Over the last few years, people have become more conscious about their lifestyles and health. This is why more and more people are focusing on wellness. As a result, the global wellness market has an approximate value of $4.75 trillion.
As a wellness enthusiast, you're probably enjoying the numerous benefits of an active lifestyle. These include stress relief, increased capacity to understand and deal with emotions, as well as improving your fitness and health.
While wellness is good, it also comes with the risk of injury or strains. This is why it’s essential that you know how to prevent and relieve such injuries when they arise. In this regard, physiotherapy is your best friend.
If you’re wondering ‘why is physiotherapy good for me’ or what exactly it entails, you’re in the right place. This article covers everything you need to know about physiotherapy as a wellness enthusiast.
What Is Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is a treatment used to restore, maintain, and enhance a patient’s movement and function. It takes a holistic approach toward health and well-being for which the patient is directly involved in their own care.
When to See a Physiotherapist?
The need for physiotherapy arises when you sustain an injury or have chronic pain that affects everyday functioning. Also, your general practitioner may refer you to a physiotherapist if you suffer a heart attack, stroke, or after a surgery such as a hip replacement.
When visiting the physiotherapist’s office, be sure to check with your health insurance provider to check if the facility is covered. Otherwise, you’ll have to pay for the treatment out of pocket.
So, What Is Physiotherapy Used for?
Along with treatment and rehabilitation, physiotherapists also help with the prevention of injuries. Some of the conditions caused by disease, injury, or disability that physiotherapy can assist with include:
- Problems in the joints, muscles, bones, and ligaments such as arthritis and its after-effects
- Disability caused by heart problems
- Back and neck pain caused by skeleton and muscle problems
- Asthma and other lung problems
- Pain, swelling, stiffness, fatigue, and loss of muscle strength such as with palliative care or cancer treatment
- Loss of mobility due to conditions such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease or trauma to the spine or brain
What Can You Expect During Your Visit to the Physiotherapist's Office?
The first thing your physiotherapist will do is review look at your medical history. While there may be records to guide him, any further information you provide will be extremely helpful. So, don’t spare any detail.
With a good idea of what ails you, they’ll proceed to assess the affected body part. At this stage, you will receive the diagnosis and an outline of the available treatment options. Along with the treatment plan, you'll also receive a set of goals to ensure your recovery progresses as planned.
The treatment recommended may be a specific exercise program or a combination of several, including manual therapy and the use of assistive devices.
Tip: Medical records are great but are not enough for a physiotherapist to make an accurate diagnosis. As such, make sure you wear clothes that offer easy access and mobility. These include loose fitting trousers, shorts, or a skirt if the problem area is in your legs or back. For neck or shoulder pain, wear a loose top or vest.
What Are the Benefits of Physiotherapy
As you may know, your exercise and wellness routine helps you become fitter and stronger and enhances your physique. But at the same time, it also takes a toll on your body. That’s why while you may feel refreshed after exercising, your body may also have some aches and pains.
If you do not give your body the necessary post-workout care, such aches and pains may increase or result in injury. Physiotherapy is one of the techniques that you can use to:
- Improve strength and conditioning
- Reduce or eliminate pain
- Boost lung capacity and cardiovascular functioning
- Manage and prevent sports-related injuries
- Maintain fitness at all ages
- Improves mobility
Along with these fitness-related benefits, physiotherapy has other health and medical applications, including:
- It can help you avoid surgery
- For necessary surgeries, physiotherapy helps with pre and post-rehabilitation to avoid complications
- Reduces dependency on medicines
- Managing diabetic and heart conditions
- Improving mental health
- Helps with pregnancy and postpartum care
Why Is Physiotherapy Good For Me?
As you can see, you do not have to view physiotherapy as a treatment per se. It can help you achieve your wellness goals even when you’re in peak physical condition. So, take advantage of the science behind physiotherapy to enhance your fitness while preventing and managing injuries.
In this regard, Seity is here to assist whether you’re well into your fitness journey or just starting. It's a community of the UK's leading holistic practitioners ready to help you on your wellness journey. So, connect with us today to get the wellness support you need.