Physiotherapy
What is Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is a specialist allied health profession that takes a whole person approach to health and well-being. It is a treatment methodology that focusses on the science of movement and helps people restore, maintain and maximize their physical strength, function, motion and overall well-being.
The profession helps to maintain health for people of all ages and encompasses rehabilitation, injury prevention and health promotion. Patient involvement in their own care through education, awareness, empowerment and participation in their treatment is at the core.
Physiotherapy extends from acute care, rehabilitation, injury prevention and health promotion to maintenance of functional mobility, chronic disease management, patient and carer education and occupational health.
What is a Physiotherapist?
Physiotherapists are highly qualified health professionals who help you get the most out of life by working in partnership with you to get better and stay well. They help you recover from injury, repair damage, reduce pain and stiffness, increase mobility and prevent further injury to improve quality of life.
Physiotherapists help people affected by injury, illness or disability through movement and exercise, manual therapy, education and advice. Using advanced techniques and evidenced based care they assess, diagnose, treat and prevent a wide range of health conditions and movement disorders. They listen to your needs to tailor a treatment specific to your condition.
As first contact practitioners, you don’t need a doctor’s referral to see a physiotherapist. However, they often work as part of a team with doctors and other health professionals to plan and manage treatment for a specific condition.
What conditions do Physiotherapists treat?
Physiotherapist treat a wide variety of conditions depending on the area they work in. Some of the common conditions treated are:
- Acute and chronic low back and neck pain
- Joint injuries such as knee, ankle and shoulder strains and pain.
- Rehabilitation after fractures
- Pre and Post joint surgery and replacements
- Arthritis management
- Neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, MS and post stroke
- Cardiorespiratory conditions
- Lymphoedema
- Occupational injuries
- Balance disorders
Physiotherapists also provide screening and biomechanical and postural assessments and treatments to correct problems and improve function. They provide advice and strategies on injury prevention and how to improve health and well being as well as sporting performance.
What Sort of Treatments Are Used?
Physiotherapists are trained to assess your condition, diagnose the problem, and help you understand what’s wrong. Your treatment plan will take into account your lifestyle, activities and general health.
The following are common treatment methods use by physiotherapists:
- exercise programs to improve mobility and strengthen muscles
- joint manipulation and mobilisation to reduce pain and stiffness
- muscle re-education to improve control
- airway clearance techniques and breathing exercises
- soft tissue mobilisation (massage)
- acupuncture and dry needling
- hydrotherapy
- assistance with use of aids, splints, crutches, walking sticks and wheelchairs to help you move around.
What Does My Appointment Involve?
Each session is unique as it depends on your health issues and needs. However, a general structure involves an initial appointment of 30 to 40 minutes duration which will include:
- Detailed subjective assessment of your presenting problems to learn about your present condition, needs, lifestyle, past history and impairments.
- Objective assessment and diagnosis of the condition and needs. Including functional and specific tests as required such as range of motion, muscle length/strength, orthopaedic tests, neurological examination and biomechanics.
- Education and discussion of condition, treatment plan, goals and advice to manage the condition.
- Manual therapy, exercise prescription, electrotherapy, taping, device provision or other modalities as identified in treatment plan.
- Plan for review, further referral or discharge.
- Follow up appointments are 30 minutes duration and the format depends upon the condition and treatment plan but usually involves:
- Quick review of subjective and objective progress and status.
- Manual therapy and other modalities as clinically indicated.
- Progression of exercise rehabilitation program.
Referrals are welcome from outside of Glebe Hill Family Practice.
For more information about sessions, fees, private health benefits and Medicare rebates for physiotherapy, please click on one of the Physiotherapist's names below:
