Get to know medical rehabilitation and its various types of therapy

If you have had surgery, have been seriously injured, or have had a permanent disease, your doctor may recommend medical rehabilitation. Medical rehabilitation is a therapy that is performed to restore problematic bodily functions due to injury, surgery, or certain diseases.

What is the rehabilitation process like and what is the therapy used? The following is the full review.

Conditions requiring medical rehabilitation

Rehabilitation therapy covers every age group, from newborns, children and adolescents, young adults, to the elderly. As an illustration, the most common health conditions handled by rehabilitation are as follows.

• Diseases that attack the brain, such as strokes, multiple sclerosis , or cerebral palsy .
• Injuries and trauma, including fractures, burns, brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries.
• Chronic pain, such as back pain and neck pain for years.
• Chronic fatigue while recovering from infectious diseases, heart failure, or respiratory illnesses.
• Elderly with reduced mobility.
• The side effects of certain diseases, such as cancer.
• Operations on bones or joints and amputations.
• Chronic joint pain.

In children, medical rehabilitation is usually required for:

• Genetic disorders or birth defects
• Mental retardation
• Muscle and nerve disease
• Developmental disorders or sensory abnormalities
• Autism and similar conditions
• Late speech and similar distractions

Apart from medical conditions, rehabilitation therapy can also be performed on healthy people who are active in sports (such as athletes or bodybuilders). This therapy aims to prevent and treat injuries due to strenuous physical activity.

Types of therapy in medical rehabilitation

Medical rehabilitation generally involves several therapies at once, depending on the condition and limitations experienced by the patient. Each therapy will be carried out with the appropriate health personnel.

Here are the most common types of therapy in the rehabilitation process:

1. Physical therapy / physiotherapy

Physical therapy or physiotherapy is intended for patients who have problems with pain, difficulty moving, and are unable to carry out normal activities. This therapy is usually performed on stroke patients, surgery, women in labor, and patients who wear mobility aids.

Before starting therapy, the doctor will first assess posture, balance, and other aspects related to motor skills. Some forms of physical therapy in medical rehabilitation include:

• Exercises and special stretches to relieve pain, increase space, and increase strength.
• Massage therapy, ultrasound , or applying hot and cold to relieve muscle pain.
• Practicing using assistive devices such as sticks, crutches, walker , and wheelchairs.
• Therapy to manage pain.
• Therapy to strengthen the circulatory system.
• Rehabilitation to get used to prosthetic limbs.

2. Occupational therapy

There are certain diseases and conditions that prevent patients from carrying out simple activities such as eating, wearing clothes, or brushing their teeth. Occupational therapy aims to help patients who need assistance in carrying out these activities.

This therapy focuses on restoring the fine motor movements, sensory functions, and similar abilities the patient needs to live independently. The therapist will help the patient practice common activities, such as:

• Doing self-care from bathing to wearing clothes.
• Write and copy notes.
• Holding and controlling stationery, scissors, etc.
• Throwing and catching the ball.
• Responding to sensory stimulation.
• Adjusting and using cutlery.

Therapists sometimes also suggest some changes at home to make it easier for you to go about your daily activities. You may need to attach a handle to the bathroom wall or replace the lamp with a brighter light.

3. Speech therapy

Speech therapy in medical rehabilitation can treat a variety of problems related to mouth and language, including fluency in speech, breathing, and swallowing. This problem is often found in children with cleft lip, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome .

Apart from children, this therapy is also useful for adults who have difficulty speaking due to stroke, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis , or dementia. The goal is none other than so that the patient is able to communicate, swallow and breathe as best as possible.

Speech therapy is done by practicing communicating, making voices, and pronouncing letters and words. Therapists also provide eating and swallowing therapy by training the tongue, jaw, and lips to strengthen the muscles around the mouth and throat.

4. Other therapies

Apart from physical, occupational, and speech therapy, the following types of therapy are included in medical rehabilitation:

• Cognitive therapy to treat memory disorders, concentration and similar aspects related to thinking skills.
• Pharmacorehabilitation therapy by providing drugs to restore physical or psychological function.
• Recreational therapy to improve social and emotional health through art, games, relaxation exercises, and therapy with animals.
• Vocational therapy to build the skills the patient needs while attending school or working.
• Art or music therapy to help patients express emotions, improve learning and social skills.

Medical rehabilitation is a series of processes to restore a person's physical, psychological, and social functions. During your rehabilitation, you will follow a series of therapies tailored to your needs and problems.

The rehabilitation period certainly takes a long time. However, the whole process will help the patient to live his life as optimally as possible.