Most people know physios in private clinics. There are other specialist physio areas that help many people.
Specialist Physio Areas – The following specialist physiotherapy areas treat patients after stroke, heart attacks or lung disease all with the aim of preventing secondary complications and allowing you to continue living your life.
Neurological Physiotherapy
Neurological Physiotherapy involves the treatment of movement or functional disorders attributed to neurological conditions and injuries originating from the nerves and brain. After a brain injury such as a stroke, there can be a wide variety of symptoms that differ from patient to patient. As such, accurate assessment needs to be undertaken from skilled therapists to effectively treat that patient. Weakness, stiffness, lack of balance, decreased co-ordination, reduced proprioception and poor motor control are all symptoms of a neurological condition.
Neurological physiotherapy involves evidence based treatment techniques to improve the function of a patient with the goal of returning to an independent life. Treatment needs to be highly tailored to that individual but can involve a combination of mobility practice, balance, strength training and specific functional task retraining. It is likened to re-learning a new skill all over again.
Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physiotherapy
Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physiotherapy involves the treatment of conditions/diseases involving your heart and lungs. Any damage to your heart and lungs caused by a heart attack or effects of smoking can be a severely debilitating condition. The effects of these conditions can result in increased fatigue, decreased strength, shortness of breathe and chest tightness. As such it is difficult to find the motivation and ability to continue with regular physical activity.
A physiotherapist will use evidence based assessment tools to measure your cardiac efficiency and tailor a suitable program to battle the effects of these conditions. It is extremely important if you have already suffered from a heart attack or have difficulty breathing to combat the condition with regular physical activity or it may result in a vicious deconditioning spiral.
Aged Care
Aged Care Physiotherapy aims to restore function, maintain your independence, reduce pain and improve quality of life. As we age into our senior years we may be suffering from certain medical conditions or have chronic pain limiting us from being able to perform the same tasks we used to do.
Common effects of ageing include decreased strength, reduced mobility, decreased balance, loss of independence and an overall deconditioning. As such, it is important to participate in a regular tailored physiotherapy program to rectify any of these issues with the ultimate goal of reducing your risk of falls.
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist’s treat both children and adults suffering from any pain or injuries you may have obtained from your day to day life. Whether you woke up with a painful/stiff neck, suffered a sporting injury or need rehabilitation after surgery we can look after you and fix your problem.
Musculoskeletal physiotherapists have expertise in the treatment and diagnosis of muscle and joint conditions. By employing advanced evidence based treatment techniques, musculoskeletal physiotherapists can assist with resolving your pain and injury. A musculoskeletal physiotherapist will employ techniques such as dry needling, soft tissue releases, trigger point therapy, joint mobilisations, taping, ultrasound, exercise rehabilitation and many more to resolve pain and injury.
Given the diverse range of conditions that a musculoskeletal physiotherapist can treat, they are the most common and can be found at your local private practice.