The aim of physiotherapy is to help restore normal body function. As well as treating a specific injury or illness, the physiotherapist may consider ways to improve your general wellbeing and overall quality of life.

Physiotherapists usually take a holistic approach, which means they are likely to look at the body as a whole, rather than focusing on individual factors of an injury or illness. For example, back pain can have a number of causes, such as:

muscle tension overstretching bending awkwardly standing or bending for long periods lifting or carrying incorrectly

Patient education is an important part of physiotherapy. As well as aiming to improve your strength and mobility, a physiotherapist can also advise you about how to manage your condition more effectively, for example by exercising regularly.

Physiotherapists use a range of techniques and approaches, the most common of which are described in more detail below.

Massage involves manipulating the body’s soft tissues using the hands. It is suitable for most people and can be used to:

improve circulation (the flow of blood around the body) help fluid drain from parts of the body more efficiently improve movement of different parts of the body relieve pain and help you relaxs

Conditions that are often treated using massage include neck problems, headaches and stress.

Physiotherapists often use an exercise programme, which may incorporate specific exercises to help with particular health problems. For example, gentle exercise, such as walking or swimming, may be recommended for someone who is recovering from an illness or injury that affects their overall mobility.

For someone who is having problems moving a limb due to a health condition, such as a stroke, a physiotherapist may suggest specific exercises that target the affected area of the body. These types of exercises are designed to strengthen your body and improve your range of movement. They usually need to be repeated daily for a number of weeks.

Your physiotherapist will advise you about the exercises you need to do and will show you how to perform them correctly.

Energy based therapy, which is sometimes referred to as electrotherapy in the UK, is a form of treatment that uses different types of energy, such as electric currents or impulses (small electric shocks) to stimulate the nervous system. The electric impulses make your muscles contract (tighten), which can help ease pain and promote healing.

Energy based therapies do not hurt, although with some types, such as TENS, you may feel a slight tingling sensation just below the surface of your skin. Energy based therapies include:

TENS – a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) machine deliversan electric current to stop your nerves sending pain signals to your brain and encourages endorphins (natural painkilling hormones) to be released. For more information, read the Arthritis Care factsheet on TENS machines (PDF). Ultrasound – high-frequency sound waves treat deep tissue injuries by stimulating blood circulation and cell activity. It is thought to help reduce pain and muscle spasm and speed up the healing process. Laser therapy – lasers (narrow beams of light) help reduce pain and muscle spasms. Laser therapy is thought to be most effective at treating tendon conditions, although studies have shown that it may not be as effective as other types of energy based therapies. Shortwave diathermy – an electromagnetic field generates heat within your body’s tissues. This is thought to help reduce inflammation (swelling), strengthen tissues and reduce pain.