Movement is fundamental to our lives and when our movement is limited by pain or restriction, whether it’s from an injury, a faulty movement pattern or a condition that’s been with you since birth, life and its enjoyment becomes limited and restricted.

Physiotherapists are often referred to as movement specialists, and aim to help your joints and muscles work to their full potential.

What Can Physiotherapists Treat?

Physiotherapists are health care professionals who have studied for four years at tertiary level to complete their undergraduate qualifications. They focus on preventing, assessing and treating physical disorders and promoting movement and health.

Physio can help almost any condition that affects your muscles, nerves or joints including:

• Arthritis
• Back and neck pain
• Motor conditions such as cerebral palsy
• Pregnancy-related problems such as back or hip pain
• Work-related issues, such as repetitive strain injury
• Breathing difficulties such as asthma
• Sports injuries
• Neurological problems such as stroke.

Physiotherapists play an important role in rehabilitation after injury or illness, which is why they are often found in hospital settings, as well as private practice. They often specialise in a particular area, such as cardiorespiratory, women's health, gerontology or paediatrics, neurology, occupational health, or sports medicine.

What Techniques Do Physiotherapists Use?

Physios use a variety of tools to help you regain movement and recover from injury:

• Exercise programs to improve mobility and strengthen muscles
• Joint manipulation and mobilisation
• Massage
• Correcting faulty movement patterns by re-educating the muscles
• Breathing exercises.

Use It Or Lose It

Physiotherapists are firmly of the belief that movement and exercise are essential following injury – indeed at any time in our lives. Our life never stops moving, and neither should our bodies, whether injured, restricted, in rehabilitation or perfect health.

Find a physiotherapist in your local area.