physical therapy

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Physiotherapy - formerly also called physiotherapy - is used to treat and prevent a wide variety of complaints, injuries and illnesses. Different active and passive techniques and procedures are used. Read everything you need to know about physiotherapy: how it works, when to use it, and what the risks are.

What is Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy treats restrictions in the body's ability to move and function and is a medically prescribed remedy. It is a useful addition and sometimes an alternative to operations or medication. In addition to physiotherapy exercises, physical measures, massages and manual lymphatic drainage are also part of physiotherapy.

Physiotherapy can be carried out as an inpatient (in a hospital, rehabilitation center, etc.) or outpatient (in a physiotherapy practice). There is also mobile physiotherapy. The physiotherapist comes to the patient. This has the advantage that the patient can practice certain movement sequences in his familiar environment. Mobile physiotherapy is also useful for patients for whom their illness or physical limitations make it difficult or even impossible to visit a practice.

A special variant is the extended outpatient physiotherapy: In addition to general physiotherapeutic care, it includes advanced medical training that restores the patient's performance both privately and at work.

Special directions or methods of physiotherapy are, for example:

Sports physiotherapy

Sports physiotherapy is primarily aimed at the care and training of athletes as well as the prevention and treatment of sports injuries. Important components include warming up, stretching, the correct implementation of physiotherapy or physiotherapy exercises and, if necessary, the treatment of injuries caused by sport.

Physiotherapy according to Bobath (physiotherapy according to Bobath)

Physiotherapy according to Bobath helps people with neurological (brain and nerve origin) functional disorders: The patients train and repeat certain movement sequences until new nerve fibers and synapses have formed. The method is mainly used after a stroke or in the case of congenital movement disorders.

Physiotherapy according to Vojta (physiotherapy according to Vojta)

In physiotherapy according to Vojta, the physiotherapist uses targeted pressure to trigger reflexes. The combination of several reflexes from certain starting positions should activate the muscle function.

Physiotherapy according to Schroth (physiotherapy according to Schroth)

With the help of physiotherapy according to Schroth, one tries to stop the deformation of the spine in scoliosis by strengthening and stretching the muscles and promoting a conscious upright posture.

Physiotherapy on the device (physiotherapy on the device)

The device-supported physiotherapy aims to improve muscle strength and endurance, mobility and coordination, especially with orthopedic complaints, with the help of training equipment and traction apparatus. Frequently used devices are, for example, bicycle ergometers, classic strength training devices and cable pulls.

CMD physiotherapy

CMD stands for craniomandibular dysfunction and describes a disorder of the chewing function, which can lead to various symptoms such as headache, back pain and jaw pain, tension, tinnitus or teeth grinding. The most common cause is jaw misalignment, which can be treated with special CMD physiotherapy.

Respiratory therapy

Breathing therapy refers to techniques that make it easier for the patient to breathe. It is prescribed, for example, to patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). You can read more about this in the article on respiratory therapy.

Back training

Back training strengthens the strength and flexibility of the back and strengthens the back muscles. With the help of various back exercises, bad posture and back pain can be avoided or reduced. If you want to know more about this, read the post back training.

Back school

In the back school you learn what keeps your back healthy. The course program consists of various modules, for example knowledge of back-friendly posture and movement behavior, relaxation techniques and training of body awareness. The goal is to prevent or relieve back pain. You can find out more about this in the article Back school.

When do you do physiotherapy?

The goals of physiotherapy are primarily determined by the patient and his clinical picture. Basically, it is about relieving pain, promoting metabolism and blood circulation, and improving or maintaining mobility, coordination, strength and endurance. In addition to the age and condition of the patient, physiotherapy should also take into account everyday living conditions. The course of the disease also plays an important role.

Diseases of the supporting and locomotor organs

In orthopedics in particular, physiotherapy is used for diseases of the spine and extremities, as well as after injuries and operations. These include broken bones, rheumatism, scoliosis, herniated discs as well as congenital deformities and malformations such as clubfoot. The treatment of sports injuries can also benefit from physiotherapy measures.

Nervous system disorders

A wide spectrum of neurological diseases makes use of the treatment options of physiotherapy. This applies, for example, to paralysis, movement disorders and functional disorders after injuries to the skull and spinal cord, damage to the central nervous system (CNS) during childbirth, paraplegic syndromes and multiple sclerosis. With the help of physiotherapeutic measures, the interaction between the sensory and motor skills of the patient is trained.

Diseases of the internal organs

In diseases such as asthma, pulmonary fibrosis or cystic fibrosis, training in effective breathing and special coughing techniques can alleviate the symptoms and thus improve the quality of life. If the blood vessels or lymphatic tracts constrict, regular gait training improves blood circulation and endurance, while at the same time reducing pain. Disorders of the intestinal function such as Crohn's disease can also be treated supportively with physiotherapy.

What do you do with physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy is prescribed as a remedy according to the catalog of remedies, similar to a drug by the doctor. Depending on the type and severity of the clinical picture, the type and number of treatments is determined.

The first visit to the physiotherapist usually consists of the anamnesis - the recording of the medical history in conversation - and a thorough examination, during which, among other things, the strength of the muscles and mobility are checked and pain is precisely localized. Based on the information from the conversation and the examination, the physiotherapist then creates a physiotherapeutic therapy plan and discusses the individual goals with the patient.

Depending on the therapy plan, active, assisted and passive exercises are carried out at regular intervals. In passive physiotherapy exercises, the physiotherapist moves the patient's joints without the patient working with his muscles. This improves mobility and promotes blood circulation. At the same time, contractures and stiffening are avoided.

With assistive physiotherapy exercises, the patient has to use muscle strength himself. However, the movements are supported by the physiotherapist or special physiotherapy equipment. If the training takes place in the water, the buoyancy is used as an assistive force.

Active physiotherapy exercises are performed by the patient without assistance. It is corrected and checked by the physiotherapist. This also includes resistive physiotherapy exercises in which one has to work against muscle strength, equipment or water resistance. As far as possible, the patient should also perform the exercises at home and integrate them into everyday life.

What are the risks of physiotherapy?

If carried out correctly, physiotherapy carries hardly any risks. However, if the exercises are done improperly or improperly, bruising, inflammation, or other injuries can occur. Exercises that help coordinate and treat dizziness are associated with an increased risk of falling.

What do I have to consider after physiotherapy?

You should also practice independently at home. This accelerates the healing process.

The increased stress on individual muscle groups can cause sore muscles, but this is not dangerous. Exhaustion and tiredness are symptoms that can result from increased physical work. If you experience pain or injuries after physiotherapy, it is advisable to see a doctor.

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