Are you wondering whether you need massage therapy or physiotherapy in Port Moody? Well, you came to the right place. Many people get confused between the two things, and they often don’t know which practitioner they need to see when they have a problem. In this article, we’ll look at the difference between a massage therapist and a physio, and we’ll also check out some of the common reasons you might want to book an appointment with either.
What’s the Difference Between a Massage Therapist and a Physiotherapist?
Don’t worry – you’re not alone. This is a question we often hear at the RMT clinic in Port Moody. And the good news is, we have a friendly team of therapists and practitioners here serving Coquitlam and the Port Moody area – so whichever you need, we can help solve your problem.
Physiotherapy in Port Moody and Coquitlam
A physiotherapist is a physical therapist who specializes in movement science and the diagnosis, not just of injuries and complaints, but of the causes of physical issues. They’re highly trained individuals who can work across injury prevention and recovery, but also on rehabilitation after medical procedures, musculoskeletal problems, and even cardiorespiratory complaints. They’re one of the most versatile practitioners out there, and they get involved with a broad range of patients for a wide variety of reasons.
As well as performing hands-on examinations and specialist techniques to treat and diagnose injuries and promote fast recovery, they also prescribe exercises and can even perform spinal manipulation.
When you visit a physio in Coquitlam or Port Moody, they’ll start by performing a comprehensive, evidence-based assessment, then plan and carry out a detailed treatment plan, and even offer education where it’s appropriate.
The benefits of physiotherapy are many, and practitioners deal with a number of different issues, including:
· Muscle and ligament sprains
· Broken bones and fractures
· Pain in the back or neck
· Pelvic complaints, like bladder problems or issues experienced post-childbirth
· Neurological problems and brain injuries
· Spinal cord injuries and trauma
· Many different types of chronic pain syndrome
· Respiratory and breathing problems, such as COPD or asthma
Massage Therapy in Coquitlam and Port Moody
Massage therapy involves the manipulation of the body’s soft tissues. That amounts primarily to tendons, ligaments, muscles, and joints. Many patients who visit a massage therapist in Port Moody or Coquitlam do so to get help with a range of symptoms and strains that affect their everyday life, often caused by chronic conditions, overuse of specific muscles, or even stress.
The benefits of massage therapy are numerous, and practitioners often help people who:
· Are experiencing pain
· Have reduced movement or mobility
· Have poor circulation
· Have muscle tension
Massage Therapists Don’t Perform Diagnosis
One of the key differences between a massage therapist and a physiotherapist is the former doesn’t diagnose injuries or problems, while the latter does. Instead, when you visit a massage therapist in Coquitlam or Port Moody, they’ll work on specific areas of your body to address discomfort, promote healthy blood flow, and reduce the time it takes to recover from a range of pre-diagnosed problems.
In some cases, a massage therapist will get a lot of feedback from the patient themselves, often enquiring about what’s stiff, the location of pain, or even just asking if they’re feeling tense or stressed in a specific area. In other cases, a massage therapist might work in conjunction with a physio to provide pain relief and promote mobility after an injury or procedure, relying mainly on the physio’s diagnosis or treatment plan.
When You Need to See a Physiotherapist in Port Moody
There is a range of reasons when you’ll need to see a physio rather than a massage therapist:
· After a definite injury that’s causing pain or loss of movement in a specific area
· When you need further diagnosis of such an injury or other problem
· If massage therapy has failed to resolve an existing issue or pain
· If your doctor has specifically referred you to a physiotherapist
When You Need to See a Massage Therapist in Port Moody
You won’t always need to see a physio immediately, if at all. Many common problems can be treated successfully by a massage therapist, such as:
· Sporadic pain, like occasional back or neck pain or period pain,
· If your physiotherapist has suggested an RMT might complement their own treatment program
· If you’re suffering muscle tension rather than pain
We work with patients all around Port Moody and Coquitlam! You can book an appointment online, and our practitioners will help assess your condition and recommend an effective treatment plan. Inspine Therapy also offers direct billing to several insurance companies and ICBC.
