Exercises play a vital role in keeping us healthy. Physiotherapy or Physical Training can be best defined as a holistic medical approach for the treatment of injuries through a variety of exercises. The central aim of physiotherapists is to enhance strength, movement and overall functional ability of individuals.
To get a better understanding of this treatment let us address the Why, What and How of Physiotherapy.
Why Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy can help patients recover from post-accident ailments and injuries and also restores control over the functioning of their body. It allows the patient to utilize freely the benefit of joints, muscles and movement provided by out anatomy.
The treatment has now outsourced itself enabling clients to approach it directly and not necessarily via a doctor’s prescription. This allows more people to access the treatment and avail its advantages.
What does it treat?
Before we look into the techniques used by physiotherapy for treatment, let us first start with the problems addressed by it.
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Physiotherapy is an essential for patients suffering from:
- Cardiopulmonary diseases
- Neurological disorders
- Rheumatology
- Back Pains and Temporomandibular Joint Disorder
- Cerebral Palsy
- Spinal Cord injuries, Brain Trauma and other Vestibular dysfunctions
- Geriatrics
- Children with physical imparities
- Stroke, Parkinson’s Disease and Multiple Sclerosis
- Musculoskeletal and Orthopedics
- Sports Injuries
Apart from these specific conditions, Physiotherapy can also be availed by people suffering from muscular or joint pain, aftermaths of some injury, trauma or disability. Physiotherapy does not have a specific eligibility criterion so all in all, anyone and everyone who wishes to maintain and improve the functional mobility of their body can avail this treatment.
How does it treat?
Through a mixed mode of examining, assessing, manual training, electrotherapy, advising and educating, Physiotherapy provides a client-oriented program which is enabled to suit the lifestyle of the patient concerned. However, the common methods adopted for treatment includes:
- Therapeutic exercises : This method includes the scientifically approved exercises and a client-centered exercise dosage depending upon the stage of rehabilitation. It includes some amount of Yoga, Pilates and other forms of exercise. Some physiotherapists also use Real-Time Ultrasound Physiotherapy enabling the client to see their muscular movements.
- Hands-on Physiotherapy : This technique is based on massage, joint mobilization, gliding techniques, Minimal Energy Techniques (METs), Neuro dynamics and soft tissue techniques to name a few.
- Electrotherapy : It focuses on electrical stimulation of the nerves in order to control the pain signals and their movement to the brain.
- Acupuncture : This eases the muscle function by stimulating the Central Nervous System and relax the tightened muscles.
- Physiotherapy Taping : This utilizes strapping techniques as well as taping or kinesiological taping with an aim to prevent injuries.
- Functional Assessments : This method is aimed at reassessment and examining the development of the patient during the treatment in order to improvise upon the methods utilized.
Other Methods would include Integumentary repair and protection techniques, Biochemical Analysis, postural correction and counseling. The treatment is however, not restricted to these methods and are evolved and improvised upon depending on the physical needs and capacity of the patient.
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Tips that will help you get the most out of Physiotherapy
- Set treatment goals : If you set treatment goals and focus on what you value most in your life, then you have better chances of recovery.
- Choose the right skilled physiotherapist : Make sure he is well-versed with the technique of treatment which you are going to avail.
- Share your treatment goals with your physiotherapist : Doing this will help you to not only remain goal oriented but will also help you realize if your goals are feasible or not.
- Follow a course action : Following a plan of action will help you chart your treatment process and a regular follow up will allow you to get better sooner.
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