According to the Canadian Physiotherapy Association, a physiotherapist is someone who has studied to understand how and why movement and function take place. They are trained professionals who are highly skilled and to provide safe and quality physiotherapy to clients. Physiotherapy is grounded on the belief that in order to remain effective, it must respond to the changing need of the population and health system. Physiotherapists, like all doctors, are bound by ethical principles that demand they act with integrity, accountability, and judgement in the best interest of the patient. So what exactly does a physiotherapist do?

Who are they?

Physiotherapists are client-oriented health professionals who are committed to improving your quality of life. They do so in a number of way. With regular sessions, you can expect to have improved your mobility, physical activity and overall level of health and wellness. A physiotherapist can help you treat and prevent diseases, injuries and disabilities. People with chronic pain or conditions, physical limitations or participation restrictions can greatly benefit from seeing a physiotherapist. Physiotherapists are commonly seen by athletes in order to rehabilitate their muscles and limbs after an accident (or illness). They are also trained to help you prevent injuries and maintain the overall health of your body. For example, if you’d like to start training for a marathon, it might be a good idea to visit a physiotherapist first to make sure your feet are stepping evenly and to prevent you from risking an unnecessary injury. Or if you’ve just gotten back from a long trip, there’s no reason you should endure a stiff neck for a week. Your physiotherapist can teach you exercises and stretches to ease that pain before it even begins.

What do they do?

A physiotherapist combines their vast knowledge of the body and how muscles work, along with hands-on clinical experience to diagnose and treat a variety of illnesses, injuries and disabilities. Their work goes far beyond simple rehabilitations. You can visit a physiotherapist if you’ve been diagnosed with cardiac disease, and their treatment can have a significant impact on your overall quality of life. A physiotherapist’s responsibility is work with you to improve your life through physical evaluations and selective interventions. The most intelligent way to treat a disease or an injury is to prevent it, and with a physiotherapist, you can achieve that in a lot of cases.

How can I benefit?

Physiotherapists are trained health professionals who can provide you with information and advice about health promotion, disease and injury prevention. There are a lot of people who simply accept chronic pain and limited mobility as a part of life and that simply does not have to be the case. Through careful excise and strategical stretching, these doctors can help you get back out there and live a fuller life with confidence. There are a number of illnesses that can be treated and ameliorated with the help of a physiotherapist. Talk to your general practitioner today about whether physiotherapist can help you live more comfortably!