Physiotherapy is the older term for physical therapy and deals with the healing of impairments as well as disabilities of mobility and functionality of the musculoskeletal system. In many cases, physiotherapy is used alongside or in conjunction with other medical treatments.
What is physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is the older term for physical therapy and is concerned with healing impairments as well as disabilities of mobility and functioning of the musculoskeletal system. Physiotherapy uses physical principles to promote, maintain and restore physical, mental and social well-being, taking into account changes in health status. As a scientifically based healing method, physiotherapy is interested in reviewing and substantiating these methods of treatment to further improve their practical application. Physiotherapists trained in physical therapy work with a wide variety of physical problems, primarily affecting the neuromuscular system, as well as the muscular, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems. This is accomplished using diagnostic and clinical knowledge as well as individual therapist skills. With the addition of various physical stimuli, physiotherapy is intended to bring about coordinated muscular activity under the conscious awareness of the patient.
Function, effect and goals
The treatment methods of physiotherapy are linked to the individual abilities of the patients. On the one hand, this concerns physiological and anatomical prerequisites for stimulating the organism’s self-healing powers. On the other hand, motivation and cognitive skills of the person to be treated play an important role in the successful application of physiotherapy, as an understanding of the functioning of the body is to be developed and personal responsibility is to be encouraged. Physiotherapy involves various techniques of functional exercise that promote joint and muscle mobility. These include Vojtatherapy, Bobath, manual therapy, Brügger therapy, massages, manual lymphatic drainage or foot reflex massages. Passive measures of physiotherapy such as heat applications with fango, cold applications, electrotherapy or traction of the body of bedridden patients have a mobilizing effect. Acute pain conditions are often caused by postural deformities. Here, postural gymnastics provides targeted strengthening of weakened muscles. In fact, special breathing exercises can also be used to help lung and asthma patients. Here, physiotherapy is used to train the relaxation of the respiratory muscles. In clinical practice, physiotherapy is used to treat paralysis by repeating movement patterns to reactivate skills that have been erased in the brain. Areas of application of physiotherapy are predominantly the outpatient treatment of spinal and joint problems, accidents and sports injuries. Furthermore, physiotherapy in the care of the elderly includes exercises to maintain mobility, rehabilitation after falls and the treatment of arthritis or Parkinson’s disease. Physiotherapy is increasingly being integrated into the field of work of home health care. Orthopedics and trauma surgery also benefit from physiotherapy measures. This applies, for example, to the restoration of mobility after hip, knee or spinal operations. Through various courses, physiotherapy imparts knowledge about relaxation methods or body awareness and helps to raise self-confidence and self-esteem. Seminars for back training, ergonomics or abdominal-leg buttocks are just a tiny excerpt from the wide range of physiotherapy services. As the modern world of work increasingly considers the well-being of employees, the use of physiotherapy in companies is on the rise. Mobile massages or instruction in simple exercises help to cope with everyday office life or physically heavy work. A classic application of physiotherapy is the treatment of injuries to active athletes, as well as advice on how to practice correct fitness exercises to avoid repetitive injuries.
Risks and dangers
The effectiveness of physiotherapy is determined primarily by the expertise of the therapists. Observing contraindications and precautions is able to reduce the risks and side effects in physiotherapy to a low level.As a general rule, nothing should be eaten for about two hours before sporting activities. Overweight people are at risk of overloading their joints when practicing unsuitable sports. The healing of acute inflammatory processes in the body should also not be additionally burdened by physiotherapy. This also applies to diseases that restrict cardiac or respiratory performance, severe hypertension or severe hyperthyroidism. Physiotherapy is not recommended in extreme outdoor temperatures and high ozone levels. Treatment with physiotherapy may cause muscle soreness as well as minor yellowish spots. These may indicate that metabolic waste products have been released from the muscle metabolism and are being broken down.
