Muscle tears, ankle sprains, back pain, headaches and shoulder pain. These are all commonly treated physiotherapy problems and chances are if you suffer from one of them you’re either seeing a physiotherapist or putting it off.
Most people know how physiotherapy can help them with common injuries, particularly those involving t he muscles and the joints. What you probably don’t know is th at your physiotherapist has been trained to treat a huge variety of conditions. Some of them might surprise you.
Respiratory Problems
Physiotherapists are on of the first ports of call to help clear a chest infections, particularly for the very young, elderly and t hose with chronic conditions such as cystic fibrosis. Your physiotherapist is able to assist with drainage, breathing cycles and physical percussion techniques to help you breath easier.
Vertigo
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo is a specific type of vertigo caused by loose micro crystals in the inner ear, resulting in dizziness when the head is turned in different positions. Your physiotherapist can give you exercises to relocate these crystals and regain your balance.
Physiotherapists can also help with habituation exercises for other types of vertigo.
Neurological Conditions
Strokes, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries and head injuries are all conditions that your physiotherapist has been trained to treat. In the private practice setting they are particularly helpful at stretching the tight muscles affected and providing specially tailored strengthening exercises.
Incontinence
For on in three women, incontinence is an ongoing problem after childbirth and one that has a huge impact on quality of life. Your physiotherapist is well versed in teaching pelvic floor exercises which can help you regain control.
Developmental Delays, Balance and Coordination
For some children balance and coordination don’t come easily. Your physiotherapist is able to prescribe exercises to assist with improving balance and coordination for people of any age.
More surprising conditions your physiotherapist can help with:
- Fibromyalgia
- Osteo and Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Lymphoedema
- Osteoporosis
- Falls associated with aging
- Scar tissue healing
- Jaw pain
- Post-surgical rehabilitation
