What is Physiotherapy?
Before we get into the question ‘What can I expect from Physiotherapy?’ lets first answer the question ‘What is Physiotherapy?’. Physiotherapy is the treatment of disease, illness or injury by methods including massage, exercise and heat treatment. Physiotherapy can be used in conjunction with pain relief, anti-inflammatories and surgeries.
Physiotherapists are trained in many different types of treatment such as dry needling, orthotics, Pilates and massage. Usually during a course of physiotherapy treatments, man y different techniques will be used to attain the desired result.
What Can I Expect From Physiotherapy?
What Can I Expect Before My Appointment
It is important for your physiotherapist to have as much detail as possible in order to effectively treat your complaint. To do this a detailed intake form is filled out before your first appointment. This will include details such as age, relevant medical and surgical history, medication, number of pregnancies and occupation. Your physiotherapist needs to know these details because they affect your skeletal and muscular functioning. For example, a painter will be using a lot of upper body, repetitive movements. Your physiotherapist will be able to work on certain areas, and prescribe certain exercises while taking into account the daily movements that come with the job.
What Can I Expect From Physiotherapy Assessment
At the beginning of your appointment, your physiotherapist will undertake an assessment. This will include observation of some basic movements while sitting, standing or lying down. This will give the physiotherapist a sense of what is happening with your tissue/muscle. It is important to give feedback during this assessment. Your physiotherapist might also move your limbs to check flexibility. The assessments are generally pain free, although some mild discomfort may be felt.
What Can I Expect From Physiotherapy Treatment
Depending on the area of complaint, it is advisable to wear or bring shorts with you for your session. If your forget, not to worry, your physiotherapist will have a towel to cover you for the duration of your treatment. At this stage the physiotherapist will undertake the treatment as they see fit, something that will have been discussed with you during the assessment stage. These techniques vary depending on the complaint and severity, but they may include dry needling, soft or deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy etc.
Again generally no pain is felt during this stage but you may feel some mild discomfort, this is completely normal and it is important to communicate with your physiotherapist so they can adjust as they treat.
Post Physiotherapy
You should leave your physiotherapist appointment feeling better than you arrived, unless directed by your physio. It is normal to feel tender for a day or two afterwards. A treatment plan will be in place, discussed and agreed between you and your physiotherapist. Your physiotherapist may also send you home with exercises or stretches to do. It is important to follow the directions of your physiotherapist as this will speed up your recovery.
At follow up appointments there will be a quick assessment to see how much you have progressed, followed by another hands on treatment.
How Many Treatments Will Be Required?
How long is a piece of string? The amount of physiotherapy treatments will depend on a number of factors including:
- Fitness levels and lifestyle prior to complaint
- Type of injury/illness
- Cause of injury or illness
- How closely you follow your treatment plan (exercises and advise given)
If you would like to find out more about how physiotherapy can help you why not call us or book online