The rehabilitation of an injured body part or muscle is a complex and lengthy process. An injury can cause severe pain, swelling, inflammation and loss of function. A skilled physiotherapist will work closely with the patient and their medical care provider to design an appropriate program to rehabilitate the patient. These programs may include manual therapy, electrical stimulation, massage, nutritional support, and the use of special exercise equipment.
What exactly does a physiotherapist accomplish? A physiotherapist is a health care professional that focuses on rehabilitation, therapy and prevention of injuries. They work with patients to design highly specialised programs designed to improve their physical functioning and mobility. They are also trained to assist patients at all phases of life, from infant to adult age. If you are suffering from an injury or illness of some type, a physiotherapist can help you regain your independence and function normally on your own.
Manual therapy is used to treat pain, encourage healing and prevent further injury. This therapy helps to reduce pain, improve range of motion, improve muscle strength, and restore strength to muscles and joints. Electrical stimulation is used to treat conditions where there is nerve damage or paralysis and to encourage the healing process. Massage is used to increase circulation and provide comfort.
Physical Therapy is used to rehabilitate athletes, patients with cerebral palsy, chronic diseases and syndromes such as fibromyalgia. Therapeutic exercise programs are used to reduce pain, improve flexibility, and increase muscle strength, power and endurance. They also help to prevent further injuries and protect against future complications. For example, in the case of cerebral palsy, physical therapy can help the child’s motor skills retain normalcy. Sports injuries are often the result of an acute impact, and physiotherapists use techniques designed to rehabilitate injured athletes.
Once a patient has been diagnosed with a particular injury or illness, a physiotherapist will recommend a specific course of physiotherapy. In most cases, this course of treatment is provided by the doctor of chiropractic, massage therapists, physical therapists, osteopaths, sports medicine doctors and chiropractors. In some cases, where the injury is due to a sporting incident, the physiotherapist may refer the patient to a team physician to diagnose and ensure that the correct physiotherapy regime is recommended for the patient. When the physiotherapy program is started, it is normally continued for six to eight weeks.
A physio Adelaide can provide various treatments for various conditions, including back pain, leg pain, knee pain, headaches, stress and tension headaches, neck pain, migraine headaches, and female reproductive health issues. They may also provide therapy to treat children and infants suffering from congenital disabilities, cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis. A typical treatment plan will include instruction on exercise and stretching, manual resistance training, cold therapy, weight management, physiotherapy and massage.
A physio Adelaide can offer support following an injury, such as advice on eating, walking, and exercise. If an injury is more severe, the physiotherapist may recommend surgery. Before surgery, the physiotherapist will evaluate the severity of the injury and see if the patient’s condition requires surgical intervention. For example, if a patient suffers from a torn rotator cuff, the physiotherapist will evaluate this situation and determine if surgery is warranted.
Once a patient begins physiotherapy, it may take up to twelve weeks for the physiotherapist to begin working on the injured area. Most injuries require physiotherapy to heal properly, but sometimes they can heal themselves over the first few weeks. Patients should keep themselves active as much as possible during the physiotherapy period. However, they should not perform any strenuous activity during this period to not aggravate their injury.