Physiotherapy, from types to treatment procedures

If you have problems moving parts of your body, then physiotherapy can be a solution. Physiotherapy is a treatment that is not only performed on sick people but can be done by everyone as a prevention of disease occurrence. Another name for physiotherapy is physical therapy. There are many fields of physiotherapy, including pediatric physiotherapy, stroke physiotherapy, to orthopedic physiotherapy. A physiotherapist is the person who will determine the right program for you according to your condition using the help of an appropriate physiotherapy tool.

What is physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy is a treatment performed to help restore function and movement of a person's body parts due to injury, illness, or loss of bodily abilities.

In addition, this therapy can also be done to reduce the risk of injury or illness in the future. This treatment includes movement, exercises, manual therapy, education and advice. All people of all ages can join this therapy. The treatment will be guided by a therapist who helps the patient to deal with pain.

Physiotherapy is therapy that is based on a scientific basis and a “whole” approach to health and well-being, including the patient's general lifestyle.

Not only that, you can do this therapy to manage long-term medical conditions such as asthma, it can even be done for those of you who are preparing for childbirth.

Types of treatment in physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is a therapy that uses various types of treatments. The following are various treatments that are commonly used, including:

Manual therapy

Manual therapy is a technique used by physical therapists to flex joints by massaging them directly with their hands.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation

This therapy is performed using a small device that is moved by a battery which is used to send a low level of current through electrodes placed on the surface of the skin.

This physiotherapy tool is useful for relieving pain in various parts of the body.

Magnetic therapy

This one therapy is carried out using electromagnets of various types and sizes. Just like transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, this physiotherapy tool is useful for reducing pain that attacks.

Taping

Taping is a physiotherapy device in the form of an elastic bandage which is intended to naturally heal the injured part of the body. You do this by supporting and stabilizing muscles and joints without limiting their motion.

This tool, called kinesio taping, is believed to be able to improve circulation, speed up injury recovery, relieve pain, and help overcome inflammation in the skin.

Diathermy

Diathermy is a type of therapy that uses heat transmitted through high frequency electromagnetic currents to treat various conditions.

Ultrasound and phonoperesis

Therapeutic ultrasound helps reduce inflammation by pushing heat to the injured area thereby healing muscle spasms, increasing metabolism, and increasing blood flow to damaged tissue.

Meanwhile, phonoporesis is a technique that utilizes ultrasonic waves to help maximize the absorption of topical drugs.

Various fields of physiotherapy based on their treatment goals

Physiotherapy is a type of treatment that has various health benefits. Different treatment targets have different benefits. Of the many conditions that can be treated with physical therapy, here are three of them:

Pediatric physiotherapy

Pediatric physiotherapy aims to help treat children and adolescents with various problems in their physical health. In addition, this therapy is also carried out to help provide support to families and parents who have children with various physical problems.

Usually, this therapy is performed on children who have difficulty moving parts of the body, so that they can maximize their physical development, activity, and the ability to play and socialize.

Physical therapy is also used to treat various health problems that hinder body movement, such as:

Cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy is a group of conditions that affect the muscles as well as the nerves. This disease is not congenital but develops and starts from birth.

Various symptoms of cerebral palsy such as abnormal movements of the arms and legs, late speaking and walking, difficulty eating, poor muscle shape at an early age, resulting in abnormal posture, poor coordination, stiff body, and muscle spasms. Doing physiotherapy for children can be a solution to this one health problem.

Global development delay

Global development delay (GDD) is a delay in children's development in terms of emotional, mental, and physical. Usually, children with GDD experience problems in language knowledge and pronunciation, vision, movement skills, social and emotional skills, and thinking abilities. Through children's physiotherapy, GDD can be addressed to improve their development.

Developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD)

Developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD) or what is also known as dyspraxia is a condition that affects the physical coordination of children, which makes their movements different from other children's movements and seems stiff.

Quoted from the NHS, this condition is usually three or four times more common in boys than girls. Just like global development delay, this physical health problem can also be overcome by using child physiotherapy.

Neuromuscular disorders

Physiotherapy for children can be used to treat neuromuscular disorders. This condition is characterized by the inability of the nerves and muscles to work properly.

This disorder usually affects the nerves, especially those located outside the brain and spinal cord. In addition, the condition also affects the skeletal muscles in the torso, arms and legs.

Usually, neuromuscular disorders are congenital diseases that are inherited from birth. In addition, a genetic history in a family with similar conditions also increases the risk of this one health problem.

Acquired brain injuiry (ABI)

Acquired brain injury is a condition that describes any type of brain injury that occurs after birth. Usually, the brain will be injured as a result of traumatic brain injury, collisions, brain tumors, to certain infections and diseases.

ABI in children can cause epilepsy, impaired vision, touch, and smell, impaired physical abilities such as tremors and muscle weakness, to impaired communication skills such as late speaking. Pediatric physiotherapy can help overcome problems related to physical problems.

Down's Syndrome

Down syndrome is a genetic condition that causes learning disabilities in children and certain physical disorders, such as a small head, lower than average weight and height, less well-formed muscles, and flat facial features.

This condition will last a lifetime. However, with proper care, Down syndrome children can grow up healthy and even do various productive things like other healthy people. One of the treatments that you can try to apply is child physiotherapy.

Physiotherapy programs for children are usually included in their daily activities. The therapist will also provide simple knowledge and training for families so that they can help and encourage children to practice the physiotherapy program that has been created.

