Physiotherapy treatment for musculoskeletal injuries encompasses three major components: education, manual therapy, and exercise prescription. The goal of physiotherapy treatments is to restore normal movement patterns in the injured tissues.
Following an individual’s diagnosis, physiotherapists will start by educating him or her about their condition and available treatment options. It’s important the individual is an active part of his or her own rehabilitation, such that they can be proactive in avoiding further injury.
Physiotherapists may use different types of hands-on therapy to manipulate soft tissue structures to relieve the pain or discomfort of certain conditions. This could include massage techniques performed directly on the affected areas, as well as joint mobilization involving controlled movement.
Finally, physiotherapists will also teach their patients different exercises that can be performed at home to strengthen the affected tissues and gradually return them to full function.