With literally thousands of physiotherapists now at your fingertips and an infinite number of Google options to choose from, how do you know if the Dee Why physio you choose is appropriately qualified to treat your specific condition? Anyone who can legally call themselves a physiotherapist has studied for 4 years at university, covering multiple areas of practice including: Musculoskeletal injuries and conditions (joints, muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments,) Neurology (spinal cord and brain injuries) Cardio-respiratory conditions (heart and lungs) Paediatric issues (children). Fresh out of uni you could say a physio is a jack of all trades, but a master of none. It is after admission as a fully fledged physiotherapist that we can really delve into the more specific and advanced areas of practice and hone our skills to become experts in our field.
What is a Titled Physiotherapist?
If you think of a regular physiotherapist as a General Practitioner, a Titled Physiotherapist is the equivalent of a specialist. The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) defines a Titled Physio as “highly qualified physiotherapist with expert knowledge and skills”. That’s putting it pretty lightly. To be eligible to call yourself a “Titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist” you need to do your 4 years Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy), complete a 2 year Masters of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (making a substantial contribution to the field academically) followed by a minimum of 2 years full time clinical experience dealing primarily with musculoskeletal conditions. That’s nearly a decade of study right there.
What are the common areas of Titled Physiotherapy?
- Sports medicine
- Paediatrics
- Animal physiotherapy
- Musculoskeletal physiotherapy
- Neurological physiotherapy
- Gerontological physiotherapy
- Cardio respiratory physiotherapy
- Occupational Health and Safety
- Continence and Women’s Health
What does a musculoskeletal physio specialise in?
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapists have expertise in the treatment of muscular and joint conditions. These rockstars have a comprehensive knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology, injury assessment and utilise up to date evidence based approaches to treating spinal and joint injuries. Musculoskeletal Physiotherapists are the experts in assessing the structures, contributing factors and mechanics causing your pain. Think of them as the pain doctors.
How musculoskeletal physiotherapy can help you.
- Completely relieving or reducing your pain
- Helping you to avoid future injury recurrences
- Providing you with ongoing strategies and support to manage your injury or condition
- Improving your flexibility, muscle strength, quality of movement and co-ordination
- Enabling a quicker recovery and allowing you to your normal activities sooner
- Assisting you to achieve your exercise or functional goals
- Improving your fitness by structuring a personalised injury management training program
- Prescribing exercises to do at home or in the gym to enhance your recovery
How common are Titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapists?
Not quite as rare as hen’s teeth, but not far off. Did you know that less than 5% of physiotherapists attain the level of Titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist? Your local Dee Why physiotherapist, Damien Glover combines an expert understanding of anatomy and human biomechanics, the latest scientific methods and years of practical experience in the field to provide a multi-pronged program designed to combat a number of common musculoskeletal issues.
The multifactorial approach of a musculoskeletal physiotherapist to your examination allows us to accurately diagnose your condition or injury and highlight further influencing factors of what is happening with you. This deep dive into your physical health allows your Northern Beaches physio to design a bespoke rehabilitation program with short, medium and long term outcomes to ensure success and a pain free future.
