Suffering from chronic pain can be very debilitating. This situation can be made worse if you’re daily work activities aggravate the situation, rather than help treat it.
With an increase in back and neck ailments, more people are visiting service providers like the physiotherapist Noosaville locals are seeking help from. If you’re not sure if your ailment classifies as something that a physiotherapist can assist with, then we urge you to keep reading.
One Therapist Dealing With a Wide Range of Conditions
One of the more significant reasons to visit a physiotherapist have to do with their wide-ranging knowledge of general body structure, function and movement. For the most part, they’re trained to assess and manage disorders that cause ongoing pain or limit your ability to perform simple tasks such as bending, sitting or even walking. Our experts have compiled a list of the more common ailments that a physiotherapist can assist with.
1. Ongoing Pain
Pain is the number one reason many people eventually decide to visit a physiotherapist. If your pain is ongoing, has become chronic or doesn’t seem to have an identifiable cause, it may be time to consult an expert.
A physiotherapist will assess the pain and trace its potential cause. They will recommend a course of treatment that extends from your muscles to your nervous system. Common pain-related ailments that a physiotherapist can treat include:
- Back and neck pain
- Knee pain
- Shoulder pain
- Hip pain
2. Recent or Past Injury
Physicians will often recommend several sessions with a physiotherapist as part of rehabilitation after an injury. This type of pain management may include a few of the techniques listed below:
- Rehabilitation to rebuild strength, flexibility and eventual ease of movement
- Strapping or tapping techniques to protect the injured area – this can include a knee brace or moon boot
- Teaching RICEM (rest, ice, compression, elevation and gentle movement) techniques to assist with minor pain flair-ups at home
- Prescribing necessary assistive devices such as a wheelchair, crutches or even walkers
- Assistance with movement techniques to heal the affected body part to facilitate returning to work
3. Neurological Conditions
People who experience a neurological event such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke, or even multiple sclerosis may often experience limited mobility as a result. Regular physiotherapy sessions may assist patients with the following:
- Exercises to improve flexibility
- Functional task training to be able to perform daily tasks such as walking, climbing stairs, holding cutlery or dishes, and sitting down and getting up out of a chair
- Teach the patient to use assistive devices such as walkers, wheelchairs and crutches
4. Arthritis
At least one in seven Australians suffers from one of the various joint-related conditions that are often classed under the Arthritis term. While many people chalk this down to another symptom of old age, medical experts suggest you don’t ignore the symptoms. These often include the following:
- Stiffness
- Regular joint pain
- Joint swelling
- Limited function by affected joint
Once again, physiotherapist can help with certain aspects of this condition.
5. Breathing Conditions
Many people are unaware that physiotherapists can also treat several different chronic breathing and lung conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. While a physiotherapist may not be able to cure these illnesses, they can assist you with a few techniques to help you manage the symptoms.
Additionally, your physiotherapist will also treat conditions that are often related to different lung conditions. Some of these are:
- Poor posture
- Sleep apnoea
- Chronic chest and back pain
- Excessive phlegm in the airways. (Symptom of cystic fibrosis)
6. Developmental Concerns in Small Children
Some children have developmental delays or conditions that affect their ability to move around normally. In these instances, a physiotherapist can assist with several aspects such as those listed below:
- Teaching and developing different gross motor skills
- Help achieve normal milestones such as crawling and walking
- Encouraging active play and participation in exercise and sport
- Assist with the correct development of joints, spine and even the nervous system
7. Limited Movement
Experiencing stiffness or limited movement is a common ailment among people who have suffered an injury. If your flexibility doesn’t seem to get better with the simple exercises or treatments you’re doing at home, it may be time to visit your physiotherapist.
The most prominent aspects of the treatments they can provide, are:
- Joint mobilisation
- Soft tissue mobilisation and massage techniques to increase mobility
- Easy stretching techniques that you can do at home
- Expert training to improve your posture during regular movements such as walking or sitting at your desk
- Suggestions to invest in ergonomic furniture for people suffering from head and neck pain
Final Thought
Physiotherapists are more than just the specialists you visit after an injury or accident. They can assist with so much more. Pain management, functional task training and learning to use assistive devices are vital elements to ensuring patients can live a healthy and functional life!
