Physiotherapy is a specialised and useful mode of treatment, which helps recovery from neuromuscular injuries and joint conditions, among other health problems and complaints.
Some people think of physiotherapists as either drill sergeants or glorified exercise coaches. However, physiotherapists are highly trained professionals who have studied the design, structure and function of bones, muscles, ligaments and joints in depth. This helps them accurately diagnose and treat conditions which restrict mobility and normal function, helping you heal better, faster and preventing recurrence of such injuries.
So, does physiotherapy just mean exercise? No. Our trained physiotherapists assess the functional status of the whole patient. They then work out the treatment, which often includes exercises of various types to promote flexibility and strength. They help to recover useful function and sensation. They suggest necessary or helpful lifestyle modifications.
Is physiotherapy painful? Well, the pain reduces movement rather than easing it. The body does best when movements are challenging but not painful. We select exercises which increase flexibility and weight-bearing gradually, according to the improvement in your injured part.
Doesn’t physiotherapy take too long to produce results? Well, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. It tackles a range of conditions, from paralysis or weakness due to trauma, birth injury or stroke to chronic arthritis or post-surgery rehab. It takes various forms, which last for different lengths of time. However, in most common conditions, such as neck or back pain, or joint stiffness, improvement is felt and seen in a few sessions. If you are willing and committed to following up, you will experience the benefits sooner rather than later!
Can physiotherapy fix everything? Well, not if a condition needs surgery, or if the damage is irreversible. However, if the symptoms are due to stiffness, weakness or soft tissue restriction, the gently graded passive and active movements of physiotherapy can have amazing results on your general wellbeing and mobility!
Would your body have healed itself with time, even without physiotherapy? The body heals itself quite marvellously, so some degree of recovery always occurs. However, when a painful or weakening condition has progressed to involve other joints and muscles, you need help. In such cases, our friendly physiotherapists can play a critical role in restoring function and movement.
“But it’s just massage!”. Well, not exactly – though massage by an experienced physiotherapist does wonders in soothing and mobilising painful and tight muscles or joints. However, they also use a spectrum of physical methods like heat or cold, ultrasound, infra-red, as well as joint mobilisation, range-of-movement exercises, aquatic therapy, specialised sports injury rehab or post-surgical rehab programs to get you feeling useful and healthy again!
And it’s not just for the old, or sportspeople either! Physiotherapy can help anyone who finds movement painful or difficult or would like to be fit. There’s no reason why you need to bear chronic pain.
Why not call or visit our caring physiotherapists at our local clinic, for a full assessment and a personalised treatment and care program? It could change your life!