What is Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapists are registered primary health care professionals who are trained to combine their in-depth knowledge of the body with specialized hands on clinical skills to assess, diagnose, and treat symptoms of illness, injury or disability. Orthopaedic physiotherapists assess and treat a variety of different acute and chronic injuries and conditions, affecting all regions of the body, which may include pre and post surgery.
What is assessment?
Assessment is performed on a local (specific joints, ligaments and muscles) and global level (how different regions and systems of the body are interconnected), aiming to find the root cause of pain and dysfunction, and prevent future injury or dysfunction. Physiotherapists work to understand their client’s goals, educate them, and actively involve them in the healing process.
An individualized treatment approach
The health of an individual is uniquely affected by various internal (anatomical, physiological, mental, emotional) and external factors (such as daily activities performed, repetitive postures, stress). The physiotherapist takes these various factors into account to plan a treatment suitable to the unique needs of the individual. An active approach to treatment is beneficial as it assists persons to improve their body awareness and perception, correcting faulty movement/positional patterns, and teaching exercises to improve strength, stability, balance and flexibility. Treatment is often combined with various modalities such as: acupuncture and dry needling, and manual therapy techniques such as joint mobilizations, myofascial massage and soft tissue release.