Physiotherapy is an allied health care profession dedicated to allowing clients to achieve the highest level of physical functioning by providing a personalized treatment plan based on individual needs. Physiotherapy in humans is common and well accepted, and more recently attention has been focused on its benefits for veterinary clients.

Physiotherapy as the name suggests is the treatment of differing conditions by physical means. This may be by stretching, strengthening, relearning movement patterns, manipulation, massage or by using some electrotherapeutic modalities such as ultrasound or interferential. Whatever is eventually used nothing is done until a comprehensive examination and assessment is carried out. This may take up to an hour. It is usual for people to be taught a little about the mechanism of their problem so that they can see the purpose of various exercises they will almost inevitably be asked to do. In some instances supportive or corrective taping may be used for a time and if this is a long term problem patients will be shown how to do this for themselves. Understanding some basic biomechanics can be extremely helpful in dealing with the endemic spinal problems we all encounter. Advice will be given about the use of various supports, braces etc needed by some conditions as well as ergonomic advice for both work, home and sporting environment.

• Physiotherapy may be appropriate in the following situations:
  
  


• Sprains or strains of any joint
  
  


• Neck or back pain
  
  


• Following fractures
  
  


• Following surgery, including joint replacement.

A physiotherapist has a specialized university education, which focuses intensively in Anatomy, Physiology, Biomechanics, Histology, Orthopedics, Neurology, and Pathology. Specialized training also includes in depth joint biomechanics of the spine and extremities, as well as muscle insertions origins and actions. They are able to assess and treat joint, spine, muscular, and neurological dysfunctions.