When to see a physiotherapist and when to get a massage.
how do you know when you need a massage? when do you need physio?
Pain can be an incapacitating experience, especially if you have been suffering from it for a while. There are different reasons why an individual goes through it, but for the most part, it has to do with our day-to-day activities. For instance, if you are an athlete, pain is pretty much a regular part of your life. If you constantly go through intense happenings and you just want some relief from some discomfort, or maybe you just want to relax, there are a couple of therapies that can help you with it.
Anyone who has heard of the word “massage” is pretty familiar with how it’s done and what it is supposed to do. Perhaps you also have heard of the term “Physiotherapy,” but unlike massage therapy, it does not normally come up in casual conversations. Physiotherapy and massage therapy are two healing methods that have been considered effective for various health conditions. These two services are known to help manage pain, but they have different purposes.
Let’s first find out what physiotherapy is and to which it is best suited.
What is physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is defined as a form of therapy that deals with restoring movement as well as the overall function of an individual suffering from an injury, disability, or illness. Physiotherapy is also deemed effective in reducing the risk of an injury as well as a future health condition.
Physiotherapy is a highly specialised profession that usually involves assessment to treat any musculoskeletal disorder. Specially trained and regulated practitioners in this industry to perform services are called physiotherapists. Statistics in Australia reveal that it’s one of the most popular professions, with an estimate of over 113,000 licensed physiotherapists.
What is the primary purpose of physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is known to help individuals of all ages to treat various health conditions such as the following:
Bones, soft tissues, and joints
Helps address injuries such as back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, and even sports injuries.
The nervous system
Physiotherapy is also known to address and treat movement problems due to illnesses such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis.
Heart and circulation problems
It is used to help with rehabilitation after a heart attack.
Breathing problems
Physiotherapy is also considered effective in improving an individual’s lungs and breathing caused by pulmonary disease and cystic fibrosis.
How does physiotherapy help individuals?
Physiotherapy services can be accessed privately or publicly since they can also be publicly funded. They often work together with child development centres and retirement residences, but over the years, it has also become available as a home care service.
Physiotherapy is also known to help individuals who require ongoing treatment after surgery for recovery, and each case is customised depending on the patient's specific needs. Here are some treatments that may be included.
A well-developed exercise program that is best suited for the patient’s strength, range of motion, as well as function;
Exercises to help the patient regain mobilization by reducing muscle stiffness and pain;
Specialised methods to clear the airways of individuals suffering from breathing problems;
Pelvic floor physiotherapy to manage incontinence;
Techniques to treat arthritis and multiple sclerosis;
Techniques designed to treat sprains, injuries, and fractures;
Most common physiotherapy techniques
Soft Tissue Mobilization
Also referred to as therapeutic massage, it is known to help relax the muscles of a patient as well as reduce swelling. It is supposed to alleviate pain caused by sports events or also called athletic injuries. Soft tissue massage is also effective in blood flow, which helps with recovery.
Range of Motion Exercises
Range of Motion exercises or ROM is typically utilised by healthcare practitioners to help patients suffering from mobility issues in order to improve flexibility.
Electrotherapy
Electrotherapy is a recent development in the industry wherein electrical stimulation is provided with the use of electrodes that are attached to the skin. It’s also generally used alongside laser and ultrasound therapy.
Why should you go to physiotherapy?
The main reason for individuals seeking the help of a physiotherapist or a physiotherapy service is because they have been suffering from pain or they have an ongoing condition that requires proper long-term management. It is also recommended for those who want to reduce the risk of injury, especially if their career involves intense activities or sports.
When should you go for physiotherapy? Here are some things to take note of.
If you have experienced a motor vehicle incident or an event causing you to experience constant pain or lack of motion
If you had surgery and you need rehabilitation services
If you want the better motion to be able to incorporate more physical activity in your lifestyle or routine
If you want to prevent future injuries or severe body aches and pains
If you are looking into ways how to manage an existing condition
Risks of physiotherapy
While physiotherapy is an effective treatment for specific health issues, it’s also important to understand that risks are involved, just like any other kind of treatment. The risks involved chiefly have to do with how it is performed by the physiotherapist. For instance, if the technique is poor or improper, it could be detrimental to the patient’s health or condition. Improper application of the method may result in more pain and possible complications. There’s also the matter concerning the treatment plan. While the risk of getting the plan wrong is quite slim, it is still possible. Failure to modify the treatment plan that best suits the patient's physical needs has profound implications, so assessments must be made before any diagnosis.
Potential risks for patients concerning equipment may also happen. Improper usage or technique, as well as faulty equipment, may also be a factor. Which is why it must be checked all the time.
