Physiotherapy FAQ

Physiotherapy is a specialized branch of medicine that helps people affected by injury, illness or disability through movement and exercise, manual therapy, education and advice. It can also play an important role in the treatment & advice of patients before & after surgery.

Sports Physiotherapy is the specialized branch of physiotherapy which deals with injuries and issues related to sports people. Sports injuries do differ to everyday injuries. Athletes normally require high level performance and demand placed upon their body, which stresses their muscles, joints and bones to the limit.

Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy is a physical therapy focused on the physical function of the cardiac system. Physical therapists offer therapy for a wide variety of cardiopulmonary disorders including therapy before and after cardiac surgery (like coronary artery bypass surgery) & pulmonary surgery. Primary goals of this specialty include increasing endurance and functional independence. Manual therapy is used in this field to assist in clearing lung secretions experienced with cystic fibrosis & various other medical conditions. The following are diagnosis that can be treated with cardiopulmonary physical therapy:

• Pulmonary Fibrosis
• Heart valve replacement
• Post Coronary bypass Surgery
• Coronary Stent Placement

Orthopedic surgery could help you to overcome the root cause, medicines could help you in the pain management temporarily, however, it is physiotherapy that would help you to treat your pain and mobility naturally.

Physiotherapy can be used to help manage a wide variety of health conditions such as problems with bones, nerves, joints and soft tissues. A few day - day examples of these are painful backs, necks and joints, sports injuries, injury resulting from accidents or rehabilitation after surgery or strokes.

It is advisable that you eat a light meal or snack, 60 minutes before your session. If you are having strength & conditioning or massage session, please eat at least 90 minutes prior to the session. This would ensure that you are comfortable during the session. Always wear comfortable clothing; if you require treatment in a specific area, please ensure that the therapist can access the area to better assess, diagnose & treat it. It’s advisable to carry an extra pair of clothing for the treatment. For reasons of health & hygiene, outside footwear is not allowed in the training & rehabilitation area.

The first appointment will involve a full assessment and will take up to 45 minutes. Following sessions will depend on what your treatment plan requires, however if you have any concerns about timings then you’re welcome to discuss this with your physiotherapist. Most follow up appointments are 30 minutes.

Yes, your first session will involve a full assessment & in most cases treatment, counseling and recommendations.

If you are self-referring and paying for your own treatment then you do not need to see your doctor first. If you use private medical insurance you may require a doctor’s referral, depending on your insurer’s requirement. You should always check with your insurance company before attending your first session. In case you are being referred by your doctor, you need to carry your “reference letter” or doctor’s “prescription / case paper”.

Some treatment can be uncomfortable but at no stage should you be unable to tolerate the level of discomfort. Your physiotherapist will give you clear guidelines on what to expect during & after treatment and what is a normal reaction. If you have any concerns then you should speak to your physiotherapist immediately.

If you wish to use a health insurance or your company to fund your treatment & would like Physio Lounge to bill your insurer directly, please call our dedicated customer service team or do let us know in advance during your first appointment so that the process can be explained to you.

Your physiotherapy treatment is tailored to your individual needs, so it is not possible to advise in advance how many sessions will be required. During your first appointment your physiotherapist will suggest the number of treatments you will require based on your assessment findings.

Flare-ups are not uncommon. If you have a flare-up (exacerbation), give us a call. We may suggest you come back to see us, return to your doctor, or simply modify your daily activities or exercise routine.

Our Physiotherapists use different treatment methods in order to deal with a wide range of injuries. Depending on the nature and severity of your injury, you may require:

• Manipulation or mobilization of joints
• Electrotherapy (Laser, Ultrasound, Interferential, Short Wave Diathermy)
• Acupuncture
• Exercise therapy
• Stretching and strengthening
• Core stability training
• Soft tissue massage
• Heat or cold therapy
• Patient education, home exercises
• Biomechanical analysis

We offer home treatment for physiotherapy & massage. We generally advise patients to come into the centre for treatment as we are better equipped to understand & serve your needs there. However, at times due to immobility of patients / senior patients, we do provide home visits; the prices for home visits depend on the distance between your home & our clinic.

Apply a heat pack for 10 – 30 minutes at comfortable warmth to the injured area. This can be repeated 2 – 5 times daily or as required and should ideally be used before exercise. Ensure your heat pack is not hot enough to cause a burn. Wrapping your heat pack in towels can help to reduce the temperature.

Sports massage aims to release muscle tightness and/or help it recover from intense training. Sports massage does not correct or indentify causes of injuries such as bio-mechanical faults, issues with the joints. Nonetheless, some sports massage therapist have gained additional training and or accumulated significant amounts of experience with certain injuries. But rehabilitation is not an area of focus & training for sports massage therapists.

Appointments will be made promptly to suit you including evening appointments. Our opening hours are - ALL 7 days - 07:00 to 8:00pm and Sunday 10:00 to 4.00 pm.