The complaints which bring patients to the physiotherapist are very diverse:

• pain
• decrease of strength
• problems with respiratory system
• swelling and limitation in movement
  
• injuries or disorders caused during sport, an accident, work or through the natural process of ageing.

A physiotherapist advises, supervises and treats patients with disorders in posture and/or movement. These can be caused by injuries to muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints. Effects of functional disorders in the nervous system, blood vessels, lungs, heart and skin can also be treated.

Physiotherapy is treatment to the body and therefore doesn’t need to be prescribed by a doctor. Treatment by a physiotherapist is very supportive and advises the patient during a rehabilitation process.
The therapy may be made up of different forms of treatment. One of the best known is massage. A therapeutic goal is achieved using different methods. That goal can be: pain reduction, muscle relaxation and/or improvement of blood circulation. In addition, physiotherapy consists of exercise or movement therapy. Different goals can be achieved by exercising, such as: strengthening muscles, making joints more flexible and improving the general condition. Attention to posture, breathing and relaxation exercises can all be part of the therapy.

Specialisations within the physiotherapy spectrum are: manual therapy, sport physiotherapy, child physiotherapy, pelvic physiotherapy, psychosomatic physiotherapy, home care physiotherapy and physiotherapy for claudication disorders.

Physiotherapy can be applied for a number of different disorders. An important group are those with complaints connected to the musculoskeletal system, such as back and neck pain and problems with joints. Any person can be treated-from the disabled to top athletes who cannot function optimally due to an injury. In addition, physiotherapy plays an important role in the rehabilitation process following accidents or illness.