Did you know that your body has more moving parts than any human-made machine? Your body is a complex system of muscles, joints, bones and so on, and sometimes they need a little extra care. Even if you are not an athlete who pushes his/her body to the limit every day, it is still possible to experience discomfort, pain and limited mobility in your muscles and joints. Physiotherapy is an effective way of treating many of the potential problems that can affect our bodies at any stage in life.
Physiotherapists are trained practitioners in the art of helping you feel better. They use a variety of special techniques that help your muscles and joints work their best. In particular, physiotherapy plays an important role in the rehabilitation for those who have experienced an accident or a serious illness. For instance, a physiotherapist can significantly improve the lives of people who have survived a terrible car crash or victims of a stroke. In both cases, people are left with the task of having to relearn basic movements, and that is the job of a physiotherapist. They can repair damage to the body, reduce the pain and stiffness associated with injury, and speed up the healing process. A physiotherapist can treat a number of conditions that affect the muscles or nerves, including: arthritis, back and neck pain, cerebral palsy, incontinence, asthma, repetitive strain injury, stroke, as well as certain neurological problems related to stress and anxiety.
Enjoying life to the fullest can be difficult when you have persistent aches or discomfort. If you experience any painful symptoms or have a chronic condition that inhibits your mobility, you owe it to yourself to find a way of easing the discomfort. A physiotherapist will talk with you about your medical history and will work with you to design a program that suits your needs. A physiotherapy program can include an exercise routine, manipulation and mobilization movements, electrotherapy, acupuncture, hydrotherapy and massage. Depending on your particular case, a physiotherapist may use one or all of these methods.
Most of us take our bodies for granted. However, if you feel that your body needs some additional help feeling good, it may be time to visit a physiotherapist. It may also be time to consider purchasing supplemental physiotherapy insurance if you are not already covered. Despite the strength of the Canadian health care system, not all health services are covered, such as physiotherapy. To alleviate the potential high costs of physiotherapy, an individual health insurance plan can be purchased. When reviewing whether or not you should purchase supplemental physiotherapy insurance, consider the number of visits that will likely be recommended.
Anna Dorbyk is the editor for Canada Health Insurance and is a graduate student in Communication Studies at Concordia University. For more information on health insurance for Canadians please visit www.canada-health-insurance.com.