PHYSIOTHERAPY
WHAT IS IT?
Physiotherapy is an advanced and evidence derived form of care that can diagnose, treat and prevent an extensive range of health conditions and mobility/movement disorders. The therapists use advanced techniques taught through university level education to repair damage, reduce stiffness and pain, increase mobility, and improve quality of life.
Treatment purpose can extend to health promotion, acute care, injury prevention, maintenance of functional mobility, chronic disease management, patient and carer education and occupational health.
WHO ARE WE?
Physiotherapists are highly qualified health professionals that work together with their patients to get them back to wellness and keep them there, whist openly cooperating with other health Professionals such as GPs and other clinicians to manage treatment and treatment plans.
HOW CAN WE HELP?
“All Australians can benefit from physiotherapy at some point in their lives. While it is well-known that physiotherapists treat injuries, increasing numbers of Australians are coming to Physiotherapists when they want to take control of their health and stay well. Some of the needs Physiotherapists address include (APA, 2016)”:
- Cardio-respiratory – prevents, rehabilitates and supports people living with, or at risk of diseases and injuries affecting the heart and lungs, such as heart disease or asthma. Physiotherapists help patients prepare for or recover from surgery, and prescribe exercises and other interventions to improve quality of life.
- Cancer, palliative care and lymphoedema – addresses a range of patient needs, including treating, managing or preventing fatigue, pain, muscle and joint stiffness, and deconditioning.
- Continence and women’s health – manages and prevents incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction in men, women and children. Physiotherapists work in areas including pregnancy, birth, post-partum care, breastfeeding, menopause, bed wetting, prolapse, loss of bladder or bowel control, and with men living with or recovering from prostate cancer.
- Supporting older Australians – uses evidence-based care to promote healthy and active ageing among older Australians. Working in home and residential aged care settings, physiotherapists help manage or prevent the effects of conditions or risks such as osteoporosis, incontinence and falls.
- Musculoskeletal – prevents and treats clients with musculoskeletal conditions such as neck and back pain. Techniques include addressing underlying problems, preventing strain and injury, and prescribing exercises and other interventions to promote mobility.
- Neurology – promotes movement and quality of life in patients who have had severe brain or spinal cord damage from trauma, or who suffer from neurological diseases such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis.
- Orthopaedic – helps patients prevent or manage acute or chronic orthopaedic conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and amputations. Physiotherapists also help patients prepare for or rehabilitate from orthopaedic surgery, or another orthopaedic hospital admissions.
- Occupational health – supports the health and wellbeing of workers, reduces safety risks in the workplace, prevents and manages injuries and diseases, and support workers in returning to work.
- Paediatric (supporting infants and children) – aims to prevent conditions such as plagiocephally (misshapen head) or support a child’s development such as addressing milestone delays with sitting and walking, clumsiness, or hyperactivity.
- Pain – manages or prevents pain and its impact on function in patients using a psychologically informed and interdisciplinary approach. Physiotherapists work with other health and social-care professionals to manage pain at the acute stage of an injury or condition, including through identifying psycho-social risk factors that may lead to chronicity.
- Sports – prevents, diagnoses and treats musculoskeletal and sporting injuries among all types of people, from professional athletes to everyday Australians.
- Acupuncture and dry needling – which helps to manage both chronic and acute conditions such as sprains and strains, spinal dysfunction, arthritis and neurological conditions.
- Aquatic – using a pool, physiotherapists treat patients with a multitude of conditions using hydrotherapy including sports injuries, post-operative and orthopaedic conditions, spinal pain and/or injuries and arthritis. Aquatic physiotherapy is popular for aged
care. – (APA, 2016)
Please click here to be re-directed to the Australian Physiotherapy Association information page for further information and informative videos or