Most people think that physiotherapy is just an alternative treatment that simply does not work. This is completely incorrect. There are countless individuals that gained benefits from physiotherapy. This does include aches and pains.

According to Mod Pod Podiatry, physiotherapy can help treat numerous long-term problems while allowing you to save a lot of money on expensive treatments. In order to showcase this, here are some ways in which physio helps with pains and aches.

Dealing With Bad Knees

Researchers working at the University of Western Ontario recently published a study in which it was shown that a combination of medication and physiotherapy was equally as effective as surgery (arthroscopic) when dealing with osteoarthritic knees.

Numerous arthritic joint pains are relieved with working done on strength and flexibility. Knee pain source is often identified as being muscle tightness located around one’s knee. It can be treated with stretching and exercises.

Physiotherapists have experience in looking at the entire body and they understand how everything is connected. The surgeon usually just looks at a joint.

Breathing Techniques Are Taught

This is one thing that most people do not know about physiotherapy. Since the physiotherapists take a whole-body approach, they also address autonomic nervous system conditions. Those that suffer from sleep apnea or asthma, as an example, can use specific breathing control exercises that improve neck muscle and chest mobility. Strengthening and stretching programs help a lot with breathing.

Dealing With Pelvic Floor Disorders

One of the fast-growing practice areas that use physiotherapy techniques is addressing pelvic floor disorders. These can happen when the pelvic muscles are tight, short or when they fall into spasms following abdominal surgery, childbirth or pregnancy.

Pelvic floor muscles are really important for bowel and bladder functions, they support abdominal muscles and the spine and are even needed in sexual functions. You will never see these problems on ultrasounds or MRIs. Physiotherapists use specific massage techniques like trigger point release in order to relieve spasms. Combine this with relaxing techniques and strengthening exercises.

Fighting Obesity

Lifestyle physiotherapy is another interesting field that is not well-known. It includes things like chronic pain management and preventive health care. People are practically educated about how excess weight impacts their body and the associated problems, like tendonitis and sore knees, are addressed with traditional techniques that are common in physiotherapy.

Chronic Pain Relief

Based on the cause, a physiotherapy program can help those that suffer from chronic pain through muscle strengthening. Muscles that surround painful muscles or joints are strengthened. For instance, if you suffer from osteoporosis, using physiotherapy allows you to drastically reduce how much pain medication you use. Life quality can be improved in as little as ten weeks of physiotherapy.

Final Thoughts

Physiotherapy is much more complex than what people think. You need to talk to a real specialist to understand all that is possible in your case. Never underestimate the power of physiotherapy, especially when dealing with conditions that affect muscles and joints. Even if many other parts of your life will be improved, like your breathing, it is the joints and the muscles that get the most help.