Physiotherapy is often a necessary part of recovering from an injury or illness. However, many people are not familiar with exactly what physiotherapy is and what it can do for them. This article discusses some common conditions that require physiotherapy and the benefits of undergoing treatment.
Arthritis
Although it is often thought of as a problem that only affects older adults, arthritis can actually strike people of all ages. The condition is caused by inflammation of the joints, which can lead to pain, stiffness, and swelling. In severe cases, arthritis can even make it difficult to perform everyday tasks such as opening a door or walking upstairs.
Physiotherapy can help ease the symptoms of arthritis by reducing inflammation and improving joint function. A physiotherapist may use exercises and stretches to get you moving again and help you regain strength and flexibility. For instance, your physiotherapist may recommend range-of-motion exercises such as shoulder shrugs or arm circles to help increase flexibility and reduce stiffness.
In addition, they may suggest strengthening exercises such as weightlifting or yoga to help improve joint function. Your physiotherapist may recommend aerobic exercises to increase blood flow and reduce inflammation. These exercises may include walking, biking, or swimming.
If you suffer from arthritis, physiotherapy can help you regain your quality of life. With the right exercises, you can experience significant improvements in your symptoms.
Recovery from Surgery
After surgery, you'll usually have a period of rest, during which your medical team will closely monitor your progress. Once the doctor gives the green light, you can begin physiotherapy. The first few sessions may focus on gentle exercises and stretches, depending on the surgery performed. For instance, physiotherapy may begin with exercises that flex and extend your leg if you had surgery on your knee.
The physiotherapy sessions could become more intense as you heal and regain strength. Your physiotherapist may progress the exercises and add new ones to help you regain a full range of motion. For example, after knee surgery, you may eventually progress to doing squats and lunges.
The physiotherapy sessions may also focus on helping you regain your strength and balance. For instance, if your hip replacement surgery was on your right side, physiotherapy may focus on exercises that work the muscles on your left side. That's because the surgery could have caused muscle weakness on your right side.
After surgery, physiotherapy is an essential part of the recovery process. The physiotherapist can design a custom rehabilitation program to help you heal and get back to your regular activities.
For more information about physiotherapy, contact a local provider.
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