Physiotherapy vs Massage Therapy
Are you an athlete experiencing pain and discomfort in your muscles due to your rigorous sporting day-to-day activities? It can be quite challenging for you to decipher how to manage the pain. Apart from medication and surgeries, physical methods such as physiotherapy and massages are an excellent way to treat such injuries.
Physiotherapy and massage therapy are both extremely beneficial to the mental and physical health of a patient. They work by manipulating the muscles to restore your body's optimal functions. That said, despite the variations to the technique of these treatments, they can be used hand in hand to rehabilitate patients, giving them better health. You may be wondering what's the difference between the two.
Differences between physiotherapy and massage therapy
The level of training or their practitioners is the key difference between these two disciplines. While both physiotherapists and massage therapists are both highly trained in their specific crafts, physiotherapy is classified under medicine while massage therapy is not.
In Australia, physiotherapists are not only required to have a master's degree in the field but also be registered and licensed by the Physiotherapy Board of Australia before they hold the title while a massage therapist needs a diploma in the field to practice.
Another difference between the two disciplines is their use. While massage therapy is hands-on and geared towards immediate relaxation and relief from muscle spasms and pain throughout the body, physiotherapy is mostly used for rehabilitation.
Benefits of Physiotherapy and Massage Therapy
Both physiotherapy and massage therapy are ideal treatments for when the body is under immense stress, reducing the cortisol hormone levels in the body, leaving you feeling relaxed and re-energised. Regular therapy sessions have also been found to stimulate people on an emotional level.
These physical techniques have also been found to significantly reduce blood pressure levels in patients. This has, in turn, improved blood circulation bringing down the risk of heart attacks, key organ failure and an array of medical issues while improving the body's immunity over time.
Last but not least, physiotherapy and massage therapy help alleviate pain resulting from poor posture amongst many other injuries. Statistics show that many Australians suffer chronic back and neck pain as a direct result of slouching while walking and sitting. Regular massage therapy sessions have been found to be a great way to fix this problem, improving the patient's overall body posture and health as well.
Visit a physiotherapy clinic in your area for more information.
