Physiotherapy and massage therapy are two different disciplines often used together to provide mental & physical health benefits to patients. However, each of them uses completely different techniques of treatment for muscle relaxation and rehabilitation. Owing to their use in similar treatments, people find it hard to differentiate between the two. Thus, in the blog post, we’re going to compare the two by understanding their respective benefits.
One of the major factors that set them apart is their relation with the medical profession. This means that the profession of physiotherapy is considered a branch of medicine, and on the other side, massage therapy is alternative medicine. Let’s dig in deep to understand better.
PHYSIOTHERAPY
Physiotherapy is a medical treatment used in the cases of diseases, disorders, and injuries. It helps in healing the movement and functions of the affected area in the human body by using specific physical methods. The approach is based on research & experiments that leverage the knowledge of the functioning of a human body. It is widely used to treat patients of all age groups and is extremely effective in preventing more damage or injuries to a previously affected body part.
Physiotherapy can only be practiced by certified professionals who are skilled to provide the best treatment & care in different cases. Below are the key benefits of physiotherapy:
- Eliminates or Reduces Pain: It is commonly recommended to patients suffering from tendonitis, arthritis, or muscle sprain/strain. The therapist uses techniques and exercises that help in restoring normalcy, which may lead to alleviation of pain during the course of treatment.
- Eliminates the need for Surgery: In certain cases, physiotherapy has the ability to eliminate the need for surgery when the issue is in the initial stage. Another use of physiotherapy is often seen before or after surgery, wherein it helps in mitigating complications.
- Improves Body Strength: Other than healing pain from surgical complications, it helps in boosting the overall robustness and strength of the human body. It also facilitates the cumulative coordination of body parts and can treat symptoms like dizziness or vertigo.
- Reduces the need for Medicines: Sometimes, physiotherapy serves as a great alternative to medicines post-therapy in relieving pain.
- Manages Diabetic Conditions: Unbalanced sugar levels in diabetic patients can lead to pain in certain parts of the body. Thus, physiotherapy is recommended to heal discomfort, manage pain, and even aid diabetes.
Rehabilitation
Physiotherapy is an important step to rehabilitate from a surgery or an injury, for instance, shoulder stabilization surgery or knee surgery. A physiotherapist will provide you with a proper and graduated exercise program and guide you to full recovery. Seeing a physiotherapist timely after a surgery can be the difference between a successful surgery and one where you weren’t able to achieve all physical goals as anticipated. All surgeons recommend physiotherapy as a mandatory part of post surgical rehab which could be a small fracture or major organ surgery like a cardiac repair.
MASSAGE THERAPY
Massage therapy finds its roots in ancient times and is deemed to be one of the oldest techniques of healing. It is a practice that involves manipulating or kneading the muscle tissues to restore the health & well-being of the patient. Massage therapy is a form of manual practice that requires applying pressure on the ligaments, muscles, tendons, and fascia for treatment. It is an umbrella term used for various techniques that fall under massage therapy, and vary in terms of the treatment intensity, pressure and touch. Below are the benefits of massage therapy:
- Helps in Treating Disorders: Massage therapy (incl. myotherapy) is commonly used in the treatment of various physical & mental disorders. These are:
– Soft tissue injuries
– Chronic lower back pain
– Stress
– Anxiety
– DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness)
– High BP
– Insomnia
- Supports people with Chronic Diseases: It is often used by people suffering from chronic diseases and even life-threatening cancer, as it helps in relieving physical ailments & mental stress associated with the disease.
- Reduces muscle tension & helps in relaxation.
- Reduces stress hormones, which is why it is recommended to patients suffering from stress, high blood pressure, and anxiety.
- Increases the mobility & flexibility of joints.
- Improves blood circulations, which is beneficial for skin tone.
- Stimulates the lymphatic system.
- Helps in the recovery of soft tissue injuries.
- Boosts the alertness of the human mind.
Both the treatments have individual and overlapping benefits. In the end, it is important that you undertake your treatment from a certified and experienced professional. While these treatments can be highly beneficial, if practiced by laymen, they can also lead to severe undesirable injuries. Depending on your condition, you could consult a medical professional to understand which one of the two works the best for you so that you’re able to make an informed decision for your health and well-being.
At Proremedy Physiotherapy, we provide physiotherapy services to our patients to help them get in better shape. You can book an appointment with us to get treatment for your condition.
