What is Physiotherapy?
Very briefly, physiotherapy is a healthcare profession concerned with human function and dysfunction, movement and maximising potential.
Physiotherapy is the most accepted form of treatment by the NHS and Doctors in the UK, if you are suffering with pain or physical immobility or disability, then physio is one of the best starts you can make.
When do i need Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy, physical therapy, osteopathy, chiropracting…. the choices are endless and often confusing. Many patients have tried one, or sometimes all of these therapies to cure their problem. However, at the Total Health Care Clinics, we provide all of these therapies. That way, what ever is most applicable to you and your problem can be provided.
Physiotherapy is used to treat musculo skeletal injuries ie injuries that affect muscles, nerves, joints, ligaments, tendons and bones.
What do Physiotherapists do?
Firstly, they will take a thorough case history of your complaint, and ask questions regarding your general health. Secondly, they will perform a thorough physical assessment which involves asking you to walk, bend, flex etc. Some clinical testing can take place such as reflexes and nerve tests.
Once this has been completed, the physio’s will have an accurate assessment of you and your diagnosis. From there they will build a treatment program.
What can I expect from a physiotherapy treatment?
Our physiotherapists will combine a number of techniques to help provide you with relief. What they do will depend very much on you and your condition. But as a rough guide to treatment:
- Massage to reduce spasm and pain
- Stretching to increase mobility
- Mobilisation and manipulation of joints to improve movement
- Ultrasound to increase healing and reduce scar tissue
- Exercises- prescribed to rebuild the injured area and prevent further breakdown
What do Physiotherapists treat?
- Low Back Pain
- Sciatica
- Neck Pain
- Frozen Shoulder
- Tennis/Golfers Elbow
- Pain & changes to posture in pregnancy
- Hip & Knee injuries
- Arthritis
Whats the difference between Physiotherapy, Osteopathy & Chiropractic?
Lots of similarities and only a few differences.
Physiotherapists are often concerned with rehabilitation, exercise and ”electrotherapy” ie ultrasound
Chiropractors are often orientated to spinal alignment and manipulation ie the ”clicks” or ”pops” the spine makes
Osteopaths sit in the middle ground between the two therapies. Their approach is often a holistic one ie that look at the complete body, not just the injured area.
The true differences between the therapies are practitioner based. It is how the individual practitioner chooses to fix a problem, not how the governing body tells them how to do it.