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A-Z LIST OF COMMON conditions
Physiotherapists manage a broad range of health conditions. The following are specific examples of common health concerns seen by the physiotherapist. We invite you to explore these health subjects to find out a little more about what physiotherapists do to improve the health of Canadians.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture and other techniques using needles are interventions that physiotherapists are authorized to use for the treatment of pain and other symptoms or as a measure to improve health 14.
Acupuncture techniques are useful in the management of a range of conditions, including headache, shoulder pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoarthritis, stroke rehabilitation and some chronic respiratory conditions.
Did you know? Research shows acupuncture is effective for lower limb pain15 and chronic neck pain16
Animal rehabilitation
Electrostimulation, acupuncture, ultrasound, cold therapy, massage and stretching are just some of the tools available to the physiotherapist providing rehabilitation service to canine and equine clients 19.
Research shows that animal rehabilitation is effective. For example, in one study, a group of dogs that received rehabilitation following surgery was compared to a group that received none. Four weeks after surgery, the dogs that received rehabilitative care were able to bear weight 42% better than the group that did not receive the treatment. 20
Ankle sprain
Physiotherapy treatment can start very early after an ankle injury. Rehabilitation techniques will help reduce pain and swelling and increase ankle movement to help you return to normal activity. Even one treatment and appropriate advice can make a significant difference to your recovery.
Anterior cruciate ligament injury
An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is debilitating and may require surgical reconstruction and rehabilitation. Children are just as prone to ACL injuries as adults. In fact, ACL injuries are one of the most common sports injuries among adolescents.
Physiotherapists have developed injury prevention strategies to reduce the overall incidence of ACL injuries. They also have a lead role in rehabilitation.
Multidirectional sports, including soccer and basketball, are among those most likely to result in ACL injury17,18.
Back pain
Research shows that the best treatments for chronic low back pain include physiotherapy.
Managing your back pain to improve function and well-being is best started sooner than later. Your physiotherapist will carefully assess your condition and provide education about what has occurred. Manual therapy may be used by your physiotherapist, for acute or chronic back pain. Your physiotherapist will also prescribe safe and therapeutic exercises that will help to reduce your pain and restore your function.
Brain injury
A physiotherapist will carefully assess the impact of a brain injury on movement and create an individualized therapeutic program.
Physiotherapy after a brain injury can improve strength, fitness, balance, coordination, and control over physical functions that are important to your independence.
Physiotherapists are strong advocates for the use of helmets for high risk activities like skiing and snowboarding as a means of preventing head injuries.
Breast cancer
Women being treated for breast cancer face an increased risk for lymphedema, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease. 21
Physiotherapy can improve cardiorespiratory fitness, physical functioning, and symptoms of fatigue that affect quality of life, 22 and may be initiated during chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment. Specific physiotherapy techniques can also reduce post-mastectomy pain and swelling and improve lost range of motion and strength.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Physiotherapists are equipped to assess and isolate the specific pattern of pain and nerve dysfunction occurring in carpal tunnel syndrome, a disabling and painful condition that affects the wrist and hands.
A comprehensive physiotherapy program for carpal tunnel syndrome will include a combination and sequence of therapies that are designed to help reduce inflammation, pain and weakness or numbness in the hand, wrist and/or arm.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease causes shortness of breath (dyspnea), fatigue, wheezing, frequent lung infections and increasingly poor physical function.
A comprehensive review of 31 studies to determine the influence of pulmonary rehabilitation concluded that physiotherapy programs relieve fatigue, improve emotional health, and enhance the patient's sense of control over their condition.23
Cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disease that causes progressive disability. Physiotherapy techniques help clear chest secretions, to help reduce physical limitations and improve breathing.
Developmental delay
Developmental delays among infants and children are associated with a variety of medical, physical, social and emotional conditions, including trauma, Cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and autism.
Physiotherapists are skilled in hands-on care and the use of specialized equipment to assist the child in achieving an optimal level of physical function and independence.24
Paediatric physiotherapists will consider the health of the child and the extended family situation in order to develop a progressive, multi-pronged treatment plan.
Dizziness
Physiotherapists are able to treat people experiencing vestibular dysfunction (dizziness), a common and potentially dangerous condition.
A recent Cochrane meta-review of 21 studies on the effectiveness of vestibular rehabilitation showed strong- to moderate-evidence that physiotherapy is safe and effective for managing unilateral peripheral vestibular dysfunction. 25
Fall prevention
Canadians spend about $3 billion a year on medical care for fall-related injuries to seniors. 26
The risk of falling in older adults can be reduced dramatically when specific exercises, activities and interventions are prescribed by a physiotherapist. Your physiotherapist can also provide education and guidance to help you and your family identify ways to prevent falls, including the use of assistive devices, such as canes and walkers.
A review of 40 randomized clinical trials showed that a falls risk-assessment and management program was the most effective component of a falls prevention program while exercise was the next most effective.27
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia (FM), a syndrome causing widespread pain and tenderness, can severely impact your ability to perform everyday tasks and affect your quality of life.
Despite examination of a wide range of treatments, the best management of this condition is unknown. 28 However, increasing evidence is demonstrating that exercise, such as that prescribed and supervised by a physiotherapist, is an important part of easing fibromyalgia symptoms.
