What is physical therapy?
Physical therapy or physical medicine is one of the remedies and is used by trained physical therapists. Physical therapy includes various procedures that all have one thing in common: they use external stimuli to elicit a natural physical response. Heat, cold, pressure or traction, electrical stimuli or physiotherapy exercises activate certain processes in the body that help eliminate musculoskeletal dysfunction, pain, circulatory problems or skin conditions.
Remedy: Therapeutic massage
What is a therapeutic massage?
Here, the therapist works on the affected part of the body with special massage grips. Proven techniques include stroking, tapping, kneading and rubbing. In this way, the skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscles, tendons and connective tissue as well as the associated nerves, blood and lymph vessels are stimulated.
The main areas of application of this method include muscular tension, chronic pain, adhesions and scarring in the tissues, and digestive disorders.
How is a therapeutic massage applied?
Depending on the symptoms, various massage methods are available, ranging from classical massage therapy (KMT), connective tissue massage, lymphatic drainage and colon (intestinal) massage to periosteal (periosteal) and underwater massage.
When is therapeutic massage not suitable?
There are some contraindications for which therapeutic massage should not be used. These include acute musculoskeletal injuries, fresh muscle tears, febrile illnesses, and acute thrombosis and febrile infections.
For more information on therapeutic massage, see the article Therapeutic Massage.
Remedy: Inhalation therapy
What is inhalation therapy?
When to use inhalation therapy?
Diseases of the respiratory tract are the typical areas of application for this method of physical therapy. These include, for example, acute and chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
How is inhalation therapy used?
The affected person inhales the nebulized active substances. Various application systems are available for this purpose, for example inhalation masks, metered dose inhalers, jet nebulizers or ultrasonic nebulizers.
When is inhalation therapy not suitable?
Allergic reactions such as coughing speak against inhalation therapy.
For more information on inhalation therapy, see the article Inhalation.
Remedy: Exercise therapy
What is exercise therapy?
When is exercise therapy used?
Physical therapy measures are used, for example, after accidental injuries, as an adjunct to therapy, such as for cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, and as a preventive measure. They can also have a mood-lifting effect on mental illnesses such as depression.
How is exercise therapy applied?
The main methods of exercise therapy are physiotherapy and manual therapy.
When is exercise therapy not suitable?
Exercise therapy methods are not suitable, for example, for acute injuries to the musculoskeletal system such as fresh bone fractures and febrile infections.
For more information on exercise therapy, see the article Exercise Therapy.
Remedy: Electrotherapy
What is electrotherapy?
When is electrotherapy used?
This form of physical therapy treatment is usually used as an adjunct to promote the healing process, stimulate circulation, relax muscles or relieve pain.
How is electrotherapy used?
There are different types of electrotherapy that address different symptoms with targeted physical therapy:
- Direct current therapy: promotes blood circulation
- Low-frequency therapy: has an additional anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effect
- Medium frequency therapy: improves the metabolism of the muscles
- High-frequency therapy: loosens tense muscles and promotes the healing process after injuries
When is electrotherapy not suitable?
What should I pay attention to before and after electrotherapy?
After the treatment, you should clean and apply cream to the areas of skin where the electrodes have been placed. If electrotherapy is used to treat pain, you should take a break for at least 14 days after about 10 sessions.
For more information on electrotherapy, see the article Electrotherapy.
Remedy: Carbonic acid baths
What is a carbonic acid bath?
Carbonic acid baths also belong to physical therapies. In a carbonic acid bath, you bathe in water to which carbonic acid has been added. The mixing ratio must be at least one gram of carbon dioxide per kilogram of water.
When are carbonic acid baths used?
Carbonic acid baths are mainly used in physical therapy to treat mild circulatory disorders and moderate hypertension. Accordingly, classic indications include the following:
- Mild forms of peripheral arterial occlusive disease
- Microcirculatory disorders of the skin
- Cardiovascular disorders
- Venous circulatory disorders
- Ulcers of the skin, venous ulcers
- Chronic venous insufficiency
- Rheumatism
How is a carbonic acid bath applied?
The following forms of application are distinguished, depending on the underlying source of carbonic acid:
- Natural carbonic acid baths: Natural carbonic acid sources are available in Germany, for example in Bad Salzuflen and Bad Ems.
- Artificial carbonic acid baths: mechanically or chemically prepared. Mechanically by adding gaseous carbonic acid from a steel bottle to the water. Chemically by adding sodium hydrogen carbonate as carbonic acid carrier and, for example, aluminum sulfate as carbonic acid generator.
- Carbonic acid dry baths/gas baths: are carried out in electrically heated seat tubs or, in the case of partial baths, with the aid of a heated box with an opening for the arm or leg. Carbon dioxide is introduced into the fixtures for the treatment.
When is a carbonic acid bath not suitable?
- Febrile diseases
- Heart failure
- Large, weeping eczema
- Acute myocardial infarction
- Wound infections (gangrene)
What should I pay attention to during a carbonic acid bath?
During the bath, one should move as little as possible in order not to reduce the carbonic acid concentration in the water. In addition, care should be taken to keep the head well above the edge of the tub so as not to inhale too much of the gas. After a treatment with carbonic acid, one should rest for at least 30 minutes.
Remedy: Thermotherapy
What is thermotherapy?
As a physical therapy procedure, thermotherapy includes heat and cold treatments. Both procedures have an effect on muscle tension and blood circulation, and they also relieve pain.
When do you use thermotherapy?
How is thermotherapy applied?
Various tools are available for heat treatments, including ultrasound, infrared and hot air, for example. Cold therapy applications work with ice baths, ice wraps or cold gas, for example.
When is thermotherapy not suitable?
Heat therapy is contraindicated in, for example:
- Acute inflammations such as flu-like infections or acute joint inflammations
- Cardiac insufficiency
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland)
- Cancer in an advanced stage
- Cold therapy methods should not be used for:
- Cryoglobulinemia (a certain form of vascular inflammation).
- cold urticaria (wheal formation on the skin in response to cold stimuli)
- Circulatory disorders such as Raynaud’s syndrome (attacks of reduced blood flow to fingers and toes) For more information on thermotherapy, see the article Thermotherapy.
Remedies: Manual therapy
Typical areas of application for manual therapy are spinal complaints, joint pain, muscle pain and rheumatic diseases.
Manual therapy may only be performed if there are no acute injuries to the spine such as fractures, burns, inflammation or metastases.
For more information on manual therapy, see the article Manual Therapy.
