What is a physiotherapist?
A physiotherapist is a healthcare professional who deals with physical weaknesses and difficulties that occur as a result of injury, illness or ageing.
Physiotherapists assess, diagnose and treat disabilities to restore normal physical function. Using physical techniques - including exercise, heat treatments, manipulation and hydrotherapy - a physiotherapist can help improve movement and muscle function.1 Physiotherapists with a special interest in Parkinson’s focus on the person’s ability to perform transfers (for example, getting in and out of bed), posture, dexterity, balance and gait.
The physiotherapist will also deal with non-motor problems, such as pain, sleep difficulties, depression, anxiety, bladder and bowel problems, and how they affect the person’s physical performance.
Physiotherapists work in hospital and community settings. Ideally they work as part of a multidisciplinary team involving many different types of healthcare professionals to offer comprehensive care, although some do prefer to work alone.
