When you tear a muscle or wake up with a stiff neck, your physiotherapist is often the first person you think to call. While aches and pains are indeed the bread and butter of physiotherapists, there are many conditions that your physiotherapist can help with that you may not be aware of. Physiotherapists have a broad skill set that encompasses many areas of healthcare from childhood to old age. Here are a few surprising conditions physiotherapists can assess and treat.  

1. Vertigo

The dizziness and spinning sensations created by vertigo can drive you to distraction. There are specific kinds of vertigo that respond very well to physiotherapy treatment. 

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo is a type of vertigo caused by small loose crystals in the inner ear, resulting in dizziness when the head is turned in different positions. Your physiotherapist can give you exercises to relocate these crystals and regain your balance. 

Physiotherapists can also help with habituation exercises for other types of vertigo. If in doubt, have a quick chat with one of our therapists to see if they might be able to help you. 

2. Neurological Conditions

Strokes, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries and head injuries are all conditions that your physiotherapist has been trained to treat. In the private practice setting, they are particularly helpful at stretching the tight muscles affected and providing specially tailored strengthening exercises. 

3. Incontinence

Pregnancy and childbirth can cause significant damage and stress for the pelvic floor and pelvic organs. Incontinence can have a huge impact on quality of life and cause substantial emotional distress. Fortunately, with treatment, many people see significant improvements. Physiotherapists who have specialised in women’s health can assess and provide education, support and treatment for a range of women’s and men’s pelvic floor issues. 

Balance and falls prevention. 

Falls are one of the leading causes of injury, especially as we age, our bone density begins to decrease, and our ability to prevent falls gradually declines. Physiotherapists can detect reductions in balance that can predict your falls risk and help you to regain your confidence through balance and strength training.

The information in this article is not a replacement for proper medical advice. Always see a medical professional for an assessment of your condition.