What is a Physiotherapist?Physiotherapists are primary health care professionals with a significant role in health promotion and treatment of injury and disease. They combine their in-depth knowledge of the body and how it works with specialized hands-on clinical skills to assess, diagnose and treat symptoms of illness, injury or disability.
Physiotherapists help their patients grow stronger and more independent by focusing on the systems of the body related to movement and muscle strength. By helping your body move and function to it’s fullest, physiotherapy can improve the quality of your life and make you stronger by improving your flexibility, freedom, mobility, vitality and so much more. What treatment can I expect from a physiotherapist? |
Physiotherapists begin their treatment of each patient with an extensive assessment that may include health history, evaluation of pain and movement patterns, strength, joint range of motion, reflexes, sensation and cardiorespiratory status. In addition physiotherapists examine relevant x-rays, laboratory tests, medical records and surgical notes.
Based on this assessment, your physiotherapist will establish a diagnosis and work in partnership with you to develop individualized goals and treatment programs to make you stronger. Your physiotherapy treatment options might include:
What types of conditions can be treated? |
Physiotherapy can help make you stronger whether you are living with a chronic illness, recovering from a work injury or suffering after that weekend hockey game. Every day, physiotherapists care for patients with a range of ailments including:
- Heart and lung disease
- Traumatic, workplace and athletic injuries
- Arthritis and osteoporosis
- Stroke, brain injury, spinal cord and nerve injury
- Amputations
- Cancer
- Pre-and post surgical needs
- Diabetes
- Incontinence
- Balance and mobility training