Physical therapy

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The principle of action of physical therapy is based on the natural reactions of the body using external stimuli such as heat, cold, pressure or tension. The forms of treatment include, for example, massages, heat and cold therapies and the use of electrical stimuli. Read everything about physical therapy, methods, areas of application,

What is physical therapy?

Physical therapy or physical medicine is one of the remedies and is used by trained physiotherapists.Physical therapy involves various procedures that all have one thing in common: they use external stimuli to produce a natural physical response. Heat, cold, pressure or tension, electrical stimuli or physiotherapy exercises activate certain processes in the body that help to eliminate functional disorders of the musculoskeletal system, pain, circulatory disorders or skin diseases.

Remedies: therapeutic massage

What is a therapeutic massage?

The therapist works on the affected body area with special massage techniques. Proven techniques include brushing, 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.

When do you use a therapeutic massage?

The most important areas of application for this method include muscular tension, chronic pain, adhesions and scarring in the tissue, as well as digestive disorders.

How is a therapeutic massage used?

Depending on the symptoms, various massage methods are available, from classic massage therapy (BMT) to connective tissue massage, lymph drainage and colon (intestinal) massage to periosteum (periosteum) and underwater massage.

When is a therapeutic massage not suitable?

There are some contraindications for which therapeutic massage should not be used. These include acute injuries to the musculoskeletal system, fresh muscle tears, febrile illnesses as well as acute thromboses and febrile infections.

For more information on therapeutic massage, see the Therapeutic Massage article.

Remedies: inhalation therapy

What is inhalation therapy?

Inhalation therapy is another method of physical therapy and works by inhaling nebulized saline solutions or medication that reach the alveoli via the airways. It is offered in physiotherapy practices.

When do you 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 person concerned inhales the nebulized active ingredients. Various application systems are available for this, for example inhalation masks, metered dose aerosols, jet nebulizers or ultrasonic nebulizers.

When is inhalation therapy unsuitable?

Allergic reactions such as coughing speak against inhalation therapy.

For more information on inhalation therapy, see the Inhale article.

Remedies: exercise therapy

What is exercise therapy?

All physical therapy procedures that work with movement are part of movement therapy. The aim of these treatment methods is to maintain or restore the resilience and performance of muscles, joints, tendons and nerves.

When do you use exercise therapy?

Movement therapy measures of physical therapy are used, for example, after accidental injuries, accompanying therapy, for example in the case of cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, as well as preventive use. They can also have a mood-enhancing effect on mental illnesses such as depression.

How is exercise therapy used?

The most important methods of exercise therapy are physiotherapy and manual therapy.

When is exercise therapy not suitable?

Exercise therapy methods are unsuitable, for example, for acute injuries to the musculoskeletal system such as fresh bones and febrile infections.

For more information on exercise therapy, see the Exercise Therapy article.

Remedies: electrotherapy

What is electrotherapy?

Electrotherapy is a physical therapy procedure that uses electrical stimuli to treat certain physical complaints. For this purpose, current is briefly passed into the patient's body via glued-on electrodes.

When do you use electrotherapy?

This form of treatment, physical therapy, is usually used as an accompaniment to promote the healing process, stimulate blood circulation, loosen muscles or relieve pain.

How is electrotherapy used?

There are different types of electrotherapy that address different symptoms with specific physical therapy:

• Direct current therapy: promotes blood circulation
• Low-frequency therapy: has an additional anti-inflammatory and analgesic 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?

Electrotherapy is only conditionally suitable for patients with a pacemaker. Anyone wearing metallic implants must completely refrain from low-frequency electrotherapy. In addition, electrotherapy is contraindicated in early pregnancy to avoid damaging the unborn child.

What do I have to consider before and after electrotherapy?

After the treatment, the areas of the skin to which the electrodes were attached should be cleaned and creamed. If electrotherapy is used to treat pain, you should pause for at least 14 days after about 10 sessions.

For more information on electrotherapy, see the electrotherapy article.

Remedies: carbonic acid baths

What is a carbon dioxide bath?

Carbonic acid baths are also part of the physical therapies. A carbonic acid bath involves bathing in carbonated water. The mixing ratio must be at least one gram of carbon dioxide per kilogram of water.

When do you use carbon dioxide baths?

Carbonic acid baths are mainly used in physical therapy to treat mild circulatory disorders and moderate high blood pressure. Accordingly, classic indications include the following:

• Mild forms of peripheral arterial disease
• Arterial and venous circulatory disorders
• Microcirculation disorders of the skin
• Cardiovascular problems
• Venous circulatory disorders
• Ulcers of the skin, venous ulcers
• Chronic venous insufficiency
• rheumatism

How is a carbonated bath used?

A distinction is made between the following forms of application, depending on the underlying carbon dioxide source:

• Natural carbon dioxide baths: There are natural carbon dioxide sources in Germany, for example in Bad Salzuflen and Bad Ems
• Artificial carbon dioxide baths: prepared mechanically or chemically. Mechanically by adding gaseous carbonic acid to the water from a steel bottle. Chemically by adding sodium hydrogen carbonate as a carbonic acid carrier and, for example, aluminum sulfate as a carbonic acid generator.
• Carbon dioxide 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 arm or leg. Carbon dioxide is introduced into the devices for the treatment.

When is a carbon dioxide bath not suitable?

Carbon dioxide baths are particularly contraindicated for:

• Febrile illnesses
• Heart failure
• Big, weeping eczema
• Acute heart attack
• Wound infections (gangrene)

What do I have to watch out for in a carbon dioxide bath?

During the bath you should move as little as possible so as not to reduce the carbon dioxide concentration in the water. You should also make sure to keep your head well above the edge of the bathtub so as not to inhale too much of the gas. Rest for at least 30 minutes after carbonation.

Remedies: thermotherapy

What is thermotherapy?

As a method of physical therapy, 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?

Physical therapy heat treatments are used, for example, for muscle tension, pain in the musculoskeletal system, and for adhesions and scars in the tissue. Cold processes have proven themselves, for example, to counteract swelling in the case of sprains or bruises. In addition, cold stimuli have an anti-inflammatory effect.

How is thermotherapy used?

Various aids are available for heat treatments, including, for example, ultrasound, infrared and hot air. Cold therapy applications work, for example, with ice baths, ice wraps or cold gas.

When is thermotherapy not suitable?

Heat therapy is contraindicated, for example, for:

• Acute inflammations such as flu-like infections or acute joint inflammation
• Heart failure
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism)
• Advanced cancer
• Cold therapy methods should not be used in:
• Cryoglobulinemia (a type of blood vessel inflammation)
• Cold urticaria (wheals on the skin when exposed 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 Thermotherapy article.

Remedies: manual therapy

In manual therapy, the physiotherapist works with various grip techniques that are intended to mobilize joints and muscles. Sometimes he also uses special devices such as a sling table or a spinal cord straightener. With such a traction or extension treatment, the tensile force (traction) is used to stretch painful joints or the spine. As a result, joints and vertebrae loosen, nerve tracts are relieved, muscles are stretched and pain is reduced.

Typical areas of application for manual therapy are spinal problems, joint pain, muscle pain and rheumatic diseases.

Manual therapy may only be carried out if there are no acute injuries to the spine such as fractures, burns, inflammations or metastases.

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

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