What is Physical Therapy?

Physical Therapy is a hands-on and natural treatment which helps maintain and restore optimum movement and functional ability for your body. It involves hands-on treatment of soft tissue to release tension, reduce pain and restore range of movement. It is a primary care health profession and is established on health science principles.
Many of the physical problems you experience are caused by or manifest themselves through: injury, disease, ageing or environmental factors. If you experience pain or discomfort from any normal body movement or function you may be suffering from some form of injury – possibly caused by one of the factors listed above.
Physical Therapy provides a holistic and natural approach to help to restore you to a pain-free life.

What should I expect when I visit a Physical Therapist?

On your first visit your Therapist will take a full case history and carry out a thorough assessment which includes a detailed physical examination to establish the cause of your problem.

In consultation with you and having analysed the findings of the assessment, your Therapist will then design a treatment plan. The treatment plan will include a wide variety of manual, hands-on treatments (please see our treatments page for a list of the treatments used).

Throughout your consultation your Therapist will spend time helping you to understand how the condition evolved/occurred and will discuss with you how you can manage your condition and prevent recurrence.
A rehabilitation or home care plan is a key element to your healing process. This may include rest from aggravating factors, the application of ice or heat, strengthening and stretching exercises, postural re-education and/or advice on how some changes may benefit you. Your Therapist will discuss a plan with you in detail which will best suit your needs and it will be reviewed and modified, as required, in each subsequent visit.
Subsequent visits will include brief re-assessment and a re-evaluation of the treatment plan, if required.

What should I wear?

You should wear something that you will feel comfortable in, loose-fitting clothes and shorts are advised.  It is likely that the site of the injury will need to be exposed; however your modesty and dignity will not be compromised at any stage.

How much time should I allow for each visit?

Your first visit will more than likely take 1 hour. Subsequent visits can take anything from 30 minutes to 1 hour.

How many treatments will I require?

The number of treatments required will depend on many factors including:

• The length of time the symptoms have been present.
• The amount of damage / tissue change occurred.
• The client’s own physiological healing capability.
• The client’s own response to the treatment.
• How diligently the patient follows his/her specifically designed rehabilitation plan.

Are Physical Therapy treatments recognised by health insurance providers?

Physical Therapy treatments carried out by I.A.P.T. members are recognised by the principal health insurance providers, including: Aviva Health, Laya Healthcare, VHI Healthcare, Glo Health, Garda Medical, ESB Medical, Hospital Saturday Fund and Irish Life Assurance. Please contact your provider for details.

What qualification does my Physical Therapist have?

As a member of the I.A.P.T. Rory holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Applied Health Science from the Institute of Physical Therapy. This degree is awarded by HETAC, the statutory authority for awarding third level qualifications in Ireland and is a full member of the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA).

There are a number of significant differences between the two professions. Firstly, Physiotherapy and Physical Therapy have been organised within Ireland as separate professions for two decades. Physical Therapists specialise from day one on assessing and treating musculo-skeletal problems. Physiotherapy training focuses primarily on hospital work, whereas Physical Therapy is designed for conditions seen mostly in private practice.
Physical Therapy training concentrates on the use of manual (or hands-on) techniques exclusively, whereas Physiotherapy incorporates electrical modalities where available, such as interferential, ultrasound, tens, laser and other non-manual treatments.