Who are the Physiotherapist’s patients?

Physiotherapists are able to apply their specialized knowledge and skills in a variety of different sectors and therefore, their potential patients are just as varied. Most commonly, people affected by illness, disability, injury, chronic pain, and professional sportspeople seek help from a Physiotherapist.

Treatment can be long-term, like maintaining optimal physical health in a sports career, or short-term in the case of someone preparing for a physically demanding activity, like giving birth. Patients recovering from a stroke or living with a debilitating condition, like Parkinson’s or Multiple Sclerosis will also benefit greatly from physiotherapy.

Other potential patients may include:

• Sports injuries
• Arthritis
• Chronic heart disease
• Chronic back pain
• Asthma
• Disabilities that limit movement and function

Taking into account that Physiotherapy can be used as a treatment as well as a preventative measure, other patients who can benefit from this kind of therapy include those who want to avoid certain health problems from developing.

For instance, a Physiotherapist is able to prevent health problems affecting the heart, respiratory system, brain and nervous system, as well as those affecting joints and bones. People who want to manage pain by means other than medication are also good candidates for the Physiotherapist’s patient list.