What is Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy helps to restore movement and function when someone is affected by injury, illness or disability.  It takes a holistic approach that involves the patient directly in their own care.

Physiotherapy is a regulated profession who are specially-trained autonomous practitioners, with the skills to accept direct referrals from clients or from doctors. They assess, diagnose, advise and treat people of all ages to facilitate recovery from operations and injuries as well as manage pain and promote optimal health. 

Physiotherapists are experts in the prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders (disorders of the body’s muscles, tendons, ligaments and skeleton) and of other conditions affecting people helping to restore movement and function when someone is affected by injury, illness or disability through movement and exercise, manual therapy, education and advice.

What Physiotherapists do

Some of our main physiotherapy approaches include:

• manual therapy and manipulation – where the physiotherapist uses their hands to help relieve pain and stiffness, and to encourage better movement of the body

• education and advice–about things that can affect your daily life, such as posture and correct lifting or carrying techniques to help prevent injuries

• movement, tailored exercise and physical activity advice – exercises may be recommended to improve your general health and mobility, and to strengthen specific parts of your body

• Acupuncture - Western medical acupuncture involves stimulating sensory nerves under the skin and in the muscles of the body.  This results in the body producing natural substances, such as pain-relieving endorphins.

What do physiotherapists treat?

·       Sports injuries

·       Muscular aches:

·       Joint pains such as neck, shoulder, arm, low back, knee, ankle and foot)

·       Soft tissue strains and muscle tears:

·       Fractures and breaks

·       Post surgery rehabilitation

·       Repetitive strain injuries

Physiotherapy is effective in treating a wide range of conditions. It is a science-based profession and takes a ‘whole person’ approach to health and wellbeing, including the patient’s lifestyle.

Physiotherapy provides a comprehensive rehabilitation program which aims to optimise patient function and well-being and improve their quality of life. This enables the patient to return to their chosen lifestyle activities whether at home, work or leisure. At the core is the patient’s involvement in their own care, through education, awareness, empowerment and participation in their treatment.