Physiotherapy
Physical therapy or physiotherapy applications are different methods used effectively in the treatment of many diseases.
Physical therapy, which includes techniques such as physical exercises, rays, heat, and electric current, is used in many diseases. Back and neck pain, stroke cases, various muscle and joint problems can be eliminated with the help of physical therapy.
What Is Physiotherapy?
Physical therapy is defined as the science applied to maintain, renew, and develop the maximum mobility of individuals throughout their lives, according to the World Confederation for Physical Therapy.
Physical therapy and physiotherapy mean the same thing, while rehabilitation is a treatment that focuses on resolving problems caused by pathological problems.
The purpose of physical therapy and rehabilitation is to treat the patient’s disorders and disabilities as soon as possible and to ensure that the individual regains their mobility. For this, multiple movements and techniques can be applied together, and the form and requirements of the treatment are determined according to the patient.
Who Is Physiotherapy Applied To?
Physiotherapy is one of the main therapeutic methods in many diseases and disorders. Therefore, its application area and target group are quite wide. In general, neurological, neurosurgical, orthopedic, rheumatological or musculoskeletal patients may need physiotherapy applications. The aim of the treatment applied to these patients is to relieve regional pain and restore lost mobility to the patient.
The following are some of the diseases that can be treated with physical therapy:
- Sports injuries and accidents
- Parkinson’s disease
- Spinal cord injuries
- Multiple sclerosis
- Neck and back herniated discs
- Hip and knee prostheses
- Osteoporosis
- Fracture and dislocation treatments
- Inflammatory joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis
- Paralysis
- Degenerative joint diseases
- Soft tissue disorders
- Tendon, muscle, and nerve injuries
- Lymphedema
- Cerebral palsy
- Meniscus injuries
- Anterior cruciate ligament and other ligament injuries of the knee
- Shoulder pain, shoulder muscle tears, frozen shoulder
- Tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow
- Posture disorders
- Carpal tunnel syndrome and similar conditions
In these diseases, the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation specialist examines the patient to determine the treatment they need. They adjust the exercises and number of sessions according to the patient’s problem.
Then, they refer the patient to physical therapy. Depending on the patient’s needs, many health professionals, such as physical therapy technicians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, nurses, and social workers, may be involved in the treatment.
In addition, electrical treatment applications and hot applications in physical therapy may not be suitable for or may be applied in a limited way for the following people:
- People with a pacemaker
- Pregnant women
- People in the acute phase of active inflammatory rheumatic disease
- People with vascular occlusion, varicose veins, cancer, and open wounds
What Are The Benefits Of Physiotherapy?
Physical therapy is a healthcare profession that helps people improve their movement and function. Physical therapists use a variety of techniques to help people recover from injuries or illnesses, or to improve their overall health and well-being.
Physical therapy is a popular treatment option for many conditions because it can help to improve regional pain and restore movement to the patient. By prescribing exercises that are tailored to the patient’s individual needs, physical therapists can help to improve the patient’s function and quality of life.
What Are Physiotherapy Applications?
Physiotherapy is a science that focuses on many problems and may require the application of different methods in different patients. Therefore, it is important to determine the method to be applied according to the patient’s discomfort. The most common physiotherapy applications are as follows:
Exercise
The method that is primarily applied and used in many patients is exercise application. In this method, the movements are determined according to the patient’s problem, complaint level and age; it is applied under the control of a physiotherapist. After fracture dislocation treatments, strokes, posture disorders, waist and neck hernias, prosthesis treatments and many other disorders, special exercise sessions are organised to alleviate patient complaints.
Thermotherapy
In this procedure, which is carried out by applying heat to the painful area, it is essential to relieve pain. Thermal pack, hot water, short-wave radiation, paraffin and high-frequency electric currents are used to accelerate blood and nerve conduction in the area. At the same time, the oedema in the area is also removed by this method.
Electrotherapy
Low or high frequency electrical currents are applied to the area to relieve pain. In addition, in case of nerve damage, the nerves are stimulated and strengthened. In this way, blood circulation is accelerated and oedema is removed from the body.
Manual Therapy
It is a massage technique applied manually without any tools or heat and provides pain reduction, prevention of muscle spasms and acceleration of blood circulation.
Hydrotherapy
In this water-based method, different treatments such as hot tubs, spas and contrast baths can be used. The main treatment aim is to relieve pain and restore joint mobility by increasing blood circulation.
Phototherapy
It is a method that allows stimulation of problematic areas with laser beams and ultraviolet rays.
Cryotherapy
Cold water packs, ice packs, sprays, cold compresses or liquid nitrogen are applied to reduce pain. In this way, deep tissues are cooled and the connective tissue is improved.
Mechanotherapy
It is a method of applying waist and neck pulling movements with various tools. It is aimed to strengthen regional muscles and increase mobility.
These methods stimulate the body with different methods and relax the nerves, muscles and tissues. More than one method can be applied according to the needs of the person and techniques are used to improve the patient’s problems as soon as possible.
