Physiotherapy is a health profession that helps people to maintain, restore and improve their movement and function. Physiotherapists use physical approaches such as exercise, manipulation, massage and electrotherapy to help patients. In this blog post we will explore what physiotherapy is, the different roles of a physiotherapist and what you can expect from your first year of practice as a physiotherapist.
What is a physiotherapist?
A physiotherapist is a health professional who helps people to maintain, restore and improve their movement and function. Physiotherapists use physical therapy approaches such as exercise, manipulation, massage and electrotherapy to help patients.
Think of a physiotherapist as your personal injury attorney. They are experts in the medical and physical rehabilitation process, which includes everything from treating fractures to helping with chronic pain management or whiplash injuries after an auto accident.
A good way to summarize what they do would be: “They make sure that you get better!”
The different roles of a physiotherapist
There are many different roles that a physiotherapist can undertake. Some of these roles include:
- Musculoskeletal physiotherapist: Works with patients who have problems with their bones, muscles and joints.
- Neurological physiotherapist: Works with patients who have problems with their brain or spinal cord.
- Cardiac physiotherapist: Works with patients who have heart problems.
- Respiratory physiotherapist: Works with patients who have breathing problems.
- Women’s health physiotherapist: Works with pregnant women and those who have recently given birth.
- Geriatric physiotherapist: Works with older adults.
An introduction to Physiotherapy
This article discusses the physical therapist’s role in providing treatment for patients with chronic conditions.
The scope of practice for physiotherapists includes assessing pain management, designing rehabilitation programs to treat injury or illness-related disabilities affecting movement such as muscle strain/sprain; recommending appropriate exercises tailored towards each individual’s needs (e..g.: weak knees); evaluating postural alignment using body mechanics analysis tools like the Lebert test which measures how well you can maintain your posture while standing still without bending at either knee). They also provide guidance on exercise prescription based off this information – telling us which movements may be too painful.
What to expect from your first year of practice as a physiotherapist
Your first year of practice as a physiotherapist is likely to be both challenging and rewarding. As a new physiotherapist, you will be expected to:
- Work with patients who have a wide range of conditions.
- Carry out physical assessments and diagnose problems.
- Develop treatment plans and carry out therapies.
- Manage and monitor patient progress.
- Record and report findings.
- Supervise junior staff.
Professional supervision for physiotherapists
All physiotherapists should have regular professional supervision in order to maintain their skills and practice safely. Professional supervision can help to:
- Improve your clinical practice.
- Identify any areas of weakness in your practice.
- Help you to reflect on your clinical decision making.
- Assist with professional development.
How to choose a physiotherapist
To find a good Physiotherapist it’s important to know what kind of care you need and want from them. Whether your goal is just basic discomfort or if there are other factors at play such as pain during workouts, running ability etc., knowing this will help narrow down the search for someone in line with those needs- which means they’ll have more time on hand! Here we offer some tips about how best suit each individual case:
To treat back problems try looking locally first because most cities have databases where patients can look up providers by name; alternatively ask friends who’ve had experience working alongside professional athletes.
When choosing a physiotherapist, it is important to consider the following factors:
- The therapist’s qualifications and experience.
- The therapist’s approach to treatment.
- The type of services offered by the therapist.
- The location and availability of the therapist.