What
is Physiotherapy?
The successful treatment
of many muscular and skeletal problems is possible through natural
means without recourse to invasive surgery or medication.
After assessment of your condition your physiotherapist offer
individual treatments and wholistic advice. The physiotherapist
select from a wide range of treatment options to help relieve pain
restore normal movement and strength which will change to suit your
improving condition. This could be thought of as the
physiotherapist’s ‘Toolkit’ and includes:
»
The Physiotherapists 'Toolkit'
Manual Therapy
Soft Tissue Techniques
Exercise Therapy
Acupuncture
Advice
Electrotherapy
MANUAL
THERAPY
Manual therapy includes
the physiotherapist applying varying degrees of pressure, usually
to a joint, for therapeutic purposes. These techniques, known as
mobilizations are performed under the control of the client who can
ask the therapist to stop at any time. Manipulations are used less
frequently and are more sudden applications of force to the joint
for therapeutic purposes. The therapist will explain the purpose
and nature of the manipulation and obtain client consent prior to
performing any manipulations. Manual therapy techniques can provide
effective treatment when practiced by qualified
physiotherapists.
SOFT
TISSUE TECHNIQUES
Soft tissue techniques involves the stretching, massaging and other
ways of manipulating soft tissues (muscles, capsules, ligaments and
scar tissue etc) for therapeutic purposes.
EXERCISE
THERAPY
Exercise therapy includes Core Stability and is the staple of the
physiotherapist’s ‘Toolkit’. When followed, an exercise programme
given by your physiotherapists will help strengthen and return you
to normal function. Compliance with exercise prevents recurrence of
problems and limits the number of treatment sessions you need to
attend.
ACUPUNCTURE
Acupuncture stimulates the body’s natural defence mechanisms to
heal and relieve pain. It is one of the oldest recorded forms of
medicine having been used for over 3,000 years in China. It
involves the insertion of very fine sterile (and single use)
needles into strategic parts of the body. Some physiotherapists use
acupuncture for pain relief, healing and general wellbeing
alongside the other techniques mentioned above to provide a
complete package of health.
ADVICE
When followed, the advice given by your physiotherapists will help
prevent recurrence of your problems and limit the number of
treatment sessions you need to attend. Advice is usually in the
form of recommended exercise, joint protection, lifestyle changes
etc
ELECTROTHERAPY
Some forms of electrotherapy are used by physiotherapists to assist
in the relief of pain and to promote healing. Perhaps the most well
known of these is ultrasound which is the application of sound
waves which has a deep massaging effect on cells.
