Gymnastics: Treatment, Effect & Risks

In the health sector, the generic term gymnastics includes physiotherapy or physiotherapeutic movement exercises. Therapeutic gymnastics is used in various medical branches to alleviate complaints or improve body functions.

What is remedial gymnastics?

Gymnastics or physiotherapy is the term used to describe various physiotherapeutic exercises that have benefits for a person’s health. Gymnastics or physiotherapy is the name given to different physiotherapeutic exercises that have a benefit for human health. Thus, in the medical field, gymnastics deals with healing physical impairments or improving mobility in case of dysfunctions or disabilities of the human musculoskeletal system. The gymnastic exercises can be performed actively, passively, resistively or assistively. A specially trained physiotherapist or physiotherapist is usually responsible for carrying out remedial gymnastics. Therapeutic gymnastics was already used in ancient times. In the 18th century, a Swedish sports instructor developed special gymnastics from athletic gymnastic exercises, which pursued therapeutic purposes. From 1810, mechanical aids were also used for physiotherapy exercises for the first time. These included devices with which the limbs could be exercised and which bore a resemblance to the rehabilitation equipment of the present day. Since 1994, the term “physiotherapy” has been used in Germany instead of physiotherapy. Remedial gymnastics is considered a subfield of physiotherapy.

Function, effect and goals

Physiotherapy is a procedure that is prescribed by a physician. It is composed of various forms of treatment and is used to restore or maintain a person’s physical and mental abilities. These can be negatively affected by health problems such as diseases, congenital deformities, disabilities, everyday misbehavior, injuries or accidents. With the help of gymnastic exercises, it is possible to relieve or eliminate pain and restore certain functions or movement patterns. Likewise, muscular dybalances can be balanced and the physiological development of children can be promoted. In addition, the patient receives help to help himself. In the field of orthopedics, gymnastics is useful for preventing and treating damage to the musculoskeletal system. Internal medicine uses gymnastic exercises to strengthen the circulatory function of the person. Procedures such as pulmonary function training or circulatory training are used. Basically, the scope of remedial gymnastics is wide. Thus, physiotherapy is now one of the most important medical treatment methods and is regularly performed in hospitals, doctors’ offices and rehabilitation facilities. The numerous fields of activity of gymnastics include orthopedics for back pain or complaints of the spine, neurology for strokes, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis or herniated discs with paralysis symptoms, as well as pediatrics (pediatrics), which deals, among other things, with childhood developmental delays or degenerative diseases of the muscles. Other areas of application are pain therapy, which involves the treatment of chronic pain, internal medicine, which deals with cardiovascular diseases, rheumatism, respiratory diseases such as asthma or vascular dysfunction, and rehabilitation, which is used to regain physical and mental abilities. Physiotherapy is also used in cancer, gynecology during pregnancy, psychiatry and sports medicine. In the latter, gymnastic exercises are performed to optimize training and to treat sports injuries. Therapeutic gymnastics is also important for prevention. Thus, certain exercises can prevent various ailments and diseases. First and foremost, these include back pain. These can be avoided, for example, with the help of a special back school. It is also possible to counteract the recurrence of problems with existing health impairments. Physiotherapy includes numerous different treatment methods.These are, for example, manual therapy, the Bobath concept, Brügger therapy, Vojta therapy, manual lymphatic drainage and various massages. These procedures have a positive effect on muscles and joints. Healing gymnastics also includes passive procedures such as heat and cold applications, the application of mud packs, balneotherapy or electrotherapy. Postural gymnastics can be used to effectively relieve acute pain by strengthening the muscles in a targeted manner. Another field of activity is respiratory therapy. Here the respiratory muscles are relaxed by gymnastic exercises. Physiotherapy also includes various relaxation methods as well as a better perception of the body. This gives the user a greater sense of self-esteem.

Risks, side effects and dangers

In order for remedial gymnastics to have its positive effects, it should be performed by an experienced therapist. Thus, it is important that the latter observes all precautions and contraindications. In this way, risks and side effects can be significantly reduced. However, these turn out to be rather small when gymnastic exercises are performed. Overweight people may experience joint overload. This is especially true if they perform gymnastic exercises that are not suitable for them. Another contraindication is inflammation in the body. Thus, there is a possibility that gymnastics may slow down or jeopardize the healing process. Another contraindication to physiotherapy are diseases that cause restriction of respiratory and cardiac functions. The same is the case with a pronounced hyperthyroidism or severe hypertension. To avoid discomfort or nausea, it is recommended not to eat solid food for two hours before starting the exercises. In addition, great heat and elevated ozone levels should be avoided. In some cases, muscle soreness occurs after physiotherapy exercises. Sometimes there are also yellow small spots on the skin. They are considered to be an indication of the breakdown of metabolic end products that originate from the metabolism of the muscles. These end products dissolve in the course of gymnastics.