Are you currently confused about the terminology of physiotherapy vs. physical therapy? Don’t worry; within 10 minutes, we’ll clear the air, and you’ll have a solid understanding.
Physical therapy and physiotherapy are similar practices that offer hope to patients by relieving their pain and restoring their mobility. Yet, there is a difference in how specialists perform them.
Let’s review: what is the difference between physiotherapy and physical therapy?
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy aims to relieve acute and chronic pain. It helps the person move, function, and live a restored life. It is designed for patients who have been through an accident, surgery, recent injury or birth and growth developmental delays.
Physical therapists assess and care for musculoskeletal issues to prevent muscle strain, injury, chronic movement, and any other issues a patient might experience after surgery.
To be a physical therapist, you must attain a doctor of physical therapy (DPT) degree and pass a state licensure exam. The program takes roughly three years and usually demands a bachelor’s degree.
Therapies in PT
There are different therapies that physical therapists use to ensure smooth movement and pain-free, speedy recovery.
Hot And Cold Therapies
The therapist uses ice packs to cryogenics to reduce chronic pain and acute conditions, diathermy, infrared heat, and hot packs to treat chronic conditions and joint pain.
Physical Exercise
The therapist can treat the patient with a group of different techniques to restore pain free movement. The contraction and relaxation technique is one such stretching technique used to improve range of motion. Resistance training is a great compliment to help restore strength and functional movement. They educate the patient on how to proceed with the exercise so they can do it at home, too.
Class IV Laser Treatment
The therapist uses a specific wavelength of light to stimulate the body’s natural healing mechanism. This boosts blood flow, decreases inflammation, and restores muscular tendons and joint repair cells.
Ultrasound Treatment
Ultrasound treatments help to reduce inflammation, produce vibrations in muscles, and increase blood flow, oxygen levels, and an immune response vital for healing damaged tissues.
Blood Flow Restriction
Blood flow restriction training allows for strengthening of muscles without stressing painful joints and is a great treatment following surgery or a recent joint injury.
TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)
The therapist places the electrode on the skin. The treatment targets an aching point that helps to signal the brain to limit or stop the pain signals.
Neuromuscular Reeducation
This mode of treatment is used to restore body movement patterns by working muscles that may be atrophied, people suffering from a movement pathology, and injury. Other physical therapies include:
- Exercise
- Manual therapy, including massage and joint mobilization
- Thermotherapy (heat therapy)
- Phonophoresis
- Magnetic field therapy
- Cryotherapy (cold therapy)
- Mechanical traction
- Myofascial release
- Biofeedback
- Low-level laser therapy
- Kinesiology taping
- Iontophoresis
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is a manual therapy treatment in which the therapist uses hands to mobilize, massage, and manipulate the body tissues. It improves circulation and muscle movement by relaxing the body and relieving pain and stiffness.
The physiotherapist uses a hands-on approach with soft tissues, fascial release, stretches, and massages. It is focused on the musculoskeletal system to help someone with movement problems.
Physiotherapy has been proven to identify and treat injury, anomalous bodily function, and corresponding conditions, especially after a traumatic accident.
To become a physiotherapist, you must get a Bachelor of Science degree, which takes around four years. If you already have an appropriate degree, there is also a revived, two-year Master of Science program.
Physiotherapy encircles a broad spectrum of issues, including geriatric, pediatric, pelvic, lung problems, orthopedic, disability, mobility, fatigue, pain, and much more.
Physiotherapy aims to restore human function and activity and maximize physical ability. By specifying the quality of life and movement, physiotherapy can improve life and make movement easier.
Therapies in Physiotherapy
Physiotherapists use various holistic approaches to the healing of patients, such as:
Massaging
Benefits include stimulation of the soft tissue (muscle, fascia, tendon), relieve pain, improve circulation, and relax the jittery muscles, providing ease to the body.
Joint Mobilization and Joint Manipulation
These therapies help the joint glide and are usually employed to enhance motion and joint function.
Soft Tissue Mobilization Techniques
Soft tissue mobilization is a manual technique like massage and stretching, focused on the fascia, a connective tissue surrounding muscles, to improve flexibility and address pain.
Minimal Energy Techniques (METs)
It is a manual therapy in which the muscles relax via autogenic or reciprocal inhibition and prolong the muscle contractures, not against force but with mild isometric holds. This helps loosen tight muscles and improve joint mobility.
Physiotherapy Instrument Mobilization (PIM)
Physiotherapy Instrument Mobilization (PIM) operates spring-loaded instruments to deliver meticulous, controlled movements to fascia and other soft tissue to help relieve stiff joints.
Dissimilarities Between Physiotherapy and Physical Therapy
Now that we know the basics of physical therapy and physiotherapy treatment, let’s focus on a central topic: Is physiotherapy the same as physical therapy?
There are differences in terminology, there are differences in qualifications, and there is a difference in specialization.
Region
Physiotherapy is a broadly used term in Canada, Australia, and Europe, while physical therapy is more commonly used in the USA.
Qualification
A physical therapist has a doctorate degree in Physical Therapy (DPT), whereas a physiotherapist has a degree in a science-related subject.
Area Of Focus
Physical therapy is dedicated to specific injuries, pain, or maladjusted muscles, whereas physiotherapy is focused on the individual’s overall physical health.
Work Environment
Physiotherapists work in hospitals, various rehabilitation, general or private clinics, and post-surgery facilities.
A physical therapist works with private rehabilitation facilities, special treatment facilities, sports facilities, hospitals and gyms with the client personally or at a private clinic.
Specialized For
Physiotherapy concentrates on the use of manual treatment.
Physical therapy focuses mainly on manual treatment combined with exercise therapy. It specializes in evaluating and treating musculoskeletal problems, such as muscle aches, pains, strains, injuries, and chronic movement issues, such as arthritis. Physical therapists are also key following surgeries and the rehabilitation process.
Physiotherapist vs Physical Therapist
A physiotherapist is a specialist in physiotherapy, and a physical therapist is a specialist in physical therapy. Whereas, a physical therapist has a degree in DPT, whereas a physiotherapist has a degree in biology-related subjects.
However, none of them are allowed to prescribe you medicine. They will help you to improve balance, maintain your posture, and enhance your body movement through simple exercises like walking, swimming, and hydrotherapy.
Wrapping It Up!
A physiotherapist and physical therapist are just as important as any other doctor; even if they don’t prescribe medicine or surgery on your body, they help you heal and get back on your feet..
At Biofix Therapy, Dr. Phillip Carr will take care of you and your needs and map out a program that could help you heal, be pain-free, and active.
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