A lot of people who haven’t had a physiotherapy session, or don’t know about what it entails, might be surprised at the variety of conditions it can treat. Plenty of people assume that it only focuses on some exercises and stretches for injured individuals, but it’s really more than that.
With this in mind, here are some facts that you may be surprised to learn about physiotherapy.
Physical Therapy and Physiotherapy Is the Exact Same Thing
A confusing aspect of this practice is that most people think that physical therapy and physiotherapy are different. However, physical therapy is physiotherapy. Depending on which country it’s practiced, the terms are utilized to describe rehabilitation and physical medicine that improves function, mobility, and quality of life.
Physiotherapy Can Be Used for Treating Pain with the Use of Mirrors
Phantom limb pain occurs in individuals who have lost a leg or arm. This pain feels as if it is coming from the lost leg or arm and can last for several years for some people. But a competent physiotherapist can trick your brain into turning off those phantom limb signals using a treatment known as mirror box therapy.
During a session, the physiotherapist employs mirrors to make it seem like the phantom limb moves while you’re using your existing limb.
Physiotherapy Can Help Alzheimer’s Patients
Physiotherapy is among the select treatments that might help slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. This disease destroys brain cells and changes how people act, think, or speak.
Physiotherapy for Alzheimer’s involves safe and healthy exercises, which is useful since regular exercise helps preserve memory. It could likewise help patients better handle their daily activities and allow them to remain independent longer.
Physiotherapy Can Help Autistic Individuals
Autism spectrum disorder or ASD includes various behaviors and symptoms that might respond well to physiotherapy. For example, it can help individuals with posture issues, hand-eye coordination, and those that may have issues with controlling body movements.
A physiotherapist can craft a treatment plan to help improve coordination and motor skills. For younger children, play skills may also be involved. Also, physiotherapists can aid autistic kids in learning things that don’t come easy for them, such as jumping, running, or riding a bicycle.
You Can Seek Physiotherapy on Your Own
In most cases, individuals usually seek physiotherapy because their primary doctor suggested it for injury prevention or rehabilitation, non-surgical scoliosis treatment, or stroke rehabilitation. However, you don’t actually need a referral from your doctor to seek physiotherapy.
Lots of physiotherapists work in private settings, so you can call them up and schedule an appointment. Likewise, you don’t have to be recovering from an illness or trauma. You can consult a physiotherapist for lingering pain or nagging injuries.
As you can see, physiotherapy or physical therapy covers a wide array of treatments that can aid in minimizing pain symptoms and restoring movement for individuals who have been negatively affected by disability, illness, or injury. Consult a physiotherapist to see if physiotherapy can help you.
