When should I see a physio?

Physiotherapists can treat a range and multitude of health conditions. Traditionally they have been known as skilled health professionals in diagnosing and treating sporting injuries, but their skills expand to many other areas.

If you have some form of debilitating pain, tightness or are having trouble performing some daily, sporting or recreational activity, physiotherapists are trustworthy health professionals who can be consulted. This is assuming that your health issue is not medical in nature. It should always be advised that if your symptoms seem to be due to medical issues that you consult your general medical practitioner first. Thereafter your doctor may refer you for physiotherapy.

Vice versa physiotherapists are trained in identifying if their clients’ symptoms are out of their scope of practice and treatment. In this instance, the physiotherapist would refer you back to your doctor.

Physiotherapists primarily treat musculoskeletal injuries relating to the physical body, which can encompass occupational work-related injuries, sporting, fitness and gym related injuries, sudden acute injuries such as fractures, muscle strains or tears, joint dislocations and subluxations, managing chronic pain, mobility issues or trouble with walking, osteoporosis, osteopenia, balance issues, vertigo, before having surgery on a joint or limb and rehabilitation after having surgery on a joint or limb. These are just to name a few.

There is no ‘cookie-cutter’ approach with physiotherapy, as each person’s condition is individual, as are their goals and therefore rehabilitation program too. Physiotherapists are able to tailor your treatment plan and rehabilitation based on your specific needs.

The saying is ‘prevention is better than cure’ and once a physiotherapist has restored you to your pre-injury level and your goals have been achieved, they will also put some strategies and measures in place to prevent the injury reoccurring again in the future. Athletes who participate in professional sport would especially consult a physiotherapist regularly to keep their body healthy. This may be in the form of manual therapy such as massage and joint mobilization or adjusting form and movement patterns for their desired sport.

If you have an injury, pain or cannot perform an activity or sport at your desired level, seek guidance from a physiotherapist today. They are the leader is musculoskeletal rehabilitation, recognized by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).