What is Physiotherapy

April 11, 2022

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Physiotherapy helps reinstate movement and function when someone is affected by injury, illness or disability. It can also help diminish your risk of injury or disease. Moreover, physiotherapy is a healthcare profession that assesses, diagnoses, treats and works to prevent illness.

Types of Physiotherapy
Benefits of Physiotherapy
What is a physiotherapist’s expertise?
When should you see a physiotherapist?
What problems do physiotherapists treat?
What can you expect at physiotherapy?

Types of Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy uses various techniques and approaches to enhance the overall physical well-being of those laid low with a movement disorder, injury or disease. Following the assessment of the physical condition, the physiotherapist may work out a treatment plan taking under consideration one or a mix of the following therapies:

- Massage & manipulation:

This involves manipulating the body’s soft tissues by using the movement of hands. It is considered one of the foremost effective forms of physiotherapy and is suitable for people of all ages. It is used for:

- - Improving blood circulation in the body
  - Enhancing the movement of different parts of the body.
  - Relieving pain & helping the body relax.

This technique is best when treating pain, aches & movement disorders within the neck, shoulder and back area; and curing headaches and stress-related issues.

- Movement & exercises:

A comprehensive exercise is a vital part of physiotherapy that people are often recommended to undergo while recovering from an injury or looking to boost their balance or speed of movement. As per the diagnosis, specific exercises are incorporated within the treatment conceive to help you recover safely. These exercises aim to strengthen your muscles & joints area, improve control, better the overall range of movement, and forestall further or recurring injury. For example, a combination of gentle exercises like walking or swimming is also recommended to someone recovering from an injury that will have affected their overall mobility. Similarly, for someone who must have had a stroke or an attack facing paralysis or difficulty in moving a limb, exercises targeting that specific area would be recommended.

- Energy-based therapy:

It is also called electrotherapy, and it uses different types of energies such as currents or impulses to stimulate the nervous system. For example, the electric impulses make the muscles tighten, which helps ease out pain and stress from the body, thereby promoting effective healing.

Energy-based therapies are wholly pain-free, and one may experience a bit of tingling sensation while undergoing them. Their types include:

- The transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) machine delivers an electric current to stop your nerves from sending pain signals to your brain and encourage the release of endorphins.
- Ultrasound – High-frequency sound waves treat deep tissue injuries by stimulating blood circulation and cell activity. It’s thought to help reduce pain and spasm and speed up the healing process.
- Laser therapy – helps take the edge off the pain and muscle spasms. It is thought to be most effective in treating tendon conditions.
- The shortwave diathermy – An electromagnetic field generates heat within your body’s tissues. This can help minimise inflammation, strengthen tissues, and reduce pain.

Hydrotherapy:

It is a form of therapy carried out in the water. The water temperature is kept between warm to hot to assist the muscles in relaxing and relieving pain. A unique hydrotherapy bath is prepared in which a load of water pushes against your body while you’re floating or performing exercises. It helps stimulate proper blood flow and reduce pain.

Pediatric physiotherapy:

It is the branch of physiotherapy that aims at helping children and children with developmental issues and physical problems. For example, a toddler may face movement difficulty because of a spread of conditions, including spastic paralysis, development delay, down syndrome, Neuromuscular illness, and Acquired Brain Injury.

Post the diagnosis of the condition, proper assessment of the issue and long-term impact of the treatment. Finally, a customised plan is devised and incorporated into the child’s everyday activities. Parents are encouraged to participate in the program and help their children make the foremost of their growth years reach their potential and transition into adult life easily.

Neurological physical therapy:

Physical exercises can significantly positively impact conditions associated with the medulla spinalis or those who have developed Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or other brain injuries. By performing therapeutic exercises regularly, you’ll be able to reduce the effects of nervous disorder from spreading further within the system and improve your body movement and coordination.

Cardiovascular physical therapy:

If one is facing problems with the guts or circulation of blood and oxygen within the system, cardiopulmonary physiotherapy can help prevent problems like heart attack and pulmonary fibrosis; grow strength in crucial muscles and improve your endurance in the long haul.

Benefits of Physiotherapy

Regular physiotherapy can provide relief to people of all ages suffering from ailments, injuries or disorders. With the help of high-quality physiotherapy, you’ll be able to restore your pre-pain physical condition and fitness levels and lead the way active and healthy life. Some of the best-known additional perks of physiotherapy include:

Pain Relief: Multiple aches and pains within the body might be due to several reasons. For example, an ankle injury while playing basketball or chronic lower back pain because sitting for long hours at work needs immediate attention if the pain affects your everyday routine and activities. In addition, regular physiotherapy sessions help mitigate or perhaps out the pain and reduce dependency on painkillers that might be expensive or prove harmful in the long run.
Thwarting from Surgery: While surgery may be unavoidable in some instances, physiotherapy can help eliminate the requirement of going through surgery ultimately. Using a type of treatment that includes a combination of exercises and therapies assists in the elimination of pain from the root, healing injured tissues, and facilitating easy & smooth mobility over some time. In addition, if you have already undergone surgery, physiotherapy can help you recuperate and recover faster.
Improved Mobility & Balance: Those recovering from surgery or an injury can take time to get back on their feet. Physiotherapy can help the body regains muscle strength and improve coordination.
Cope with age-related issues: With age, people tend to develop bones, joints or muscles related complications like osteoporosis and arthritis. Regular physiotherapy can be advantageous to tackle these everyday aches and pains. It can also be opted for if an individual has had a knee or hip replacement surgery and wants to alleviate pain and recover faster.
Avoid dependency on medicines: While painkillers may provide instant relief from pain, their effect on your kidneys and liver can be fatal in the long haul. Therefore, physiotherapy is considered a safe and more effective alternative to pain control medication to address long-term pain issues.