Physiotherapy is the treatment and prevention of physical injuries and movement problems. Physiotherapists provide their patients with the necessary education and create personalized exercise and rehabilitation programs. Through stretches, exercise programs (resistance, strength, flexibility, endurance, balance, agility, and proprioception), ultrasound, laser, and heat/cold applications, physical therapists treat neurological problems, cardiorespiratory problems, and various muscle and joint-related injuries. Physiotherapy practice is primarily concerned with human function and movement and maximizing the client’s potential.

Another aspect of physical health is ergonomics. In today’s society, many people lead lifestyles that involve repetitive work and many hours of sitting at a desk. As a result, physical therapists are consulted to evaluate the work environment to: 1) educate the patient regarding the prevention of workplace injuries and related conditions (eg, carpal tunnel syndrome) and 2) limit the effects of habitual posture. Physiotherapists also visit patients individually to treat pre-existing conditions/injuries.

There are major (and minor) body parts and major conditions associated with each:
Main muscles:

Neck – suboccipitals, rectus capitus posterior major/minor, sternocleidomastoid, levator scapulae, trapezius
Back – rhomboids, latissimusdorsi, multifidus, paravertebral, infraspinatus, supraspinatus, obliques
Shoulder – deltoid, infaspinatus, supraspinatus, subscapularis, triceps, pectoral muscles
Elbow – biceps, wrist flexors, wrist extensors, supinator, pronator teres, triceps, radiobrachialis
Wrist/hand – flexors and extensors of the fingers (flexor digitorum, extensor carpi radialis, extensor carpi ulnaris), abductor pollicuslongus and brevis, etc. (too many…)
Hip – gluts (max, med and min), tensor fasciae latae, iliopsoas, rectus femoris, adductors
Knee – quads, hamstrings, popliteus
Ankle – gastoc, soleus, tibialis anterior and posterior, peroneus longus and tertius
Leg – flexors, extensors, abductors and adductors of the legs

Main conditions:

Neck – general neck pain, whiplash, nerve root injury, posture, cervical spine joint restriction or dysfunction
Upper Extremity – Rotator cuff disorders, tendonitis (ie tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow), frozen shoulder, muscle strain, bicipital tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, wrist fractures (colle fractures), tendon injuries and tears, elbow dislocation, shoulder dislocation , broken humerus (probably from a fall or motor vehicle accident)
Lower Back – Herniated Discs, Slipped Discs, Nerve Root Problems, Posture, Spinal Stabilization, Sciatica, Vertebral Fractures, Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
Lower Limbs – Hamstring strain, quad contusion, ACL sprain, shin splints, knee/hip problems, ankle sprain (specific ligaments), tibia fractures, femur fractures, hip fractures, foot fractures, torn Achilles tendon

There are 3 main areas of physiotherapy:

1) Cardiorespiratory
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Pneumonia
Heart attacks
Post-operative (abdominal incisions, thoracic incisions, etc
Post CABG (coronary artery bypass graft)
Cystic fibrosis
Asthma

2) Neurological
Stroke
Parkinson’s disease
Multiple sclerosis
Brain injury
Spinal cord injury
Myasthenia gravis

3) Musculoskeletal
Whiplash
Fractures
Muscle spasms
Ligament tension
Amputation
Hip and knee replacements
Back/neck pain
Cerebral palsy
Nerve injury
Tendonitis
Joint problems
Sports injuries
Hemophilia
burns
Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Fibromyalgia
Arthrogryposis