Physiotherapy Treatment in New York City, NY

Physical Therapy and Physiotherapy are generally the same and each term can be used interchangeably. Having said that, some view physiotherapy as more of a hands-on manual therapy approach to rehabilitation. That is, in physiotherapy, the therapist helps to improve the patient’s injury with joint manipulation, mobilization, resistance training, and stretching, soft tissue release, myofascial release, etc. This view draws a distinction with physical therapy which they feel is a more exercise-based approach instructing patients on strengthening muscles, improving balance, and sharpening coordination.

The only sharp and clear difference between Physiotherapy and Physical Therapy is rooted in geographic region(s) – and in many parts of the world including Australia, Canada, and Europe the profession is known as Physiotherapy.  Throughout the U.S. we predominantly refer to the profession as Physical Therapy. 

In Summary, a Slight Differences in Emphasis (Not Always the Case):

• Physiotherapy: There are sources that suggest physiotherapy may lean slightly more toward manual therapy like massage, joint mobilization, and soft tissue manipulation.
• Physical Therapy: Some sources suggest physical therapy might place a slightly greater emphasis on exercise-based rehabilitation programs.

So if someone claims that physiotherapy is different from physical therapy, it’s likely  they’re viewing physiotherapy as applying a more hands-on and manual approach contrasted with viewing physical therapy as using a more exercise-based approach.   At the end of the day for most it’s a distinction with little difference as both physiotherapy and physical therapy are focused on treating patients with injuries, diseases, and disorders. The treatment methods include exercise, massages, movement, and manipulation of a patient’s trouble area.

Musculoskeletal physiotherapy

Musculoskeletal physiotherapy can be used to treat damage or pain in the body’s muscle tissue, joints, nerves, ligaments, tendons and muscular or skeletal structures that support the limbs or the back. Musculoskeletal disorders can affect almost any part of the body from the back and the neck to the limbs, hands and feet.  Musculoskeletal physiotherapy contributes to patient recovery and improved quality of life in a number of ways:

• Improves muscle strength and flexibility
• Improves range of motion, ease and quality of movement
• Improves coordination and control of movement
• Relieves pain or eliminates it entirely
• Helps the patient to develop coping strategies to help them deal with pain or difficulty performing normal movements during the recovery process.
• Helps you to achieve physical exercise or fitness goals
• Teaches and consolidates healthy ways of moving to reduce the likelihood of developing musculoskeletal disorders in the future
• I can devise a home or office physiotherapy program to help you to continue your recovery at home, the office or at the gym. I can also formulate a maintenance program once you have recovered to make sure you continue to benefit from your physical therapy.
• musculoskeletal physiotherapy can ultimately speed your recovery and allow you to return to normal activities as early as possible.
• Decrease swelling and inflammation
• Improve the patient’s day to day level of independence and self-sufficiency

The patient’s condition and unique set of symptoms are taken into account when I putting together his or her treatment plan.  If musculoskeletal physiotherapy is recommended for you, don’t be afraid to ask questions and make sure you understand the treatment is recommended and that expectations are realistic.

Neurological physiotherapy

Neurological physiotherapy helps heal issues within the nervous system. These disorders can include stroke, spinal cord injuries, and Parkinson’s disease.  Injury to your central nervous system can create a situation where your brain’s messages are not reaching the affected parts of your body. This is sometimes observed in uncoordinated movement, or a total loss of movement and sensation. Neurological Physiotherapy treatment can “kick-start” (so to speak) the message pathways your brain’s having difficulty using – making new pathways through repetitive actions and exercises. Many clients who undergo Neurological Physiotherapy can improve symptoms such as, difficulties with loss of balance, loss of hand and arm, or leg and foot function, walking, spasticity and pain.

Cardiothoracic physiotherapy

Cardiothoracic physiotherapy specializes in the prevention, rehabilitation of clients with diseases and injuries in the heart and lungs. These conditions may be a shortness of breath, persistent cough, increased work of breathing or the reduced ability to exercise and help patients work through asthma, bronchitis, and other cardio-respiratory related health problems.