Physiotherapy provides services to develop maintain and restore maximum movement and functional ability throughout the lifespan. This includes providing services in circumstances where movement and function are threatened by ageing, injury, diseases, disorders, conditions or environmental factors. Functional movement is central to what it means to be healthy.
Physiotherapy is concerned with identifying and maximizing quality of life and movement potential within the spheres of promotion, prevention, treatment/intervention, habilitation and rehabilitation. This encompasses physical, psychological, emotional and social wellbeing. Physical therapy involves the interaction between physical therapist, patients/clients, other health professionals, families, caregivers and communities in a process where movement potential is assessed and goals are agreed upon, using knowledge and skills unique to physical therapists.
Physiotherapists can help patient in following process:
Physiotherapy is quite effective to speed up the healing process for patients with amputations, strains in the spine, arthritis or who underwent any sort of medical operation.
It is a type of energy-based physiotherapy technique in which electrical stimulation is delivered with the help of electrodes attached to the skin. Electrotherapy is performed in patients with paralysis and severely reduced range of motion.
The body needs adequate rest during the early stages of recovery from surgery or bone injuries, but long periods of immobility may actually lengthen the healing process. Therefore, range of motion exercises are ordered to encourage movement and joint mobility and facilitate circulation. It is also beneficial in preventing muscle atrophy and related postural problems.
Professional athletes and people with desk jobs often complain of sore and stiff muscles. In such a case, application of heat or cold to the affected areas can relieve them of muscle tightness anywhere on their body. In heat therapy, hot packs or paraffin wax are applied. Cryotherapy may involve an ice massage or application of ice pack.
It is also known as therapeutic massage and can help in relaxing the muscles and reduce the swelling in certain areas. Soft tissue mobilisation is an excellent technique to treat the pain associated with athletic injuries. It also helps in ensuring adequate blood circulation, lymph flow and reducing swelling around the inflamed joints.
It involves the utilisation of sound waves to treat injuries in the body. The sound waves are absorbed by ligaments, tendons and fascia and can relieve a person suffering from arthritis, muscle strains and tendonitis