KEY TAKEAWAYS:
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Physiotherapy is an important part of disability care: Physiotherapy can help individuals with disabilities to manage their pain, maintain their physical function, and improve their overall quality of life. It can also help to prevent further injuries and complications.
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The NDIS provides funding for physiotherapy: The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides funding for physiotherapy for eligible participants. This funding can be used to access a range of physiotherapy services, including assessments, treatment, and equipment.
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Physiotherapy can be delivered in a range of settings: Physiotherapy can be delivered in a range of settings, including in a clinic, in the home, or in a community setting. The choice of setting will depend on the individual’s needs and preferences.
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Physiotherapy can help with a range of conditions: Physiotherapy can be helpful for a range of conditions, including cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, and stroke. Physiotherapy can also be helpful for individuals with chronic pain.
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Physiotherapy can involve a range of techniques: Physiotherapy can involve a range of techniques, including exercise therapy, manual therapy, and electrotherapy. The choice of technique will depend on the individual’s needs and goals.
WHAT IS PHYSIOTHERAPY?
Physiotherapy is a physical method of treatment that involves exercising, massaging some body parts, and other therapy without the use of drugs, or cutting into the body(surgery).
In some cases, an individual suffering from an injury, illness, or disability that has to do with bones is sometimes advised to go through therapy to accelerate the healing process.
WHAT TREATMENT IS GIVEN IN PHYSIOTHERAPY?
The treatment given in physiotherapy depends on the type of injury or disability. Here are some treatments done in physiotherapy.
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- STRETCHES AND EXERCISES PHYSIOTHERAPY
This process involves lengthening the muscles for flexibility. This process helps with the mobility of the spinal joint in the spine and hip area.
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REHABILITATION PHYSIOTHERAPY
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Rehabilitation physiotherapy helps to alleviate diseases, and underlying conditions, it promotes strength-building and mobility. It is used to help an individual recover and return to a better state.
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JOINT MOBILIZATION PHYSIOTHERAPY
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It focuses on joint recovery through manual therapies on the joint. It helps to reduce pain in the joint and improves mobility.
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HYDROTHERAPY
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Hydrotherapy is carried out in the water. It helps in the relaxation of the muscles to reduce pain and resistance in the joint. This process is sometimes referred to as water therapy.
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MANUAL THERAPY
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The use of the hand to massage some parts of the body, kneading of the muscles, and gentle movement of the joint(joint mobilization) to relieve pain and for better flexibility.
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TAPING PHYSIOTHERAPY
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Taping physiotherapy helps to relieve pain and also for injury prevention. It is used for muscular injuries, and joint, and ligament injuries.
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MAGNETIC THERAPY
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Magnet therapy is the use of a magnet on the body to limit the pain and for the treatment of specific conditions and diseases.
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SOFT TISSUE MOBILIZATION PHYSIOTHERAPY
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Soft tissue mobilization physiotherapy is a physical therapy carried out on the body for relaxation of the muscles, preventing and disallowing rigidity for the proper functioning of the muscles.
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THERMOTHERAPY
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Thermotherapy focuses on the use of cold or heat treatment on the body. Examples of instruments used are cordless, ultrasound, hydrocollator packs. It helps to increase blood flow, tissue metabolism, and better flexibility.
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DIATHERMY PHYSIOTHERAPY
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Diathermy is the use of sound and electricity to heat parts of the body. Diathermy is commonly prescribed for muscle and joint conditions. It is used for the treatment of musculoskeletal pain, used when the skeletal muscles are permanently tightened, and also for the treatment of other conditions.
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TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATION (TENS) THERAPY
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It is the use of devices made from small batteries to generate a low-voltage electric current that sends impulses through the skin to relieve pain.
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DRY NEEDLING AND ACUPUNCTURE
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Dry needling and acupuncture help in the treatment of muscular pain and chronic pain disorder such as myofascial dysfunction.
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RANGE OF MOTION (ROM) EXERCISES
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Range of motion exercises is done by movement of the joint, and stretching of muscles for flexibility.
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ULTRASOUND AND PHONOPHORESIS
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Phonophoresis which is also called sonophoresis or ultrasonophoresis is the use of ultra waves to reduce pain when treatment (introduction of pharmacologic agents) is being applied to that region.
The physiotherapist also conducts programs to educate their patients on the need and importance of exercises, health balance, how to improve flexibility, mobility, and other things relating to physiotherapy.
SIGNS THAT YOU MIGHT NEED PHYSIOTHERAPY
Physiotherapy majorly focuses on helping to perform normal body exercises, movement, and flexibility of the joints and muscles. When simple body movement like sitting, walking, running, and squatting becomes difficult, then there might be a need to consult a physiotherapist.
Physiotherapy is also very helpful for disabled people, because, it helps to improve mobility and allows them to engage in physical activities.
WHAT PHYSIOTHERAPISTS DO TO SUPPORT NDIS PARTICIPANT
The NDIS physiotherapist support participants or individuals by helping them work and perform activities independently at work, at home, and also in the community at Large.
Individuals go through their exercises, and programs to create more awareness and put them through the right part. Technology and equipment are also provided to some individuals.
NDIS PHYSIOTHERAPY REGISTRATION AS A PARTICIPANT
The NDIS supports and funds individuals with permanent and significant disabilities who need physiotherapy services but these individuals must have met the conditions laid down by the National insurance Disability Scheme (also referred to as the checklist).
Get more information at https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants for registration to become an NDIS participant.
IS PHYSIOTHERAPY COVERED BY NDIS?
Funding and support from the NDIS mainly go to individuals with permanent disability conditions who are also registered participants of the NDIS.
The Ndis also provides programs on physiotherapy services for NDIS participants to support them through the process.
HOW TO BOOK PHYSIOTHERAPY SERVICES
Booking a physiotherapist online is done easily on the website directory where you can select the provider that suits you. Mycareplace has made the process easy for you.
Participants just have to go through the directory website where they get access to a qualified list of a physiotherapist.
After proceeding to select the provider that you want, Mycareplace also helps you to connect to this provider directly and does the necessary follow-up. Click here “Connect to a physiotherapist” to gain access to the various physiotherapist around you with ease.
Helpful Resources:
- The Australian Physiotherapy Association: https://australian.physio/
- The National Disability Insurance Scheme: https://www.ndis.gov.au/
- The Australian Government Department of Health: https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/physiotherapy
