Physiotherapists help people affected by injury, illness or disability through movement and exercise, manual therapy, education and advice.
They maintain health for people of all ages, helping patients to manage pain and prevent disease.
The profession 
helps to encourage development and facilitate recovery, enabling people to stay in work while helping them to remain independent for as long as possible.
At the core is the patient’s involvement in their own care, through education, awareness, empowerment and participation in their treatment.
You can benefit from physiotherapy at any time in your life. Physiotherapy helps with back pain or sudden injury, managing long-term medical condition such as asthma, and in preparing for childbirth or a sporting event.
What to expect
During an initial session, your physiotherapist will seek to gain a good understanding of the source of your discomfort and will start by providing a full examination.
Your physio may ask you to perform a few movements or exercises so they can correctly assess your level of mobility. You may also be asked to walk a short distance so they can assess if your condition is affecting your gait. Clinical testing such as reflex and nerve testing may also be carried out depending on your condition. If the area of your body causing you pain is covered by clothing, you may be asked to remove it so the physiotherapist can gain a better understanding of your problem.
After observation, your physiotherapist will outline a proposed treatment plan for you. The number of sessions needed is determined by the individual, and there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to treatment. A single session usually lasts 30 minutes but may last longer if the practitioner deems it appropriate.
What to bring
It helps your initial assessment if you can change down to your underwear, however, if it is more practical to wear a pair of shorts or leggings and a comfortable vest top, then that is fine too.
Gowns are available on request; please feel free to ask your Osteopath for one.
If you have any x-blood tests, x-rays or other information regarding your health please feel free to bring these with you as it may be useful to your Physio.