Physiotherapy has become one of the most popular healthcare fields in Canada. With a variety of benefits to treating conditions and alleviating pain, many people are turning to physiotherapy as a primary or supplementary healthcare option.
Even with its advancement to the forefront of healthcare, there are still many facts that people don’t know about physiotherapy. Check out these 5 facts about physiotherapy that you might not know!
Physical Therapy and Physiotherapy are the Same
We often get asked the difference between physical therapy and physiotherapy. The answer is easy: they’re the same! The terms are used in different countries, but they both describe physical medicine and rehabilitation to improve function and mobility. No more confusion!
Physiotherapy Has Homework
Physiotherapy begins in the clinic, but most of the work is assigned as ‘homework’ by your physiotherapist. You will have to complete exercises or stretches daily or a certain number of times per week in order to facilitate your treatment or recovery.
Your physiotherapist may also make recommendations about lifestyle choices such as nutrition and general exercise routines that could help you recover from your condition more quickly and smoothly. These are all things that you have to complete outside the clinic independently!
Physiotherapy Has Existed for Thousands of Years
The first example of physiotherapy in history is by the Greek physician Hippocrates in 460 BCE. He used hydrotherapy (water therapy) to treat his patients for a variety of ailments. This practice is still used today, thousands of years later!
It Treats More Than You Think
Many people think physiotherapy is just for people who have been in an accident or had a severe injury. While physiotherapy is a great healthcare option for these, it also treats a wide range of other conditions other than rehabilitation.
Chronic pain, like back pain, neck pain, and shoulder pain, often has a great response to physiotherapy. It also helps with neurological, cardiovascular, and respiratory issues, and even vertigo and obesity. Physiotherapy is a great healthcare option to use in tandem with other healthcare treatments to treat many illnesses and conditions.
It’s A Drug-Free Option
While a patient can participate in physiotherapy while on medications, the practice itself is completely drug-free. Physiotherapy relies on exercise, stimulation, massage, and stretches to be effective. If a patient is looking to reduce their medication or find new treatment options, physiotherapy can be an option to assist with this goal.
Need Hamilton Physiotherapy?
If you’re looking for physiotherapy in Hamilton or the surrounding area, contact Physio Art. We provide physiotherapy, acupuncture, and massage therapy services to help alleviate and treat a variety of conditions.
Contact us today for more information or to book your appointment!
