What is Physiotherapy?

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Incredibly I get asked this question quite a bit. It is easy to assume that people know what physio is and what it can help. 


So firstly the definition of Physiotherapy is:

"The treatment of disease, injury, or deformity by physical methods such as massage, heat treatment, and exercise rather than by drugs or surgery." (Oxford dictionary definition)

So pretty broad then!

But even the Oxford dictionary isn't completely accurate!

It doesn't mention about the prevention of injury for example.

So what does the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) say?

"Physiotherapists help people affected by injury, illness or disability through movement and exercise, manual therapy, education and advice.
They maintain health for people of all ages, helping patients to manage pain and prevent disease.
The profession helps to encourage development and facilitate recovery, enabling people to stay in work while helping them to remain independent for as long as possible."

So this covers a bit more but it is still quite broad and vague and doesn't help the public understand what it is and how it may help them.

Now strictly speaking I am what is considered to be a Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist.

MORE CONFUSED?

Don't be, it's just a big word for the system of the body involving the muscles and the skeleton but this too is misleading, as yes I can treat muscle and bone but what about nerve, tendon, ligament, cartilage, fascia, intervertebral discs, joints etc. etc. Well the answer is yes but that would make the word too big!


So the simple thing is that if you have a disease, injury or condition that affects or involves any of the above or you are looking to prevent any of the above, then Physiotherapy can help you.

Here are some common things Physiotherapists can help with:

Headaches, jaw pain, neck pain, nerve pain, back pain, sciatica, whiplash, meniscal tears, shin splints, tendon injuries, ligament sprains, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, carpal  tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, disc bulges and prolapses, fibromyalgia, ME, biomechanics, degenerative disc disease etc. etc.

What do I expect from a physio?

Firstly I need to assess you to make a diagnosis and find out what the causes are. Then I will prescribe specific exercises and offer advice to help. Alongside this I would usually do manual therapy techniques to help in the short term. Examples of manual therapy are massage, mobilisations and manipulations. Other things that I use too, are electrotherapy, taping, acupuncture etc.



Anyway, I hope this helps you to understand more about what I do and how it may help you.

So if you would like to book in for an assessment then contact me via any of the below methods:

Telephone: 01782 771861
Mobile: 07866195914





Comments

  1. Amy Watson22 July 2018 at 01:29

    Fibromyalgia (FM) is a medical condition characterised by chronic widespread pain and a heightened pain response to pressure. Other symptoms include tiredness to a degree that normal activities are affected, sleep problems and troubles with memory. Fibromyalgia treatment

    ReplyDelete
  2. zsusanwilliams21 March 2022 at 09:05

    Very interesting post. This is my first time visit here. I found so many interesting stuff in your blog especially its discussion.. Thanks for the post!

    Regards,
    physiotherapy

    ReplyDelete

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