Physiotherapy Awareness

What is Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy is the primary health care profession that promotes wellness, mobility and independent function.
Physiotherapist have advanced understating of how the body moves, what keeps it from moving well and how to restore mobility.
Physical therapists (PTs) are movement experts who optimize quality of life
through prescribed exercise, hands-on care, and patient education. Physical
therapists teach patients how to prevent or manage their condition so that they will achieve long-term health benefits

Can Physiotherapy help me?

Physiotherapists manage and prevent many physical problems caused by illness, disability and disease , sport and work related injuries, aging and long periods of inactivity.

Here are some of the ways physiotherapy can help:

• Help manage the physical complication of cancer and its treatment
• Manage and treat neck and back pain and other joint injuries
• Maximize mobility for clients with neurological disorders such as stroke, spinal cord injury or Pakinson’s disease Oversee rehabilitation in the home after injury or illness
• Pre- and post-natal care and other women’s health conditions
• Providecare for children with padiatric conditions such as developmental delay,
• fractures and cardiorespiratory conditions
• Recovery after surgery
• Treat and manage respiratory and cardiac conditions

Specialties’ of Physiotherapy:

• Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy
• Neurological Physical Therapy
• Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy
• Sports Physical therapy
• Pediatric Physical Therapy
• Geriatric Physical Therapy
• Woman Health

How does Physiotherapy work?

Physiotherapists assess and analyze the effect of illness, disability , injury and inactivity and develop specific treatment plans based on their assessment and the individual client’s goals.

In order to maximize your health potential and minimize strains and stresses to your body , your physiotherapist will follow these four steps to get you moving as optimally as possible:

1. Assess your level of mobility , strength and endurance

2. Diagnose your condition and develop a treatment plan to restore movement and reduce limitations, including pain.

3. Prescribe and demonstrate specific therapeutic exercises, monitor your progress over time, and adjust your treatment according to your needs and preferences.

4. Prepare you for independence with advice on how to manage your condition,including education on complications and prevention a reducing problem.

1. Musculoskeletal (Orthopedic) Physical Therapy

Orthopedic physical therapy is a treatment that focuses on improving the function of your orthopedic system—those very important muscles, bones, joints, tendons, and ligaments.

Treatment is focused on helping you to build up your strength, flexibility, and range of motion. Orthopedic PT is meant to get you back on your feet and enjoying life again.

Orthopedic physical therapy may be prescribed for recovery from:

KNEE CONDITIONS

 ACL tear

 Knee instability

 Knee pain

 Meniscus tear

 Patella pain

 Knee replacement

HIP CONDITIONS

 Hip bursitis

 Hip pain

FOOT AND ANKLE CONDITIONS

 Achilles tendon injuries

 Ankle sprain

 Foot and ankle pain

 Heel pain

 Plantar fasciitis

ARM, WRIST AND HAND CONDITIONS

 Carpal tunnel syndrome

 Golfer’s elbow

 Tennis elbow

 Wrist pain

SHOULDER CONDITIONS

 Clavicle fracture

 Frozen shoulder

 Rotator cuff tear

SPINE CONDITIONS

 Degenerative disc disease

 Herniated disc

 Lower back pain

 Scoliosis

 Spinal stenosis

 Torn disc

OTHER CONDITIONS

 Arthritis

 Cartilage damage

 Fractures

 Lyme disease

 Running injuries

 Stress fractures

How can an orthopedic physical therapist help?

Exercise is a key factor in your recovery. It can feel like work, but it’s work with a purpose. Your physical therapist will guide you expertly through the healing process by giving your exercises your best effort.

There are five types of tools that may be used during your sessions.

1. Therapeutic modalities

2. Assistive devices

3. Assessment and evaluation

4. Mobilization and massage

5. Exercise

Three tips to get the best results from physical therapy

Physical therapy is just one part of a complete health care plan. There are three key tips that can help you get the best results from your sessions.

