What Is Physiotherapy?

What Patients Can Expect

An initial physiotherapy session begins with a consultation and clinical assessment. The therapist will ask the client questions about their general health and symptoms. Next, the physiotherapist will assess the patient's injury or condition. They will touch any areas of concern to check for tenderness, swelling, or pain, and may also move the patient's joints to check their range of motion. After this assessment, the therapist will formulate a treatment plan with the patient. This typically includes a series of stretching exercises to lengthen and strengthen muscles, and patients might also be shown how to modify their movements to complete reaching or bending tasks with less pain. Elastic bands, therapy balls, and foam rollers may be used as aids for proper posture during the session. Patients will be told to complete certain stretches at home in between therapy sessions, and the therapist will check on the patient's symptoms and pain at every visit. Depending on their training and area of expertise, some physiotherapists may incorporate massage, acupuncture, or ultrasound treatments into a session. Patients with minor injuries may be treated by a physiotherapist for a few weeks, and those with chronic conditions might attend sessions for many years.

Keep reading to learn about how physiotherapy pairs with other treatments next.

How Physiotherapy Pairs With Other Treatments

Physiotherapy is often used in conjunction with occupational and speech therapies, especially for patients who have neurological conditions and for those recovering from surgery or participating in rehabilitation. When used in combination, these therapies help the patient regain maximum mobility and independence, and they also help reduce the risk of re-injury or future falls. Physiotherapists who work in hospitals or nursing homes typically form part of the patient's healthcare team, and they attend meetings with the patient's doctors and other therapists to coordinate the most effective plan of treatment for the patient's needs. After the patient is discharged from the hospital, nursing home, or rehabilitation center, they may continue with physiotherapy several times a week at home or an outpatient center. Some patients can receive occupational, speech, and physical therapy at the same location.

Learn about the potential risks of physiotherapy next.