Physiotherapy: What Will Therapists Do?
Whether recommended because of arthritis, surgery or work-related pain, physiotherapy may confuse you. You may not quite think such therapy is necessary, and you might put off scheduling an appointment while you're still hurting. However, a physiotherapist can be a vital, key partner in your pain management team. Why?
They Can Teach You Better Movements
Because of your pain, you may be moving in ways that aren't natural for you. What you may discover in physiotherapy is that your pained movements are actually interfering with your ability to heal or are creating new problems for your muscles.
For example, if your shoulder has dislocated, you may be in considerable discomfort even after the doctor has returned the bone to its socket properly. You may not want to lift your arm at all. In therapy, you'll learn that not doing so could create scar tissue which interferes permanently with the way you can move your arm and shoulder. You will be taught in physiotherapy how to stretch and rotate your arm so scar tissue doesn't form and you can retain the entire range of motion.
They Can Help You Learn to Work with Canes and Walkers
Your doctor might have told you to get a cane or wheelchair for moments when you need support. However, without proper training the cane can seem like it's not helping at all. In physiotherapy you'll learn the best techniques for walking with either canes or walkers so that you support yourself safely without hurting or putting too much pressure on your healthy muscles.
They'll Help Evaluate Your Environments
Often, your work or home environment isn't set up to accommodate your pain, especially if you don't live alone. However, your physiotherapist can make suggestions. For example, they may recommend that all the rugs are folded up until you're feeling better. They might recommend pillows for your work chair or talk with you about how to get a better chair in there so you can work without pain.
They Can Suggest Further Interventions
Because this is their profession, physiotherapists notice when your injuries seem to be more serious than previously thought. They will track progress and notify your doctors if inadequate progress is made. This is important; healing on your own, you might not realize if your progress is atypical or not going as quickly as it should. Physiotherapist expertise could prevent you from going too far off track; if you need further medical intervention they can recognize it.
Contact a clinic, like Pain Stop MD, for more help.