FIVE REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER PHYSIOTHERAPY

Physiotherapy is a conservative treatment approach that is proven to be helpful for people who have injuries, illnesses, or medical conditions that limit their ability to move. This is why many primary care doctors refer their patients to physiotherapists at the first signs of a problem. A customised physiotherapy program can help you return to your prior level of functioning while teaching you the skills you need to prevent further injury and safeguard your overall wellbeing. Here are five ways it may benefit you:

• Avoid surgery – If physiotherapy successfully eliminates your pain or heals your injury, then you may no longer need surgery. Even in cases when surgery is still required, pre-surgery physiotherapy makes you stronger and puts you in better shape so that you can recover faster afterwards.
• Eliminate or at least reduce pain – Exercises and manual therapy (including soft tissue and joint mobilisation) combined with electrical stimulation, ultrasound, acupuncture and other such methods can relieve pain as well as restore joint functions. These therapies have also been proven to prevent pain from coming back.
• Improve mobility – Physiotherapy can greatly help you if you have trouble moving, walking, or standing—no matter how old you are. The strengthening and stretching exercises help recondition your body so that you can move independently. A therapist can customise an individual care plan that allows you to safely do the activities that are important to your life.
• Manage diabetes – Physiotherapy is a useful addition to an overall diabetes management plan because exercises can help keep your blood sugar under control.
• Prevent falls – Are you at high risk for falls? A physiotherapist can design exercises that carefully and safely challenge your balance so that you can deal with real-life situations. These exercises may also improve your coordination assistive devices that you might require for safer walking.