Physiotherapy Vs Physical Therapy

When it comes to achieving optimal wellness, movement is key.  Physical exercise is a crucial component of maintaining both physical and mental health. When movement is difficult due to illness, injury, pain, or problems with coordination, balance, and flexibility, physical therapy can help diagnose and treat the underlying problem and get you moving again. But what exactly is physical therapy, and how does it differ from physiotherapy? Here’s what you need to know. 

Physical therapy vs physiotherapy

The terms “physical therapy” and “physiotherapy” are often used interchangeably, and for good reason—they are the same thing. You’ll hear one or the other used more frequently in certain parts of the world. In Canada, Europe, and Australia, physiotherapy is more commonly used, but in the United States, you’re more likely to hear it referred to as physical therapy.  Most people don’t make a distinction between the two, although some believe physiotherapy is more hands-on, while physical therapy is a more exercise-based treatment. The truth is that each involves a combination of both. Whether you call it physical therapy or physiotherapy, it is a movement-based treatment that helps optimize health and wellbeing. 

What is physical therapy / physiotherapy?

Physical therapy is a type of healthcare that aims to manage pain, prevent injury, maximize mobility, and improve fitness.  Licensed physical therapists are considered “movement experts,” because they are skilled and trained in the study human anatomy, the principles of exercise, physiology of exercise, kinesiology (scientific study of human body movement), and other topics that enable them to identify, diagnose, and treat problems with movement.  Physical therapy involves the use of therapeutic exercises and physical agents such as heat, ice, or electric stimulation. 

What are the goals of physical therapy / physiotherapy?

The specific goals of physical therapy vary from person to person, depending on the treatment plan, which is designed by the physical therapist after evaluating the needs of the individual. Some common goals include:

• Pain relief

Ice, heat, stretching, strengthening, and massage may all be part of a physical therapy treatment plan designed to relieve or eliminate pain. 

• Avoid surgery

Through strategic physical therapy, pain management techniques, and the improvement of movement problems, many patients are able to avoid the need for certain types of surgery.

• Recovery from surgery

Physical therapy is an important part of rehabilitation following joint replacement and other surgeries. It is used to help restore strength, mobility, and joint function. 

• Recovery from injury

Musculoskeletal injuries from sports or accidents benefit from physical therapy, not only for healing and recovery from the injury itself but also for prevention of further injury. 

• Stroke rehabilitation

Physical therapists use movement and physical interventions to help stroke survivors regain balance and restore strength, function, and coordination. 

• Pulmonary rehabilitation

Aerobic and anaerobic exercises to help build endurance and increase lung capacity are important parts of a physical therapy treatment plan for pulmonary rehabilitation. 

Each person’s treatment plan is created specifically for their individual needs. If you or someone you love is recovering from an illness, injury, or surgery that’s making movement difficult or painful, a customized physical therapy treatment plan can help get you on the road to recovery so you can keep doing the things you love. 

Physical therapy rehabilitation in San Diego at Bella Vista Health Center

At the Bella Vista Health Center in Lemon Grove, we provide evidence-based, outcome-driven physical therapy programs in our 5-Star skilled nursing facility. Our highly experienced and exceptionally compassionate physical therapists provide each patient with customized treatment plans designed to relieve pain, restore function, and enhance health. Our rehab patients benefit from an individual, patient-centered approach that truly focuses on each person’s needs. For more information on our physical therapy rehab programs, give us a call at (619) 644-1000 today. 

Conditions Treated With Physical Therapy

For people who struggle with persistent pain or who have recently experienced an acute injury, such as a broken bone or a pulled muscle, physical therapy is often a primary method of treatment. Through evaluation, exercises, and education, physical therapists help patients restore their mobility and alleviate discomfort. However, physical therapy is also an extremely effective component of treatment regimens for a wide range of other chronic health conditions.

What do physical therapists treat?

Specialized physical therapy for chronic illnesses can help improve quality of life for patients struggling with the following:

• Arthritis

According to the CDC, over 50 million Americans have been diagnosed with arthritis, a painful disorder that causes significant inflammation and stiffness in the joints. About 43% of those with arthritis experience limited range of motion and restricted activity due to joint pain. Physical therapy exercises can help arthritis sufferers ease stiffness and reduce strain, while simultaneously learning how to modify their movements to avoid joint irritation.

• Alzheimer’s disease

Research has shown that physical therapy can benefit patients at every stage of Alzheimer’s disease in a variety of ways. In the early stages, physical therapists work to help patients maintain their existing functions, with the goal of staying independent for as long as possible. As the disease progresses, physical therapists can instruct caregivers on how to provide a safe environment for their loved ones, as well as how to manage their needs.

• Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease that causes decreased bone density and bone weakness in over half of all Americans aged 50 and older. Weak bones break easily, sometimes from something as seemingly innocuous as a sneeze. Physical therapy treatments can help those who suffer from osteoporosis prevent fractures and improve bone health through resistance training, weight-bearing exercises, and balance practice.

• Heart & lung disease

Cardiopulmonary physical therapy can improve cardiac and respiratory function for people with conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or asthma. In conjunction with respiratory therapists and cardiologists, physical therapists can help to improve your breathing and increase your ability to be physically active, enhancing your quality of life and overall health.

• Cancer

Not only does cancer itself cause pain, swelling, and discomfort, but the treatments for it create their own set of debilitating side effects as well. Patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation, or who’ve undergone cancer surgery, often struggle with weakness, numbness, and loss of mobility. A physical therapist can assist with wound care, massage, aerobic exercise, and strength training to help cancer patients stay active and comfortable both during and after their treatment.

• Lymphedema

The lymphatic system helps keep the body free of toxins by transporting excess fluid from body tissues to the bloodstream. When a blockage occurs in the lymphatic system, excess fluid builds up in the extremities in a condition known as lymphedema. Characterized by extreme swelling in arms, legs, hands, and feet, the condition cannot always be avoided. But physical therapists can fit you with compression garments to help reduce swelling, as well as prescribe moderate exercise and healthy dietary guidelines to increase physical fitness and reduce the risk of an infection.

Bella Vista offers physical therapy in San Diego

If you’re struggling with pain or discomfort from a chronic illness, Bella Vista Health Center may be able to help. We have some of the best physical therapy San Diego can provide, with in-house physical therapists who customize programs to fit the specific needs of each individual patient. Whether you’re seeking short-term care or a long-term solution, we offer an attentive and supportive environment for your recovery.

Our ultimate goal is to help you live comfortably and independently. Call us at (619) 644-1000 to find out how our physical therapy team can improve your quality of life.