Physiotherapy is a science-based healthcare profession. It focuses on restoring movement, function and recovery following injuries, illnesses, or disabilities. It can also reduce your risk of injury or illness in the future.
In the UK physiotherapists are HCPC registered healthcare professionals, who treat individuals of all ages from newborns to the elderly.
They use a wide range of methods to assist with the restoration of movement and pain reduction such as:
- Movement and individualised exercise programmes
- Manual therapy
- Joint mobilisations, soft tissue techniques, massage
- Education and advise
What to expect during a physiotherapy session
In your first appointment, your physio will conduct a thorough initial assessment.
The start of the appointment will be a detailed discussion filled with questions about your injury/pain so that the practitioner can have a full and detailed understanding of why and what could have caused your discomfort. It also enables them to gain some insight into you as an individual, your lifestyle and what your goals are from treatment.
Following the discussion, your physio will then move on to the physical examination. Here they will conduct some tests that look to assess:
- Swelling
- Sources of pain on palpation/touch
- Range of movement
- Strength
- Ligament laxity/stability
- Neurological testing e.g., reflexes, sensation, nerve testing
- Functional movements
- Balance/proprioception
Once both the discussion and physical examination have been conducted, your physiotherapist can then formulate a treatment plan based on the diagnosis.
Education around your diagnosis is a key aspect of therapy, as it will enable you to understand your condition and the management required.
From here your treatment will consist of:
- Manual therapy techniques such as joint mobilisations and soft tissue techniques and massage
- Tailored exercises to then be continued at home
- Specific home strategies to manage and improve your symptoms at home
- Follow-up appointments.
