Physical therapy or physiotherapy is a treatment option that is meant to improve mobility, relive pain and to restore overall fitness and physical function. A physical therapist uses exercise, education, manual therapy and modalities like electrical, heat and cold stimulation to work towards these goals. Depending on your condition, you may need to work on balance, coordination, endurance, strength or flexibility.

The type of treatment a patient may receive may focus on preventing or treating disorders that affect the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems of the body as well as the skin. Physiotherapy seeks to help patients regain their ability to complete activities like doing housework, walking and climbing up and down a flight of stairs easily. By using the services of a physical therapist Fort Lauderdale dwellers can receive treatment that will help them recover.

Physiotherapy can also help you recover from a medical procedure such as surgery. Your doctor may also suggest that you undergo physiotherapy if you suffer from chronic health problems like obstructive pulmonary disease and arthritis. Physiotherapy can be used by itself or with other treatment options.

A physiotherapist may work in a hospital, outpatient clinic, home health agency, school, nursing home or have a private clinic. Physiotherapists often consult with other healthcare providers as they treat patients. They can assist you to minimize the risk of getting injured by creating an individualized exercise program. Physiotherapists can also help you manage long term health conditions like diabetes, arthritis or fibromyalgia.

When consulting with a physical therapist, patients are examined and informed about the measures that will be taken to treat them. The physiotherapist then creates a treatment plan. The first thing that these professionals do is attempting to minimize or eliminate swelling and pain. Most physiotherapists include exercises like stretching, core exercises, walking and weight lifting in their treatment programs. It is normal for patients to experience mild swelling or soreness when receiving treatment.

Patients do not have to see a physician first before they consult with a physiotherapist. In order to treat patients, physiotherapists first conduct thorough physical exams. If the results of such exams indicate that a patient can receive more effective treatment from another healthcare professional, they refer the patient to him or her. Studies show that patients who consult with a physiotherapist promptly have a better chance of recovering. For this reason, people who have suffered injuries should schedule an appointment with a physical therapist and receive treatment right away.

People who are having problems with completing activities daily living can also consult with a physiotherapist. This professional can help them determine the cause of the pain and help them recover. During a first appointment, a patient may be asked to fill out paperwork that seeks to inform the professional about his or her medical history, the medication that he or she is currently taking and any kind of surgery that he or she has undergone.

It is important to hire a physical therapist who is qualified and experienced in treating the kind of health problem you have. Most physiotherapists have an undergraduate degree and a masters or doctorate level degree. They are also required to have a license. Some of these professionals are board certified in sports, orthopedics or neurology and they can provide more specialized care.