Several people have reported that they do not get the results they are after with just having a remedial massage. The common description is that the individual gets ‘relief’ for a few days and then the pain or dysfunction returns. A physiotherapist has the training to ‘find the missing puzzle piece’ and to come to a conclusion as to why the pain or dysfunction is happening in the first place – treating the cause and not the symptoms.
The Australian Physiotherapy Association states that “physiotherapists help improve quality of life, they help you recover from an injury, reduce pain and stiffness, increase mobility and prevent further injury”.
A physiotherapist will conduct a comprehensive assessment, based on current research, and will come to a conclusion regarding the diagnosis. An individualised treatment, based on the best available evidence, will be carried out based on the assessment findings.
A physiotherapist is known as a ‘first contact practitioner’, meaning that a referral is not required from another health professional. Due to this, if an X-ray or other imaging is indicated, the physiotherapist can directly refer for these scans.
A physiotherapist is not just a diagnostician, but also has training in implementing corrective and strengthening exercises that can be carried out in your home or work place (called a home exercise program). Physiotherapists can also prescribe a program for the pool or gym if these are available.
Physiotherapists can treat more than just neck pain, back pain and sporting injuries. Conditions that a physiotherapist can treat include: arthritis, vertigo, headaches, pain, complaints associated with pregnancy, jaw dysfunction, childhood presentations, urinary incontinence, neurological conditions (such as stroke, Parkinson’s Disease, cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis), cardiovascular illness (heart disease and rehabilitative therapies for a heart attack) and respiratory illness (asthma, cystic fibrosis and obstructive pulmonary disease). Through education, exercise prescription and modification of various activities, the need for surgery and other interventions can be eliminated.
Having said that, knee and hip replacement surgery along with spinal surgery are very common, and will increase in incidence with the ageing population. A physiotherapist is the best placed health professional to progress your rehabilitation.
Through an individualised exercise program, a physiotherapist can assist in the prevention and management of obesity, increasing and maintaining bone density, improve posture and achieve better balance leading to falls prevention.
As such a physiotherapist is a highly trained health and versatile practitioner that can potentially assist you in achieving your health goals.
This is just general information, for a comprehensive assessment and diagnosis, phone (08) 9203 7771 or make an appointment with Robert and Jeff today.
