You might have been referred to a physio in the past for help with rehabilitation after an illness or injury. Rehabilitation is just one area of physiotherapy, and physiotherapists can help you with a wide range of issues.
Physiotherapy is one of the most diverse areas of medicine and healthcare, and it takes a holistic approach to care and is suitable for people of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you’re an athlete, an everyday worker, or a retired senior, you can benefit from visiting a physiotherapist if you’re struggling with a particular aspect of your physical health.
What Are Physiotherapists?
Physiotherapists (often called ‘physios’ for short) are healthcare professionals that have studied at college or university to obtain a physiotherapy qualification. After studying, they must then apply for a license to practice as a physiotherapist in a professional healthcare setting.
Where Do Physiotherapists Work and Who Do They Work With?
Physiotherapists can work in public and private healthcare, and they can treat injuries in all areas of the body. They can work in hospitals, primary healthcare practices, and clinics like Broadmead Physiotherapy.
Some physios also choose to open their own private practices at home or focus on community-based work, where they travel to their clients’ houses for at-home physio sessions.
Physios will work closely with patients in the long term after an injury or illness to restore full muscle and joint function. Individuals with physical disabilities can also benefit from visiting a physiotherapist on a regular basis to improve physical movement patterns, muscle strength, core stability, and joint range of motion.
What Does a Physiotherapist Do?
A physio can prescribe various exercises to help their clients with physical activities and improve their quality of life. They may create a movement program that enables clients to gain muscle strength and improve joint flexibility.
Rehabilitation is also a key area for physiotherapists. Often, people require physiotherapy after sustaining a nasty injury or dealing with a long-term injury. The physio can prescribe various rehab exercises to slowly restore a client’s full function without the risk of further injuries or delayed recovery.
Older adults can benefit from physiotherapy sessions too. A physiotherapist can help them to continue living independently and perform their usual activities of daily living, especially after long periods of limited movement or bed rest.
When Should You See a Physiotherapist?
There are a number of reasons why you might wish to consult a physiotherapist. Some of the most common reasons why people hire physios include:
- Overcoming managing chronic pain or long-term illnesses
- Rehabilitation after an injury or illness
- Restoration of healthy movement patterns
- Recovery after pregnancy
- Improving strength and stability in the muscles
- Increasing joint flexibility
- Education about exercise and healthy living
- Stretching the muscles to improve flexibility and range of motion around the joints
- Managing the pre-operative and post-operative periods during surgery
- Education on weight management for weight loss
