It is aimed at all types of patients, from children to the elderly , including palliative care. If physiotherapy mainly concerns people whose physical abilities are affected, it can also be aimed at healthy people who simply want to get back in shape and improve their physical abilities.
Indications: what does physiotherapy treat?
Generally speaking, physiotherapy treats physical disabilities resulting from injuries or illnesses that may affect the muscles, joints or bones: back pain,
It can also be useful to limit pain related to pregnancy and prepare for childbirth , and in children in the event of motor development problems.
This discipline also proves to be very effective in patients with chronic illnesses ( Parkinson’s disease , diabetes , cancer) or in people suffering from chronic pain, particularly fibromyalgia .
How does a physiotherapy session take place?
Several techniques are used during a physiotherapy session , each of which has its specificities and contraindications. This may include massages and rehabilitation ( manual therapy ), but also treatments using heat ( thermotherapy ) or cold ( cryotherapy ), water ( hydrotherapy or thalassotherapy ) or even electrotherapy (ultrasound). , ultraviolet or infrared rays, lasers).
Some physiotherapists also use ultrasound, electrostimulation and ionization , a technique which allows the local and direct application of an anti-inflammatory solution to the painful area in a very precise manner.
Physiotherapy treatment being very targeted, it always begins with different questions (location, type of pain, appearance of symptoms, time of day, etc.), which will allow the physiotherapist to better understand the problem in order to choose the best techniques. adapted.
Most physiotherapy techniques are not painful: machines used in electrotherapy can sometimes cause tingling, which is nevertheless not supposed to cause pain. Certain techniques, notably shock waves, can be painful: in the treatment of tendinitis in particular, they cause microtrauma to the tendon to accelerate healing.
Physiotherapy or physiotherapy: what is the difference between the two?
Physiotherapy can be practiced by physiotherapists , particularly as part of the rehabilitation of muscles, tendons or sometimes joints. In reality, there is no notable difference between the two practices . How to distinguish the two?
Physiotherapy rather refers to treatment through movement, with techniques such as massages, manual mobilization or stretching ;
In the United Kingdom, for example, physiotherapists (physiotherapists in French) practice more hand -off , that is to say they do not touch the patient with their hands. In Quebec, physiotherapy also corresponds to the discipline that we call physiotherapy in France.
Physiotherapy or osteopathy?
Physiotherapy is a medical profession that focuses on rehabilitation and rehabilitation . Physical therapists are healthcare professionals trained to evaluate, diagnose, and treat a variety of physical conditions, such as sports injuries, joint and muscle pain, orthopedic problems, strokes, and many others. They use treatment techniques such as therapeutic exercises, joint mobilization, electrical stimulation, and physical modalities such as heat and cold. Physiotherapy aims to restore muscle and joint function, reduce pain and improve mobility.
On the other side of the spectrum, osteopathy is an alternative medicine that considers the body as a whole . Osteopaths examine and treat patients by focusing on body structure and its role in overall health. This discipline is based on the idea that many health problems are linked to imbalances in the musculoskeletal system. Osteopaths use gentle manual techniques, such as joint manipulation and mobilization, to restore balance to the body and improve blood circulation. They can also advise on lifestyle, nutrition and other aspects of health. Osteopathy aims to treat the underlying cause of health problems rather than simply alleviating symptoms.