What is a physiotherapist?
Physiotherapists are health care professionals concerned with human function and movement with the aim of improving physical performance throughout the lifespan. We aim is to maximise a persons' quality of life and physical function by promoting self-efficacy, as well as injury prevention and chronic condition management using various treatment modalities, pre-habilitation and rehabilitation.
We aim to promote, maintain and restore physical, psychological and social well-being, taking into consideration individual variations in health status and biopsychosocial factors. Physiotherapy practice is science-based meaning we apply, evaluate and review the evidence/research that underpins the particular issue we are treating. This ensures we are delivering an informed treatment that has been proven to improve a person’s pain and function.
Physiotherapy involves interactions between patients/clients, other health professionals, families, care givers and other relevant persons. This is a person centred care approach, where the needs of an individual are assessed and goals are agreed upon collaboratively.
Doctors or other health care professionals may refer an individual for physiotherapy, but you do not need a referral to see us. In fact, most people are referring themselves directly to physiotherapists without previously seeing any other health care professional.
What can they help with?
Physiotherapist’s work within a wide variety of health settings to improve a broad range of physical problems associated with different 'systems' of the body. In particular we treat neuromuscular (brain and nervous system), musculoskeletal (soft tissues, joints and bones), cardiovascular and respiratory systems (heart and lungs and associated physiology).
Below are just a few of the conditions that we treat:
- Any kind of musculosketal or joint pain.
- Arthritis.
- Sporting injuries such as sprains or muscle tears.
- Incontinence.
- Neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease.
- Recovery from a fracture.
- Rehabilitation before and after surgery.
- Developmental conditions in children.
- Occupational health – returning to work or preventative measures.
- Maternal health – both during and post-pregnancy.
- Chronic condition management – such as diabetes, hypertension etc.
- Chronic pain
What sort of treatment do physio’s do?
A common misconception is that physiotherapy treatment is mostly comprised of massage. While this is part of the large scope of treatment modalities that we implement, it is only a small component.
Some of the other treatments you can expect to receive are:
- Strengthening and conditioning programs – both self-directed and physio directed.
- Education on your condition and how to manage it effectively.
- Pilates
- Home exercise program – including relevant strength and stretch exercises.
- Dry Needling
- Taping
- Joint mobilisation
- Goal setting
What should I expect from an initial consultation?
During your initial consultation your physio will thoroughly assess your condition or injury. The assessment will begin with a discussion of your condition/injury history – this is called a subjective assessment. It consists of a series of questions that will help better understand how you are being affected by your condition/injury, your expectations and your complaints.
Following this you will undergo an objective assessment. This is where the physio will look at the relevant movement patterns and possibly palpate the necessary areas to gather the information required to develop an accurate and meaningful diagnosis.
A diagnosis is developed after the assessment of different structures, of the present deficits and limitations and the underlying cause of the condition or injury. The physio will then explain your condition/injury, the affected structures, the treatment plan and exercises that you will have to perform at home and answer all the questions that you have. Other treatment techniques such as massage, joint mobilisations or exercise will be implemented with your consent.
To find out more about physiotherapy and have your injury or condition assessed, book in to see a Physiotherapist or Exercise Physiologist at Back in Motion Aspendale Gardens.