What is Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy can treat people of all ages and backgrounds. It is commonly used as a means of improving movement and easing pain, as well as a rehabilitative measure.

Physiotherapy Aims to:

• Assess, diagnose and alleviate/manage your pain
• Restore and/or optimise function and prevent recurrence where possible

There are multiple roles and treatment techniques that come under the umbrella term of Physiotherapy. The practice and delivery of these are informed by evidence from scientific research. These principally include:

Mobilisation/Manipulation: To optimise the movement and positioning of joints.

Massage & Acupuncture: To ease tension in the muscles and promote healing.

Movement Correction: To assess and correct your biomechanics, which are commonly the underlying cause of your pain.

Exercises and Stretches: To complement and capitalise on the effect of hands-on treatment and further address the underlying cause of the pain or dysfunction.

Electrotherapy: To facilitate the healing process.

Diet and Lifestyle Advice: To promote healing, health and wellbeing. To plan the correct timing for a return to work or sport.

Recommend/Order Investigations: For example: X-rays, MRI, ultrasound scans and blood tests, when appropriate.

Ergonomic Advice: Workstation set-up, footwear, supports, braces, taping/strapping techniques.

Rehabilitation following injection therapy/orthopaedic procedures: Maximising the potential benefits and promoting recovery, strength and movement.

Screening for Serious Pathology: To advise and highlight the signs and symptoms of various serious medical conditions.

Physiotherapy is a multi-dimensional discipline that can be used to treat a wide variety of conditions. Do you answer 'YES' to any of the following questions?

• Are you experiencing pain, tightness, swelling or dysfunction in any of your muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons or nerves?
• Have you had an injury at work, whilst playing sport, whilst driving or at home?
• Do you have ongoing episodes of low back, neck pain or repetitive strain type injuries?
• Are you worried about your posture, body shape or biomechanics?

If so, or if you are experiencing any other form of musculoskeletal pain/dysfunction or injury, a Physiotherapist is specially trained to help you.

Chartered Physiotherapists have all completed at least one 3 year Bachelor of Science Degree and some have completed further study by way of Masters Degrees. All Physiotherapists complete many hours of continued professional development every year to ensure that they are trained and competent to assess your needs. For more Physiotherapy information and for official statistics and figures on the effectiveness of physiotherapy, please visit: www.csp.org.uk.