughout the body to aid recovery or athletic performance.

This is important not only for every young athlete who wants to improve their performance, but also for every person who just wants to strengthen the weaker areas of their body.

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A visit to a physiotherapist and recovery after childbirth

Having a baby is a stressful situation for the body, and a woman’s body undergoes many changes during the months of pregnancy. For this reason, visiting a physical therapist can help strengthen areas that may have become stretched or weakened during pregnancy, and can also help you develop a plan to safely increase your activity levels and help you lose extra weight. A physical therapist can also help especially with pelvic floor prolapse or bladder and bowel problems that may occur after childbirth.

A visit to a physiotherapist is a safer option than with a personal trainer, because the physiotherapist understands the effects of pregnancy on muscles, ligaments and joints and what is appropriate in the first months after having a baby. Many new mums have trouble returning to a high level of activity too quickly or engaging in inappropriate exercise. Health problems can also appear weeks or months after the baby is born, so being under the care of a physical therapist is a good choice.

See also: The most common health problems after childbirth

Physiotherapist – what can you expect during your visit?

When we make an appointment with a physiotherapist, we will likely be asked to wear comfortable, loose clothing and shoes that provide good grip (e.g. sports shoes). This is because we will probably have to make some movements.

During the first visit, the physical therapist will review our records and obtain a complete medical history, look at x-rays, and any other examinations we may have. She will ask us questions about our medical history, lifestyle, and the disease or injury she will be dealing with. It is important that our responses are completely honest.

We will likely be asked to walk, bend down, and perform other simple activities that will allow the physiotherapist to assess our physical abilities and limitations. Then the physiotherapist will discuss an individual physiotherapy program with us.

At follow-up visits, we will usually perform certain exercises or movements that we will be asked to perform. The activities we do during physical therapy are part of a program that has been created by a physiotherapist specifically for us to help us achieve our health and recovery goals.

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Physiotherapist – what to consider when choosing?

Like many other health professions, physical therapy has many different areas and is subject to strict standards. Physiotherapists themselves must be sufficiently educated and officially registered to practice their profession. So determining which physiotherapist is right for you involves more than just picking up a phone book.

1. Qualifications

As with any healthcare professional, a physical therapist must be fully qualified and fully accredited. The law requires them to complete their studies at an approved educational institution and register with the National Chamber of Physiotherapists.

2. Relevant scope of knowledge

Physiotherapy covers a wide area, and just as there is no point in talking to a neurosurgeon about toothache, we should seek out a physiotherapist with the appropriate qualifications for a specific problem. So, if we have a bad back, let’s go to someone who specializes in musculoskeletal disorders, and if we’re recovering from heart bypass surgery, let’s see an expert in cardiovascular physiotherapy.

3. Location

This may seem like a minor problem, but location should be considered, especially if the injury or condition being treated is chronic. Traveling long distances is not wise when we have problems with the musculoskeletal system, while postoperative physical therapy can be a delicate process. So if we can, choose a physiotherapist who is nearby or to which it is not difficult to get to (it also concerns the issue of e.g. wheelchair ramps).

4. Treatment methods

While it is never worth considering an appropriate treatment, you may prefer the type of treatment. Traditionally, physical therapists use techniques such as movement and massage, but nowadays there is a wider variety of them. These include, for example, hydrotherapy. Let us ask if a preferred alternative treatment is available. Many clinics that offer physical therapy offer alternative treatment options so they may have what we need.

5. Availability

Perhaps the most important question is whether a physical therapist is actually available. When we suffer, the waiting list is the last thing we have to decide on. It’s important to start treatment as soon as possible, so ask your physical therapist about the workload. This may be necessary if we are suffering from a relapse and need emergency care. Small clinics offer excellent treatment, but larger clinics are better at dealing with accessibility.

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