What is the difference between Physiotherapy and Physiotherapy?
Author Gabriella Nagy | 2019.07.04.
Physiotherapy or physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is an umbrella term for treatments based on natural energies. It includes all methods that harness the power of the sun, water, air, climate and movement.
It can be physiotherapy:
- Electrical stimulation (TENS)
- Ultrasound
- Polarised light
- Shockwave therapy
These therapeutic methods are also included in physiotherapy treatments, but they form a smaller group within this.
Physiotherapy can be:
- Physical therapy
- Therapeutic massage
- Hydrotherapy
- Balneotherapy
- medicinal water, etc.
Within this, physiotherapy is a narrower concept. In this case, we use some kind of concrete, artificial energy to heal.
Which do the specialists recommend?
Specialists often recommend complex physiotherapy treatments to treat and cure musculoskeletal disorders. In this case, the individual methods are combined and tailored to the patient to achieve the right effect for recovery. All this is done in such a way that each treatment reinforces the other. For example: physiotherapy combined with therapeutic massage and ultrasound treatment.
Do I need to see a specialist before starting therapy?
This is a common question, and the answer is simple: for everyone, it depends on the nature of the problem that is causing the complaint.
If you have a complaint with severe pain or reduced mobility, you should contact orthopaedic- or a specialist rheumatologist, who will recommend the appropriate medication and/or physiotherapy, or a combination of both, once an accurate diagnosis has been made.
However, if your symptoms do not interfere with your daily activities but are only a minor nuisance (e.g. you are sedentary and often experience stiffness or minor pain in your lower back), you can go straight to a physiotherapist who will draw up an individual treatment plan based on the assessment. This may include physiotherapy treatments as well as physiotherapy and other therapeutic options.
We believe that free, pain-free and enjoyable exercise is for everyone!