Physical Therapy and the Road to Recovery

What do you do when you experience an illness or injury that impacts your ability to move and live your day-to-day life?

With so many medical advances, it’s easy to reach for a pill or prescription to help you overcome the pain. With physiotherapy, however, you can often address the root cause of your suffering and heal the underlying issues.

Physiotherapists focus on movement-related challenges and work with patients who suffer from all types of conditions and limitations. They use a holistic whole-body approach to address physical, emotional, psychological, and social needs.

More often than not, they work alongside other healthcare professionals, such as Occupational Therapists, to maximize treatment and ensure the patient’s road to recovery is expedient.

While Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists use unique approaches at different stages of a patient’s recovery, their goal is the same: To help individuals heal and rehabilitate so they can lead normal and independent lives.

Let’s look into more detail:

What is this this type of treatment? Will it work for me?

Physiotherapy is a treatment method that uses the science of movement to help people restore, maintain, and maximize their motion, strength, and function.

Physical therapists s use the latest evidence-based and natural approached to help reduce pain and promote overall well-being by addressing underlying physical issues.

By using a variety of methods, physical therapy promotes the fast and optimal repair of the body in order to improve the patient’s quality of life.

Depending on the reason for needing care, treatment may include functional training, massage, taping, joint mobilization, and stretching. It can also address self-management strategies such as goal setting and lifestyle advice.

There are multiple forms designed to individualize care and achieve better movement and function, such as:

• Pediatric
• Female-Centric
• Geriatric
• Neurological
• Cardio-Respiratory
• Musculoskeletal
• Sports
• Vestibular Rehabilitation
• Rehabilitation and Pain Management

At the forefront of this treatment are the Physiotherapists who use their in-depth knowledge of how the body works to use hands-on skills to assess, diagnose, and treat the symptoms of illness, injury, and disability.

Their role involves implementing treatment plans as well as educating their patients, their families, and their community in ways to prevent injuries and facilitate healing.

A physical therapist can treat a wide spectrum of individuals including children with developmental challenges, pregnant women, premature babies, the elderly, athletes, individuals requiring physical rehabilitation, and those needing support following heart disease, stroke, or major surgery.

Physio and Occupational Therapy: Is There a Huge Difference?

While most individuals believe that they must choose between physiotherapy and occupational therapy, the truth is that, despite the differences between the two, both therapies can be used together to promote healing and a return to independence.

Physiotherapy focuses on improving movement, mobility, and function while Occupational Therapy (OT) addresses the performance of daily tasks.

For example, an individual recovering from a stroke may require physical therapy to regain mobility so they can get out of bed, stand, and walk. An Occupational Therapist can then help them relearn how to perform daily tasks such as getting dressed and eating with utensils.

Overall, the purpose of both treatments therapy is to improve the overall functioning, quality of life, and knowledge so that patients can maintain their health and well-being.

When it comes to which therapy is more appropriate for a patient’s unique situation, there is considerable overlap when it comes to the health conditions that both therapies can address. In these cases, one is just as beneficial as the other.

Both therapies provide hands-on care that is tailored to the patient’s needs. Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists also set goals and assess progress on the road to recovery.

The Main Benefits of Physio Treatment

Physio is designed to assist people of all ages, whether they are suffering from injuries, illnesses, or medical conditions limiting their capability to move and function properly.

It encourages activities and lifestyle changes that can improve a patient’s overall well-being as well as prevent further injury.

When a patient is experiencing a physical problem or challenge, physiotherapy is usually the first course of action.

Here are some of the main benefits of seeking treatment:

• Avoid Surgery to help heal injuries before they require surgery. It can also help strengthen the affected area and promote a faster recovery if surgery is needed.
• Reduce and Eliminate Pain by using a variety of techniques and exercises that can help alleviate pain and restore movement and function.
• Recovery from Sports-Related Injuries since physical therapists are educated in the science of movement and the human body, they can design appropriate recovery plans or prevention exercise programs for those engaged in sports activities.
• Improve Mobility because physiotherapists can design unique care plans to help individuals improve their range of movement.
• Age-Related Issues to assist older adults are at a higher risk of facing mobility problems caused by factors such as joint-related issues. A physiotherapist can help individuals manage age-related conditions.
• Women’s Health Improvement is possible when focused on the specific management of pregnancy, post-partum care, breast cancer, pelvic pain, and fibromyalgia.

It is typically recommended to seek out a physical therapist if you are suffering from an injury or an injury caused by underlying factors. Seeking treatment can help reduce your pain and increase your mobility while ensuring that the injury does not happen again.

Some common injuries that require physiotherapy include work-related injuries, sports injuries, and joint and muscle sprains. Physiotherapy can also help address headaches, lower back and neck pain, vertigo, plantar fasciitis, and tendinosis as well as help with post-operative rehabilitation.

The Road to Recovery

The overall goal of physiotherapy is to improve your quality of life! Who wouldn’t benefit from that?

If you find that your life is restricted due to pain or mobility issues, you should speak to your medical practitioner about being referred to a physiotherapist. You and the physical therapist can strategize a treatment plan to help you heal your body and get back to living your life! Don’t hesitate to speak with a local physical therapist regarding your treatment options.