Let’s now talk about massage therapy. What is it, and what is its purpose?
What is massage therapy?
Massage therapy is defined as a form of technique performed by a trained and certified professional that involves manipulating the soft tissues in the body, such as the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and skin. It is part of integrative medicine and is considered an effective form of treatment for a range of medical conditions. Massage therapy also involves relieving specific muscle tensions due to an injury or stressful event. Several techniques are designed to help a normal blood flow to speed up the patient’s recovery.
What’s the main goal of massage therapy techniques?
Massage therapy essentially promotes several things, such as:
Get the patient to feel relaxed
According to several studies, massage therapy is known to help with stress-related issues such as lack of sleep and anxiety. It has become a great aid in producing serotonin and dopamine, stabilizing mood and improving sleep.
Help with blood circulation.
Massage therapy has also been proven to help improve blood circulation resulting in a faster recovery and boosting the immune system.
Help with muscle tension.
Massage is an effective way to bring comfort as it is used to release muscle tension and stiffness in the body, such as the neck, back, etc.
Reduce pain
Massage therapy techniques may help lessen pain, such as headaches, neck pain, intense back pain, and chronic knee pain. Using massage has also shown significant benefits to individuals with fibromyalgia symptoms.
Help with reducing toxins in the body.
Massage is also beneficial in releasing wastes in the body that may cause certain diseases.
Most common massage therapy techniques
Swedish massage
Swedish massage is the most popular form of massage since it primarily deals with providing relaxation, as it calms the nervous system and improves the state of mind.
Remedial massage
Remedial massage is a technique that is focused on using mobilisation techniques to help the customer or patient regain function in order to restore the body’s everyday health.
Sports Massage
It is a type of technique where the focus is aiding the muscles to recover before, during, and after the training or sporting event. Injury is pretty common, especially if you are an athlete, so this is a good massage option.
Risks of massage therapy
Massage has many benefits, but it may pose risks, especially for people with specific conditions. It’s important to understand that massage may not be suitable for patients with bleeding disorders or those who are taking a blood thinner. Massage therapy may not be ideal for people with burns or healing wounds and other infections. It may not be suitable for fractured bones and severe osteoporosis. Never forget to discuss the risks before trying any massage therapy with your doctor or a physician. Understand that massage shouldn’t be unusually painful or uncomfortable, even if it may leave the individual feeling slightly sore the next day.
When should you consider massage therapy?
There are vital signs of taking note of if it’s time for you to consider massage therapy. While many may think that it’s a luxury, it is actually something that may actually improve your overall health. If you’re constantly feeling stressed and you have been feeling exhausted most of the time, you might need to try massage therapy. The demands of our daily activities may take a toll on our bodies, and because massage is an excellent way to decrease stress hormones, it will instantly make you feel better.
Your body will let you know if you are in need of this healing method. Unlike physiotherapy, massage therapy provides immediate relief and relaxation. Whereas physiotherapy is more geared toward muscle and joint function rehabilitation.
How are physiotherapy and massage connected, and how do they differ?
Massage is actually part of physiotherapy, and it has been since the very beginning. In fact, it has helped physiotherapy to come to fruition. Massage was actually considered one of the leading therapies that psychotherapists used during the early 1900s and was offered to those who needed rehabilitation and recovery from specific injuries.
While it may seem like physiotherapy sounds precisely the same as massage therapy, these are two different things.
The most significant difference between physiotherapy and massage is that while psychotherapists and massage therapists are both considered skilled and well-trained, physiotherapy is regarded as a medical profession since the treatment is offered to patients with a much more serious condition or injury. On the other hand, massage therapy is part of alternative medicine, and it’s mostly for relaxation purposes.
When should you only see a physiotherapist instead of a massage therapist?
While these two may seem like they are connected with one another, it’s essential that you understand why you should choose to consult the right therapist for your condition. For instance, just because you are experiencing some pain in the body does not mean that it could be corrected with a massage. Basically, you should see a physiotherapist if you are suffering from a specific problem that needs management and correction. Physiotherapists have a certain level of training to use techniques and assessment strategies to find out the proper treatment for your condition. They are also in charge of developing a plan that will focus on fixing the problem you are encountering in the hopes that the injury or issue will no longer be recurring.
How and where do you find a physiotherapist or massage therapist?
There are a few ways how you can get yourself a massage therapist or physiotherapist. It’s much easier to find a massage therapist since clinics and spas are pretty much everywhere. But for safety purposes, you can also get a referral from a doctor you know or someone you trust.
To find a physiotherapist, you can typically get a referral from a doctor or directly contact them. As previously mentioned,
