In essence, physiotherapy is carried out with the purpose of restoring both movement and function for individuals affected by injury, illness, and disability.
It is also done in order to help ensure any risk of future illnesses and injuries are avoided.
Who needs it?
Physiotherapy is beneficial for people suffering from conditions that affect the:
- Joints, soft tissues, bones – sports injuries and neck, back, and shoulder pain.
- Brain and nervous system – movement problems due to stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis.
- Circulation and heart – rehabilitation after a heart attack.
- Lungs and breathing – chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cystic
What are the main approaches?
Physiotherapists make use of different treatment and preventative approaches depending on the condition being treated.
Three key approaches are often used in physiotherapy—movement and exercise, manual therapy, and education and advice.
In other instances, however, other techniques (i.e. acupuncture and ultrasound treatment) are used.
Manual Therapy
The technique where physiotherapists utilize their hands to mobilize, massage, and manipulate body tissues is called manual therapy.
This technique can help:
- Provide pain relief and minimize stiffness
- Improve blood circulation
- Significantly improve movement
- Promote relaxation
Movement and Exercise
To help improve both the patient’s mobility and function, movement and exercise are recommended.
The following are often included in this approach:
- Activities that involve moving the entire body (i.e. walking and swimming). This is considered helpful for patients recovering from operations or injuries that affect mobility.
- Exercises that are designed to help enhance movement and strength of specific parts of the body.
- Therapies (hydrotherapy or aquatic) that promote relaxation and support to the muscles and the joints. Hydrotherapy also effectively provides resistance so patients can regain strength gradually.
Education and Advice
When necessary, physiotherapists will provide insights and pointers that can help improve the well-being of the patient.
Advice is also given to help ease pain and help ensure the risk of future injuries are minimized.
For example, patients suffering from back pain will likely be given advice on proper lifting and carrying techniques as well as good posture.
What are the key benefits of physiotherapy?
- Physiotherapy is used to address orthopedic conditions in adults, infants, children, and the geriatric population.
Some of the most common orthopedic disorders treated using physiotherapy include amputation, arthritis, sports injuries, fractures, post-operative conditions, and neck and back pain.
Treatment course will often involve therapeutic exercises that will help enhance motion range, strength, joint mobilization, and endurance.
In majority of the cases, patients are also provided training in the use of ambulation devices to help restore and enhance movement.
- Individuals afflicted with neurological disorders (i.e. spinal cord injury, strokes, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, etc.) often takes up a big percentage of a typical physiotherapist’s workload.
Case in point: a stroke patient experiencing hemiparesis (weakness on one side of the body) or hemiplegia (paralysis on one side of the body) can surely benefit from physiotherapy.
Oftentimes, interventions for abovementioned scenarios will focus on reeducation, muscle transfer, training in the use of mobility aids, and enhancement and restoration of gait, among other things.
- Patients suffering from cardiopulmonary conditions can also take advantage of physiotherapy interventions.
For instance, patients who experience shortness of breath, decreased endurance, and those who are having difficulty doing their daily routines are provided help through guided exercises and resistance training.
Also, physiotherapy intervention will most likely include behavior modifications and educating the patient so recurrence of the condition in the future can be effectively avoided.
- Children with cerebral palsy can also greatly benefit from physiotherapy.
For starters, physiotherapy can help keep spasticity and deformity to a minimum and enhance postural control.
It also helps improve functional dependence by helping them become proficient in the use of assistive devices.
If you can benefit from the expertise of a competent physiotherapist, visit www.bjios.sg now and tell them how they can help.
