An estimated 11 million Canadians experience musculoskeletal conditions each year. That’s almost 30% of the population! If you’re one of the 11 million, you may wonder what you can do about it. So let’s chat about what physiotherapy is, what it isn’t, and whether or not it’s the intervention for you.

Ok, what is physiotherapy and how can it help people who deal with pain and/or injury every year?

According to the Canadian Physiotherapy Association, physiotherapists (also known in Canada as physical therapists) “combine their in-depth knowledge of the body and how it works with specialized hands-on clinical skills to assess, diagnose and treat symptoms of illness, injury or disability.” Taking it further, Physiotherapy Alberta explains the role of a physiotherapist, which is to:

• • Assess, diagnose and treat physical symptoms and limited movement caused by injury, aging, disability, or health condition.
  • Help patients understand what’s causing their condition.
  • Work with patients to restore, maintain and maximize movement, flexibility and physical independence.
  • Develop customized treatment plans that help patients take back control.
  • Teach patients how to restore, maintain and/or maximize movement, reduce pain, and manage any chronic symptoms.
  • Teach patients how to stay well, avoid future injury and achieve the best quality of life they can.

What isn’t physiotherapy?

Although physiotherapy uses some forms of passive treatment, such as massage, mobilizations, and machines, these options should only be used in addition to exercise when it’s required to support your recovery. In most cases, you shouldn’t be spending your entire appointment sitting idle while hooked up to machines or laying on hot/ice packs. If you are, it may be time to question why.

Is treatment at Acceleration Physio right for me?

At the end of the day, most practitioners have the same goal: to help you move your body without pain and at your optimal performance level. However, some clinics prioritize volume (aka seeing as many patients a day as possible) over patient outcomes. This often leads to therapists taking a more passive approach to treatment so they can juggle multiple clients at a time.

When reaching out to different clinics, it’s worth asking whether their practitioners treat patients one-on-one and whether they take an active or passive approach to achieve patient goals. Then, just as importantly, ask yourself what you’re willing to add to your recovery process.

Treatment plans at Acceleration Physiotherapy Sherwood Park prioritize creating long-lasting physical change, not just temporary relief. Taking a science-based, active approach, a treatment plan will include:

• • Thorough assessment (there’ll be lots of listening on our part so we can treat you as a whole person, not just as an injury)
  • Education (once we’ve got a good idea of what’s going on, we’ll help explain everything in a way that’s meaningful and empowering for you)
  • Exercise or movement-based treatment (because movement is like medicine)
  • Manual therapy tools (such as joint mobilization/manipulation and soft tissue mobilization)

Ideally, treatment plans are short-term and will help resolve your concern while working to prevent future injury or pain in a matter of weeks. But remember – you’ve got to be willing to put the work in, too!

If this sounds like the sort of treatment you’re looking for, meet our therapists and book an appointment online or by phone.