What is Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy isrehabilitation measures to avoid or minimize physical limitations resulting from injury or illness. Physiotherapy can be performed on patients of all ages for a variety of purposes, from relieving back pain to preparing for exercise and childbirth.

Basically, the goal of physiotherapy is to restore normal body functions after an illness or injury. If the body suffers from a permanent illness or injury, physiotherapy can be performed to reduce its impact. Physiotherapy can be done in various ways, either manually or using tools.

Conditions Requiring Physiotherapy

Here are some of the patient's conditions that can be helped by physiotherapy treatment based on the body's system:

Nervous system disorders

Some conditions related to the nervous system, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, head injury, and Parkinson's disease require physiotherapy. Generally, neurological disorders due to these diseases cause impaired body functions, such as difficulty speaking and difficulty moving.

Disturbance on skeletal muscles

Conditions caused by disorders of muscles, bones, and joints, such as back pain, leg cramps, sports injuries, and arthritis, requires physiotherapy in order to choose faster. Postoperative recovery of bones and muscles also often requires physiotherapy.

Disease kcardiovascular

Disorders of the heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular system) that can be helped by physiotherapy are chronic heart disease and rehabilitation after a heart attack. With physiotherapy, the patient's life after surgery will be of better quality because of the physical and emotional support.

Disturbance respiration

Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cystic fibrosis (cystic fibrosis) are some diseases related to the respiratory system that can be alleviated through physiotherapy. Physiotherapists can provide a range of methods on how the body can breathe better and how to control asthma symptoms, such as coughing and difficulty breathing.

What Does Physiotherapy Treatment Look Like?

Maybe you are curious about how a physiotherapist treats patients with the above health problems. Of course, this therapy is carried out through a series of examinations, diagnosis, and treatment of health problems that appear in your body.

Here are some methods or forms of physiotherapy treatment that are usually applied to patients:

1. Exercise program

This therapy involves the patient to actively perform movements, so that he/she returns to normal body functions. Physiotherapy can also help patients by correcting incorrect exercise techniques and causing injuries.

Some of the therapies included in this program include techniques to improve posture, muscle strengthening movements, gymnastics or sports, and muscle stretching.

2. Telectrotherapy technique

This therapy uses a device with electric power or also known as electrical therapy. Some of this type of therapy include nerve therapy with electrical stimulation (TEN), electrical stimulation therapy through fat tissue (PENS), and the PENS method by combining acupuncture and electrical therapy techniques.

3. Fmanual physiotherapy

This type of physiotherapy includes massage, stretching, mobilization, and joint manipulation. Manual physiotherapy can help relax, reduce pain and increase the flexibility of affected limbs.

4. TOccupational Eradication

Also known as occupational therapy, this is a form of therapy that helps patients with physical, sensory, or cognitive (mind) limitations or disabilities to be able to carry out daily activities well. This therapy will also teach you how to use assistive devices appropriately.

In addition to those already mentioned above, there are other physiotherapy methods that are carried out using special tools or techniques. Some of the methods commonly used include hydrotherapy, ultrasound, temperature therapy (hot or cold), and acupuncture.

In addition to the complete and specific method, physiotherapy can also be done flexibly. This means that patients can do physiotherapy anywhere according to their abilities, whether they want to be at home or in a hospital with physiotherapy services.

You can even do physiotherapy yourself, but don't forget to ask for advice and direction from a medical rehabilitation doctor first. The doctor will determine the type, method, intensity, and frequency of physiotherapy according to your condition and needs.