Brandy Said:

what are the main types of work for a physiotherapist?

We Answered:

Physiotherapists help and treat people of all ages with physical problems caused by illness, accident or ageing.

Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession which sees human movement as central to the health and well-being of individuals. Physiotherapists identify and maximise movement potential through health promotion, preventive healthcare, treatment and rehabilitation.

The core skills used by physiotherapists include manual therapy, therapeutic exercise and the application of electro-physical modalities. Physiotherapists also have an appreciation of psychological, cultural and social factors which influence their clients.

The following are just a few of the areas Physiotherapists work:


Outpatients

Intensive care

Womens health

Care of the elderly

Stroke patients

Orthopaedics

Mental illness

Learning difficulties

Occupational health

Terminally ill

Paediatrics

Many physiotherapists work within hospitals. Here they are needed in virtually every department, from general out-patients to intensive care, where round-the-clock chest physiotherapy can be vital to keep unconscious patients breathing.

Hospitals often have physiotherapy gyms, hydrotherapy and high-tech equipment so that specialist therapy can be carried out.

Todays Physiotherapist is just as likely to work in the local community as within a hospital. There is also a need for physiotherapists in many other places.

These places are:

Industry

Special Schools

The Private Sector (for example, Private Practice)

Education

Leisure & Sport
In fact wherever people are at risk of injury from their occupation or activity.

Nowadays, more and more Physiotherapists work outside the hospital setting, in the community where a growing number are employed by GP fundholders. Treatment and advice for patients and carers take place in their own homes, in nursing homes or day centres, in schools and in health centres.

Being a Physiotherapist in any setting is all about teamwork. As well as being able to build up a rapport with your patients, it is equally important to maintain communication with their relatives or carers as well as occupational therapists, GPs, health visitors, district nurses and social workers.

Physiotherapy is a ''hands on'', physical career in every sense. The personal qualities needed for this rewarding role are tolerance, patience and compassion, you will also need to be level-headed, practical and have good communication skills.

Joan Said:

Physiotherapy, types of massage... which is the hardest/most painful?

We Answered:

I have never done physical therapy for back pain but I have friends who have. One of them said that they give her special kinds of exercises to do to help strengthen the muscles in that area. They also sometimes use ultrasound (it's a bit different than the kind that is used to diagnose medical problems or monitor the growth of a baby in a pregnant mom) to help work the area.

As for massage my friend says that they have done that too. Sometimes they may also use special machines called electronic muscle stimulators which can help exercise the muscles deeper than the hands of the physical therapist and also massage down deeper than what the physical therapist can do.

They may use massage techniques like rolfing (an example) or Swedish massage.

I have the link to a site that can help you find more information. If interested please e-mail me off site with the subject line: "Physical Therapy link" so that I will know what it's in regards to.

Laura Said:

How does physiotherapy aid inflammation?

We Answered:

Usually with tendonitis there is NO muscle involved. Tendons are the rubbery attachments that hold muscle to bone, and usually lie in a channel between the bone and surrounding muscles. Tendons can become sore and inflamed or swollen when they are not correctly aligned within this channel or as a result of overstimulation.

Physical therapy helps to overcome the inflammation by moving the affected area within its normal range of movement to "express" or remove liquid trapped within the tendon, and surrounding muscle. For example, people who get tennis elbow are encourage to move the elbow joint several times a day....Think of your tendons as rubber bands...if you don't use them they become less stretchy...that's the idea.

Felix Said:

types of approach?

We Answered:

This is one of the best attempts I've ever seen of someone dressing an exam question up as a genuine enquiry...Well done!!!

Oh...er...euthanasia?