Why Orthopedic Physiotherapy?
by Breeze Max Web — May 29 2019

Apart from pain relief, orthopedic physiotherapy also promotes general wellness, movement, and independent function. Orthopedic Physiotherapists have an advanced understanding of how the body moves, what impedes it from moving well, and how to restore mobility.

Some common conditions physiotherapists treat include:

• Arthritis and repetitive strain injury
• Sports injuries
• Post-surgery recovery
• Physical complications of cancer
• Mobility problems related to neurological disorders such as stroke, spinal cord injury, or Parkinson’s Disease
• Pre and post-natal problems
• Joint injuries
• Respiratory and cardiac conditions

A physiotherapist will help you build an exercise plan to get you moving and enjoying physical activity again. Whether it’s managing an existing condition, recovering from an injury, or helping you prevent injuries in the first place, physiotherapy can help. Here are a few staple techniques physiotherapists commonly use:

Exercise

Exercises are chosen to address your individual injury or condition in order to improve your mobility, strength, flexibility, stamina, and balance. Your physiotherapist will develop a home program for you to follow between walk-in treatments. Exercise balls, elastic stretch bands, and treadmills are common tools that you can use at home to aid in your therapy. Your physiotherapist will also recommend long-term exercises that will help you reduce the risk of future injury.

Massage and Stretching

Exercise may not be possible depending on the severity of the injury, but other treatments are available that require little physical activity. Massage, stretching, and physical manipulation are intended to restore your body’s ability to move and operate properly. This helps to relieve pain and stiffness, improve blood circulation, drain fluid more efficiently, and improve movement.

Your physiotherapist will also recommend long-term exercises

Ice and Heat

Alternating ice and heat to an injured area can provide pain relief and loosen tissue in preparation for exercise, massage, or other treatments. Ice helps reduce inflammation and soft tissue swelling, and makes joints more mobile. Heat is good for relieving muscle spasms and tightness and reducing pain.

Light, Sound, and Electric Therapy

Ultrasound directs sound waves through the skin and creates heat far down inside the body. It intensifies the positive effects brought about by the use of heat packs in loosening up tissue before therapy or exercise.

Laser therapy uses light waves to relieve pain and reduce inflammation when muscles and tissue have been injured or damaged.

Electrical therapy uses pulses of low-level electricity to restore normal muscle function and movement.

Get In Touch With a Professional Today

Physiotherapy in conjunction with orthotic support can be an excellent tool in providing pain relief to the lower body. With the correct treatment and support, you can lead a healthy, active lifestyle, even after an injury. For more information on support devices, contact SBK Shoes and Orthotics.