Physiotherapy

Introduction

Physiotherapy

Physio therapy is a health care profession which provides services to many individuals to develop, maintain and restore maximum movement and functional ability throughout their lifespan. It includes providing services in circumstances where movement and function are threatened by aging, injury, disease or environmental factors. To achieve this goal, physical agents such as exercise, heat, cold, light, sound, electro therapy, and massage are utilized.

There are basically four main areas where physiotherapy is applied.

Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
Neurological Physiotherapy
Pediatric Physiotherapy
Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy

How Physical Therapy Can Help?

Faster Remediation - Physiotherapist uses modalities such as IFC (Interferential Current) to relieve acute pain.
No Side Effects - Physiotherapy uses physical agents where there are no side effects to the therapy.
Physical therapy strengthens the body’s function and aims to prevent impairment.

Do You Need Physiotherapy?

There are a few injuries that will not benefit from physiotherapy care.

The most common types of clinical problems dealt with, can be grouped of follows:-

Acute Illness - This is often found among Pre and Post-Surgery patients, athletes suffering from sports injuries and patient occupational injuries.
Chronic Illness - This includes patients with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lower back pain, neck pain, vestibular dysfunction, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, frozen shoulder and scoliosis.
Long-term Care - This category speaks of serious injury where lifetime care and they is needed. This includes stroke patients, Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) patients, Cerebral Palsy and problems faced by an aging population.
Preventative Treatment or Fitness Exercises - Programs are designed for patients who are over weight, general fitness, have high risk of hypertension, diabetes, functional limitation due to aging, poor posture and other causative factors.

The World of Physiotherapy Treatments

Movement

Also known as therapeutic exercises, include stretching, strengthening, balancing, gym ball exercises, and core strengthening. Therapeutic exercise programs designed by physiotherapist are individualized to the unique needs of each patient or client.

Manual

Hands-on treatment, such as joint mobilization, myofascial release, deep friction massage, lymphomassage and passive range of motion exercises.

Modalities

Equipment to relieve symptoms or improve the healing process such as heat, cold, paraffin, electrical modalities (e.g. Interferential current, Russian current and others), ultrasound, shockwave and traction equipment, etc.

Type of Pain & Treatment

Bid Farewell To Pain

Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to "just live with it" when it comes to aches and pains. You can regain your freedom in movement with the proper treatment. The most important thing is to recognise the type of pain you are suffering from and get appropriate treatment. There are also things you can do at home to alleviate the pain.

Acute Pain

May begin within seconds to minutes following the injury of tissues. The damage may be purely physical, or it may involve the activation of an immune response (N.B. "Acute" is usually taken to mean injury which occurred within two weeks of examination)

Symptoms:-

Pain and / or neurological symptoms
Inflammation (Warm, swelling, pain, reddish)
Inability to perform ADL (Active Daily Living such as bathing, dressing, or feeding) and IADL (Instrumental Activity Daily Living such as occupational tasks, school-related skills, housekeeping and recreational activities)
Guarded Posture

Physiotherapy Treatments:-

Cryotherapy - Such as ice, ice massage, cold towels to reduce inflammation and pain.
Ultrasound - Using sound vibration, as fast as a million times per second, ultrasound penetrate the tissues deep in the body, creating heat response. These vibrations and heat help break down and disperse unhealthy calcium and other hard tissue accumulations. The ultrasound helps to increases blood flow, relaxes muscle spasm, massages damaged tissues and speeds the healing process.
Electrical Modalities - Such as T.E.N.S and I.F.C (Interferential Current) are therapeutic treatment to aid in the relief of pain and to promote soft tissue healing. Using electrical impulses to help the body to secrete endorphins and another natural painkillers.
Therapeutic Exercise - These exercises are to prevent muscle wasting problems and muscle tightness after an injury. Strengthening the weakened muscle or injured muscle groups that support the joint, to help stabilize the joint and prevent recurrent injury.
Home Treatment (always consult your doctor when applying treatments at home) ICE Therapy Instruction
- Wrap the ice pack with a towel as this will prevent the skin from burning or getting frostbite.
- Place the Ice pack over the area of pain, swelling or inflammation site.
- Leave the pack there for only 3 to 4 minutes. Repeat after a 2-3 minute internal.

Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is pain that persists beyond the expected recovery time (3-6 months).

Symptoms:-

It only hurts when excessive stress is placed on the vulnerable tissues in repetitive or sustained motion for prolonged periods.
Poor neuromuscular control and endurance in high intensity or destabilized situations.
Flexibility and strength imbalances.
Generalized deconditioning.
Inability to perform high intensity physical demands for extended periods of time.

Physiotherapy Treatment

Physiotherapy options available for chronic pain:-

Heat Therapy - Such as water bottle, hot pack or warm moist towel.
Ultrasound - Using Sound Vibration, Ultrasound treatment will penetrate the tissues deep in the body, creating a heat response. These vibrations and heat will help break down and disperse unhealthy calcium and other hard tissue accumulation. Ultrasound also helps to increases blood flow, relaxes muscle spasm, massages damaged tissues and speeds the healing process.
Electrical modalities - Such as T.E.N.S (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) and I.F.C (Interferential Current) are therapeutic treatments which aid in the relief of pain and the promotion of soft tissue healing. Using electrical impulses to help the body to secrete endorphins and other natural painkillers to help relieve pain.
Therapeutic exercises – Are designed for prevention of muscle wasting and muscle tightness after injuries. These exercises strengthen weakened muscle or injured muscle groups that support the joint, help stabilize joints, and also prevent recurrent injury.

Home Treatment - Heat or ice pack treatment.

	Heat Therapy	Ice Therapy
Benefits	Increases the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the muscles, helping to heal the tissue damage. Helps to stretch soft tissues, including muscle and connective tissue. Decrease stiffness, with an increase in flexibility and overall feeling of comfort. Flexibility is very important for a healthy body.	Limits internal bleeding. Ice reduces the swelling, tissue damage, inflammation, muscle spasm and pain. Alternate Heat and Ice increases the flow of nutrients into the area. Aids in removing toxins. Increases healing process.
Contraindication	Don't apply to acute, recent, swollen, inflamed or bruised areas.	Don't use ice if you have the following - Rheumatoid Arthritis, Raynaud's Syndrome, cold allergic conditions, paralyzed areas or impaired sensation.

Navigation: Knowledge Center

Web Design by Tonik Asia Group Multimedia Team