What is a physiotherapist?

A physiotherapist is a medical professional, a functional specialist, who has obtained a bachelor's degree in healthcare with a qualification in physiotherapy.

What is a physiotherapist?

During the conversation, the physiotherapist clarifies the person's complaints, their development, gets acquainted with information related to the general state of health, assesses the person's functional status, analyzes the information obtained and the impact of the clinical findings on the person's daily activities (e.g., work, rest and leisure, movement, walking around the house, etc.) and the relationship with well-being, body functions (e.g., pain, tingling, movement restriction, load tolerance, etc.). After a thorough examination and analysis of the information obtained, therapy goals are set together with the person (if necessary, also involving relatives) and therapy methods appropriate and acceptable to the person are selected.

In cases where a person has gone to a physiotherapist for the purpose of health promotion and disease prevention (e.g., to find physical activities before starting training or to arrange an ergonomic work environment and introduce active breaks at work), the person's functional status and possible health risks in everyday life (e.g., non-ergonomic work posture) are first assessed, and recommendations and suggestions are developed for strengthening health and preventing diseases for the specific person. Each of us is an individual, with our own abilities, possibilities, desires and life goals.

More about what a physiotherapist does

What methods does a physiotherapist use?

To assess a person's functional status, a physiotherapist uses various methods in his work, the main ones being: posture and gait analysis, measurement and analysis of the volume and quality of movements, assessment of muscle function (strength, length, endurance), balance and coordination tests, motor control analysis, assessment of body sensation and awareness, assessment of muscle and ligament tension, response of the cardiovascular system to stress, assessment and analysis of respiratory function, as well as various special tests. The physiotherapist obtains an understanding of the person's well-being, daily life (home routine, work, hobbies, etc.) and the impact of health on it, previous injuries, illnesses, sports achievements and other important information in a conversation with the person, which in medical terms is called anamnesis.

In the treatment process, a physiotherapist uses both active and passive therapy methods. An important prerequisite for successful physiotherapy is the active involvement of the patient in the treatment process. The “medicine” prescribed by a physiotherapist cannot be bought at a pharmacy, taken and put on a shelf. The physiotherapist’s prescription may include specific active exercises that you will have to do yourself, minutes of rest with relaxation techniques after a stressful workday, and walks in the fresh air at a certain pace and pulse rate. The main physiotherapeutic treatment methods include: therapeutic exercises (both active and passive; with various goals, for example, improving muscle function, improving respiratory function, promoting body awareness; with and without various tools), balance and coordination training, relaxation techniques, positioning, soft tissue techniques and joint mobilization, special therapies: Bobath therapies, PNF, Feldenkrais method, etc., physical factors (cold and heat applications, ultrasound, TENS, etc.), training and practice in the use of assistive devices, etc.

Properly selected, dosed and supervised physical activities are essential physiotherapy methods in reducing (or preventing) the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and obesity. Daily and leisure activities mostly ensure the preservation of current health, however, in order to achieve significant health-improving results, greater intensity and regularity of exercise are often required. A physiotherapist can help you learn how to correctly perform active exercises with various goals, such as reducing muscle and ligament tension caused by everyday hustle and bustle, maintaining sufficient muscle strength and length, which will later allow you to avoid discomfort, pain and joint problems. Also, timely detection and correction of posture disorders, insufficiency of muscle strength and endurance in a school-age child would allow you to avoid the development of more serious problems affecting the quality of life at a later age. Adequate physical activities and relaxation measures are one of the basic components of health-promoting measures. Physiotherapy methods can be successfully used in the treatment and rehabilitation process of various diseases and injuries

In what cases can a physiotherapist help?

for various bone, joint and muscle diseases, such as joint arthrosis, rheumatoid polyarthritis, various spinal diseases;
after injuries and/or operations, if there is pain, discomfort, movement restrictions or inability to perform daily activities;
for diseases and injuries of the nervous system, such as the consequences of cerebral circulation disorders (stroke), cerebral palsy, consequences of traumatic injuries of the spine and brain, polyneuropathies, balance disorders, dizziness;
for diseases of the cardiovascular system, such as during the recovery period after myocardial infarction and after various heart surgeries;
for diseases of the respiratory system, such as bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, etc.
after a diagnosed oncological disease - from the moment of diagnosis during the treatment and recovery phase;
to reduce mental health disorders, such as anxiety, depression, in cases of chronic pain;
to improve and adapt the work environment;
promoting the health of pregnant women and new mothers, as well as promoting the harmonious development of babies;
for diseases that seriously affect and limit the performance of daily activities and/or work duties (for example, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, obesity);
for the purposes of promoting, strengthening health and preventing diseases.

Where and what services does a physiotherapist provide?

For more information on state-funded medical rehabilitation services, including physiotherapy, please visit the website of the National Health Service.

In cases where a person receives paid physiotherapy services, it is important to pay attention to whether the medical institution where the services are provided is registered in the Health Inspectorate's Register of Medical Institutions.

If the medical institution is registered, you can add the payment confirmation document for the physiotherapy service received (receipt, check, etc.) to the eligible expenses for medical services when submitting the Annual Income Declaration to the State Revenue Service or submit it to the insurer (if you have health insurance) for partial or full payment.

Remember - independent practice of medicine (including providing services as a self-employed physiotherapist) is allowed only to certified medical practitioners who provide services in a registered medical institution.

Information about the workplace of a physiotherapist and whether the specialist has a qualification certificate is available on the website of the Health Inspectorate.

About how to receive state-funded or paid physiotherapy services, and in which cases a referral from a doctor is required - clearly and schematically: