Physiotherapy helps to restore movement and function when someone is affected by injury, illness or disability. It can also help to reduce your risk of injury or illness in the future. It takes a holistic approach that involves the patient directly in their own care.
Physiotherapy is provided by specially trained and regulated therapists and can be helpful for people of all ages with a wide range of health conditions, including:
- bone, joint and soft tissue pain – such as back, knee, neck and shoulder pain and sports injuries
- post-operative recovery – such as total knee replacement, caesarean section and mastectomy
- long term conditions – such as Cancer, Hypermobility, Osteoarthritis and Scoliosis
- brain or nervous system conditions – such as movement problems resulting from a stroke, multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease
- heart and circulation conditions – such as rehabilitation after a heart attack
- lungs and breathing conditions – such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cystic fibrosis
Physiotherapists consider the body as a whole, rather than just focusing on the individual aspects of an injury or illness.
Some of the main approaches used by physiotherapists include:
- manual therapy – where the physiotherapist uses their hands to help relieve pain and stiffness. This can include massage, joint mobilisations and kinesio-taping
- movement, tailored exercise and physical activity advice – exercises may be recommended to improve your general health and mobility, and to strengthen
- specific parts of your body education and advice – physiotherapists give advice about things that can affect your daily lives, such as posture and correct lifting or carrying techniques to help prevent injuries.
There are other techniques that may sometimes be used, such as exercises carried out in water (hydrotherapy or aquatic therapy) Lymphatouch or acupuncture.