Exercise therapy

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The generic term movement therapy summarizes all physical therapy measures that work with movement. The two most important therapeutic methods of exercise therapy are physiotherapy and manual therapy. Here you can read everything you need to know about exercise therapy, the two central treatment methods and the various areas of application. You can also find out when methods of movement therapy are not suitable.

What is exercise therapy?

Exercise therapy is a form of physical therapy that uses exercise to treat ailments. It is one of the most important applications in the field of physiotherapy and has a wide range of uses - from cardiovascular diseases to injuries or functional disorders of the musculoskeletal system to respiratory and metabolic diseases.

Exercise therapy applications can also be helpful as an accompanying measure for serious illnesses such as cancer or for psychological complaints such as depression.

Concentrative exercise therapy

Although the name suggests, this method of treatment is not part of physical exercise therapy. Rather, it is a special method of psychotherapy that actively involves the body in the psychotherapeutic treatment with the help of trained, intensive perception and movement.

physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is the heart of physiotherapy. Physiotherapy can be done actively by the patient himself or passively by the physiotherapist. The focus is on mobilizing and stabilizing movement exercises that are carried out with or without equipment support, on the mat or in the exercise pool. Physiotherapy can be prescribed as individual or group therapy.

When do you use physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy works in many ways because it:

• activates and strengthens weakened muscles
• stretches muscles, tendons, joint capsules, skin and scars
• improves posture and relieves the muscles
• trains and trains coordination
• increases blood circulation
• stimulates breathing, metabolism and the cardiovascular system

The range of uses for physiotherapy is correspondingly broad, for example:

• Undeveloped developments, diseases, injuries and functional disorders of the musculoskeletal system, internal organs and nerves
• Avoidance and treatment of joint stiffness (contractures)
• Regulation of muscle tension
• Functional improvement in the case of muscle insufficiencies and imbalances
• Respiratory and organ disorders such as cystic fibrosis

How is physiotherapy used?

There are different forms of application of physiotherapy, which are selected to suit the individual symptoms of those affected. One differentiates:

• Simple physiotherapy: This includes general physiotherapy, physiotherapy in the exercise pool and physiotherapy for the treatment of severe respiratory diseases such as cystic fibrosis.
• Device-supported physiotherapy: Treatment of chronic spinal diseases, post-operative and post-traumatic interventions with the help of medical training devices
• Physiotherapy for children (KG-CNS children): for the treatment of central movement disorders up to the age of 18
• KG-CNS: for the treatment of central movement disorders after the age of 18

When is physiotherapy not suitable?

In some cases physiotherapy should not be used, for example in:

• Fresh broken bones
• Febrile infections
• Traumatic cross-sectional injuries to the spinal cord
• Skull base tumors

You can read more about physiotherapy in the article Physiotherapy.

Manual therapy

This treatment method uses special hand movements and techniques to mobilize muscles and / or joints, increasing the patient's mobility and relieving pain. The focus is on stretching and stretching the affected muscles or joints.

When do you use manual therapy?

The most important areas of application include:

• Spinal problems (including a slipped disc)
• Back pain
• Joint pain

How is manual therapy used?

The therapist uses certain grip techniques or mobilizes as part of extension therapy, a special form of movement therapy, for example with the help of a sling table.

For more information on manual therapy, see the manual therapy article.

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