physiotherapy

What is Physiotherapy? How Does Physiotherapy Work?

Physiotherapy, also known as physical therapy, is a healthcare profession that involves the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of physical impairments, disabilities, and pain. Physiotherapists are licensed healthcare professionals who have undergone extensive training and education to provide patients with personalized treatment plans that help them recover from injuries, manage chronic conditions, and improve their overall physical function and mobility.

During a physiotherapy session, the physiotherapist will first conduct an evaluation to assess the patient's condition and identify any physical limitations or areas of pain. They may also review medical records and perform diagnostic tests, such as X-rays or MRI scans, to gain a better understanding of the underlying cause of the patient's condition.

Based on their assessment, the physiotherapist will then develop a personalized treatment plan that may include exercises, manual therapy, electrotherapy, and other interventions. The goal of physiotherapy is to help patients restore their physical function, improve their mobility and flexibility, and manage pain and discomfort.

Physiotherapy can be beneficial for a wide range of conditions, including musculoskeletal injuries, neurological disorders, cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, and chronic pain. It can also be helpful for individuals who are recovering from surgery or are dealing with the effects of aging.

At the heart of physiotherapy is the belief that every patient is unique, and therefore, each treatment plan should be tailored to the individual's specific needs and goals. Physiotherapists work closely with their patients to develop a plan that is both effective and achievable, and they regularly monitor progress and adjust the plan as needed.

When should I go see a physiotherapist?

Think about getting physiotherapy if you have an injury, or chronic pain that affects how you function everyday. A doctor may refer you to physiotherapy after surgery such as a hip replacement, or an event such as a heart attack or stroke.

How Does Physiotherapy Help?

Exercise and education is at the core of physiotherapy. Keeping those joints and muscles moving is super important for your health! Strengthening your muscles and ligaments can help you reduce pain, regain mobility, and so much more!

• Pain Management
• Regain and improve mobility
• Reduce or eliminate need for surgery
• Improve surgery recovery
• Stroke recovery
• Prevent falls and improve balance
• Recover from an injury
• Prevent future injury
• Manage arthritis and other joint pain
• Manage physical age-related changes
• Incontinence
• Pain during pregnancy
• Fibromyalgia
• Vertigo
• Concussions
• Lymphedema
• Pelvic health
• Osteoporosis
• Sports performance
• and more!

Common Conditions physiotherapists treat?

Physiotherapists focus on both prevention and rehabilitation. Treatment can be for problems caused by injury, disease or disability. Here are some examples:

• Neck and back pain caused by problems in the muscles and skeleton
• Problems in the bones, joints, muscles and ligaments, such as ankle, ligament sprain, muscle sprain, meniscus tear of knee, Rotator Cuff Injuries
• Pelvic issues, such as bladder and bowel problems related to childbirth
• Fatigue, pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of muscle strength, for example during cancer treatment, or palliative care 
• Before /After Knee, Hip Replacement rehabilitation 
• Shoulder Dislocation
• Achilles Tendinitis
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Patella Femoral Syndrome
• Bunion
• Tennis & Golfer’s elbow
• IT Band Syndrome
• Shin Splits
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Whiplash
• Degenerative Disc Disease
• 
  

Physiotherapy Services

Laser Therapy

Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is a treatment that utilizes specific wavelength of light to help accelerate the healing process. Laser safely penetrate into the skin to help improve healing and reduce pain relief also decrease inflammation. Those that suffer from sprains, muscle pain, inflammation, joint pain will find benefit in Apollo Cold Laser.

Electrotherapy

Electrotherapy is used for relaxation of muscle spasms, prevention and retardation of disuse atrophy, increase of blood circulation, muscle rehabilitation, and reduction by electrical muscle stimulation.

Electrical stimulation may directly block transmission of pain signals along nerves. In addition, electrical stimulation has been shown to promote the release of endorphins, the natural painkillers produced by the body. 

Ultrasound

The ultrasound waves pass through skin and vibrate the soft tissue with a deep heat even though the patient can’t feel warming sensation.Ultrasound is known to relax your tissues, break down scar tissue and increase blood flow around the affected area. An increase blood flow can help reduce swelling. Common injuries which can be treated by ultrasound include tendonitis, frozen shoulder, bursitis, muscle tear, spasms and strains, ligament sprains and tight joints

Shockwave Therapy

Radial shockwave therapy is a method for the treatment of superficial orthopedic disorders. A projectile accelerated in the hand piece generates a mechanical pressure wave, which is transferred to body by an applicator head and which radiates out in the tissue. The mechanical stress triggers reactions in the tissue that have a positive influence on a wide range of orthopedic and neurological conditions

Exercise Prescription

Exercise plays an important role in improving the performance and functioning of the body area under rehabilitation

The exercises that are prescribed include active motion, strengthening, stretching, balancing, and conditioning exercises

Kinesiology Taping

Taping is most effective when it’s used in conjunction with other treatments like manual therapy or exercise. 

It’s used to support weak zones, re-educating muscles, enhance performance, managing scars, swelling

Manual Therapy

Massage, soft tissue techniques, joint mobilization, spinal manipulation. Tractions

What can I expect at physiotherapy?

Your session will be unique, because it is all about you and your particular needs. In general, here’s what happens:

• The physiotherapist learns about your medical history
• The physiotherapist assesses and diagnoses your condition
• You receive a treatment plan that sets goals for you
• You are prescribed a course of exercises and any assistive devices needed

Initial Assessment

A physiotherapist will ask you many detailed questions about your pain or injury and what are your goals for treatment.

Next your physiotherapist may do several physical tests to determine things such as your:

• Range of Motion (mobility and flexibility)
• Strength
• Ligament and Joint stability
• Reflexes, Sensation
• Nerve Tests
• Swelling
• Palpation (which specific ligaments, bones, joints, tendons are tender to touch

These tests are designed to help your physiotherapist diagnose your pain or injury, and then determine the best treatment plan for your condition.

Treatment

Your physiotherapy treatment will be based on the diagnosis from your initial assessment.

Treatment may involve:

• specific exercises that are to be done in the clinic during your visit
• a home exercise program or specific strategies to manage and improve your symptoms between visits
• the use of heat (eg. a hot pack) or cold (eg. ice)
• the use of electrophysical agents (eg. TENS, NMES, IFC, Therapeutic Ultrasound, Low Level Laser, Traction, Shockwave)
• Manual Therapy (massage, soft tissue techniques, joint mobilization, spinal manipulation)
• Stretching
• Follow Up Appointment