Knee injury and pain
Your physiotherapist will assess your knee to determine the source of the problem and develop an individual treatment program which may include modalities to reduce pain and swelling, stretching exercises to regain flexibility around the joint, and strength training to regain functionality.
Multiple sclerosis
Physiotherapy can be beneficial in the management of multiple sclerosis (MS).
Many symptoms, such as weakness, tightness, spasticity, balance and secondary musculoskeletal problems, may be improved by therapeutic exercise prescribed by your physiotherapist.
Obesity
Obese individuals experience a wide range of limitations including shortness of breath, muscle weakness, joint pain, skin breakdown, urinary stress incontinence, difficulty with basic mobility including changing position, walking, climbing stairs, using transportation, and managing personal hygiene.29,30,31,32,33
As a primary health professional, your physiotherapist is ideally suited to identify exercise strategies and coordinate comprehensive programs of obesity management. Your physiotherapist also has specific education in biomechanics, therapeutic exercise and exercise prescription, measurement, and physiological and anatomical mechanisms of health and disease. This diverse skill set and broad experience base makes your physiotherapists well suited to address the complexities of obesity and related conditions.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) affects approximately one in 10 Canadians.34 Because no cure exists, your physiotherapist will focus treatment on reducing pain and disability. Current guidelines advocate non-pharmacological treatments, including therapeutic exercise, which your physiotherapist can prescribe. 35
In research with 83 patients, physiotherapy and exercise were proven to be effective in treating osteoarthritis of the knee. In this study, the active treatment group received physiotherapy to the knee, lumbar spine, hip and ankle, as required, and also performed a standardized knee exercise program both in a clinic and at home. Whereas, the control group received a non-exercise-based therapy. Eight weeks later, clinically and statistically significant improvements were seen in the exercise group but not in the control group. 36
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a bone disease that causes decreased bone density and therefore an increased likelihood of fractures.
Exercise techniques prescribed by your physiotherapist, including weight-bearing aerobic training and/or strength training, can contribute to your bone health and continued independence.
While most osteoporosis treatments focus on hormone therapy, physiotherapy has been shown to alleviate pain and improve function in women with this condition. A study exploring the effects of a 10-week exercise program on pain, use of analgesics, functional status, quality of life, and balance and muscle strength showed that women who participated in the exercise program saw improvements in functional capacity, quality of life and muscle strength, as well as reductions in pain. 37
Pelvic pain
There are numerous causes of pelvic pain, such as rupture, cyst, tumor, inflammatory disease and infection.
Your physiotherapist will assess your pelvic pain and develop an appropriate therapeutic exercise program which can help to stretch painfully contracted muscles, strengthen weakened muscles, and address postural problems that may be contributing to your pain.
Plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a painful inflammation of the plantar fascia in the foot.
Your physiotherapist will treat this condition using techniques that reduce pain and inflammation, and instruct you in stretching tight muscles that may have contributed to your condition.
Treatments for plantar fasciitis may include taping and/or orthotics as well as modalities such as ice, heat and ultrasound for symptomatic relief.38
Post-surgery rehabilitation
Following surgery a physiotherapist will assist your recovery process by using specific techniques to prevent respiratory complications and by teaching you how to reduce pain with movement and walking.
Pregnancy
Common complaints during pregnancy include musculoskeletal conditions such as pelvic misalignment, joint pain and dysfunction, low back pain, and sciatica.
Your physiotherapist can help if you experience discomfort and pain during pregnancy.
Spinal cord injury
When the spinal cord is injured by trauma, tumor, ischemia, neurologic disease, developmental or other disorder, the nerve roots become damaged, affecting signals to and from the brain.
Your physiotherapist will design a therapeutic exercise program, working with your physical abilities and limitations, to help you reach your full potential. Physiotherapy treatment will involve activities designed to increase your strength, endurance and cardiac capacity.
Sport injury
A large number of physiotherapists manage athletes of all abilities, providing counseling and education before, during and after sport activity, and manage all aspects of injury rehabilitation.
Sports injuries are estimated to account for more than 242,000 injuries among Canadian children every year. 39 These injuries fall into two main categories: overuse injuries and acute injuries. Overuse injuries are generally preventable, and physiotherapy interventions to reduce these types of injuries include gradually increasing training, improving flexibility and strength, improving biomechanics, and correcting mal-alignment. 40
Stroke
Stroke is the third most common cause of death in North America.41,42 Though the mortality rate has decreased in recent years, the incidence of stroke has increased.
Your physiotherapists will play a key role in your rehabilitation after stroke, helping to return you to your highest possible level of physical mobility and functional independence. A rehabilitation treatment program with a physiotherapist should commence as soon as possible in hospital and continue in the community.
Urinary incontinence
There are numerous causes of urinary incontinence in women and men and targeted therapeutic exercises, including bladder and muscle floor training, can noticeably improve this condition.
Your physiotherapist will discuss and assess your concerns and develop a treatment plan that can help you return to active life.
Between 39% and 61% of women experience urinary incontinence during their first pregnancy, and half will remain incontinent at eight weeks postpartum. One-third of those not incontinent during pregnancy will develop incontinence after childbirth. 42Intensive pelvic floor muscle training, as taught by physiotherapists, may prevent urinary incontinence in 16% of women during pregnancy and 12% of women after delivery. 43