Are you dealing with frequent aches and pains? Have you recently been injured in an accident? Or maybe you feel like you're not getting the full potential from your body?

If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, a visit to a physiotherapist could be exactly what you need. In this blog we talk about what a physiotherapist does and the benefits it can offer you.

What Does a Physiotherapist Do?

Commonly referred to as just a physio, physiotherapists are healthcare professionals that help patients manage acute and chronic pain. They also help them improve their mobility, motor function, and balance.

Physiotherapy services include a wide range of treatments that are designed to reduce pain and enhance the patient’s quality of life. Here are some popular services a physio might offer at their practice:

Exercise Therapy

A physiotherapist can create personalised exercise plans to help patients regain strength in weak muscles, increase flexibility and mobility in tight muscles and stiff joints, and ultimately reduce pain. These exercises may include stretching, specific movements, and training with resistance bands or weights.

Active Release Technique

Active Release Technique (or ART) involves shortening and lengthening the muscles while placing pressure on them. This approach breaks up scar tissue and reduces muscle tightness. It’s often recommended to address problems with the muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves.

Dry Needling

Dry needling looks similar to acupuncture, but it’s purpose is different. It involves inserting thin needles (don’t worry, it’s not painful!) at specific points to release muscle tension and eliminate knots. The treatment also speeds up the healing process and may help to reduce aches and pains.

Benefits of Working with a Physiotherapist

Physiotherapists can help with all sorts of musculoskeletal impairments.  Whether you’re dealing with chronic neck and back pain or have recently suffered an ankle injury from a sports accident, almost everyone stands to benefit from seeing a physiotherapist. Some of the specific benefits of physiotherapy include:

Pain Management

Pain management is one of the most popular reasons for seeing a physiotherapist.

Physiotherapists use techniques like massage, stretching, and active release therapy to combat pain from sudden injuries and ongoing chronic pain. They will thoroughly assess you to determine the cause of your pain. Then, they’ll offer specific recommendations to reduce your pain now and in the future.

Injury Management and Prevention

If you recently injured yourself while playing sports or in the course of your job, a physiotherapist can help you strengthen weak muscles, stretch tight ones, and speed up the recovery process.

They can also teach you techniques to prevent future injuries from occurring, allowing you to stay safe on the field or on the job.

Remember that the goal is not to put a temporary bandage on the problem. Instead, physiotherapists want to get to the root of the issue and teach you how to prevent it from coming back.

Pre-and Post-Surgery Rehabilitation

Many people work with physiotherapists before or after undergoing surgery, especially for surgeries that affect the muscles or joints, such as knee or hip replacements.

If you see a physiotherapist before surgery, they can help you to get in the best shape possible. They will work with you to strengthen weak muscles, improve flexibility and mobility, and ensure that you are as strong and stable as possible before going under the knife.

After surgery, a physiotherapist can help you to regain comfort and restore range of motion in the joints, muscles, or bones that were treated during surgery. They will also help you to regain your strength and work with you to improve your range of motion, ensuring a faster recovery.

Improved Performance

After working with a physiotherapist for a few weeks or months, it’s common to notice improved performance on the field or at your workplace. After all, when you’re dealing with fewer aches and pains, or if you’re less worried about getting injured, it’s easier to put your best foot forward and do quality work.

Pre-Season Preparation

As an athlete, working with a physiotherapist during your off-season can be extremely beneficial. They can help you prepare for the upcoming season by ensuring that you are as strong, mobile, and balanced as possible.

The physiotherapist will likely create you a personalised exercise plan, which may include stretching, specific movements, and strength training exercises, to improve your physical condition, prevent injury, and unlock your peak performance.

Increased Safety

Injuries can happen to anyone, not just athletes. You can break an ankle by stepping off the curb incorrectly or even dislocate a shoulder by reaching for something on a high shelf.

Working with a physiotherapist on a regular basis can help you to become stronger, more mobile, and more balanced. These improvements will ultimately reduce your risk of injury and help you stay safe both at home and when you're out and about.

They can also help you improve your form if you are lifting heavy weights so you can reduce your chance of injury.

Improved Quality of Life

Physiotherapists help their patients live their best, most active lives.

They will meet you wherever you are, regardless of the severity of your pain or how long it’s been since you last received treatment. They’ll assess your current situation and offer personalised recommendations to improve your quality of life and ensure you can do everything you like to do pain-free.

How to Choose a Physiotherapist

To see the best results from a physiotherapist, you need to choose the right one. Here a few tips to help you with your selection:

• Ask about their services: What kind of physiotherapy treatments do they offer? Do they (or their clinic) provide other services like nutrition or joint adjustments?
  

• Consider the team’s qualifications: Make sure they’re educated at accredited institutions and have experience working with patients like you.
  

• Ask about availability: Consider their schedule and how soon they can meet with you.
  

• Read reviews: Find out what past patients have to say about their experience and if they would recommend these professionals to others.

Use these criteria to create a shortlist of potential candidates. Then, reach out and find one that can work with your schedule and your specific symptoms.

Get Help from a Brisbane Physiotherapist Today

If you live in Brisbane, Bowen Hills, Newstead, New Farm or Toowong and want to work with a physiotherapist that ticks all the boxes, get in touch with the team at Elite Health and Performance. We are a cutting-edge, multi-disciplinary Brisbane clinic that specialises in musculoskeletal treatment and rehabilitation.

From reducing pain to helping you get ready for an upcoming athletic season, we will empower you to unlock your body’s ultimate potential.

Book an appointment today or reach out to learn more about our services.