Photo Credit: Katherine Hanlon via Unsplash
If you’re suffering from chronic bodily aches and pains, you may consider physiotherapy.
Many people seek out physiotherapy to help with their pain management, as it has been shown to improve the conditions of those suffering from both acute and chronic ailments.
A physiotherapist utilizes various methods to help treat these ailments, whether they’re in the back, neck, shoulders, or other joints and tissues. Not only that, but a physiotherapist will also often work with you to create a treatment plan, where they will create a regime of stretches, exercises, and lifestyle changes to improve your condition on your own time.
Techniques Performed
Many people confuse physiotherapy with massage therapy. While some physiotherapists incorporate massage into their treatment plans, far more methods can be utilized. Such methods can include:
- Acupuncture
- Electrotherapy
- Tension-releasing exercises
- Posture correction treatments
- Point pressing
The exact methods used will be entirely based on your physiotherapist and your individual needs. If you’re in Canada and depending on the nature of your condition, physiotherapy may be covered by your insurance. For example, most physiotherapy in Vancouver is covered when administered by a registered physiotherapist.
Types of Pain
There are several different types of pain a person can experience. Here are just some examples of pain that the bones and muscles in the body can experience that can be treated with physiotherapy.
Acute Pain
Acute pain refers to a temporary or short-term type of pain, usually caused by a pull or strain. Usually, this type of pain goes away on its own within a few days or weeks under proper care and treatment, but if you find the pain lingers longer than this period or worsens over time, then you should seek out a medical professional.
Chronic Pain
While acute pain usually only lasts a few days to weeks, chronic pain lingers for months or even years at a time. Chronic pain is usually caused by a long-term injury or when the brain doesn’t properly register the signals from the nerve endings, creating spontaneous pain.
Depending on the extent and because of your chronic pain, physiotherapy may not be able to entirely remove it but may help to lower its effects and severity.
Knee Problems
Bad knees can affect many people, especially as we get older. Bad knees can occur for various reasons, such as muscle tightness. A physiotherapist can help find these spots of tightened muscles and apply pressure to these points. Heat may be applied as well to help relax the muscles during the session. Additionally, you will likely be recommended a series of stretches and exercises to help keep the knee joints loose.
Back Pain
Your spine carries the weight of your entire body and helps facilitate the moment in every part of you. Due to its high functionality, your back is highly prone to developing pain. Common causes of back pain Include:
- Poor posture
- Sleeping in a bad position
- Overexertion
- Repetitive movements or stress
Muscle-strengthening exercises and posture correction are common techniques that a physiotherapist will implement into a treatment plan for back pain.