1. See the right person

2. Get involved

3. Work hard

2. Neurological Physical Therapy

Neurological physical therapists work to treat conditions of the nervous and spinal systems. Patients may have a range of afflictions, including

1.Brain or spinal cord injuries

2.Multiple sclerosis

3.Sciatica

4. Neuropathy

5. Fibromyalgia

6. cerebral palsy

7. Stroke

8.Foot Drop

These conditions may inhibit patients’ balance, coordination, sensations and overall movement. Physical therapists then work with these patients to reduce motor defects and help regain or improve function

3. Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy

For those interested in heart health, cardiovascular physical therapy is worth considering. Physical therapists in this specialty provide cardiac rehabilitation for patients who have suffered heart attacks, have heart disease or are simply looking to improve overall cardiac health. In cardiac rehabilitation, physical therapists help patients build their endurance through exercise, while also teaching patients how to reduce stress and manage their conditions. Cardiac physical therapy can be performed at a hospital or in an outpatient center. The other half of this specialty is pulmonary rehabilitation. Physical therapists who provide this care work with patients who have pulmonary conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis or sarcoidosis. Physical therapists teach these patients breathing exercises, work to strengthen muscles and endurance, and provide education on long-term management of the condition or disease.

4.Sports Physical Therapy

Athletes who have sustained an injury may be very familiar with this physical therapy specialty. Physical therapists who specialize in sports medicine work to alleviate and heal injuries caused while engaging in an athletic activity.

Common sports injuries include ACL tears, concussions, tennis elbow, hip flexor strains and shoulder injuries such as dislocation of the joint or tearing in the rotator cuff. Physical therapists use strengthening, stretching, manual therapy, hydrotherapy and heat or cold application to restore function and movement to patient’s affected areas. For sports therapy, patients are likely athletes who want to return to peak performance, so restoring muscle strength, improving speed, quickening reaction time and improving agility are often areas of focus.

5.Pediatric Physical Therapy

If you love working with children, pediatric physical therapy may be the specialty for you. Physical therapists in this field work with a range of children, from newborns to teenagers. They work to treat a variety of disorders and conditions that inhibit children from functioning or growing as they should. Commonly seen are

1.Developmental delays

2. Cerebral palsy

3. Cystic fibrosis

4. Scoliosis

5. Brain injuries.

Pediatric physical therapists can work in environments outside of a hospital. They are also found in schools, outpatient centers, rehabilitation facilities and, at times, in the patient’s home. In addition to treating children, physical therapists may work with family members to educate them on caring for and assisting their child.

6. Geriatric Physical Therapy

Geriatric physical therapy is a growing field, as the baby boomer generation ages and begins to experience more age-related conditions. Physical therapists in this area work with elderly patients to alleviate pain from arthritis, osteoporosis and general joint stiffness and soreness. The goal is to help these patients remain as physically healthy and active as possible. Some geriatric patients may have progressive diseases such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s that have no cure and impact everyday activities. Physical therapists work with these patients to help them build muscle strength, improve their balance and help prevent falls. They will also work to educate family members and caregivers on how to take care of and assist the patient once they’re home.

7. Women’s Health

Physical therapists can specialize in women’s health, which refers to both specific conditions women face as well as the treatment of women at different stages of their life. Physical therapists in this specialty can work to treat conditions such as pelvic pain, osteoporosis and lymphedema, while also providing prenatal and postnatal care. Women’s health can also include working with women of all ages and lifestyles — from female athletes to older women, physical therapists understand female musculoskeletal systems and how common conditions can affect women differently than men. Their main goal is to help maintain and promote health throughout a woman’s lifespan.

How accessible are Physiotherapists?

Physiotherapy is readily accessible as a primary health care services in all provinces and territories. If you have been hospitalized, you may have seen a physiotherapist as an in-patient or after your discharge as an out-patient , for assistance in your recovery from injury, surgery, heart attack etc. Long term care homes often provide physiotherapy to clients. As well, services are widely available in community clinics where physiotherapy, manual therapy, rehabilitation and sport injuries services are offered to individuals with or without medial referral.