Rehabilitating an ailing or fractured body part can be a challenging process. In most cases, you will struggle to restore its functionality due to numbness, pain and swelling. Physiotherapy is a non-invasive process that utilises exercises to restore the functionality of ailing parts and improve muscle strength around the area. Below is an extract with a few things you should know about physiotherapy. 

When Should You Consider Physiotherapy? 

Physiotherapy treats conditions that affect the joints, tendons, muscles and ligaments. For instance, physiotherapy is utilised in sports medicine to manage sprains, fractures, ruptured Achilles, dislocations, knee injuries and rotor cuff injuries. Seniors with Alzheimer's disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, incontinence, mobility issues and arthritis can also benefit from the intervention. Women's physiotherapy aims to alleviate the condition of women who suffer back and pelvic pain during pregnancy and after delivery. Conversely, paediatric physiotherapy helps children with cerebral palsy, congenital disabilities and spina bifida build their muscle strength. 

Tips When Hiring a Physiotherapist 

Consider the following when hiring a physiotherapist; 

• Assess the therapist's specialisation to ensure they have successfully treated patients with your condition. For instance, if you suffer muscle pains during pregnancy, a women's health physiotherapist could be a better match compared to a sports physiotherapist.
• Check the physiotherapist's training, certifications, accreditation and reviews to establish their expertise in the field.
• What is the physiotherapist's working schedule? For example, if you have a busy routine, you would opt for therapists who can slot in weekend or evening sessions.
• If your insurance coverage does not cater to physiotherapy, assess the therapist's pricing. If it does, check whether they have a bulk billing service. 

What Happens During Physiotherapy? 

Do not be anxious when visiting the physiotherapist. Most therapists have excellent interpersonal skills that help make their patients comfortable. During your first session, the professional will examine the history of your condition. For instance, what was the cause? Have you taken medication? Have you undergone surgery? The physiotherapist could also ask for medical records and contact your doctor to ensure they have a comprehensive understanding of the condition. 

Then, the physiotherapist creates a rehabilitation program to alleviate pain or heal the injured part. Typically, the program details the exercise to conduct during each physio session, the goal of the exercises, and how the physiotherapist will assess the success of the physio exercises. It is unlikely that you will see visible results after one physio session. The secret is to be patient and follow the therapist's instructions.