What is Physical Therapy?
Physical Therapy is a healthcare profession which involves the treatment or management of pain, disability and impaired movement by means of massage, myofascial techniques, joints mobilisations and exercises.
It is a primary care health profession and is established on sound health science principles. Physical Therapist work to restore full normal movement and to reduce or eliminate pain resulting from injury, infirmity and from medical conditions.
IAPT Physical Therapists are degree qualified from the Institute of Physical Therapy and Applied Science (IPTAS) in Dublin. They are highly qualified and work predominantly in private practice. Physical Therapists work with clients of all ages and with a broad range of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions.
Physical therapy treatment is currently recognised by the following medical insurers;
- VHI
- LAYA
- Aviva
- Glo Health
- Garda Medical
- ESB Medical
- Hospital Saturday Fund
- Irish Life Insurance
What Does Physical Therapy Treatment Involve?
Assessment of the Problem:
Your Therapist will carry out a thorough assessment with you and establish the cause of your problem. He/she will then develop a programme which is specific to you and your underlying condition.
Treatment of the Problem
Your Therapist will work with you, using a variety of advanced hands-on manual techniques to treat your problems which often occur in the joints and soft tissues, such as: muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves and fascia. He/she will ensure continual assessment and monitoring of your presenting problem during your treatment.
Identifying the Underlying Causes
In addition to physical assessment, your Therapist will adopt a ‘big-picture approach’ taking into account any work or activity related issues which are contributing to the problem. They will also take into account social and psychological issues contributing to you physical problems.
Preventing Reoccurrence
Your Therapist will work with you to establish a suitable exercise or rehabilitation program to help restore you to full health and reduce risk of re-injury. Your therapist will also work with you to change patterns of activity which have led to the problem in the first place.