Physiotherapists, or ‘physios’, are healthcare professionals who specialise in the treatment of musculoskeletal problems. They may be involved in diagnosing and treating sports injuries or back pain, or working with people who have suffered a stroke.
Physiotherapy can help a wide range of patients, but it’s particularly useful for people who are recovering from an injury or surgery and want to return to their normal activities as quickly as possible.
Here are some things to consider before choosing a physiotherapist:
Are they registered? All physiotherapists must be registered with their professional body. Check that they’re listed on the relevant website and make sure they have the right qualifications (usually a degree in physiotherapy). You can also check if they have any disciplinary action against them by contacting the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) and seeing if there is any information available about them on its website.
Can you afford them? The cost of physiotherapy varies between different practices and locations in the UK, but prices tend to be higher than other forms of physical therapy such as osteopathy or chiropractic treatment. However, physiotherapy is often available on the NHS so it should be free at least once per year for those who meet certain criteria.
Firstly, what kind of treatment do you need? This will determine which type of physiotherapist is right for your needs. For example, if you have suffered an injury, then the focus should be on treating that specific injury and getting back to full mobility as soon as possible. However, if you have generalised joint pain or stiffness, then your physiotherapist may need to spend more time treating the cause of the problem rather than just the symptoms.
Secondly, what is your budget? There are many types of physio treatments available from private clinics or hospitals but these can be very expensive so it’s important that you know what kind of treatment you want before going in for an appointment so that you can budget accordingly and make sure that your treatment doesn’t leave you out of pocket at the end of it all!
Thirdly, how much time do I have for treatment? If you need to schedule appointments regularly, then it’s best to choose someone who has plenty of availability. If however there are only certain times during the week when they’re available then this will not work well with your schedule which means that they may not be able to fit.
Physiotherapy is provided by physiotherapists (also known as physios or physiotherapists), who are skilled healthcare professionals that provide advice on how to prevent injury and keep your body working to its best potential. You can contact https://www.getmovingphysio.co.uk/ for more information.
