Physiotherapists have a wide variety of treatments available to them, the choice of treatment depends on the individual needs and goals of the patient.
Physiotherapists aim to help people affected by injury, illness or disability. They accomplish this through a variety of treatments including movement and exercise, manual therapy, education and advice. They help maintain health for people of all ages, by assisting patients to manage pain and prevent disease while fascilitating them to remain independent for as long as possible.
It is the goal of physiotherapy to develop, maintain and restore maximum movement and functional ability throughout the life of a person. It achieves this through treatment in circumstances where movement and function are threatened by the process of ageing or that of injury or disease. Physiotherapy sees full and functional, pain free movement as at the heart of what it means to be healthy.
Physiotherapy uses physical approaches to promote, maintain and restore physical, psychological and social well-being. The treatment used is evidence-based, all physiotherapists are committed to continually extending, applying, evaluating and reviewing the science that underpins and informs its scope of practice. Physiotherapists use their clinical judgement and informed interpretation to assess and treat numerous conditions. The treatment they use is concerned with identifying and maximizing movement potential. It involves the interaction between the physiotherapist, clients, families and carers, in a process of assessing potential and in establishing agreed upon goals and objectives using knowledge and skills unique to physiotherapists.
The physiotherapist’s informed view of the body and its movement needs and potential is central to determining a diagnosis and an intervention strategy and is consistent whatever the setting in which practice is undertaken, be it; promotion, prevention, treatment or rehabilitation.
Commonly Physiotherapists aim to:
- Reduce pain
- Maximise functional movement (range, strength, and proprioception)
- Maximise Independence
- Increase quality of life
