Physiotherapy, sometimes referred to as physio, helps people to improve their range of movement in order to promote health and well-being. This can help people to live more independently. In particular, physiotherapists concentrate on problems that affect muscles, bones, the heart, circulation and lungs. Physiotherapy involves a range of treatments, including manipulation, massage, exercise, electrotherapy and hydrotherapy.

Physiotherapy techniques can improve your ability to use parts of your body that are affected by disease or injury. For example, arthritis is a long term condition that causes painful and stiff joints. Physiotherapy can help to keep the joints mobile (able to move) and strengthen the surrounding muscles.

Physiotherapists may work in hospitals, private practices, or social services, for example, providing care in the community for elderly people.

Physiotherapy is often used to treat conditions and injuries that affect the bones, joints and muscles, such as sports injuries and arthritis. It is also used to assist rehabilitation after orthopaedic surgery.

Strength training, heat packs (applying a controlled amount of heat to affected joints), and electrical stimulation (using small electrical impulses to stimulate the nerves and muscles) are sometimes used alongside physiotherapy for orthopaedic problems.

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