When it comes to recovering from an injury or improving one’s physical health, most people will recommend physiotherapy. However, knowing the difference between the various types of physiotherapy such as sports physiotherapy or general physiotherapy is important to know which works best for you. In this article, we explore the differences between sports physio and general physio.
Overview of Sports Physiotherapy
Sports physiotherapy is similar to general physiotherapy, but the main difference is that it focuses on treating athletes or those who regularly perform physical activities. This means that sports physiotherapists will treat patients who are experiencing sports-related injuries to boost their performance by providing customised treatment plans.
The treatments will also focus on enhancing the patient’s recovery while also preventing injuries from occurring. Sports physiotherapists usually work in gyms, sports clinics, fitness centres, and so on.
What Does Sports Physio Treat?
Sports physiotherapy specializes in treating and boosting one’s athletic performance and preventing injuries from occurring in the near future.
The treatments and techniques of sports rehab are sport-specific exercises related to the actions of the athlete’s sport, and performance enhancement exercises that promote flexibility and endurance. Besides that, another common treatment or technique is biomechanical analysis which identifies and corrects any dysfunctions which could potentially lead to an injury.
Additionally, there are treatments like INDIBA therapy that use radiofrequency, where the tissues of the athlete are being repaired through electromagnetic waves. They typically help to speed up the natural repair process and can be combined with other manual therapies or techniques to produce effective results.
INDIBA sports therapy is a great non-invasive approach to managing pain and enhancing the healing process of tissues such as tendons. It also helps to boost blood flow and circulation, which aids in the repair process.
Overview of General Physiotherapy
General physiotherapy focuses on a vast range of patients who are experiencing chronic illness, medical conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, poor posture, and post-surgical recovery, to name a few.
A general physiotherapist is not limited to a certain type of physical issues and provides treatments that involve strengthening and improving mobility for all types of individuals. They typically work in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, outpatient clinics, and many more.
What Does General Physio Treat?
General physiotherapy involves treating common injuries and managing chronic illnesses which may impact an individual’s day-to-day life.
They focus on rehabilitating patients so that they can feel more comfortable as they navigate their daily tasks and activities. Thus, the treatments and techniques involved are stretching exercises, manual therapy, or electrotherapy.
Types of Patients Treated
Sports Physiotherapy
Sports physiotherapy treats patients who are athletes, fitness junkies, and individuals who have gone through sports-related injuries such as joint dislocations or fractures. Besides sports injuries, they also help athletes enhance their overall performance to increase their strength and capability when they compete in their sports events.
General Physiotherapy Patients
General physiotherapy treats patients who range from young children to immobile senior citizens or individuals who have gone through surgery and are in the recovery stages. Their patients are usually with health issues such as recovering from stroke or going through chronic pain conditions such as arthritis.
Duration and Intensity of Physiotherapy Treatment
- Sports physiotherapy treatment programs are usually intensive as there are many rigorous activities with the goal of improving the athlete’s performance as well as speeding up recovery. This is because most of these athletes are training to win competitions, so the durations are generally shorter and intensive.
- General physiotherapy, on the other hand, is slower in pace as the main goal is to provide long-term recovery and treatment. The treatment frequency ranges depending on the needs and conditions of each patient. Hence, the treatment duration will be longer and spread out in a few sessions.
Goal Setting: Recovery vs. Performance Improvement
The main goals of sports physiotherapy are more focused on performance, as the treatments ensure the athletes get back in shape and are in top condition. Hence, the recovery involves various strategies to improve speed, strength, and agility.
The main goals of general physiotherapy are more centred on enhancing the day-to-day tasks and overall quality of life. Hence, it involves mobility, pain management, and flexibility to improve range of motion, reducepain,n and ability to perform a specific task.
Choosing the Right Physiotherapy for Your Needs
When choosing between sports physio vs general physio, it’s best to identify your physical and health conditions. For instance, find out your injury type and physical goals. Those who are looking to boost athletic performance should go for sports physiotherapy, while patients who are experiencing chronic conditions or non-sport-related injuries should opt for general physiotherapy.
Conclusion
Whether it is sports physiotherapy or general physiotherapy, both play a vital role when it comes to enhancing one’s physical health and overall quality of life. It’s best to get a proper consultation from a professional such as Indiba to know if you should go for sports physiotherapy, rehabilitation or general physiotherapy.
