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Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy(physicaltherapy)aimstorestoreproperfunctioningtothebodyor,inthecaseof permanentdiseaseorinjury,toreducetheimpactofanydysfunction. Contrarytopopularbelief,physiotherapistsarentlimitedtotherehabilitationofsportsinjuriesand backpain.Aswellasmusculoskeletalinjuriesandconditions,physiotherapistscanalsomanage: Neurologicalconditions,suchasstroke Multiplesclerosisandspinalcordinjuries Cardiothoracicconditionslikeemphysema,asthmaandchronicbronchitis.

Ima ge des crip

Physiotherapistscanhelpapersontorecoverfromsurgery.Treatmentoptionsincludeawide rangeofmanualtherapies,exerciseprograms,electrotherapytechniquesandairwayclearance techniques,tailoredtoyourspecificcondition.Physiotherapistscanalsoshowyouhowtouse,and wheretoget,equipmentaids. Yourphysiotherapistmayworkalone,orwithotherhealthcareproviders,toofferamultifaceted approachtoyourrehabilitation.Physiotherapistsworkinpublichospitals,privatepractices, communityhealthcentres,rehabilitationcentres,sportingclubs,fitnesscentres,schoolsandinthe workplace. Asregisteredhealthprofessionals,physiotherapistsareabletoissuesickleavecertificates.

Types of physiotherapy
Physiotherapyisaneffectiveformoftreatmentforawiderangeofconditions.Itcanalsohelpto speedrecoveryaftermanydifferenttypesofsurgery.Physiotherapistsaretrainedinarangeof specialistareassuchaschildrenshealth(paediatrics),sportsmedicineorwomenshealth. Generally,thethreedifferenttypesofphysiotherapyinclude: Musculoskeletaltotreatmuscles,bonesandjoints(alsocalledorthopaedic physiotherapy).Commonconditionstreatedincludebackpain,sprains,strains,arthritis, bursitis,workplaceandsportsinjuries,problemswithposture,incontinenceandreduced mobility.Rehabilitationaftersurgeryisalsooffered. Cardiothoracic totreatdisordersofthecardio-respiratorysystemincludingasthma, emphysemaandchronicbronchitis.Rehabilitationafterthoracicsurgerycanalsobe offered. Neurologicaltotreatdisordersofthenervoussystemincludingacquiredheadinjuries, stroke,spinalcordinjuries,Parkinsonsdiseaseandmultiplesclerosis.Rehabilitationafter brainsurgerycanalsobeoffered.

A holistic approach
Aphysiotherapistworkstoimproveyourmobilityandhealthandtoreducetheriskofinjuries.In manycases,aninjuryiscausedbyarangeoffactorsworkingtogether.Forexample,persistent backpainmaybetriggeredbyacombinationofpoorposture,beingoverweight,repetitiveworkrelatedactivitiesandincorrecttechniquewhenplayingsport. Thephysiotherapistaimstotreatthebackpain,butalsotoaddressthefactorsthatcontributeto thecause.Thisapproachaimstolessentheriskoftheinjuryhappeningagain.

A range of therapies

Physiotherapy

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Physiotherapistsdrawuponawiderangeoftherapies,tailoredtosuityourindividualneeds.Some ofthesetherapiesinclude: Manual therapiessuchasmassage,stretching,manualresistancetraining,andjoint mobilisationandmanipulation,includingspinalmobilisation. Electrotherapy techniquessuchasultrasound,transcutaneouselectricalnerve stimulation(TENS),lasertherapyanddiathermy. Exercise programssuchaspostureretraining,musclestrengthening,cardiovascular trainingandstretching. Other servicestapingandsplinting,correctingflawedsportingtechniques,and providinginformationonequipmentaidssuchaswheelchairsandwalkingframes.

Finding a physiotherapist
PhysiotherapistsinAustraliaareuniversitytrained,registeredhealthcareprofessionals.Theywork inavarietyofplacesincludinghospitals,privatepractice,rehabilitationcentres,nursinghomesand sportsclubs.Youdontneedadoctorsreferral,butyourdoctormayrecommendphysiotherapyto helptreatyourconditionorinjury.Otherwise,theAustralianPhysiotherapyAssociationcanhelp youfindanappropriatephysiotherapistinyourarea.

Where to get help

Aphysiotherapist AustralianPhysiotherapyAssociationTel.(03)90920888orFindaPhysio Yourdoctor

Things to remember

Thecentralaimofphysiotherapy(physicaltherapy)istorestoreproperfunctioningtothe body. Physiotherapycantreatmanydifferentdisordersincludingmusculoskeletal,neurologicalor cardiothoracicconditions. PhysiotherapistsinAustraliaareuniversitytrained,registeredhealthcareprofessionals. Youdontneedadoctorsreferraltoseeaphysiotherapist. Aphysiotherapistcanissueasickleavecertificate.

This page has been produced in consultation with, and approved by:

AustralianPhysiotherapyAssociation
Contentonthiswebsiteisprovidedforeducationandinformationpurposesonly.Information aboutatherapy,service,productortreatmentdoesnotimplyendorsementandisnotintendedto replaceadvicefromyourdoctororotherregisteredhealthprofessional.Contenthasbeen preparedforVictorianresidentsandwiderAustralianaudiences,andwasaccurateatthetimeof publication.Readersshouldnotethat,overtime,currencyandcompletenessoftheinformation maychange.Allusersareurgedtoalwaysseekadvicefromaregisteredhealthcareprofessional fordiagnosisandanswerstotheirmedicalquestions. Forthelatestupdatesandmoreinformation,visitwww.betterhealth.vic.gov.au Copyight 1999/2013StateofVictoria.ReproducedfromtheBetterHealthChannel (www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au)atnocostwithpermissionoftheVictorianMinisterforHealth. Unauthorisedreproductionandotherusescomprisedinthecopyrightareprohibitedwithout permission.

Physiotherapy

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