Eight out of ten people do not fully understand what physiotherapy is all about. It is no wonder; after all, the field of medicine is full of many types of practitioners, from psychiatrists, dentists, pathologists, osteopaths to chiropractors. It is excusable if you do not know about physiotherapy.
The debate is still raging as to whether physiotherapy has any medical value to the patients who seek the services. Since physiotherapy doesn’t involve medicine, it is said that it does little or nothing to cause any healing.
For some, the whole concept of physiotherapy is a myth that should be debunked. But is it true that physiotherapy is a myth? Studies by reputable medical institutions have scientifically proven that physiotherapy treats and is indeed an essential step in helping patients recover from or deal with certain medical conditions such as injuries, cancer, or imbalance.
People suffering joint, back, or neck pains have literally found relief in the hands of a physiotherapist. Complete healing may not be realized in every physiotherapy treatment, but it is widely accepted that the procedures help relieve pain even in injury or disability cases where there is no full recovery.
Who Is A Physiotherapist?
Physiotherapy is a medical procedure whereby a qualified and licensed specialist called a physiotherapist uses his hands or an instrument to apply a controlled force to your troubled body parts to improve their function.
The force may be applied suddenly and irregularly as the affected body part is stretched or pushed beyond its usual limit, resulting in cracking sounds. This procedure can also be referred to as manual manipulation.
The concept behind physiotherapy treatment is that each body pain has a cause and the right way to stop the pain is to deal with the cause without resorting to medicine. The body system can naturally heal itself if it is trained through appropriate body structure alignment.
At a physiotherapy clinic, you get specially designed physiotherapy tables on which the patient lies in specific positions during a physiotherapy session. Before the procedure begins, a physiotherapist asks you questions about your health history, after which a test and physical examination are carried out. This can include an X-ray test to help determine the best treatment approach. In short, physiotherapy is not some superfluous, guess-work procedure.
Another related field is chiropractic, which also involves treating diseases, disorders, or injuries by physical and non-medicine methods. However, a chiropractor is mostly confined to the back-pain treatment or conditions stemming from the musculoskeletal system.
Who Needs Physiotherapy?
If you wish to bypass medication or surgery, you should consider physiotherapy. It is safer because it comes with none of the side-effects or risks usually associated with pharmaceuticals or a complicated, high-risk surgery procedure.
Other complications or situations handled by physiotherapists include:
- Parkinson’s disease,
- Arthritis,
- Imbalance
- Reduced mobility
- The fear of falling
- Learning to walk following injuries
- Learning to use wheelchairs following disabilities.
- Post-surgery or -stroke care.
- Heart diseases.
- Cerebral palsy
- Pregnancy check-ups.
- Advice on how to avoid injuries.
- Advice on how to lead a healthy life.
- Physical fitness program.
Depending on your needs, the services you are likely to get at a physiotherapy clinic include manipulation, electrotherapy, massage, or therapeutic exercises.
Old age is a point in time when you have lost much vigor; the immune system is weak, and the taste buds could hardly enjoy the meals you once enjoyed taking. You need extra care and attention because your movements are now limited.
However, anyone who engages a physiotherapist’s services can easily prevent many old-age ailments, such as unexplained body pains. Regular exercises supervised by a competent physiotherapist can turn your old age into a walk in the park. So one way to prepare for your old age to invest in physiotherapy.
Conclusion
There are quakes in every industry or profession; therefore, take the time to ascertain that the physiotherapy clinic you visit is well-reputed and staffed with only competent personnel.
When you experience mild pain, tiredness, or headache following a physiotherapy procedure, do not be alarmed because it is normal.
You can be able to walk long distance steadily without losing balance.
