Physiotherapy Guide

Physiotherapy Guide

What is Physiotherapy Back to top

Physiotherapist is the assessment, maintenance and restoration of the physical function and performance of the body. Physiotherapy plays a key role in rehabilitation from surgery, they also treat a variety of injuries using many different techniques. 

If you are having or have had major surgery, physiotherapists are often involved in pre-operative and/or post-operative programs to help get you moving again.

Physiotherapists can help you get back to work or sport more quickly by providing rehabilitation programs and advice on how to prevent a recurrence of the injury.

3 Areas of Physiotherapy Back to top

1-MUSCULOSKELETAL

This is the area most associated with physiotherapy and includes muscle strains, contusions, imbalance, weakness, spasm, joint sprains, stiffness, tendonitis, bursitis.

Joint mobilization, stretching, manipulation, electrotherapy-ultrasound, interferential, tens, short-wave, microwave, laser , therapeutic exercise, heat, cold, posture correction, lifting  correction, taping, hydrotherapy.    

• muscle strains/contusions
• joint sprains/stiffness/instability
• arthritis
• muscle imbalances/weakness
• back and neck pain or stiffness
• muscle spasm
• tendonitis/bursitis
• rehabilitation following occupational injury, surgery, sporting injuries.

2-CARDIOTHORACIC 

Problems of the cardiorespiratory system including asthma, bronchitis, following cardiac and thoracic and general surgery. 

Breathing techniques, sputum clearance, oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilators, exercise programs

• Following general surgery
• General medical conditions
• Following cardiac surgery
• Following most types of thoracic surgery
• Intensive Care Unit patients
• Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease - Emphysema, Asthma, Chronic Bronchitis

3-NEUROLOGICAL 

Conditions affecting the nervous system including, head injuries, strokes, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, brain surgery

Key role in restoring body movement, exercise and stretching.

• strokes
• brain surgery
• Parkinson's disease
• multiple sclerosis
• Guillian-Barre syndrome
• balance disorders
• spinal cord injuries
• other neurological conditions
• acquired brain injuries/head injuries

The Treatment Back to top

First of all you will be given a consultation and the physiotherapist will carry out some simple tests to find out what the problem is, if the pain is in the arm all the muscles in that area will be tested for strength and mobility. When the cause and the problem area have been diagnosed, the physiotherapist will recommend a course of treatment usually this consists of electrotherapy and strengthening exercises, depending on the type of injury you may have to visit the physiotherapist up to 3 times a week for several weeks or months after  the treatment is finished and you have made a full recovery you will not need to return.

Physiotherapists use electrotherapy to treat disorders relating to the muscles and/or bone

• Shortwave diathermy - produces an electromagnetic field which generates heat within tissues. This helps healing, reduces swelling and offers pain relief. It is useful for treating soft tissue injuries, slow healing wounds, sinusitis and conditions affecting the pelvic area.
• Ultrasound - involves using high frequency sound waves to treat injuries to muscles, tendons and other soft tissues. It is thought to stimulate blood circulation and cell activity, accelerating the healing process and providing pain relief.
• Laser - is used to produce a concentrated beam of light radiation. Treatment stimulates tissue healing and reduces pain, inflammation and swelling. It is often used for skin conditions and soft tissue injuries and to heal open wounds.
• TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) - produces pain relief by blocking pain messages to the brain.

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy is the professional, educational and trade union body for the country's 47,000 chartered physiotherapists, physiotherapy students and assistants. It aims to support its members and help them to provide the highest standards of patient care.

Beauty Guides

Disclaimer
Gelisy strives to be as accurate as possible all the information that is within this web site is not guaranteed to be completely accurate. We do not specifically recommend or endorse any of the treatments displayed on this web site. We do not offer a referral service and do not warranty, guarantee or specifically endorse any of the therapists or companies who advertise their service or products on this web site. Before embarking on any therapy treatment, skin care regime, nutritional supplements or fitness regime consult your doctor.