Physiotherapy helps persons affected by injury, illness or disability to restore function and movement through exercise, manual therapy, education and advice. Physiotherapists maintain health and function for people of all ages and help patients manage pain and prevent ailments.
Physiotherapists treat the body as a whole by focussing on the patient’s health and well being as well as their general lifestyle. Patients play an active role in their physiotherapy treatment and recovery process.
Physiotherapists will facilitate this through education, empowerment and participation by the patient in their treatment.
Physiotherapists are primary contact practitioners, meaning that you can visit one without a referral from your GP.
However, if you are being treated through Workers’ Compensation, Chronic Disease Management are, Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) or Compulsory Third Party Insurance after a car accident, then please bring your GP’s referral to your initial appointment.
In order to gain a proper understanding of your condition or injury, your physiotherapist will ask you a number of detailed questions about your health.
Your physiotherapist will also conduct a physical assessment and may ask you to perform a few movements or exercises so that they can correctly assess your level of mobility. The physiotherapist will then design a treatment plan.
Depending on your medical history and condition, your physiotherapist may use the following methods to treat you.
● Massage and lymphatic drainage
● Electric Muscle Stimulation (EMS) and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
● Magnetic therapy ● Dry needling & acupuncture ● Taping ● Exercise physiology ● Soft tissue treatment
Physiotherapy can aid in the improvement and restoration of one’s mobility and health through manual therapy, empowerment, education and advice. It is also an excellent tool for people of all ages and can help patients to manage pain and mobility impairments and prevent deterioration and other ailments.
Physiotherapists can treat the following conditions and ailments.
● Pain – back and knee ● Arthritis ● Injuries – aches, sprains and injuries
● Incontinence ● Neurological conditions, like Parkinson’s disease and stroke
● Recovery from broken bones ● Rehabilitation after surgery
Physiotherapy can also maintain and improve a patient’s overall quality with the following.
● Bettering their balance and coordination
● Improving walking ● Increasing stamina and endurance
● Increasing strength and reducing tension in affected areas
● Reducing contractures ● Optimising independence through improved mobility