Injuries are responsible for over 5 million deaths every year worldwide. Whether you were injured or struggling from a painful, chronic condition, you need help. Without immediate treatment, the pain you’re experiencing could impact your health and future.
Thankfully, physiotherapists are trained to help.
Exactly what is a physiotherapist, and how do you know it’s time to see one?
Keep reading to find out! In this guide, we’ll review the benefits of physiotherapy and how making your first appointment can improve your quality of life.
Ease the pain away by answering the question, “What is physiotherapy?”
What is a Physiotherapist?
First, let’s answer the question that’s on your mind: what is a physiotherapist and what do they do?
Physiotherapy is designed to help restore function and movement after you’ve sustained an injury. It can also help if you’re currently ill or have a disability. Physiotherapists help restore your range of motion through:
Physiotherapy benefits patients of all ages. By scheduling regular appointments, you can manage your pain and prevent the condition from worsening.
Instead of taking medication to ease pain symptoms, physiotherapy looks at you as a whole person to determine the root of your pain. A physiotherapist benefits the patient by developing an approach that considers the patient’s entire lifestyle.
What is a physiotherapist good for? They’ll use their knowledge and skillset to improve your health condition, including:
Undergoing physiotherapy can help you remain independent. Instead of missing weeks of work at a time, you can regain your previous functionality.
An experienced physiotherapist will help create a treatment plan designed with your needs in mind. Their treatment plan will likely include exercises that you can complete at home. They might also help you recognize changes you need to make, such as improvements to your posture while you’re at work.
Still on the fence about seeing a physiotherapist? You can read more here to discover the benefits of physiotherapy before your first appointment.
7 Conditions a Physiotherapist Can Help Treat
Now that we’ve answered the question “what is a physiotherapist,” let’s discuss their abilities. Here are seven conditions that could indicate it’s time for you to see a physiotherapist.
1. Chronic Back Pain
About 540 million people experience low back pain at any given time. In fact, it’s the leading cause of disability worldwide. Chronic pain offer occurs as a result of:
Physiotherapy benefits patients who are living with chronic back pain. Trying to ignore your pain and avoiding treatment could cause you to miss work. By using physiotherapy to treat your back pain, you can improve your condition and live in comfort.
An ideal physiotherapy treatment for back pain can include:
Your physiotherapist will determine which of these treatments are best based on your unique condition. Utilizing these treatments can help reduce your pain by improving your muscle strength.
2. Achilles Tendonitis
Visiting a physiotherapist benefits patients with Achilles tendonitis as well. This injury affects the back of your heal by causing:
Your Achilles tendon is responsible for connecting your calf muscle to your heel bone. Achille tendonitis often occurs as the result of:
As a result, you’ll likely experience trouble standing along with pain and swelling.
Your physiotherapist will create a treatment that involves:
These treatments will help ease the pain and strengthen your calf muscles.
3. Fractures and Dislocations
One of the benefits of seeing a physiotherapist is the peace of mind that they’re experienced with treating certain conditions. For example, physiotherapy can help treat fractures and dislocations.
Fractures can cause your bone to break after applying excessive force on a bone. Dislocations, however, occur when one bone becomes dislodged from the other.
You’ll likely experience:
Your physiotherapist can reduce muscle weakness and ease your pain. With regular treatment, you can also strengthen your muscles and tissues for a faster recovery period.
4. Ligament Injuries
One of the most common types of ligament injuries is a tear or sprain to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). These injuries are common with people who play contact sports such as soccer, football, or basketball.
You’ll likely experience swelling and pain. Physiotherapy can help strengthen your knee and improve stability. Visiting a physiotherapist benefits your mobility and pain as well.
Your treatment plan will likely involve core-strengthening exercises and training to improve your movement techniques.
5. Meniscal Tears
Meniscus tears of the knee often require surgery. Choosing physiotherapy, however, can help you resume normal activities sooner.
You’ll likely experience locking, stiffness, pain, and swelling. Regular physiotherapy treatments will improve your range of motion and reduce pain symptoms.
6. Plantar Fasciitis
Too much stress on your feet can cause plantar fasciitis over time. This injury is common among athletes that neglect proper arch support. Your physiotherapist can help reduce your pain and restore foot and ankle function.
7. Hip Fractures
This type of injury is more common with older patients. Most people sustain a hip fracture after a slip and fall accident.
Symptoms often include:
When left untreated, this pain can cause delirium in older patients. Sometimes, these injuries require surgery.
Regular physiotherapy can help treatments avoid complications following their surgery.
What is a Physiotherapist?: 7 Ways They Can Ease Your Pain
Don’t let pain, illness, or injury slow you down. Instead, answering the question, “what is a physiotherapist” can help you get the treatment you need. With their help, you can ease your pain and restore your range of motion with ease.
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