What Is Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy, also known as physical therapy, is a healthcare profession that focuses on helping people restore, maintain, and improve their physical function and mobility. It involves the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of a wide range of physical conditions, injuries, or disabilities that affect the muscles, bones, joints, nerves, and other parts of the body.

Physiotherapists (PTs) use a variety of techniques to treat patients, including:

1. Exercise Therapy: Tailored exercise programs to improve strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination.

2. Manual Therapy: Hands-on techniques, such as joint mobilizations or soft tissue manipulation, to alleviate pain and improve movement.

3. Education and Advice: Teaching patients about proper body mechanics, posture, ergonomics, and lifestyle changes to prevent injury or improve recovery.

Physiotherapists treat conditions related to a variety of areas, including musculoskeletal injuries, neurological conditions (e.g., stroke or Parkinson's disease), sports injuries, post-surgical rehabilitation, and age-related issues. They play an important role in both injury recovery and prevention.

What do Physiotherapists help treat?

Any Joint or muscular problems of the major joints of the body. This includes the head, neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, spine, hips, knees and foot and ankle. Any issue relating to nerve, muscle, tendon or other soft tissue can be assessed and discussed with regards to pathology.

How should I dress for a Physiotherapy Appointment?

Loose fitting comfortable clothing if best. If the issue is with an upper limb such as the shoulder or lower limb such as the knee/hip we may ask to remove clothing with your consent to assess the area better. This is always at your consent but as a rule of thumb a vest/sports bra for the upper limb and any shorts or loose fitting trousers/joggers that can roll up are ideal. Not suited not to skinny style clothing or jumpers/hoodies if they cant be removed.

Do I need a referral to see a Physiotherapist?

No, you can simply ring 01472 882197 and book your appointment direct as a self pay patient or via an insurance company in which case referral is normal done by contacting the company directly.

Does Physiotherapy hurt?

Physiotherapy involves an assessment and treatment of the injured area. As a result of this sometimes it can be uncomfortable or some of the exercises may cause mild to moderate discomfort but excessive pain is never the goal of treatment and is not to be expected as standard. If you are in discomfort more than you wish or the programme is becoming increasingly painful discuss this with your physiotherapist at the earliest convenience.

What is the difference between Physiotherapy,Chiropractor and Massage?

Physiotherapy out of the above disciplines is the most evidence based out of the above professions. Physiotherapy that combines manual therapy, exercise and education is seen as the most evidence based style for therapy. It is also a protected title meaning you cannot call yourself a Physiotherapist unless you have completed a university degree approved by the health and care professions council. The other main differences are that there is a heavy emphasis on self management and education and the sessions are not simply an exchange of manual therapy. Physiotherapy out of the above 3 is the only discipline recognised as a medical treatment, the other two are deemed as complimentary therapy (CAM) and hence why they are not provided via public health sector such as NHS. Some people do find benefit from the other complimentary therapies and they can play a role but many find Physiotherapy to be more empowering and holistic.

How long do I have to wait to see a Physio and how long will it last?

There are no official waiting lists for our clients, simply phone or email to book on 01472 882197 or info@Physio-works.org. Often same day appointments can be accommodated but the average wait is 0 - 3 days. A Physiotherapy initial assessment will last 45 minutes avg, a follow up will be 30 mins avg.

Thank you for taking the time to read the questions above, if you still find yourself with any unanswered questions get in touch with us during opening hours on 01472 882197.