Physiotherapy has an important role in the healthcare space, with trained professionals using a range of physical treatments to improve and support someone’s movement, function and overall wellbeing. By working with patients to diagnose and treat injuries, illnesses and other ailments, physiotherapists can enhance someone’s quality of life.
Best of all, physiotherapy is effective for treating a range of conditions. For example, it’s often the go-to option for musculoskeletal injuries, such as back pain, sprains and strains. However, it’s also helpful for addressing complex neurological conditions, including stroke, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.
In addition, physiotherapy is essential for treating sporting injuries, guiding rehabilitation after surgery and overcoming myriad other challenging health concerns. To help you understand this area of healthcare better, we’ve delved into what you can expect when you book an appointment with an expert physiotherapist.
What can physiotherapy involve?
If you’re seeking out a physiotherapist for the first time, you might be unsure about the process. Below, we detail some of the most common steps, from a conversation about your symptoms to follow-up sessions that measure your progress.
Initial consultation: The first meeting with your physiotherapist involves them getting to know your medical history and current concerns. By learning about your previous injuries or surgeries and the activities that affect your specific issue, a physiotherapist can develop a better picture of the problem.
Physical assessment: Once you’ve discussed your current issue, a physiotherapist may conduct a physical assessment to determine the primary cause and contributing issues. This can involve exploring your range of motion and flexibility, reviewing your movement patterns and assessing your balance and coordination.
Treatment plan: After making a diagnosis, physiotherapists develop treatment plans tailored to each patient’s needs and goals. Factoring in relevant precautions and limitations, this plan might include specific manual therapy techniques, modalities, lifestyle changes and more to treat a patient’s injury, illness or condition.
Advice and follow-up: If your condition requires more than one session to treat, physiotherapists will advocate for booking multiple sessions to measure your progress and provide ongoing care. In addition, physios can offer advice about techniques you can use at home to limit your discomfort and achieve your ideal outcome.
Book a consultation today
Ready to see an experienced physiotherapist? The team at Clinical Physio Solutions offers forward-thinking assessment, diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal injury, pain and dysfunction using the latest research and evidence-based methods. Get in touch with our friendly team to learn more and book a consultation.