What is physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is a broad term for a variety of treatment modalities and therapies that relieve pain, decrease inflammation, improve range of motion, increase strength, and generally aid in recovery from injury, trauma, surgery, or acute or chronic pain condition. Physiotherapy can be used alongside chiropractic care, orthopedics, and regenerative medicine to provide a multifaceted treatment approach for better outcomes and faster healing.
What types of physiotherapy are available?
At Harbor Comprehensive Health, the team offers a complete array of physiotherapy options to aid in your treatment. Physiotherapy options include:
- Hot and cold therapy
- Electrical nerve stimulation
- Therapeutic ultrasound
- Specialized stretches
- Soft tissue therapy
- Therapeutic exercises
- Athletic taping
- Posture and gait training
The team may recommend one or more of these options before or after you receive another type of treatment in the office to support your recovery and help your body bounce back after injury.
What conditions can physiotherapy help?
Physiotherapy can help with:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Back and neck pain
- Shoulder injuries
- Sciatica
- Chronic joint pain
- Arthritis
- Sports injuries
All physiotherapy plans are tailored to your needs and can be adapted to help with sport-specific injuries or athletic goals to give you an advantage when playing sports or exercising.
What should I expect during a physiotherapy visit?
When you arrive at Harbor Comprehensive Health for a physiotherapy visit, it’s best to wear athletic clothing and bring a water bottle and towel. Your provider begins your session with a warmup, which may involve electrical nerve stimulation or heat therapy to increase blood flow to your muscles. Gentle cardiovascular exercise, like walking or riding a stationary bike, may be included as well.
Once you’re warmed up, your provider takes you through a series of exercises aimed at improving your range of motion, building strength, and increasing stability in your joints. After the exercise portion of your session, your provider completes a series of cool-down therapies with you, which may include stretches, cold therapy, and athletic taping.
Each physiotherapy session is designed with your condition and physical abilities in mind. Physiotherapy visits are progressive as you feel better, so you may start with gentle therapies focused on pain relief during the early phases of your treatment plan before advancing to more difficult exercises.
Learn about the benefits of physiotherapy for your condition by calling Harbor Comprehensive Health or requesting a consultation online now.
