Physiotherapy – what can I expect?

Physiotherapists are movement experts. Your problem will be assessed using a variety of techniques. This will help to identify and treat the source of your symptoms. Firstly you will be questioned about the history of your problem/s Then you will be assessed using direct observation, palpation (hands-on assessment), and appropriate functional and special tests.

For example, if you experience knee pain, the therapist will look for signs of abnormality like swelling and redness. You may then be asked to perform a functional activity that reproduces your pain. This could include doing a partial squat or climbing a step. The physiotherapist may then directly test any structures that are suspected of causing the pain. Assessment of joints, ligaments, muscles, tendons, and other structures is common. An immediate treatment strategy is formulated and implemented in order to ease your symptoms. Treatments include manual therapy, targeted exercises, dry needling, and advice and education – among others.

Some problems will respond quickly to treatment, while others may require repeated sessions to deliver optimal recovery. In many cases, you will be given a home program to maximize progress between appointments. This may include home exercise, activity modification, or in-house modalities like clinical pilates and remedial massage. The physiotherapist will work with you to devise an ideal treatment plan that maximizes recovery while also fitting into your daily life.

My problem is chronic, can you help?

Physiotherapists are trained to assess and treat both recent (acute) and long-term (chronic) physical problems. Insufficient treatment and rehabilitation of an old injury is often the cause of chronic symptoms. In addition to the initial injury, you may have adapted your pattern of movement to avoid pain. The old injury may have healed but maladaptive movement strategies and muscle imbalances could have created other long-term problems. These types of cases highlight the need for comprehensive rehabilitation that is seen through to it’s conclusion. Just because the pain has gone away, that does not mean that the healing process has completed.

For more information, please contact us.

For appointments with a Physiotherapist call (03) 9088 3228 or book online.

For further information about physiotherapy you can visit our other page:

Our physio’s at Docklands Health

For a quick list of all our health services click here.