When to Visit a Physiotherapist

What Is Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession that focuses on assessing, diagnosing, treating, and preventing physical impairments, disabilities, and pain. Physiotherapists use various techniques, including exercises, manual therapy, electrotherapy, and education, to help patients recover from injuries, improve their physical function, and manage chronic conditions.

Why Is Physiotherapy Important?

Physiotherapy is important because it can help people of all ages and abilities improve their quality of life by reducing pain, improving mobility and function, and preventing further injury or disability. Physiotherapy is also an important part of rehabilitation after surgery or illness and can help people recover more quickly and effectively. It is also an important part of preventive healthcare, helping people to maintain their physical health and prevent injuries and chronic conditions.

When Should One Reach Out to a Physiotherapist?

Here are a few explanations as to the reason why you would need Physiotherapy:

1. You Get Hurt While Playing: While playing sports or being a die-hard sports fan, knowing how important it is to look after health, especially when injured. To improve the chances of recovering and returning to pre-injury state, professional guidance of a physiotherapist is needed.

2. On Having a Persistent Ache: One should contact a physiotherapist so that a diagnosis can be made regarding the issue and develop a treatment plan. If any discomfort lasts longer than a few days and interferes with the ability to carry out daily activities, consult a doctor to get the therapy done to relieve the pain.

3. Either During and After Childbirth: The body requires care throughout and after pregnancy.

• Hormone levels that fluctuate quickly might stretch and weaken the ligaments that support the spine.
• The stomach and pelvic floor muscles will also expand as the unborn child develops inside the uterus.
• The pelvis or back can easily become injured if the joints are not adequately supported during this time.

A physiotherapist can help learn the right methods and exercises to support and safeguard the body as it undergoes these changes. It can also speed up the recovery process after the baby is delivered.

4. Period Before and After Surgery: Physical treatment is of the utmost importance both before and after surgery. The likelihood of experiencing complications following surgery is calculated before the operation. The physiotherapist will instruct the patient on all the post-operative exercises. The right way to cough while supporting the wound site will be taught to patients having cardiac and chest procedures. Patients will also be instructed in a variety of leg and other exercises that they will need to practice after the surgery, depending on the specific procedures. Depending on the nature and location of the surgery, physiotherapy is prescribed postoperatively for four major reasons to avoid:

Muscular Atrophy.

Joint Immobility.

To Avoid Chest Complications:

• During surgery, the anesthetics used to impact the patient's respiratory system in two different ways.

• First, pain inhibits the diaphragm's reflex response, making breathing difficult.

• Second, with abdominal muscle surgeries, the patient is reluctant to use them due to pain or fear of pain.

• This impedes respiratory motions. Breathing exercises are offered to the patient to help prevent these issues.

• The patient is urged to cough while supported at the location of the incision to expel any amassed fluids.

• Other methods, such as postural drainage and vibrations, are employed to eliminate the fluids in more severe cases.

• Physiotherapy is commonly administered during the first 48 hours following surgery because chest issues typically emerge during this time.

To Avoid Thrombosis:

• Post-surgical patients are typically kept in bed for a while to avoid thrombosis.

• To avoid thrombosis at this time, sufficient leg motions are necessary.

• The patient is instructed in leg exercises, and after he stands up, he is encouraged to be active and continue the exercises.

• For the exercises to be effective, they must be done repeatedly.

To Steer Clear of Pressure Sores:

• After surgery, patients who are bedridden, especially the elderly, are more susceptible to pressure sores, also known as bed sores.

• The patient must be carefully positioned in bed and allowed to move around.

• Families are instructed to keep an eye out for and report any indication of bed sores.

• Keeping immobile after surgery, especially in senior people, can cause joint stiffness and muscular weakness, which can lead to muscle atrophy and decreased joint mobility. To recover mobility, the physiotherapist prescribes general mobilizing and strengthening activities.

5. With a Persistent Illness or a Neurological Disorder: Conditions like cerebral palsy, Parkinson's disease, Substantia Nigra, spinal cord injuries, and stroke can have a significant impact on the patient's ability to move. Although physiotherapy does not cure or even delay the progression of the condition, it does improve quality of life, assist the patient in gaining independence, and enable them to lead as normal a life as they can.

6. When Chosen to Begin Working Out or Learning a New Sport: A physiotherapist can help ease into the new activity if someone decides to start a new sport or activity but has a history of recurrent injuries. Physiotherapists can be beneficial even if they are not currently in pain. They can advise you on how to begin the new sport or activity you have selected while considering your past. A physiotherapist is not difficult to locate. Request recommendations from your friends and family so that you are aware of what to expect. Be mindful to only consult licensed physiotherapists.

Conclusion:

One of the best ways to quicken the recovery and bring the body back to normal is to have access to a physiotherapist. It is not an easy road, though. It will hurt. But eventually, after all that agony and suffering, the body starts to restore its flexibility. Additionally, at some point during the therapy sessions, the level of discomfort will also lessen and eventually go away. Therefore, although it is a difficult alternative, physiotherapy is the most beneficial.