The World Confederation for Physical Therapy founded on World Physical Therapy Day to honour and emphasize the hardwork of the physiotherapists, and their vital role in restoring the health of patients through various physiotherapies tailor-made to suit individual patient’s requirements.
As most of us are aware, physiotherapy can help with healing cases such as amputations, arthritis, strains (neck, leg, hand, spine), or any type of post-surgery recovery. The potential of this therapy is enormous and highly effective. Its treatment approaches and modalities are diverse. On this World Physiotherapy Day, let’s get acquainted with some of the most common physiotherapy treatments.
6 physiotherapy treatments you should know about:
CRYOTHERAPY
This is one of the oldest physiotherapies used to treat a variety of conditions. Cryotherapy is the application of ice massage or ice packs to acutely injured muscles or joints in order to reduce swelling and inflammation.
HEAT THERAPY
It entails applying a hot pack or paraffin wax to stiff muscles to relieve pain, increase blood flow to the muscle or joint, and improve muscle and joint flexibility.
ELECTROTHERAPY
It is an energy-based physiotherapy technique that uses electrical stimulation. Electrodes attached to the skin activate muscles, reduce pain, improve circulation, repair tissues, strengthen muscles, stimulate bone growth, and prevent atrophy.
MYOFASCIAL RELEASE
This physiotherapy, first described by Andrew Taylor, involves light stretching and massage to relieve muscle tension and break up scar tissue. Fascia is the tough, membrane-like or connective tissue that covers or holds the body together. The application of a low load, long duration stretch into the myofascial complex aids in the regaining of optimal strength, pain relief, and improved fascia surrounding muscle function.
ROM (RANGE OF MOTION EXERCISES)
These are time-tested movement exercises that improve movement, joint mobility, and circulation. There may be extended periods of immobility following surgery, allowing for these ROM exercises, which are extremely beneficial in preventing atrophy and postural problems.
THERAPEUTIC ULTRASOUND
This treatment, which is known as the most recent physiotherapy technique, could be used for patients suffering from arthritis, tendonitis, and muscle strain. The ultrasound vibration is delivered gently to the damaged tissue. The frequency (adjusted with soft beams) is intended to stimulate the tendons, ligaments, and fascia, and the vibrations are then slowly absorbed to provide relief.
