Physiotherapists specialise in restoring movement and function, as well as helping people recover from injuries, improve mobility, and manage pain.
Responsibilities of physiotherapists
Physiotherapists are movement specialists who aim to maximise people’s function and quality of life, by taking into consideration physical, psychological, emotional and social wellbeing.
They play a vital role in preventing, diagnosing, and treating injuries, diseases, and conditions that affect movement and function.
What issues do physiotherapists address, and how?
Physiotherapists address various issues such as musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiac, pulmonary, and oncology rehabilitation. In addition, they provide pre- and post-surgery care and manage chronic conditions like diabetes and obesity.
Physiotherapists help people of all ages in recovering from injuries, reducing pain, and improving mobility. Treatment methods include exercise, massage, manipulation, and stretching, favouring physical approaches over surgery or medication.
In conjunction with other healthcare professionals such as occupational therapists and GPs, they design personalised rehabilitation programs that target strength, flexibility, mobility, pain management, and injury prevention.
The physiotherapist’s role in workplace rehabilitation
In workplace rehabilitation, physiotherapists work with injured workers and employers to create tailored rehabilitation plans. These plans focus on restoring functional abilities, addressing workplace challenges, and ensuring a safe return to work.
The process involves an initial assessment followed by treatments like exercises, manual therapy, and pain management techniques.
Physiotherapists who specialise in workers compensation collaborate with employers, insurers, and healthcare professionals to facilitate comprehensive recovery and reintegration into the workplace.