Neurological physiotherapy

Neurological physical therapy is performed for people who have neurological or neurological disorders. For example, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injury, and stroke. One disease that uses this therapy a lot is stroke.

Stroke physiotherapy will be performed after a stroke. Usually, strokes cause brain damage. As a result, you will experience weakness or paralysis on one side of your body and difficulty moving your body, which hinders your daily activities.

Stroke physiotherapy can help you regain the strength and ability to move your body. Neurophysiotherapy is a physical therapy specialty caused by damage to the brain and nervous system such as stroke. The expert therapist will help to make a therapy program that suits your health condition.

Generally, stroke physiotherapy is performed to maintain post-attack health conditions and avoid complications that can slow down the recovery process. In the stroke physiotherapy program, the therapist will also tell you how to lie down and also how to sit safely. In addition, the therapist will help motivate you to be actively involved and learn the normal body movements during each stroke physiotherapy session.

Usually, the therapist will also determine what physiotherapy tools are needed. Generally, for stroke physiotherapy the therapist requires physiotherapy tools such as wheelchairs, such as walking aids walker and also a stick.

Stroke physiotherapy can be started 24 hours after the attack. At that time, you will be encouraged and motivated to be able to get up and move as best you can. For mild strokes, stroke physiotherapy usually focuses on preventing complications and your ability to move and be active again.

However, over time, stroke physiotherapy will help you become more independent and do more than just move your limbs.

Orthopedic physiotherapy

Orthopedic physical therapy helps diagnose, control, and treat disorders and injuries to the musculoskeletal system. In addition, this physical therapy also helps the healing process after orthopedic (bone) surgery. Generally, orthopedic therapists are trained to perform postoperative joint treatment, sports injuries, arthritis, and other injuries.

Electrical stimulation is a physiotherapy tool that is often used to speed up patient recovery. Some of the therapies that are usually done are heat therapy, cold therapy, and strength training.

Commonly typical injuries that are handled by orthopedic therapists include fractures, sprains, and inflammation of the tendons. Generally, an orthopedic physical therapist will recommend a variety of exercises that are appropriate for the condition.

In addition, the physiotherapy tools needed will also be adjusted to your body condition. The physiotherapy tools used at the beginning of therapy will usually differ as the condition develops.

When is physiotherapy necessary?

Physiotherapy is a therapy that can be done to prevent disease because it can increase your physical activity. In addition, this therapy also helps attack health problems such as:

• Bones, joints and soft tissues - such as back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain and injuries
• Nervous system or brain - such as problems with movement resulting in stroke, multiple sclerosis, or Parkinson's
• Heart and circulation - problems that need to be healed after a heart attack
• Lungs - chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cystic fibrosis

Usually, the doctor will recommend when you need physical therapy as an additional treatment given to help restore the condition.

Who can guide physical therapy?

Source: Advantage Health

Physiotherapy is a treatment that requires a special therapist and cannot be done carelessly. A therapist called a physiotherapist must be experienced and trained.

Thus, a physiotherapist is someone who really understands and is equipped with the science of physical therapy. Usually this therapy is carried out by someone who is part of a multidisciplinary team in various health fields such as those working in:

• Hospital
• Community originating from health centers and clinics
• Field of operation or surgeon
• Sports field

Not only at the hospital or clinic, you can also ask a therapist to come to your house. Usually, the therapist will also prepare or ask you to provide the physiotherapy tools needed in each meeting.

Various treatment procedures performed by physical therapists

The physiotherapist should focus on the body as a whole rather than on one aspect of the pain that the patient is currently experiencing. In essence, when patients want to undergo this treatment, physiotherapists also involve themselves in the care which includes matters of education, awareness, empowering and encouraging patient participation during treatment. Following are the usual physical therapy treatment procedures.

1. Education and advice

A physical therapist will give you overall advice on things that can affect your day-to-day, such as doing regular exercise and managing a healthy weight for your height and shape.

The suggestions given are aimed at changing your lifestyle. In addition, the advice given can also be specific things that can be applied every day to look after you and reduce the risk of pain and injury. For example, when you have back pain, you will be told proper posture, carry and lift objects properly, avoid bad twisting movements, stretch excessively, or stand too long.

2. Movement and exercises

The movements given are usually adjusted with exercise and physical activity suggestions according to your condition. Additionally, exercise is recommended to improve your overall health and mobility. Physiotherapists usually recommend movements and exercises to help improve mobility and function, such as:

• Exercises designed to change movement and strength in a particular part of the body - these should be done regularly and over time.
• Activities that involve whole body movements such as swimming and walking - these activities can help with postoperative recovery or injuries that have affected your mobility.
• Exercise in warm, shallow water - water is believed to relax muscles and joints. Water can also provide resistance to help build you up gradually.
• Advice and exercises to help you increase your physical activity - advice will be provided for the sake of keeping you active in a safe manner.
• Physiotherapy devices to aid mobility, such as crutches or canes, are also provided to assist with your movement.

3. Manual therapy

Manual therapy is done to strengthen certain parts of your body. In this exercise, the physiotherapist will use your hands to help relieve pain and stiffness and promote better mobility. This therapy can also help:

• Improve blood circulation
• Reduces pain and stiffness of body muscles
• Removes fluids more efficiently from several parts of the body
• Increase movement of body parts

The technique used can be in the form of massage. An example of the benefits that can be obtained from massage is to improve the quality of life of some people with serious long-term conditions by reducing anxiety levels and sleep quality.